Jan. 14 WOW! The Captain of the plane carried my carry-on

 Ministry Partners,

It has been a long two days of travel but I have arrived in Portland at noon today and am now safely at home being blessed by friends Martha , who cleaned my house, Mike & Sue who brought my favorite dinner, and Jessica who picked me up at the airport. Thanks dear friends for welcoming me home.

It has been a long two days of travel but I have arrived in Portland at noon today and am now safely at home being blessed by friends Martha , who cleaned my house, Mike & Sue who brought my favorite dinner, and Jessica who picked me up at the airport. Thanks dear friends for welcoming me home.

Saying “Goodbye” at the airport was not easy.

I was thankful for the opportunity to share the love of Christ with the young girl who pushed my wheelchair in Amsterdam. Imaging how surprised I was as I waited to de-board the plane in Portland that the Captain would carry my carry-on luggage from my seat to the door of the plane. The flight attendants asked me if I knew who was carrying my luggage. I told them, “Yes, I spoke to him earlier on the flight.”

Thank you again to everyone who prayed, gave financially and commented on the blog or fb post, Your comments were appreciated by the IRM team

I will no longer be posting on this blog but you can continue to follow me on the IRM fb page or my personal fb page.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

 

Jan. 13, I love serving my God who is concerned about the smallest things in my life.

 Ministry Partners,

II Cor. 5:18-20 “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

This was a sad morning for me since it is my last morning to wake up in Africa                                 

 

Last night I was able to present to the Commissioner of Prisons the Report Alfred did and Juliette, who own the hotel here also came by. It was nice to say “Thank you” to them and tell them I appreciated all they did to make this mission trip a success. Juliette told me to let her know when we made the decision for the next trip because she will need time to have air conditioning put in for me. She really spoils me when I am here.

Alfred and Aaron had a special time of prayer over me and our time together that left all three of us in tears. Saying goodbye gets harder each year. Before getting to the airport, we stopped and Alfred bought eats for us. We were going to stop and have breakfast but we were running late.

When we got to the airport Alfred went inside with me since there was no one with a wheelchair at the entrance, he was able to go through security and get me booked in before leaving. That was really a gift because for some reason they had trouble getting me booked in so they could print my boarding passes. When he left he was asked how he got inside and he texted me saying…….. “You should have seen the lady at the exist asking me how did you get in? I told her, “I have finished what brought me and I am going back - How I came in, I don’t know.“ But we both know it was a Savior who loves me who sees that I am in need of some help. Thank you Jesus for your love and care in even the smallest things.

I usually fly from Portland to Amsterdam to Entebbe but this trip had me going from Amsterdam to Nairobi to Entebbe. On the return flight I was to go from Entebbe to Amsterdam to Atlanta and finally Portland. I was not overly happy with going to Atlanta as I have never been in that airport and there can be delaying weather but for the first time ever due to two generous friends, I was gifted the opportunity to fly first class and and I knew with wheel chair assistance I would be fine.

But two day ago I began to see God’s care again because Kenya Airways sent me an email and said my return flight had been changed. Instead of flying out at 11:50 pm like I have for all the years I can remember I would be flying out at 2:45 pm.. All of us were bummed because on fly out day we usually start late and then drive to an area close to the airport in the late afternoon and have the best Tilapia (right from the lake) dinner at the edge of Lake Victoria. It has always been a wonderful time to just enjoy God’s creation and each other before we all travel home. Otherwise, we work so hard that we really do not have time to just enjoy each other’s company.

While on the way to the airport Alfred said, “Look at how clear the roads are. People are getting ready for the election tonight and want to be preparing for the celebration that’s why most stores are even closed so they can be campaigning. In a couple of hours, the roads will be packed with people and lots of police and military to keep down any rioting that could occur all night. That’s when the “lightbulb” went off. I asked Alfred if he thought perhaps that is why God allowed my ticket to be changed so we would not be caught in that may-lay while trying to get me to the plane on time. We all agreed that again, it was God’s care for this weary soldier.

