Nov. 20 - From 1 large prison to 1 small prison

 

Ministry Partners, 

We are staying close to Lake Victoria so the humidity here is very high. I hung my dress, for today, up last night and when I went to put it on this morning it was wet. I put it on anyway knowing it would dry quickly. Even the seat belts in the van were wet.

We went for breakfast today at 7:45 ordered and waited until almost 8:45 to get our food. The guys had a full breakfast with Spanish omelettes (scrambled eggs with a bit of red and green peppers), juice, fruit plate, sausages, potatoes w/ onions and coffee or African tea. I had pineapple, sausage, toast and plain tea. I am thankful the breakfasts are comped.

Then we were off to two prisons, one large with 1,450 prisoners and the other one with only 22 prisoners. There are times when Jesus reminds me that he left the 99 to search for 1 so I am happy to do a small prison. They are the ones who tell us, "Thank you for coming, no one has ever come before to tell us Jesus loves us.

The large prison was a challenge as the prisoners were so spread out. The were in front of me, the right side of me, the left side of me and even some behind me. I had the shade of a tree and some of the prisoners also sat under trees but some just sat in the sun. Today was a very good day and so many powerful, good decisions were made by the inmates.

As we left to go to the second prison, a distance away, it began to rain. I was thankful the prison had a tiny covered porch for the prisoners and the IRM team could squeeze under along with both a man and woman guard. With an area so small I could watch the faces and eyes of the prisoners. Because the area was so small they had me sit in a chair for most of the crusade, my first time EVER! I am always pleased when the officers make decisions for salvation, forgiveness and apologize just like the inmates. Today, one officer was the first to apologize to a couple of the prisoners.

We say, stay left unless passing. Here they say, keep left unless overtaking!

 By the time the crusade ended, the rain had stopped and we were quickly on our way to our hotel after taking photos with the O.C. and two guards for our report to the Commissioner at the end of our trip.

The drive to our hotel was interesting. There was a downpour of rain, then dry ground, then another downpour, then dry ground. 

After dinner I wanted to go to bed yet I needed to get this blog written but now it is off to bed.

Please continue to pray for the prisoners and for our team.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Nov. 19 - It is true, God has given me a special love for both men and women prisoners

 

Ministry Partners,

It was such a beautiful, cool morning today but the day would contain a lot of heat and then some rain.

We went for breakfast at ten to eight but had to wait until after eight to order and the waited 30 minutes for our order to come at eight forty-five. It meant that we would have to eat quickly to leave for the prisons at nine which we ended up not being able to do until 9:15. 

It was a short drive to the prison and we drove across an interesting bridge over the Nile River. This is the area where Lake Victoria meets the Nile.

Today we started with the large men's prison followed by the nearby women's prison.

The young and very nice Deputy O.C. welcomed and stayed through the whole crusade and it was wonderful to see him also stand and pray asking Jesus to be his Savior. This really was a massive prison, once you get inside you see that it is three stories high inside. The common area in the center was filled with prisoners. And we could see on the other levels prisoners watching us and also listening to the crusade. It was wonderful that they had a powerful sound system so we did not have to use ours, we just used our microphones plugged into their system. I just never get tired of looking into the faces of inmates and then watching them be transformed from their hopeless, dead look into a face that is smiling and eyes that are bright. over 1500 responded to all three of the invitations.

When we ask for testimonies, one man came forward that said he had seen me at another prison and the message I shared then changed his life. Everyone applauded as I tell them that because I an 80 years old, I am mama to everyone. Then I gave him a mama hug and gave the remaining inmates that same hug following their testimonies, while applause followed each one. It is true, God has given me a special love for both men and women prisoners and they feel comfortable calling me Mama. 

When we finished the Deputy O.C. told me he could not believe that I stood and preached for that whole time while Alfred and Aaron took turns. We all laughed at that.

Over at the women's prison we were greeted by an O.C. dressed in a bright pink long skirt and top. She looked beautiful. Everything was set up outside under a large tree as we waited for them to finish eating but as they finished it began to rain. Plans changed as they ushered us into a very small room but we made it work with some on the women sitting on the floor all scooted together, some on benches and the remaining few peered at us from the hallway. Goodness, the tears that flowed as the women forgave someone else or themselves. During testimony time one inmates stated that she never thought Jesus could/would forgive ALL her sins, only some. But today she realized that from my teaching He would forgive all her sins.

We we finished we gave them the underpants, our remaining purchase that we had procured from the Commissioner. The I distributed the crochet caps to the pregnant mothers and then the rest of the 18 children.

When we finished I asked the women if the would pray for me as the terrible pain in my back and hip had returned. The guys and I are convinced it is a demonic attach. I am thankful God has the victory in all we are doing here.

