John Frank Mashego

Arrested for robbery and murder, John Frank Mashego barely knew what awaited him in prison due to his involvement in a gang

“Iwas only a young boy then; I did not understand what I was doing,” John says. “Two years after my arrest in 1994, I was given the maximum sentence.”

Holed away in a frightening medium security prison, John began to think about where his life was headed, and whether God, the Creator of the Universe and of him, could rescue him from the hopelessness he felt.

“I started to make changes in my life according to my conscience, the knowledge of the right way God wanted us to live.”

One of those changes was to begin attending the World Hope Prison Ministries discipleship programs, when he was still in a medium security prison.

As he studied the Bible John noticed two things. He realised God’s great love in giving His Son Jesus to die on a cross for the sin of mankind.

“I also noticed the good way of the Christians in my group, their love and kindness and obedience to God’s ways.

“In 2000, after I was sent to the maximum security section, these things motivated me to want to give my life to Jesus Christ, and ask Him to be King and Saviour of my life.

“I told God that I am a sinner; that I deserved to go to hell, and I believe that Jesus was the perfect substitute for the punishment I deserved.”

Just four years later, John was hit with a tragedy that showed Him God was real.

“In 2004, my mother passed away and I started to lose hope, but then I began to seek God again. It was hard and I felt alone, but as I read the Bible and prayed, I started to see that God was with me.”

When John shared his testimony with Challenge, his sentence was almost finished.

“I have three weeks until I leave, and I thank God for being with me,” John reflects solemnly.

“I ask God to help because when I leave I want to start a new life.”

John is assured that God will continue to protect him and enable him to walk truly according to the Word of God for the rest of his life.