Originally, I would be going from Entebbe to direct to Amsterdam, so I was concerned about the additional Nairobi stop but when Alfred went to sign me in on line, we discovered that the Atlanta stop was no longer there but the Nairobi layover is 6 hours. Again, I am thankful for being able to relax and rest in the very nice lounge and with all the food here, I sure won’t have to worry about being hungry at dinner time and not finding something good to eat.

I love serving my God who is concerned about the smallest things in my life.  

That is all for today, I will try to get some rest before my flight.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Jan. 12 – My last day in Uganda as I leave tomorrow at 2 pm

 Ministry Partners,

I cannot tell you how amazing the last two months have been. The Holy Spirit has worked overtime in giving the IRM team a fresh anointing every day so that we might speak the Gospel boldly as God has called us to do. And the responses we witnessed and testimonies, from inmates as well as officials, we heard are evidence of His work in their hearts and minds. Alfred, Aaron and I thank you for sending us into the fields that are white with harvest where 1,000’s responded to the love of Christ.

 

I am still finishing packing my suitcases, carry-on and medical pack. Aaron did errands and Alfred went to town to get the report that he mainly wrote and assembled, printed so we can hand it off to the Commissioner of Prisons.

We did not have a big dinner to end our trip but I needed a good photo of the Evangelism Team so the guys and I got all fancy dressed and an employ at the hotel took photos. It has been so dreadfully hot that the guys have not donned their regular long sleeved shirts and ties for our crusades and mostly opted for short sleeved shirts.

As I type this post, two women are cleaning everything in our cottage, washing dishes and making the beds. Goodness, I am going to miss them and the sparking almost white floors. Usually I always leave gifts for those who take care of us here but this year I was able to give the gifts to them while expressing my personal gratitude to them and watching their broad smiles is fun. A few years ago one of the ladies, Harriet, received Christ as her Savior after I shared with her, so she is a special friend.

Yesterday as Alfred and I were having lunch, we had the opportunity to share the love of Christ with our waiter, a Muslim young man. As I say, “Let me share the Gospel with Just one more Lord.”

Alfred finally returned from getting the report printed and he said he had trouble finding a printer open as everyone here is getting ready for the election. I was glad he returned when he did as the skies opened and some serious rain fell. He did not take the van due to the traffic he knew would be going on so he would have gotten drenched on the motorbike he was riding on.

We gave the Commissioner our report and he thanked us for all we have done on this trip and said I must keep coming because we are making a difference.

This is my last evening to post from Uganda so I will just say, “Good night” for now.

Please pray for me as I travel for two days.

That no one would be lost.

Arlene

Jan. 11 – A special lunch date with my son.

 Ministry Partners

It was a beautiful morning here in Kampala, Uganda.

After a very light breakfast it was time to get some work done, sorting, inventorying, re-packing my suitcases to return home, taking apart and rolling up the beautiful painted portrait of Alfred and I so I could get it to fit in one of my returning suitcases.

Our traditional Son & Mom Lunch

Before lunch, Alfred said it was time to leave for our Mom, son lunch date just as he has treated me to in previous years. We returned to a place we had gone to before, CJ’s and it was wonderful, I had a BBQ chicken salad and Alfred had a Tilapia fish salad. Alfred had a Cappuccino and we shared a Berry milkshake, my once a year treat. There is just nothing like a fresh green salad with all the great trimmings after all the not so good meals. Today’s lunch was wonderful and I even got a to-go-box for ½ of my salad to have for dinner and Alfred took the 4 rolls that came with our lunch to share with Aaron. I have been so spoiled and blessed the last two months by both Alfred and Aaron who look after my welfare. I will have to start driving again, open my own car door, lift my own bags and cook my own meals.

When we returned to our cottage, I began working on my “chores” and Alfred went to take the van for its final service before returning it after I leave. After a bit Aaron arrived, to help me load and tape boxes.