On the was home we stopped to eat a very early dinner. Since it is hard for me to find something to eat, I choose pizza with extra cheese and I saved some for tomorrow's lunch. Alfred purchased he and Aaron cappuccino's but since I cannot drink coffee I received a special bag of cookies.

As I sit on my bed writing this blog I can hear the gentle rain outside. There will red mud everywhere tomorrow.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Nov. 18 - The lock would not open to let us out

 Ministry Partners,

It is hard to believe that we have completed our first week of ministry and done 8 prison crusades. Yes, we  have had some hard events/times but those seem minimal to what we are watching the Holy Spirit do in the hearts of the prisoners. And then there have been the "just plan fun" times and yesterday was one of those.

At the end of our crusade we ask 3 or 4 prisoners to share  testimony concerning what God has done in their hearts in the time we have been together. Those testimonies are one of making a good choice the receive Christ as Savior but include the  heartbreaking part of wanting to take terrible revenge when they are released but then choosing to forgiving as Christ has forgiven them. The prisoners have been told that they just don't make good choices for themselves but I tell them the that day proved the they could as they had made 3 good choices for themselves in just the last few hours. The choices for salvation, forgiving and apologizing, taking responsibility for their actions. 

As they finish their testimony I step forward and tell them, " Because I am 80 years old I am Mama to everyone." which brings a laugh from the prisoners the I turn to the prisoner and ask, "My I give you  hug?" The inmate smiles bashfully but says, "Yes." Wait. am I hugging them or are they hugging me. As I give him/her a hug and bless them the rest of the prisoners now realize how much I care for and love them. They tell me they feel peaceful and happy.

Thank you for being my partners and for sending me here to extend the love of Christ to these men and women. As I have said before, "I am having the best time of my life."

Well, 8:30 came and we had heard nothing from Pastor Aaron so Alfred said I needed to make an executive decision. Knowing we had a two hour drive ahead of us and we had heard nothing from Aaron about where he actually was I said we needed to go. It was a hard decision for me to make.

It is a true saying that the roads have deteriorated over the last few years and are having all the pavement gone from many areas of main travel.

We made it to the first prison and were able to enter and drive our van inside to unload the sound system and other items for the crusade. We had done about 2/3s of the crusade when it stared to ran. Some prisoners  grabbed all of our things and ran to a nearby building where we were able to finish the teachings. It is so interesting that as the inmates give their testimony they always refer to something I taught and refer to me as Mama.

We finished and drove "just around the corner" so to speak to the second men's prison where they allowed us to drive our van inside, a very unusual thing. It had stopped raining so we set up outside.So many sad faces in frost of me. The crusade went well with so many responding to each of the three invitations. When we finished I took a photo with the Deputy O.C., who was a beautiful women, for the Commissioner's Report.

But then, as we were to leave and drive out they were unable to unlock the lock. They said the rain had seized the lock. Now Jesus, I am not the Apostle Paul, I REALLY want to leave!!!! It took about 20-25 minutes for them to get the lock unlocked and we were able to drive out.

As we drove away we passed some Chinese construction that was a bit strange. The signage said it was a plant but the digging they were doing were levels down in the earth. Interesting. But the we saw a man and his wife along side their vehicle that had a flat. He told alfred that his jack did not work so Alfred helped him, using ours.

We finally made it do our hotel and Pastor Aaron arrived shortly after. We both had stories to share about our day.

Tomorrow we do two more Prisons and I am very tired so I will say goodnight.

That nine would be lost,

Arlene

Nov. 17 - Thank you for coming, "We love you."

 Ministry Partners,

Today was another interesting day with so many things to give God praise for.

We had an quick breakfast of samosas, pancakes ( crepes to us) tea for me and cappuccino for Alfred. We needed to be on the road by 7:30 as it was a 2 hour drive to the first of two prisons today. The traffic was light for here since it was Sunday but the roads are so bad that it took 2 ½ hours to actually arrive at the first prison of 92 inmates.

Once again, because it was getting late, we had to hire a motor bike to show us the way. When we arrived there was already a group of three there doing prayers but because we carried a letter from the Commissioner of Prison we were given president. We were able to share the love of Christ with about 80 inmates who responded to all three invitations. 

It was after 1:00 by the time we headed to the second prison, which took us two hours to get there. We missed the turn and had to back track but still made good time.

The staff was not too happy with us as there was an issue about the supplies that we had sent to be delivered or should I say that were not delivered. It is something Alfred will need to take care of.

They put a tent up for the 82 men and 9 women prisoners. It is so interesting how I am viewed with such skepticism in the beginning of our time together but as we get further into the teachings their acceptance of me is visible. The Holy Spirit brought most to salvation who also chose to forgive someone else or themselves but they do not realize that the smiles and laughter the ensued as they apologized to each other is the best gift they could give me!

At the end, I gave the women each simple backpacks that were donated and the one boy child got his new crochet cap.  

