Every Thursday’s a holyday!
Apr 6th, 2007 by Steve Posted in Bluefields 2007 | 1 Comment
Francisco Artiaga. The name is burned in my skull. This is the month of reckoning. In the next two weeks, he’ll be reunited with his family, hopefully.
I remember sitting down on the bench, nervous, as my first time performing an eye-examination - in a Nicaraguan prison, no less! I looked up at my mentor, Devika, and hoped she didn’t see the look of worry in my eyes. I turned to the gate where they let the prisoners come through escorted by an unarmed prison guard. The other guard in the corner of the courtyard with the machine gun was not much more reassuring. If things did go sour, I’m pretty sure I’d be caught in the crossfire. Little did I know but that guard needed the new glasses more than any of the prisoners…
I met Francisco as he sat down beside Tricia, our translator. Stumbling through broken Spanish, I quickly checked his medical history. He cheerfully went through the questions. Why are you so happy? Look around you, you are in prison! He almost seemed content to be there.
I started with the distance vision testing. Questions tumbled through my head. I had to ask. So as I made the act of ruffling through my papers as I casually asked when he was getting out of prison. I wanted to avoid why he was in prison so it seemed like a good opening.
He happily said that he was hoping to be out in late April. As I hoped, he went into his story. He started with the crime that he allegedly did not commit. The crime was rape. He claimed that he had 6 or 7 witnesses that either were not allowed to testify or that the judge dismissed. That wasn’t really the story though as I soon found out.
The real story was how he was supported still by his wife, by his former employer, and by his faith. His wife continues to visit him every Thursday for the prison Christian service. It’s a wonderful statement to support his innocence. His employer continues to keep his job for him. That alone is amazing considering his employer has no shortage of choices given the 80% unemployment rate in Nicaragua.
Francisco’s faith, though, is what truly sustains him. His eyes glitter with intensity as he speaks about his faith. His belief in God has prompted him to not only join the services on Thursdays but also to be initiate a prayer ministry inside the prison. He claims that the ministry has given hope to others in the prison by providing a solid spiritual foundation for them.
I finally finish with the examination and ask if we could pray for him and him ministry. He smiles and bows his head. As I open my mouth to begin with some words of prayer, Francisco begins speaking. I didn’t understand all the words but from what I could pick up, Francisco was praying for us! As he finished, we both looked at each other, wiped the tears from our eyes and hugged.
“There’s no sad or angry feelings that I carry with me because I am in prison,” Francisco says, “I know now that God has put me here for a reason. I am quite happy to be here doing His work.”
Francisco, I’m praying for your speedy release.
April 10th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Steve and I were truly blessed by this man. We were there to help him but he helped us. Imagine what our lives would be like if we had the same attitude as Francisco!