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In Huancayo, Peru there is a prison that houses hundreds of women. Incarcerated due to charges of murder, child abuse, drugs, human trafficking, and other offenses, these women spend years in prison for their crimes.

Mission Society missionary Louise Reimer and a Peruvian Christian friend travel to the prison weekly to teach a Bible study for women who are interested. The consistent presence of these two Christian women in the prison over the course of several years has won them the trust of several inmates.

“It is very touching to work with the women in the prison,” says Louise. “Their lives are lonely and hard, and they live in very crowded conditions.”

“This last week, Elvira was asking about the passage in which Jacob wrestled with the angel all night and then said, ‘I have seen God face to face.’ She asked us, ‘How could Jacob see God face to face if God is invisible?’

“That discussion led to the fact that, at this point, Jacob’s name was changed to ‘Israel.’ We talked about other people who had had their names changed, usually at a point of a big change in their lives. We mentioned Saul becoming Paul, and Simon becoming Peter. These changes happen when we are walking in one direction and then go in a completely different direction in our lives—spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. We change from being one person to become a new person. I explained that it’s similar to when we first become a Christian.

“At that point, Elvira commented how she has begun to walk in a different direction. She said, ‘My eyes have been opened. I don’t want to go back to that person I was before I came here. I don’t want to go back to the life I had before. I am now a different person.’ Another woman, Violeta, joined her in saying the same thing. ‘I’m different now. I have Christ,’ she noted. A third woman was shaking her head in agreement.

“Then Elvira added, smiling, ‘And when we are free, we need to teach others what we have learned, beginning with our families.’

“What a blessing these women are for me! They are searching for the truth. They are leaning on God during the time they have to be away from their families, and they will emerge from prison new creations in Him.”

Louise Reimer has been serving in Huancayo, Peru since 2011. She and a Peruvian Christian friend lead a Bible study in the women’s prison each week. Louise also coordinates the Kuyay Talpuy preschool program and meets families and individuals regularly for Bible study and discipleship.