As we were leaving the inmates were calling out, “Thank you for coming. We love you.”  It  take so little to show others that they have value and are loved by Jesus and I just love doing that.

 Days like today make all the work the team does worth it.

We did not leave until 5 so we did not get back to Kampala until LATE, so knowing that might happen I brought my computer with me and I am writing this blog as Alfred dodges potholes and traffic. 

At one point, 4 VERY large Tear Gas (Swat type) vehicles plus addition vehicles went flying by. The first one with sirens blaring. We have no idea what that was about.

When we got home Alfred decided to take the van for servicing since we are leaving in the morning and will be gone doing a number of prisons until the 21st. 

I woke at 3am this morning and after preaching 2 crusades I must admit I am very tired but still have to pack supplies and my personal things for our time away. I am praising Jesus that with all the rough roads my right hip is a bit sore but not painful.

It is 7pm and I have to bathe and eat dinner at some point.

Please continue to pray for the salvation of the prisoners and for for safety and a fresh anointing on the team. Thanks

That none would be lost,

Arlene             

Nov. 16 - We cannot allow the prisoners to come out a listen to you!

Ministry Partners. 

Well today was one interesting day. Our morning schedule remained the same but we were not rushed as we only had one prison to do today, leaving home at 9. 

But if I tried to explain the roads we went over today I would not truthfully be able to. It's one thing to dodge potholes, speed bumps and strips of missing roadways but today was the roughest road I have ever been on as we went from pothole to pothole just trying to find even the smallest strip of actual road. Up and down, up and down while also dropping left then right and again dropping left and right. I was thankful for the special cushion Alfred purchased for me as I tried bracing myself by grabbing the handle over the door with my left hand and with my right hand bracing my right side on the center council. It took an hour to get to the prison and because of all the jarring I had concerns about my right hip that was doing pretty well and my neck that was burning and felt like I had whiplash.

Stormy skies, rough roads and lots of red dirt in the air and everywhere. 

At one point Alfred called the O.C. to make sure we were on the correct road and taking the correct turns. We arrived at the prison about 10 and found that the O.C. was not there but had left to get breakfast. This was a small prison of 120 An officer took us into the courtyard and up to a wall with a 48"X48" opening that had a metal grate instead of glass. We were told they were not going to allow the 45 prisoners who were at the prison to come out to hear me speak and that I could just talk through the grate to the 6 or 7 inmates I could see. 

 Alfred had quite a talk with the officer but he held firm. There were two other men there from another religious org. singing with the men through the wire grate. WE PRAYED and asked Jesus to open the doors no man can close and waited an hour for the O.C. to arrive. I am not sure who was more surprised us or her. We knew each other from last year at Luzira Women's prison. She even relayed some of my lessons. We kept talking, kept talking, kept talking. Never in over 350 entrances have I ever been refused to speak directly to the prisoners. 

The object lessons the Holy Spirit has given us is what makes my teachings " hit home". Prisoners will forget everything I say but they remember and comment on what they see. FINALLY, the 45 prisoners were allowed to exit their rooms and sit on the veranda between Alfred and I standing on one end and 2 guards standing on the other end. There was one prisoner in the middle of the group that caught my eyes as he never took his eyes off me, never looked down or away. I felt like his gaze was almost demonic and his eyes were an odd grey color. He responded to all three invitations and when he gave his testimony he said how at peace he was. I told him that I noticed him in the beginning and that his eyes appeared hopeless but now they were soft, peaceful and another color. 

The two other men that were there stayed and listened to my entire message and when I gave the salvation invitation both of them stood up and responded with the prisoners. 

All and all, it was a most interesting day with LOTS to give Jesus praise for. Tomorrow we have 2 prison crusades to do. 

Please pray for open hearts for the Gospel and for a fresh anointing on Alfred and I as well uneventful travel. Also, please pray for Pastor Aaron who will be traveling from Rwanda tomorrow night to be with us.

 Thanks for praying for my painful right hip, with all the rough roads today Jesus is still holding my hip without pain. Praise His name!

That none would be lost,  

Arlene

Nov. 15 - Just 1 prison today

 

Ministry Partners,

Breakfast of Samosas, pineapple, Banana smoothies and tea made for a quick breakfast so we could depart for he prison at 9 or at lease that was the plan. We ended up leaving at 10:20. It helped to miss the 8-9 o'clock traffic as most people were at work. No matter which route you take though a traffic jam of some sort is inevitable. There seems to be no rules of the road a motorcycles go with traffic but also drive into opposing traffic. The vehicle who get their front finder in position is the one who claims the right away and when 2 lanes is not enough some vehicles just create a 3rd. lane, lanes filled with potholes of various sizes and most times the shoulder of the road is not even there.. Of course when the road must return to 2 lanes therein is the problem traffic lane.  

