Behind the walls of Apurímac's highest security prison, SIM missionary Allen George and his Peruvian coworker Jaime are seeing God at work. Through a weekly chess club and Bible study, five people have chosen to follow Christ and others are growing in their faith.

Allen has been holding a Christmas Chess tournament for the prisoners for about five years. This past Christmas he was surprised to meet up with "Juan," who used to attend the weekly chess club that he holds in his home. While in prison, Juan had become a Christian. "After seeing Juan incarcerated," Allen said, "I really felt God calling me to start a regular prison ministry."

Every Monday morning, Allen and Jaime are frisked by the prison guards, and then they set up the chess boards. After about an hour of play, Jaime leads a study for the prisoners from a book called New Life in Christ. About fifteen prisoners attend each week.

Once a prisoner attends 3 Bible studies, he receives a small New Testament, and after 10 times, Allen gives him a Spanish Bible. After eleven meetings, 6 prisoners have already received a Bible. The ministry has been well received—even more people come to the Bible study than to the chess club.

Allen is a medical doctor who operates a mobile medical clinic in mountain villages. The prison director has asked him to have a medical outreach in the prison, which is planned for July.

Pray

• That the prisoners will not lose hope or faith.
• For Jaime to communicate clearly as he teaches the Bible study.
• For safety in the high security prison.
• For the guards to also come to understand the love of God.