October 24 - Arlene's blog opening is on Nov, 7

 

Ministry Partners,

In 15 days I will be traveling to the Great Lakes Region of Africa to do Prison Ministry, holding 55 prison crusades. This blog will be opened on Nov. 7 and I will post the events of the day each evening as internet is available.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

 

Jan. 26. To Amsterdam then to Portland

 

Ministry Partners,

What a send off Alfred gave me last night. Alfred took Aaron and I to Lake Victoria to just sit by the water a few hours and then we  enjoyed a dinner of fresh Tilapia from the lake. It was the best I have had since I first came to Uganda. Then we stopped at a random restaurant for the guys to get a cappuccino, and thats where fun things happened. Alfred, who knows people absolutely everywhere he goes saw a friend from years ago and struck up a conversation while Aaron noticed that the waiter was also called "Alfred" and commented to him about our Alfred and he said,"I will fix him something special." When the cappuccino cups came, each one had a special message in the foam.

 

Alfred's cappuccino 

 

     Aaron's cappuccino 

I don't remember all we laughed about but the afternoon was filled with it, all of us just having a wonderful time together.

Finally, we could delay no longer and we headed to the airport and when we passed one security check Alfred said something to the security person in Ugandan and he motioned us on and I did not have to get out of the van. I don't know why but I said to Alfred, "What did you say to him? Did you say I was crippled and could not get out?" We all started laughing so hard that Aaron was having a hard time driving. After arriving at the airport Alfred disappeared for a bit and I said to Aaron, "Alfred is having a hard time with me leaving just like I am in going." Aaron said,"Yes". I told him I was so happy Alfred had such a good friend. Such absolutely wonderful memories from yesterday. 

 

Alfred and Aaron waited with me before I boarded the plane at Entebbe Airport, Uganda

 I arrived in Portland at 11a.m. and home at a little after 12 noon.

Thanks Chuck & Pam for picking me up at the airport and to everyone for the prayers. 

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Jan. 25 Good by Uganda

 Ministry Partners,

I woke early on my final day here, made myself a cup of African tea and finished zipping and locking the suitcase bags, taping up the sound system box and putting lg. garbage bags around the Jesus Film equipment bag and IRM sign bag, all the things that will be stored at Alfred's.

When the guys got up Alfred invited us to breakfast out in a restaurant in Kampala. After returning home I had Alfred weigh my bags and we finished the final financial book work. 

Then the lady that owns the hotel where we stay arrived with 2 custom made dresses for me, 1 black and white pattern and 1 black, white and pink patterned. So beautiful and they fit, just need to be hemmed. 

I'm not sure where the rest of the day went but time to head to the airport came far to soon. On the way Alfred took me to dinner at a place near the lake before actually arriving at the airport.

 So hard to say good by to the IRM Uganda team and Africa.

 

Alfred, Arlene, Peace and Aaron

 

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Jan. 24 A fun evening with friends

 

Ministry Partners,

I did not get to sleep last night until about 9 as the wind was just the right direction to carry the voice of a m....... call to prayer to my window and although I closed the window I could still hear him. After I finally got to sleep (thanks sleeping aid) the violent rain downpour shook our van just outside my window just enough to set off the alarm at about 4am. I finally drifted off to sleep again but woke at about 7 and  decided to just get up although there was no electricity which lasted until 9 or so.

Alfred and Aaron left to take the van in for some maintenance at 8:30 and did not return until ??????.

My travel suitcases are pretty much packed and just need to be weighed but that will have to wait for Alfred. I need to get my thank you notes written and it is lunch time so I will have the taco I brought home last night from dinner.

Tonight about 20 friends came over to say goodby one of which was the man who heard I was sick last trip and came to pray and prophecy over me and another was the Uganda Commissioner of Prisons. We had a great time and I showed the power point from last years trip so they could actually see what we do in the prisons.       

  “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” —John 13:34-35 (NKJV)   

Well, it's 11 o'clock and time for me to get to bed. 

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Jan. 23 Finalizing the trip

 

Ministry Partners,

Although I was up and working on the computer I did not go in for breakfast at 8:30 as I waited to hear the sounds that the guys were in the dining room but all of a sudden Alfred was in my doorway greeting me and saying he had made me a cup of tea. I am going to miss such acts of kindness when I leave, I will have to drive myself, cook for myself, clean my own house and make my own bed! As hard as I work here I still appreciate all the regular everyday things that are done for me.

Breakfast was simple today, an omelet, crepes (here called pancakes) juice, banana and tea, somehow there was no pineapple today.

Aaron worked on getting our Jesus Film equipment going as we are "planning" on using it tomorrow evening. Not sure that will happen as he was having some trouble getting it to work. He and Alfred left to get some finalizing errands done and I was left to finish some computer work.

