Ministry Partners,
With a good night’s sleep, I was awake at 6:00 and ready for the day with another great breakfast at 8:00. Hot chocolate, pork and beans (with no pork), potatoes, sausage, egg roll, sautéed mushrooms with onion and peppers, pineapple. Then I took with me: a banana, yogurt and a cookie for lunch, the guys ate the goat meat, matooke, spinach, watermelon, mangoes and other local foods and they also took items for their lunch.
The inmates sang two worship songs, played drums and two Adungu
I must tell you, traveling with Alfred and Aaron is so much fun; they sing, joke about our ever-changing circumstances and tease each other and me. I use a small tub or bucket to sit on when I shower because I am concerned about falling on the slick tiles so today I asked them if the shower floor in their room gets slick when they get their feet soaped up. Alfred and Aaron both replied at the same time,” I use the flip-flops they provide in the shower.” I told them that was a great idea but what about washing the bottom of their feet. To which Aaron said, “Oh, I only do that once a year.” as he burst into laughter and so did I.
It was about 45 min to an hour to the prison and again over dirt roads but not quite as bad a last week. As we traveled, we passed a number of overloaded trucks with people crammed on top who were on their way to today’s market to sell their wares. The trucks were so top heavy with large bags of charcoal that they did not want to not pull over to let us pass for fear that they would tip over. As the trucks weaved left and right to try to miss the potholes but hitting some I was just amazed that the many people sitting on top did not fall off as they had nothing to hold on too and were not tied down and some actually got up and secured a new place to sit. At one point one man did fall off and ran to the side of the road as we passed, I hope the truck stopped for him but I did not see. They kind of reminded me of a cherry on top of an ice-cream cone, ready to slide off!
Before we arrived at the prison, we passed many sunflower (used for oil) and cornfields 9used for food) and I could see the huge silos for storing the corn. I knew what the silos were because we had one, not quite as big, on the farm where I grew up. When we pulled up to the front entrance of the prison, I could also see some of their farming equipment parked in a nearby area.
The very nice officer met us and took us to meet the Deputy O.C. in his office. After greeting us, he said the inmates were all ready for us and asked us to follow him to an area surrounded by buildings with porches and trees covering the center area where the 1,045 inmates and 8 officers were. As we entered, I greeted some prisoners by shaking some of their hands but stopped when one inmate stood and prayed. After the Deputy O.C. introduced us, and Alfred said a few words I stood and began preaching. It was an interesting sight with the prisoners in the front and sides of me and the officers, in chairs, sitting behind me. I am not sure what it was but the atmosphere at this prison was different as I watched a number of inmates nod their heads in agreement with what I was saying. The Holy Spirit worked in their hearts as they prayed to receive Christ as Savior, prayed the Forgiveness Prayer and apologized. Even the guards apologized to each other.
They spoke Luganda so Alfred and Aaron took turns translating for me. Four inmates gave a testimony at the end of our crusade about how God had touched their hearts, two inmates shared about forcing their girlfriends to have an abortion and how that had affect their hearts but today because they now knew Jesus as their Savior they had forgiven themselves and were going to apologize. I asked permission and they said yes, before I hugged each one who gave a testimony. When we finished all the inmates sang two worship songs in English for us. At one point Aaron took one of the mikes over to an inmate who was plucking an African Adungu instrument so the sound was amplified, it was a beautiful way to end out time with them.
The O.C. asked us to come to his office, which we were happy to do along with some of the guards that had attended the Crusade. The Social Affairs Officer and another officer commented on what a powerful statement it is for the inmates to see me handshake some and hug some. He said it tells them that they are still valuable people. It is interesting that by the time we leave some prisons, like today, how the inmates and guards refer to me as “Mama”. As we walked back to the Deputy O.C.s office, he said he was inviting us to lunch.
The Deputy rode with us while the guards walked to a thatched roof, beautiful restaurant that was still on prison property where two women had lunch prepared for us: Beef, matooke, rice and ground peanut sauce. I was a good guest and ate some of everything because I did not want to offend our host. We had an enjoyable visit while we ate and then thanked them for their hospitality and left for our hotel.
The guys rested while I wrote this blog. Tomorrow is another single prison crusade, there are only 10 prison crusades left here in Uganda.
Your prayers are appreciated, please continue to pray
That none would be lost,
Arlene
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