I am thankful that they brought me a fan this afternoon so I should be able to sleep better tonight because it has been so very hot here in Kigali. I understand why in many areas of town many stores and street vendors are open for business from 5-6pm until 1-2 am. They choose to operate during the cooler hours and when people are returning home from work.

Well, that is it for today.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Jan, 10 – Back in Kampala, our “home” base

 Ministry Partners,

After waking up this morning in Jinja it was a three hour drive to get back to our “home” in Kampala, a cottage we have rented for many years. After unloading the van and unloading the storage room it was time to begin sorting things so I will know what to bring home and what to store at Alfred’s place.

 

Alfred and Aaron worked on other things until dinner. They ordered local foods and I ordered fish fillet, crispy potato wedges and a tomato/onion salad that I really like but the new chef also put sliced tiny hot green chilies in it so it was to hot for me but Alfred loved it.

Pastor peace came by for a while to give us her report on delivering the bibles and required government supplies and I gave her the gift bag of things I had selected for her. After she left I packed up the gift bags for Aaron, his wife, Alfred and his children. We decided that because of our duties before I fly out, the airlines rescheduled my departure to 12 hours earlier, that the Appreciation Dinner I usually host was not going to be possible. The next two days will be for finalizing the trip.

Not much else to report for today. I am going to enjoy my hot bath tonight!

Thank you for continuing to pray.

That none would be lost,

Arlene 

Jan. 9 – Prisoners celebrated saying, “I am free” = Vihinga Prison & Shikuza Prison

 Ministry Partners

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:1-2 

  

Prisoners celebrated saying, “I am free” 

 You will receive this post a day late, as I was not able to work on it until this morning. By the time we left the last of two prisons yesterday and crossed the border, it was 6pm. This was a different border than we have crossed at before so we did not know that we would not be able to find a hotel to stay at for three hours. Thankfully, we were finally able to find one in Jinja at 9pm! Aaron is a master driver and kept us safe over the bad roads and truck traffic. As we approached the border I started counting the semi-trucks lined up to cross, there were 500+ but Aaron was able to get us around them so we did not have to wait in their line which he said would take a couple of days. The process for us at the border took 45 min. but as we left the border I counted 95 trucks who had crossed but were waiting for final police checking. As we headed toward Kampala we were now driving in the dark and Aaron then had to navigate passing all the trucks that had completed the crossing and were headed in the same direction. Some trucks, cars and motor bikes were driving WITHOUT headlights or taillights on and then there are the people who walk right next to the road wearing dark clothing. At one point, a fancy speeding car decided to enter the oncoming lane on our right and there were two women in front of us, wearing dark clothes, that were trying to cross the busy roadway. I am not sure how he actually missed them but he did, God’s protection was on them for sure. It was evident that many of you have prayed for our travel, thank you. It was the worst border pile-up crossing I have ever been involved.

But I must tell you about yesterday. The first prison, Vihinga Prison, we went to was about an hour drive and there were 833 prisoners there. The leadership there was a bit different and the O.C. very “cool”. Because the final prison was a two-hour drive, we only presented the salvation, forgiveness and apology messages of our crusade. I cannot tell you how hot it was and all of us were in an open field under the full VERY hot sun. I am not sure how the inmates as well as Edward and Aaron were able to withstand it. Alfred held our umbrella over me so the two of us were somewhat shielded but it did not deter the men from listening or responding to all three messages. With it being so hot under the full sun, we wanted to allow to inmates to go eat and go back to their wards so we did not wait for their testimonies.

Our drive to Shikuza Prison where there were 670 men took 2 hours. We were received by a very nice Deputy O.C., the guards and a Chaplain. We were taken to an open field with a very long building, on my right, of inmate “wards” with a narrow overhang and since the sun was in a certain position, it created a narrow long path of shade for the prisoners and us. That shade got wider the longer we were there. Again, because of it being late we deleted the “Discipleship” message which I really dislike doing but their dinner time and counting time was shortening our time. They learned they could make good choices today by receiving Christ as Savior, forgiving someone else or themselves and taking responsibility for their actions by forgiving another inmate or guard and shaking hands. During the crusade, I talked about how those good choices would set them free and bring peace to their minds and hearts.

