Dec. 27 – Even in the “bush”, technology shows up! - Lira Men's and Women's Prison

 Ministry Partners

It seems even on mornings when I could sleep longer. my body clock has adjusted to waking up at about 6:00am. It is a beautiful morning here in Lira but that just means it will be another hot day for the two crusades we have scheduled for today.

Breakfast was sparse for me but they guys were fine with the local foods of cooked green bananas in red sauce and local seasoning are just not something that sets well with my tummy first thing in the morning. 

Even in the “bush”, technology shows up!

It was a good thing that today’s prisons were only about 10 min. away. We did the men’s prison of 1,450 inmates first and the Deputy O.C. from today’s prison came to our hotel last to meet with Alfred last night so he was at the prison when we arrived. Most of the men were under a cover but some meandered around outside the cover. The men were singing and dancing before we ever arrived as we could loudly hear them outside before we entered. While Aaron was setting up the sound system, I shook hands with some of the prisoners.

The Deputy O.C. made it very clear to the prisoners and us that although we had provided some soap and Bibles with booklets; it was not enough because of all the inmates there. I must admit I was surprised that he would address me in such a way with such a statement in front of the other inmates. This year, other O.C.’s have been thankful for what we have provided but because we held over 50 prison crusades, every prison got a small amount almost $85-$90 per prison and they shared in the 2,100 bibles and booklets I was able to purchase with the funds you provided. It costs about $12+ dollars to get 1 Bible into the hands of an inmate.

The inmate who translated into Langi for me today was an interesting fellow but did a good job. At one point, we heard the bell get hit and we knew we two by would have to stop while the inmates got up and formed 16 very long rows with two rows facing each other making 8 combined rows. The counting took about 20 minutes.

It was interesting as I was teaching how many prisoners would nod their heads as I quoted scripture or made certain comments. It was wonderful watching so many make good choices for themselves today as over 1,000 received Jesus as their Savior, prayed forgiveness and apologized. One inmate came up at the end and introduced himself as the prison Chaplin, he thanked me for coming and said that years ago when he heard me speak he had accepted Christ as his Savior and now he is the Chaplin. It brought me such joy to hear how God had blessed his life, even in prison.

“I have taken away your wrong-doing like a dark cloud, and your sins like a fog. Return to Me, for I have bought you and set you free.” Isaiah 44:22

Then it was off to the Women’s Prison with 165 inmates whose language was Luo and the Holy Spirit provided a young vibrant inmate to translate into the Luo language for me. The atmosphere was a bit different there today as when I started sharing about “Forgiveness” there were a few that were obviously being arrogant and prideful while others were crying. It was only the second time in all my years of ministry that I felt I needed to address the pride and arrogance that I saw.

It was good to see most respond to the salvation, forgiveness and apology messages and then there was time for testimonies. One young girl spoke about forgiving her father who forced her to have a abortion but then one

One inmate got up and said how the day before there had been those who had told lies about her and she named them. She said she could not forgive them and then she asked me how to handle it. The Holy Spirit gave me words to share and when I finished she called up one of the women she had named. She then forgave her and they hugged each other, it was a good thing for the other women to witness. Then the woman who had been forgiven asked if she could say something and as she took the mic she looked at me and said, “The Holy Spirit must have made you aware of what happened here last night. Some of us were in such a fight that we almost had to go to the hospital. Your talk today on “Forgiveness” is just what we needed.” The reconciliation that took place in the women’s prison today was indeed a powerful work of the Holy Spirit. I am so blessed that He let us be a part of it.

It was a powerful day today but I am very tired. Last night Alfred ordered a beef burger ahead of time for my dinner tonight but when dinner arrived, it was a chicken burger. You should know that because of the smell and taste it was not something I could eat, but about an hour later, my beef burger arrived. I wonder if it would be better for me to just tell them to bring whatever is available and not try to order anything but I know for sure that would never work.

Then it was time to finish this blog but Alfred had to fix some issues the computer was having due to hackers trying to get through the computer firewall.

It is 8pm and time for me to shower and go to bed. When the bathroom is so small that I can shower while sitting on the toilet it actually is a good thing, I do not have to worry about falling on the wet tiles. Yes, there is always something to be thankful for!

Thank you for your continuing prayers.

That none would be lost.

Arlene