Epafras

English

Matthew 25: "He who cares about prisoners, cares about me", Jesus Christ said.

In prison abroad???......Far away from home!

More than 2250 Dutch nationals are being held in foreign prisons in about 85 countries around the globe.

Prisoners

Incarceration means being evicted from society.

Detention abroad means double isolation.

• Often far away from relatives
• Hardly visitors
• Sometimes difficult to sent or receive letters

This and much more surely must give a feeling of loneliness to a prisoner.

Whilst in prison, prisoners should not face additional punishment as a result of language barriers, distance frome home, isolation and lack of moral support. Although they deserve to be punished when breaking the law, they also should be able to receive spiritual help and pastoral care. Not just the prisoners are being punished. Often their families suffer financial and emotional strain having their loved one behind bars far away in a distant country. We make no moral judgment about our clients, we help convicted and unconvicted, solely on the basis of our compassion for the ones in need.

Chaplaincy to prisoners abroad

Since 1984 the Epafras foundation provides spiritual assistance to Dutch nationals abroad.

On initiative of reverend Joop Spoor Epafras was incorporated by the associated churches of the Netherlands and is sponsored by the Dutch Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Justice.

Epafras cooperates with Dutch Probation Service (RN), Prison Fellowship (PFI) and the International Prison Chaplain Association (IPCA).

32 professional chaplains (Protestant, Roman-catholic, Islamic) with much experience travel around the world to support in a spiritual way Dutch prisoners. They all are volunteers. Pro Deo.

According to the gospel of Jesus Christ, with a heart full of compassion and listening to tragic stories of imprisonment they provide help for every prisoner who asks for.

Epafras helps in a number of ways Dutch prisoners abroad:

• Visiting Dutch nationals kept in foreign prisons, preferable twice a year;
• Maintaining contacts with their families and close friends in the Netherlands;
• Distribution of our magazine "Gezant uit Nederland", among Dutch prisoners abroad. Publicized once every thirth months;
• Providing prisoners with Bibles, diaries, dictionaries and other reading materials in order keeping sense of connection to their home country alive;
• Making use of our network of local and prison chaplains;
• Participation in the 'Easter Postcard project';
• Supporting those prisoners in urgent need of financial funds taking care of their basic needs.

Epafras is in need of your support as well to cary on our activities

How to help Epafras?

• Through informing Epafras about the problems of Dutch prisoners abroad
• Through informing Dutch prisoners abroad about the Epafras Foundation
• Through visiting Dutch nationals in foreign prisons.

Contact

Stichting Epafras
Int. Antwoordnummer: C.C.R.I. Numéro 9804
3500 ZJ  UTRECHT
The Netherlands

Office:
Stichting Epafras
Schoolstraat 30a
3581 PW UTRECHT
The Netherlands

E-mail: info@epafras.nl

Tel: +31(0)30-2332432