Dec. 24 2 crusades for Christmas Eve day in Uganda

 Ministry Partners,

Yesterday Alfred acquired an interesting place for us to stay for two nights at a VERY reasonable price. I'm told it's similar to what the original king have you Uganda would have lived in. So once again we are blessed to have a family “ home” and it is fairly cool although there is no air conditioning for the VERY hot days. But late yesterday afternoon as I was in my room working on the blog Aaron and Alfred were sitting out on the front porch and I heard Alfred called my name. When I went to investigate Alfred pointed up and as I looked up there at the edge of our porch right above me was a nasty bat with huge eyes hanging there looking directly at me . I couldn't help myself it gave me the creeps but a bit later when the bat was still there Alfred chased it away. 

 

Our first visitor

 I was thankful for the peanut butter we always carry with us as I had some on some bread with jelly for breakfast along with a few fried potatoes with onions, pineapple and tea. The guys are always happy with local foods but I find it hard to eat cooked green bananas with peanut sauce, you would think I could get used to it after so many years.

 We were thankful today that the prison was fairly close and when we arrived we met a most lovely O.C. who had the prisoners all ready for us and then she brought in the women to sit on the other side of a metal fence with their guards. I had expected to do 2 crusades here because of the amount of women so I was glad that she brought them so I could do one.

The prisoner sat in front of me behind a tiny quarter inch rope up on 12 inch pieces of wood. I reached across and shook hands with the number of the inmates as I made my way to the chairs they had provided along with the table to put our object lessons on.  

It's always hard to watch the prisoners sitting the sun when it is so hot, when it is overcast that's another thing. At one point the O.C. had the women get up and move to under a small tree for shade. It is always such a joy to watch/hear the prisoners asking Jesus for forgiveness and then choosing to forgive others and apologize to other inmates of officials. But this trip we are watching the officials also apologize to each other.

When we finished the crusade and the inmates were giving their testimonies I went around the wire fence and age the mothers with babies caps and all the women scarves. Before leaving prayed for them and I told both groups Merry Christmas.

The O.C. was so nice she called the next prison on our list and asked if we could come today instead of tomorrow because that prison was close. The O.C. there agreed so off we went and indeed it was fairly close. Butiti Prison was a very small one with 101 prisoners and no women or children. I was pleased that the prisoners were able to sit under the porch overhang and for the most part stay out of the sun, while I had shade for the most part.

The O.C. was not there when we started but explained later. Inmates as well as guards responded to all the invitations. It was something to watch the guards apologizing to each other. When we finished the O.C. who had been sitting behind me spoke to the prisoners about my forgiveness message, then he apologized to all of the prisoners. Not sure what that was all about but it was powerful to watch.

Finished with our 2nd crusade for the day it was time to head to our hotel. It was a busy day but one filled with the Holy Spirits work.

The restaurant did not have any food I chose to eat so I opted for a PP&J while the guys ate their local foods. Hopefully our new hotel tomorrow will ave a good choice for me.

I am going to try and watch the Candle Light Service from my home church in a few minutes (if I have it timed right).

A happy Christmas Eve to all of you.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Dec. 23

 Ministry Partners,

Another beautiful morning in Uganda. I was so hot last night and the windows in my room do not have screens so the brought me a fan. It just make me laugh as although they were trying to see that I was comfortable the fan made so much noise that I could not sleep and had to get up and turn it off. Bang, whir, bang-band, whir, bang..........you get the idea. 😊

 

Madagascar Cardamom

We then traveled over an hour towards tomorrows prison and the prison for the following day. Along side the road young boys were selling a cluster of red fruit (?) and Alfred stopped and bought some. He was insistent that I taste it .......YUCK, it was so extremely bitter. He won't need to share with me again. 

Breakfast was interesting, since I have been coming to Africa the comped breakfasts have offered a good huge verity depending on the hotel or guest house. Today gave a lot to be desired, instead of us being able to choose what we wanted they brought us 2 items and no fruit but there was African tea for the guys. I have decided to cut down the consumption of milk so I will only have it once in awhile.

I was thankful we were only 6 min. from the prison today. Like I said before every prison has it own "flavor" and today's flavor was sweet although small 176 men and 2 women. The Deputy O.C. who welcomed us was a very beautiful young woman who said we would have to wait a bit as some of the prisoners had gone to the river to bathe. The inmates were curious of us and our vehicle with IRM door signs but everyone quickly assembled inside making ready for us. I was so pleased that this O.C. and head guard both sat at the table prepared for us and stayed for our whole crusade, responding to the invitations just like the prisoners.

