LogoNNN
The Norfolk and Norwich Christian community website

Norwich woman's mission to Peruvian prison

HSFLizMiriam400By Keith Morris
A Norwich woman will be travelling to Peru later this month to visit a prison where a Christian charity she helps to run has been doing vital work over the past six years.
 
In 2004, a link was set up between Christian women in Norfolk and some in Lima, Peru, who are imprisoned under false charges of terrorism. The work is headed in Peru by Miriam Breña Torres, who spent three years in prison and Liz Lake (both pictured left), who attends Oak Grove Chapel in Norwich.
 
Miriam came to England in 2005 and again in 2007 to talk about the work of the ministry, which is called Hope and Song to Freedom (Esperanza y canto a la libertad) with churches and small groups in and around Norwich.
 
Hope and Song to Freedom exists to encourage those who are in prison and help provide for their physical and spiritual needs. It also exists to support the ladies who are released and help them re-adjust to the outside world. 
 
HSFPresentHaving supported Miriam from a distance these last few years, the opportunity has now arisen for Liz to go to Peru and experience first hand the struggles the women face.  
 
She will travel on September 27 and spend a week meeting with those who were in prison as well as making a trip into the prison itself. She will be taking gifts from the ladies in Norfolk who have been praying for these ladies and writing to them. 
 
Communication is not always easy, especially when there is a language barrier, but Liz (a fluent Spanish speaker) is hoping that the visit will help to overcome some of the challenges as she meets the ladies face to face and spends time listening to them and their hopes, as well as working alongside Miriam to look at the way forward for this ministry.
 
HSFLogo200“Looking back over the last few years so much has happened from a simple idea but I know there is much that remains to be done to take this work forward and seek to be a blessing to those dear ladies who have suffered so much, yet know their hope is in the Lord,” said Liz.
 
“I know this is going to be a very significant time as we evaluate where we are at and look at ways of moving forward. One dream we hope will become reality is to find a suitable plot of land for accommodation for these ladies when they are released, for a time of readjustment to the outside world,” she said.
 
Hope and Song to Freedom is a project of the Grassroots Trust, registered Charity: 1060034.
 
 
If you would like to know more about the work, or wish to be involved in this ministry through prayer or practical support, you can also email Liz at info@hope-song-freedom.org.uk

 


23626 views
To submit a story or to publicise an event please email: web@networknorwich.co.uk