Women prisoners celebrate as they are given Bibles and discipleship booklets

Women's Conference

In May/June 2010, IRM presented the first conference for women in prison. The God-given vision for this program began in 2008.

The Women's Conference was presented at Rilima, Nsinda, and the 1930 Central Prisons during the same time as the Pastors Training Program. The 2010 conference was led by Pastor Dorothea Coleman who spoke on Hope with Blessing Mupenzi translating. Team member Tanya Bulkley shared her personal testimony and presented skits with Arlene who closed the conference with the message titled "You Have Value."

Prisoner's gift to Arlene

Singing, dancing, and celebrating erupted as women prisoners were given Bibles and discipleship booklets. As the conferences concluded, the women were also given a head scarf and a bookmark for their Bibles, all donated by ministry partners. One woman prisoner presented Arlene with a small round basket with two tiny coins inside saying "Thank you for coming. I believe in what IRM is doing in Rwanda and I am giving you my tithe to use in your ministry."

Other women prisoners stated how very much they appreciated the conference. They said they felt honored, loved, and reassured that God still cares about them. One of the prisoners, who was a leader, said she had been in that prison for 13 years and it was the first time a Women's Conference has been held there with all of them receiving a copy of the Word of God for their very own.