Harriet came to clean my room but I asked her not to worry about the floors as the suitcases I am bringing home are not quite packed and weighed and "stuff" is still in dis-array, she usually cleans the tile floors in the entire house every day while working barefoot. I just went to the dinning room and found barefoot Priscilla, a new hotel employee, cleaning the tile floor there. I had a great opportunity to talk with her yesterday about Jesus and she assured me that she knew Jesus as her savior; Harriet received Christ as her savior last trip when I was here. They both work so quietly that unless you hear the mop bucket moving on the tile floor you would never know they are around.  I am packing them both a gift bag to say "Thank you" that they will find on the dining room table after I leave.

Alfred called about 5 and said he was 30 min. away and for me to get ready as he was taking me, his Mama, out to dinner and what a good dinner it was. He had chicken curry with mashed potatoes and I had tacos with green rice and beans. The tacos were delicious but with 3 of them it was too big a serving so I brought one home. What a special time to spend with my son.

 Alfred took me to dinner.

 

Traffic was busy so we did not get home until 9. It is hard to believe that the day after tomorrow is travel day.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Jan. 22 Sorting and packing

 

Ministry Partners,

Not sure if this was a "typical" Monday morning for the team but I could not help but notice at the 8:30 breakfast table gathering that all three of us were tired, one might expect that after almost 8 weeks of ministry.

Alfred and I worked on finances and balancing the books, it's always a relief for both of us when they balance well. I set aside "Thank You" notes to write tomorrow for those who have helped us. Then began the arduous task of sorting everything in the store room and my room, deciding what to store at Alfred's place and what to bring home, depending on my luggage space. So much stuff have to travel in my bags going both ways like object lessons, cameras, ect. and of course my personal cloths and things. Then there are all the wonderful gifts I am given, not sure everything is going to fit in 2 suitcases this time. Which reminds me I better get back to work.

We the sorting is finally done and there are 2 suitcases to store at Alfred's and everything else fit in my 2 suitcases. I was even able to put my usual carry-on things (things I might need if my suitcase doesn't make it) in one suitcase and some of my briefcase record keeping things in my carry-on so it is not so heavy.

 

Yesterday although the children at the church were not sure about seeing a white person for the first time, they enjoyed their new crochet caps.

Tomorrow and Wednesday should be enjoyable days since I have almost everything done to fly out on Thursday.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Jan. 21 Sunday services at Penuel Revival Church

 Ministry Partners,

We had a late breakfast at 8:45 before leaving for the drive to the church that was to have taken 30 min. but because of the traffic jam caused by all the people going to the Catholic Martyrs Shrine (This shrine is dedicated to the young Baganda men who were martyred for their faith)  so it was 10:30 when we got there. It was a small village church whose pastor's name was Emmanuel and his wife's name was Annette. The pastor told the congregation, of about 100, and me, that I was the first white woman to ever come to the village.

It was a former church of Pastor Aaron's and I was glad that Pastor Aaron had not filled me in on issues in the church. As they were singing worship music the speakers in the church were turned so loud that my ears hurt and I had to retreat back to the van and wait until they started giving announcements.

I shared my testimony and preached pretty much the same message that I share at the prisons. But when I finished reading Eph.4:32, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." I looked up and saw the pastor crying. I was thankful so many responded to the salvation prayer as well as to the forgiveness prayer but when I asked them to get up and apologize to anyone they had had an argument with they all stood up and started going to each other including the pastor and his wife, it took some time as no one wanted to sit down.

I learned later that almost everyone had left the church over a misunderstanding but when they found out a muzungu (me) was coming to speak they returned today to hear what I had to say. Go figure, and I came to talk not only about God's free gift of salvation but forgiveness, reconciliation and apologizing!!!! I am so glad I knew nothing about the situation as I spoke and challenged freely.

After I finished the pastor got up and broke into tears as he apologized and asked for forgiveness then he forgave everyone in the church. What a powerful work of the Holy Spirit today. He had some very kind words for me and then gave me an envelope with some shillings inside. I assured him that I would use it to continue sharing the gospel.

I savored each moment today as Alfred and Aaron translated for me and we did our object lessons together. I have no words to express how much I am going to miss the men of God they are and the way they work hard to take care of the day to day details not to mention the way they look after and care for me.

As church finished two came forward and gave testimonies as to how the message today touched their hearts. And all the small children came forward and received a crochet cap and all the men received 2 new ties. I felt bad that I did not have scarves for the women except for the one I gave Annette with a shopping bag.

After church, a typical African meal, was served to everyone in the church. It was the first time I had ever tasted pineapple/beet juice. Lets just say it would not be my favorite.

As we were leaving the pastor and his wife came to the car and she handed me a gift bag with an authentic ceremonial Ugandan dress, called Gomesi, inside. The photo speaks for itself, the pointy shoulders would take some getting used to.

It was a wonderful day and only 4 more remain.

That none would be lost,

Arlene