By KRIZIA S. ARCANGEL
FOUR years after he walked out of prison, Jose Reyes returns to the Rizal Provincial Jail every Thursday, not to serve time for yet another offense, but to share God’s Word to inmates.
Together with other former prisoners and volunteers, Reyes ministers to inmates through Bible studies, small group meetings and other outreach activities. He visits Marikina City Jail on Wednesdays to do the same.
On some other days, he accepts invitations to speak in other churches about his experience and subsequent transformation in prison.
His newfound passion for sharing the Gospel was a far cry from his intense ridicule of God in the past. “I used to laugh whenever I saw the gory scenes in the (movie) The Passion of Christ,” he shared. “Now, I can’t help but cry recalling Jesus’ sacrifice for me.”
Reyes has been imprisoned six times for committing various drug-related offenses.
Although he was already tired of messing up his life, he did not know then what else to do aside from selling drugs.
What he did not foresee was his future involvement in a church ministry for prisoners that would change his life forever.
Reyes, while still in detention, initially attended the Bible studies conducted by the Binigyang Laya ni Hesus ministry (Biyahe) every Monday to stop him from thinking about his family.
The free food volunteers from Christ’s Commission Fellowship, a Christian church, gave him during their visits, was a plus. He was more interested in the food and just passively listened to the speakers. After a few sessions however Reyes found himself in rapt attention when a speaker quoted Isaiah 1:18 from the Bible, which said: “‘Come now, let us reason together,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow…’”
“When I heard that, I realized it’s still possible to change no matter how wretched my life has become,” he recalled.
Biyahe was started in 2004 by Pastor Danny Urquico, head pastor of CCF Taytay, Rizal. Being a former inmate himself, he thought of bringing the Good News to jails.
Urquico used to do the ministering by himself for two years, until some freed prisoners were trained for the same task. The ministry now has around 20 former inmates helping out in outreach programs, and volunteers who provide additional assistance.
“Biyahe is aimed at ministering to the inmates whose lives society considers to be a waste because of their criminal records,” Urquico said. “We believe they can still transform their lives once they have a personal relationship with Jesus.”
He said ministering to an inmate is 10 times more difficult than ministering to 10 ordinary people. “To be used by God to change an inmate’s life is a big blessing for me,” he said.
Angelito Legaspi has been in the Rizal Provincial Jail since 2004 for selling drugs, a crime he said he did not commit. He used to angrily question why it was he who ended up in jail instead of his brother, who was supposedly the real pusher.
Attending Bible studies conducted by Biyahe volunteers however softened his heart. He said he was no longer filled with resentment toward his brother.
“When my brother visits me and tells me he pities my situation, I tell him to stop doing so because I believe God has a purpose for bringing me here…I’m no longer angry at him or any of my family members,” he said.
Urquico said part of Biyahe’s mission is restoring inmates’ relationship with their families, which has usually been strained because of problems brought about by the former’s incarceration. “We want to involve the family in transforming an inmate’s life so that when that person gets out, he will have their support in starting anew,” he said.
Proof of the ministry’s effectiveness in reaching out to the inmates’ families was the restoration of trust in Reyes’ family.
His wife used to distrust him because aside from being a notorious drug user, womanizer and gambler, he frequently stole her money to fund his vices. His son also despised him for being irresponsible. Reyes said all that has now changed.
Biyahe also helps in the reintegration of newly released inmates into society by providing them with financial assistance and linking them with prospective employers. According to CCF’s website, 12 former inmates have successfully found jobs, while nine serve in various church ministries.
Urquico said the testimonies of former inmates who are now able to lead normal lives encourage prisoners there is life after being in jail.
Dennis Legaspi, who is in jail for rape, was encouraged to join Biyahe after hearing a former inmate speak. He now leads his own Bible studies in jail and volunteers as a musician during mini-concerts.
Legaspi relishes the freedom he now has in Christ even when he has yet to be released.“I never thought I’d say this, but being in jail did me good,” he said. “I’m free from all my worries because I know God has greater plans for me.”