Most of the prisoners sat in the open before me but some stood around the edge of those sitting, all in the open sun. But the team was given honor as we were under the shade of a huge tree. As I preach my attention is sometimes grabbed by the faces of some prisoners, those the empty dark eyes, those whose eyes are glued to me and those who acknowledge agreement with what I am saying by nodding their head. When it is a small group like today I notice more. One inmate was there in a suit as he was being released later in the day. I was glad that he stayed through the entire crusade and he had been given one of the bibles IRM donated to the prison.

Today the staff responded to the invitations just like the prisoners and it was interesting to watch the lead guard and Deputy O.C. apologizing to each other. 

When we asked for testimonies one prisoner said his mother had thrown him away when he was 6 months old and he has hated her, how could a mother do that to her son? But today after listening to the message of forgiveness he has decided to forgive her and when he is released he will try and find her and be reconciled with her.

One prisoner said he had been planning revenge on the person that sent him to prison by killing him but after receiving Jesus as his Savior and listening to the teaching on "Forgiveness" he knew he had to forgive the man.

When we were finished the Deputy O.C. said the prisoners had nothing to give me in thanks for coming but would like to sing for me for my upcoming birthday year. The prisoners all rose and sang "Happy Birthday" to me. Oh goodness, what a precious gift. Before leaving I was able to give the 2 women prisoners, who were seated a bit away with a guard, a donated scarf.

Alfred was able to procure us an authentic African "house" similar to the one the original Ugandan king would have lived in. Because of the roof it is fairly cool inside which I am thankful for as there are no screens on the windows.Because I live alone at home it really is a blessing when the team can stay in lodging as a family.

We all ordered Sweet & Sour Pork with 1/2 chips, 1/2 rice and coleslaw w/pineapple to be ready at 5 but when Alfred went to check on it since it was 5:20 they told him it would be another hour.

I will let you know tomorrow how tonight's dinner goes as I want to et this posted. 

Hard to believe that tomorrow is Christmas Eve, I hope you have the opportunity to go to a Candle light Service. I will miss going.

Blessings dear friends,

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Dec. 22 I gave her a scarf and tract

 

Ministry Partners,

Breakfast today was again later at 8am as we were only about 45 min. from the prison and today I had a beef mimosa and took two for my lunch, as did Aaron.

As Aaron and I were waiting for Alfred to arrive at the van a sweet young girl who worked there came walking by and I asked her to wait as I retrieved a tract and scarf from my backpack. It was a wonderful opportunity to talk with her about Jesus and His love for her. When I asked her if I could have a photo with her she is the one who was hugging tightly.

We talked about Jesus and I gave her a scarf and tract

  Today I noticed, as I have before, that the complete horizon/sky was as if it had heavy smoke covering the area. However, the guys explained that when the moisture is released from the trees and hits the dirt in the air as it rises that it produces this smog/fog that is evidence to the locals that it will be a VERY hot day. I hope I explained it correctly.

We were surprised that when we arrived at the prison we found 637 inmates there since we had been told there were 300.

The Deputy O.C. greeted us and as we sat inside the entrance, we observed the inmates playing soccer. Then we were taken to the office of the O.C. who was a very tall young man. As we waited for the soccer game to end, I had a lengthy talk with him about what we present to the prisoner through every teaching. I was thankful that I had the opportunity to also talk with him about his own salvation.

The soccer game ended and he told us he was going to delay lunch for them and he wanted us to begin our crusade. They had us under a porch, which gave the IRM team plenty of shade and as I looked out over the prisoners, I was so thankful for the giant that provided almost all of them with great shade.

About 25 min into my preaching a prisoner and a guard got into an argument a very short distance from us. As fists began to fly and other inmates rushed in to help the guard I stopped preaching as ALL eyes were on the disturbance. As the guard and his helpers finally gained control over the very strong inmate, I continued.

The Holy Spirit did a mighty work as the prisoners responded to each invitation. Four inmates gave a testimony as well as the guard who had sat through the complete crusade.

Today did turn out to be oh so hot, it's hard to believe that Christmas Eve is only 2 days away.

After finishing we traveled about 45 min. before Alfred had us stop and he got us rooms for the night where we will again be fairly close to tomorrows prison, about 6 min. away. Which we have been told is small with 172 men and 2 women inmates, but we will see. Our hotel is off the road and oh so quiet where my room faces a lush green hill and I can hear birds chirping. There is a social area in my room so we will be able to have our meals here without having to pay for room service.Which they said would arrive at 5, and it did.

I am thankful that they brought a fan for my bedroom.

It was an amazing day filled with God's presence.