It was after 10 when we arrived at Kitala Prison a little after 10 and was greeted by the O.C. Juliet who said she remembered me from the last time I was there. She said, "I still have the gift you gave me then." Then she disappeared, returning with a large red scarf. and said, "Every tine I look at it, it reminds me of you." I was good to find favor as soon as we arrived. 

                                                          Arlene & Kitala Prison O.C. Juliet 

She quickly had all the 110 prisoners assembled under the porch covering. It has been wonderful that I have not had to peach in the yet this trip. The prisoners eyes are so interesting as they watch my every move. The work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of the prisoners was familiar to watch/listen too as they made good choices today.

One prisoner spoke about planning on taking revenge on his complainant when he was released but after listening to me speak he had chosen to forgive him.  It was wonderful hearing 4 men give their powerful testimonies.

As we were getting ready to leave a small boy and girl appeared, they were children of some guards. I quickly got in the back of the van and got out two of the new crochet caps and put them on their heads. They weren't quite sure what to think of me, perhaps I was the first white person they had seen.

Then we headed home but stopped at a market to purchase some things. It had been heavily overcast all day but ended up raining on us before we got home.

Tomorrow we are also scheduled to do 1 prison.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Nov. 14 - Two more prisons today

 

Ministry Partners,

We had another amazing day today. Breakfast was at 8 so we could be on the road by 9am arriving at the prisons at 10am. We found that the location was difficult to find due to a maze of roads coupled with road construction. But as we have before in like situations we stopped and procured a driver with his motor bike to escort us to the prison. It is always well worth the money ($5) so that we don't end up in some far village, loosing lots of time to get to the prison. With the help of the bike driver we arrived  just at our scheduled time, 10am.

The entrance at Kigo Men & Women's prison was interesting. The prisons are just a short distance apart and as we passed the women's section Alfred spoke O.C. (Officer-in- Charge = Warden) and told her we were scheduled to do the men's section first that we would return afternoon time. But when we got to the men's section and finally got inside they informed us that another group was there doing ministry and asked us if we would go back and do the women's section 1st and then do them after noon.

                                              

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Always such fun sharing a Gospel tract and scarf 

So, back we went to the women's section where we found 162 women some with babies. The O.C. was a very nice woman who actually sent me a thank you letter a couple of days ago through pastor peace for the supplies that piece delivered to her prison.I like it when the O CS gather all the women to come with no one out doing chores. We hadn't been going very long when it began to sprinkle and some of the women had to get up and go out to pick up some of their handwork that was laying open on the ground under a a tree . 

Once they begin to hear my testimony I certainly have their attention and then able to share the gospel . These women also responded to the three invitations , one for salvation , one for forgiveness and one to apologize . It is a great thing to watch and three of the women eagerly gave a testimony of what God had done in their hearts during our time there . When I finished the preaching portion I then gave the officer that was there 180 of the scarves for the women that were packaged and had been donated by my friends . But when I called for the mothers with babies to come forward it was so much fun fitting the darling children with one of the new crocheted caps that had been donated by Canby Foursquare women's crochet club.As I put a cap on the women applauded for each one.

Then it was off to return to the men's section and we were certainly in for a big surprise. Once we got inside we were greeted by a man who was a head pastor who said he had heard me speak before in 2019. He said his name was Mohamed and was originally a Muslim but now he was a Christian . He was accompanied by another man Julius who also said that he was a Muslim but was now a Christian. Mohamed said that when he had previously heard me speak that my talk on forgiveness had changed his life. Because of being disowned by his family for becoming a Christian he had had bitterness and un-forgiveness towards his mother but after hearing me talk and seeing our object lessons of being tied with a rope when you refuse to forgive, he said he knew he had to forgive his mother. He said his life was changed from that time forward.

Although I'm still having some issues with my right hip/sciatica but I didn't seem to notice anything as I preached to the men who were so intent on listening and responding to every invitation. Oh my goodness, it is such an amazing thing to be a part of what the Holy Spirit is doing here as he works on the hearts of the prisoners. At the very end of our time together it was so amazing to watch over 1,800 prisoners apologizing to each other and shaking each other's hands and then laughing with each other. What is sight!

Before leaving another prisoner who had heard me in 2019 said that when he first heard me speak years ago I came across as soft spoken and humble but today I came across as a most powerful woman preacher. I couldn't help it, it made me smile as I thanked him.

When we got back to the main office it is almost as much of an issue trying to get out as it was to when we came in. The medium and maximum security prisons here are quite different with their rules and regulations than the common village prisons.

I couldn't help it but on the way home I just had to put my seat down and close my eyes today, I was tired.

After dinner I knew I needed to get this blog done before I fell asleep in my chair. It's already after 8 so i will say goodnight.

That none would be lost,

Arlene