It was wonderful to observe the inmates faces by the time we finished, dark, sad faces in the beginning now greeted us with such huge smiles. And then, they did something we had never witnessed before, they stood, put their hands in the air and jumped high as they shouted, “I am free.” They did that not once, not twice but 6 times with the Deputy O.C. joining them in the end and so did I at their invitation. Some shouted their love for me and invited us back as we left

WHAT A POWERFUL WAY TO END OUR MINISTRY TIME HERE.

We travel to Kampala today and I will blog about this day tonight.

Thank you again for your continuing prayers,

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Jan. 8 – Kapsabet Men’s and Women’s Prison

Ministry Partners,

Another beautiful morning in Eldorate, it is hard to believe I only have one more morning to wake up here in Kenya. 

Not from today but sometimes the entrance to a prison is only a tree limb!

Today it was an hour drive to Kapsabet where we went to the men’s prison first. When we entered, we waited for some time for the O.C. to be free to see us and when we finally saw him, he took quite some time telling us about himself. I find it quite interesting the lengthy local protocol one must go through only to find them then telling you that your time is short and they do not allow you to do your complete program. That is what happened today with the 360 men. When we got to where the men were they were crouched or sitting between two buildings in the sun. A few prisoners sat alongside one building that had shade. Originally, there was a 2” heavy wire checked separation between us but Edward asked me if I felt ok about going inside past the wire and I said, “Of course.”

I entered and shook hands with some of the men, one guard that I did not are much for came and stopped me. I told him it was important that I greet some of the inmates. Some of them smiled so broadly as I shook their hand and others leaned forward to extend their had past the front row. There was a tiny bit of shade so as I preached I stepped back and forth from the sun to the shade. I was able to share the salvation message, forgiveness message and apology message before they stopped me. They said we were out of time and the men had to b counted and then eat. I cannot tell you how much that saddens me when it happens. The Discipleship message and object lesson conveys the truth that Jesus is the only one who can forgive and cleanse us from sin according to 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Then it was time to go to the Women’s Prison, which was close where we met the woman who spoke to us for some time. The sun was so hot I was concerned about the women being in the sun like they were when I was here a few years ago so I was thankful when they decided to move some of the bunks together in one on the Wards so we could meet there. It was very crowded for 4 guards, 2 chaplains, two babies, 33 women and the 4 of us but we made it work and I was able to share all the four components to the crusade. The Holy Spirit did a mighty work as they boldly prayed for salvation, forgiveness and apologized to each other. Watching inmates forgive each other and forgive guards was very powerful. At testimony time, one inmate identified another inmate and they forgave each other.

Prisoners at both prisons today, just like other prisons, invited us to, “Please come back.”

It was an hour drive back to our hotel where Edward went to get supplies for tomorrow and Alfred and I want to the Supermarket to purchase a few things, Aaron stayed at the hotel and took a nap. While at the market, there was a vendor outside and Alfred brought me the most beautiful large bag as a “Thank You”.

We missed Edward for dinner when we were going to give him gifts for himself and his wife. I wanted to appreciate him for all the work he has done on this trip. We found out later that he had locked his keys and phone in his car and had to hind a key lock person to come and unlock it.

Tomorrow ig our last day of ministry for this 2025-2026 ministry trip. We will do two different prison crusades in two different towns as we head toward the boarder, cross the border and then find somewhere to sleep. The next morning we will head for Kampala where we will stay until I fly back to Oregon.

Because of our schedule tomorrow, I might not post tomorrow night and will just combine tomorrow, Jan 9^th with Jan. 10^th. I will have to wait and see just how late it is when we finally find a place to sleep on the way to Kigali.

Tomorrow will be my last ministry day and a difficult day for me so I appreciate your prayers for me, the inmates and a fresh anointing on the team as the holy Spirit pours out his power like never before on this trip. Oh, and for our travel.                                                                                                           

That none would be lost,

Arlene