Thank you for your continuing prayers,

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Dec. 21

Ministry Partners,

After watching the Holy Spirit work in the hearts of the prisoners and staff again today I am even more sure that despite sleepless nights, extremely rough jarring roads, unfamiliar food and HOT weather everything is so worth it, so VERY worth it and I am truly blessed to be here.

Breakfast today was a variety of local" foods which the guys enjoyed but I settled for 2 beef chunks in sauce over rice, plantains, bread & butter and plain tea. 

The guys "local food"  &  my choice

 

I was so pleased that Kaweere Prison was only 6 min. away today so breakfast was later at 8.

Every prison has it's own "flavor" so to speak and at this one the staff was strong but gentle and kind. The O.C. welcomed us, saying some very kind things about IRM, our coming at Christmas and the supplies Pastor Peace had delivered some days ago. The Deputy O.C. got the prisoners assembled for us. I was thankful that although there were 47 women there they sat in a covered porch area off the ground but sad there was wire between us. So they were at eye level with me. But my heart went out to the 400+ men prisoners  who sat on a sloped area before me, in the sun which was very hot today. I don't know how they sat there so intently listening to me in the direct sun, but intent they were for 2 1/2 hours.

 

When we entered the prisoners seated area I greeted a number of then by shaking hands with them and then reached through the wire to greet a number of the women. I could hear the rumblings from the other prisoners and Alfred says it speaks volumes to the inmates  about what I think of them when I do that. 

The Deputy O.C. and a lead woman guard sat behind me for almost the entire time I was speaking and of course they had me standing under a large tree that gave great shade. I could see 3 other woman guards sitting with the women and a few men guards wandering around the outside of where the men inmates sat.

 

We were originally given 2 hours but after the Deputy O.C. watched a portion of our program he disappeared for a few minutes and then returned giving us an additional 30 min.

 

As I gave the invitation for salvation I could see the Deputy O.C. and women guards also responding with the inmates followed by the same when I gave the "Forgiveness" invitation to pray forgiveness over anyone who offended or hurt them. Perhaps, the prisoners were forgiving themselves for the poor choice they made that landed them in prison or the person who raped them when they were a child. Setting themselves FREE by choosing to forgive is a concept they clearly understand when they observe our "rope" object lesson.

Then we gave a few the opportunity to tell what God had done in their heart during our time together. One woman was crying so I did not think she would want to speak but she was the first. She said she had decided to never forgive her husband because he brought her to prison but because of Jesus salvation she made the choice to forgive him and she then named him as he was one of the men prisoners also there.

While others were giving their testimonies, because of time, I went around the wire and gave the 5 children there crochet caps and the 47 women a donated scarf. I counted what I had left and was also able to give the 4 women guards a scarf.

But when I finished handing out scarves and returned to where the men prisoners were one very tall inmate came forward and said how he had been a alcoholic and had cheated on his wife with another woman but he was going to call his wife and ask for forgiveness. Then he dropped to his knees and put his hands in the air saying he had determined to NEVER receive Jesus as his Savior but he had changed his mind and asked if I would lead him in the prayer of confession. So in view and hearing of everyone I led  him in the prayer of receiving Christ as Savior.

All the while I was speaking I noticed that the Deputy O.C. was writing in his book and when I finished he went before the inmates and reminded them of three of the most important points to my messages.

I prayed a final prayer over the inmates and wished them a Merry Christmas. We left the inside of the prison with the Deputy O.C. and one woman guard to take my photo with them by the prison signpost for out report to the Commissioner at the end of the trip, the Deputy asked me how old I was and when was my birthday. I told him 79 and 2024 is my 80th birthday year. He said I needed to come back and celebrate my birthday with them. What an invitation from Prison Services!!!!

After stopping for gas to prepare for tomorrow we had lunch out of our lunchbox at the hotel before the guys retired for naps in their room and I got this blog written.

Thank you again everyone of you who are praying for us and/or have given financially so we could be here. The inmates feel like God has sent them a special gift this Christmas.......salvation from the Savior.

Blessings to all of you.

That none would be lost,

 

Arlene

Dec. 20

Ministry Partners,

Goodness our days continue to be ever so interesting.

Alfred's 3 month visa was expiring so he went to renew it on a motorbike as we proceeded to returned to Kampala last night and although they gave him paperwork after he paid $ they told him he would have to go to the boarder and re-enter. So he went to the airport and spoke to immigration there and they ended up keeping his passport and charging him $ then they told him to return there when we return to Kampala on Jan. 5 before we go to Kenya. By the time Alfred returned to the hotel from the airport an hour away it was 3am this morning.

