Released — Finding Purpose Behind Bars

In an overcrowded Philippines women’s correctional facility, 2,293 women are sharing a space built to accommodate 1,000. Many are victims of human trafficking — some serving time for physically assaulting the very men who exploited them. Some are young, some old, some sleeping on mattresses on the floor, some going without receiving correspondence for years, and some dying from not receiving medical treatment for illnesses. Faced with an existence of insignificance, many inmates have no choice but to look to the future for a glimpse of hope or happiness. For Grazie Ann, she discovered that her life has meaning no matter where she lives.

Serving a prison sentence that would take her into her eighties, Grazie realized that a life outside might never be a reality. "There I was — 41 years of age, facing a 40-year imprisonment." she says. Physically and emotionally confined, Grazie yearned to make sense of her life. "I searched deep within myself but did not find anything that could satisfy the need that branded my soul." She joined an all-inmate church and began holding Bible studies. As she grew closer to God, Grazie felt him leading her to bigger changes in the prison.

After some time, Grazie was given special office privileges within the prison that allowed her to access the internet. "I prayed, fasted, and started listening to sermons and studying online." She made a connection with Saddleback Church and read The Purpose Driven Life — a book that changed her life. "That book made me realize that life has meaning and purpose, even if I am behind bars."

Through her contact with Saddleback, Grazie was put in touch with Arlene Hewitt, a member of a PEACE team that was scheduled to visit the Philippines. Saddleback PEACE teams work through local churches around the world to provide assistance to communities. Part of Arlene’s trip included a visit to the women’s correctional facility. But when site restrictions prevented the PEACE team from entering the prison, they did not give up. Although they were number 94 on a list of religious organizations waiting to be granted access, the team shut their eyes to discouragement and instead began to pray. Miraculously, within hours God opened doors and the PEACE team was given permission to visit the facility.

Men are typically not allowed in the all-women run institute, but the team witnessed another miracle when a last-second decision was made by the superintendent that allowed Pastor Narry Santos of Saddleback South Manila to go in and give a message. While the women on the PEACE team visited with inmates, the men walked the perimeter of the prison and prayed for the team and all the women inside.

Arlene returned to South Manila and visited the women’s prison on two other occasions. On second visit, an incredible gift of five bunk beds was donated by the Filipino community of Saddleback Church. “Life in prison is hard most especially now that we are so overcrowded. The actual bed capacity of the prison is only 1,000.” Grazie revealed.

Arlene’s team visited again a few months later with a mission to give the women of the correctional facility a chance to get baptized. The first thing Arlene did when she arrived on Philippine soil was request an inflatable pool. Water is rationed in the prison. The pool was dropped off four days before the event, and collectively, the inmates filled the pool within that time by sacrificing their drinking water.

"On the day of the event 23 people were allowed in, no question," Grazie says. The religious officer also allowed Pastor Narry and his team to come in, hold worship, give a sermon, and baptize. Amazingly, the superintendent allowed all of the men on the PEACE team in, the no-photography rule was temporarily lifted, and a designated picture taker was assigned.

More than 485 inmates came to the worship service. When Pastor Narry asked who wanted to be baptized, 35 women immediately stood up. “They were so proud and excited.” Arlene said. First in line for baptism — Grazie!

Currently Grazie’s Christian ministry has 24 small groups and consists of 300 women — all who’ve completed 40 Days of Purpose. And that same religious officer who was so hesitant to let Saddleback come into the prison and baptize attended Saddleback South Manila’s launch last month and wants all to inmates to go through the 40 Days of Purpose.

“Our situation may seem grim, but we all hold on to God’s promise. No one ever said that life would be easy. As for us here, we will continue serving the Lord in any way we can,” Grazie maintains.

To learn more about The PEACE Plan, click here.