In June 2008, we published a letter from Mrs. Polly Walsh who, nearly five years ago had a near-fatal accident which left her brain damaged and with severely impaired vision. 

While recovering, she discovered TWR’s radio programmes by chance and shared her testimony with us of how God has blessed her through listening to TWR’s broadcasts when she was unable to read her Bible.  She has since made a full recovery and is living a full exciting life today.

After nearly five years of listening to TWR, Polly believes that her accident was actually a blessing in disguise.  Through ministering and sharing her story in the hospital chapel, a door was opened for her to minister in Newcastle Prison.  With permission from the police commissioner and prison officials, Polly was invited to share her story with the inmates.

Polly’s prison ministry started with three members and has since grown to a team of 12.  On the first Sunday of their ministry, more than 600 prisoners attended the service.  She says they see mighty miracles of salvation, restoration and healing amongst the inmates (both men and women).  The ministry team provides Bibles and organises Bible studies.  They also teach handcrafts and other life skills to the inmates.

TWR-Africa has donated ten wind-up radios to Polly’s ministry for distribution within the prison.  She has obtained permission from the prison officials to organise listener and study groups and is hoping to extend the kingdom of God through these radios.  We believe that as the prisoners listen to TWR’s broadcasts they will be encouraged to live godly lives with respect for themselves and others.

Below is an excerpt from a letter to the local newspaper from D. Leola, Department of Correctional Services:

"Sir, I am writing this letter with great pleasure in order to express my deepest gratitude for the Sunday service that Polly, Chris, Maureen and Mantu are conducting for the inmates in my facility…

"They are making a huge contribution in helping us (Department of Correctional Services) to fulfill our constitutional mandate in the rehabilitation of offenders who are entrusted to our care…We started to notice that since they have begun their services, there is now a big change in the attitude of the inmates…"

Please continue to pray for TWR's windup radio project in Africa. Pray that the prisoners in Newcastle listen to TWR's programmes and that their lives will be transformed forever.

Published 26 September 2008