  Not sure if I used this photo before of Alfred, Arlene and Aaron

Aaron and I returned to the hotel and packed up everything that was going to Kenya and stored it in a locked room and then packed up the rest of our things and loaded everything into the van except our personal bags. Aaron took the tire that was attached to the back door that was making noise as we hit the ruts in the road and tied it secure on top. I was glad that they guys took my advise a few days ago and removed the cross seats in the very back as it gave us so much more room.

 At breakfast we all saved half of our omelette roll-ups and all our crepes so we could have them for lunch along with 3.4 of my dinner pizza which in all to rush to get on the road this morning, I forgot in the fridge.

We planned to be on the road at 8 but did not make it until about 8:30 but the 1 1/2 hour drive took more like 3 hours do to traffic jams even on the "freeway". That coupled with the very bad roads where some potholes are as big a a bathtub and the side of the roads have been so chipped away that 2 lanes becomes one and even the single lane has potholes! At one point the two lane became 3 as people were pushing their bumper ahead of ours. If they get their bumper in front of yours then they have the right of way. But at one point the man in front of us moved over to the left and blocked the guy to our left who was trying to create an additional lane. It became so funny that Aaron hollered out the window to the driver who was trying to do something illegal by making t 3rd lane saying, "That guy blocking you just put a stone in your shoe! I could not help but laugh out loud, some of the African sayings are just so true and funny. Aaron does an amazing job of dodging holes the best he can but we are still jostled around.

We had to wait for some time for the prison to allow us in and the Deputy O.C. only wanted to give us an hour as I tried to explain to him the importance of the "Forgiveness" teaching. The Holy Spirit did an AMAZING job helping me cut portions of the crusade to shorten it. When I gave the salvation invitation and the "Forgiveness" one the Deputy O.C. and women guards responded along with the inmates. 

There were 3 babies there whose mothers were thankful for the crochet caps and all the women appreciated the donated scarf they were given.

 As we finished the O.C. appeared and thanked us for coming..Then we headed for the area of tomorrows  prison about an hour and a half drive where Alfred found us a place to stay. We will be here for two nights doing two prisons before we move on. I could not believe it ........ my room has a bathtub. I will have a long soak tonight.

After dinner Alfred and I worked on the financial books and records. I am so thankful for his help.

I am not sure if I can get this posted to fb tonight as the network here is week and the church VPN does not seem to want to work here. 

It is only 7:30 but I feel like it must be at least 10. 😊

I'm off to bath and bed.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Dec. 19

 Ministry Partner,

It is a beautiful morning and i am excited to see what the Lord ha in store for us today. Breakfast at 7:30 so we can be on our way to Kitalya Med. and Max. Prison by 8. After searching the internet I was able to pull a photo and an article about of the prison for you to see/read, it is from Sabasaba News. I DID NOT TAKE THIS PHOTO

 

 I'm sorry that for some reason the blog is cutting off the sides of the article. I tried about 5/6 times to fix it.

They say the prison can accommodate 10,000 with space left but there are only 2,000+ there now. 

 

It was another 1 1/2 hour drive to the prison and we arrived at 10 like they told us to yesterday.

Since this is a max security prison the security was tight and it took us 2 hours to finally get to the common room. I was a bit disappointed as only about 1,100 prisoners came inside. Alfred sis that the non-religious ones were intimated by the religious ones who gathered and were singing.

As soon as we got inside they told us everyone was going for lunch so we would have to wait 30 min. or so. I told them that was fine.

As we were sitting there the lead pastor came and sat my me. We had quite a conversation after I started talking about "Forgiveness". I could easily see that he had a issue in that area and we talked about head knowledge over confessing Jesus as savior from Romans 10:9&10  ^"9If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."

 

Finally the prisoners returned. We had prayed that the Holy Spirit would speak to their hearts and many would confess Jesus as Savior and so they did. They also responded to the other invitations. The prisoners comment on our rope object lessons concerning forgiveness and I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit giving them to us. At one time Aaron said a small bird flew into the room but I never noticed. Yesterday when we were outside and I was preaching a beautiful crested crane came close to me but then wandered away.

 Crested Crane

When we arrived almost home Alfred got out of the van to catch a motorbike and run some errands while Aaron and I returned to our hotel. We unloaded the van and Aaron took it to get washed while I begin packing up everything in my room and in my extra large hall that also acts as a closet. I needed two separate my things for what we are going to take and use here in Uganda as we visit the rest of our prisons here and then store in a locked store room here all the things that we will return and get to take to Kenya for the 20 prisons we will visit there. They will probably be renting out the house in our absence so we need our things out and secured.

For some reason the electricity here this afternoon and evening has been off, then on, then off again. Too many businesses and homes in this area, I thankful they have a generator here but I think I best get this posted while I can.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Dec. 18 A tract and a scarf

 Ministry Partners,

A scarf and tract, the husband walked down the road reading the tract

To say today went a bit different than we planned would be an understatement. I am so thankful that the Savior I love is in charge and knows the events of the day before they happen. It also brings great peace for me to know that he goes before us and behind us keeping us safe at all times . 

It was decided that we would go to the farm prison this morning because we knew that the maximum security prison would be better to do in the afternoon after they had had time to accomplish their morning chores. Breakfast was at 7:30 and we were on the road by 8 for the 1 1/2 hour drive. Travel was going well when a cement truck decided to hit us with some clumps of cement and then all of a sudden Aaron pulled the van over and said that we had no breaks. Going up and down hills on a dirt rutted roads is not the best time to lose your brakes for sure. But praise Jesus, there was no one around us and I am so thankful that we didn't hit another car going down the hill because we couldn't stop. 

The culture here is so interesting in so many ways. Pastor Aaron caught a motorbike going by and headed into town to get some more brake fluid but forgot to take his phone. In his absence Alfred checked out under the hood and under the front of the car and could see that the brake fluid line had been knocked off. It's not really a surprising thing when you think of all the rough banging and hitting chuckholes and DEEP potholes. In doing that you would just expect that something would get knocked off. Then Alfred stopped another motorbike going by and gave him some money to go into town and find a mechanic tell the mechanic that the brake line was broken and to bring one and away the motorbike went. If Alfred had been able to contact Aaron he could have told him what he discovered but like I said Aaron had forgot his phone.

But you know in God's perfect timing he had something for me to do as I noticed ladies walking down this dirt road coming toward our van I knew it was an opportunity. I got in the back seat and got into my pack and pulled out one of my bags of scarves and my gospel tracks and as the ladies came by me I gave them a scarf and a track which brought huge smiles as they said thank you to me and I was glad Alfred was there to interpret. He also got some very cute photos of boys in a nearby tree who were checking to see if the Jack Fruit were ready to pick.

Then, all of a sudden the motorbike was pastor Aaron on the back arrived with an additional motorbike with him carrying a mechanic and at the same time the motorbike that Alfred had sent into town arrived with the second motorbike and mechanic. After Alfred talked to them it was discovered that Aaron's mechanic had not brought any brake lines so he was dismissed and the second mechanic opened his toolbox climbed under the front of the car and begin making repairs. It really didn't take him that long and I gave both the motorbike man and the mechanic a tract as Alfred paid them $20.00 and away they drove. I must say, it was the best $20.00 I ever spent.

We then headed to the farm prison and although they held us for some time at the front of the prison while they assembled all the men. It was a very good time of sharing the gospel and watching the men respond to each invitation. It's an interesting thing that we were told that there would be no visiting in the prison from December 15th through January 12th except for our visit because we are an international ministry. Once again God's provision. Then we were told to speed things up today because the prison itself had something scheduled following us. But we had just enough time to complete everything that we knew the Holy Spirit wanted us to present to the men.

Then we were off to the maximum security prison which was just down the road. Goodness what a beautiful new prison just built in 2020 and when I say huge I mean HUGE and modern. Perhaps they had forgotten or perhaps not but when we arrived they held us at the front of the prison because government officials were meeting with the prisoners inside. So we waited, and we waited, and we waited. We waited for two hours and then they came and told us that it really wasn't going to work for us to be there today, although we were approved to be there today, and could we return tomorrow. We asked them if they could please see that all of the prisoners, all 2700 of them would be assembled for us tomorrow and the deputy O.C. said they would.

So it was an hour and a half drive home and we decided to stop at a large grocery store center and pick up some more water and some batteries for the sound system. But we also found there a small little restaurant so we decided to have dinner there instead of returning home. Aaron and I head barbecue pork and Alfred had chicken strognoff served with the largest portion of rice I seen on one plate. Everything was absolutely delicious and hopefully we will be able to return there sometime during this trip. By the time we got home it was dark and there's so much to get done. By tomorrow night after we return from the prison we have to be packed up because we will no longer be in Kampala but until January 5th we will be traveling throughout Uganda.

I'm glad we have a storage area that locks here that we can put all the things that we are taking to Kenya and anything we don't need through our travels here into a lock storage.

So that is all for today, please continue to pray we are seeing the Holy Spirit do such a marvelous work in the hearts of the prisoners.

That none would be lost,

Arlene