July 20 .....

Ministry Partners,

Today would prove to be a full day although it started off in a nice fashion with our garden breakfast. I could not help but count tables today there are 15 scattered about.

After loading up we headed for Kampala City Center as Alfred needed to exchange more money and try to get an answer from MTN as to why the "bundle" is still having issues and not letting me on when I need it to so that posts can be made at my discretion along with a couple more errands done and in addition we needed to meet up with Pastor Geoffrey. When we got to the parking area I decided to stay in the van with Pastor Aaron as I had an episode of pain on top of my skull, I will try drinking even more water. I laid across the back seats and rested while Aaron reclined the drivers seat and got 20 winks. After about an hour Alfred appeared with Pastor Geoffrey in tow and after updating everyone as to the contacts made and missed we proceeded out of the City Center to Kasangati Prison in the Wakiso District. It's not far from town so we were there in about 45 min. and thanks for your continuing prayers as the pain I had been experiencing was gone without taking medication.

Pastor Geoffrey reported that he had received many positive comments from our time at his church yesterday.

No matter which direction you go the roads and traffic are the same with even the "paved" roads being filled with ruts and potholes and more speed bumps than you could ever imagine. There are few stoplights and police at intersections and round-bouts seem to only be watching the congestion without much of a desire to actually direct traffic. At one point today I thought, "I know what this traffic reminds me of."......... Bumper cars at an amusement park!!!

When we arrived at the prison the short stucco walls had been freshly painted cream color with burgundy red trim and the small double red solid metal doors were firmly locked with only a "peep hole" of about 5" square that could be opened at will from the inside. Alfred and Geoffrey knocked and then waited for the peep hole to open, it did and they were checked out but not allowed entrance. After a 15-20 min. wait I decided it was a perfect time to make our sandwiches for lunch since it was 1 pm. After some time the door opened twice and we were informed that the two groups of prisoners who were being escorted out were going for trial.

Finally we were allowed admittance and asked for our phones and ID, they also asked for my camera but then we were ushered into the Wardens/Directors office where he greeted us in a very gracious and friendly manner. We spoke for some time and he smiled when I gave him his gift .... an IRM T-shirt and 2 new ties, I would give him his Bible and Discipleship Booklet when we got out to the IRM boxes in the courtyard. As he stood to take us into the open courtyard I told him I also had reports to do as he mentioned he had to do and then asked, "Would it be possible to have my photo taken with you?" He warmly responded, "Yes, but with the gifts you have brought that are in the courtyard."

a

Arlene w/ leaders from Kasangati Prison, gifts of Bibles, Booklets, blankets & scarves

We were informed that there are 242 prisoners with 22 being women (& 2 babies) that they brought from another area into a corner of the courtyard.

The warden addressed the prisoners with positive remarks about IRM before introducing me to then introduce my team. The Commissioner had changed some of the prisons we requested and resent me to this prison and although I was at this prison on my first trip to Uganda only one responded that they had heard me speak before and that was a guard.

As the inmates were sining two worship songs I went to where the women were and greeted each one. We did the full crusade and discipleship teaching time and at the end I explained the about the bundle of blankets, cases of Bibles and Discipleship Booklets we had brought and I was able to give each woman prisoner one of the beautiful scarves you donated. Upon leaving a guard handed us a Letter of Appreciation that had been drafted, signed and officially stamped by the warden, it's the first one I have ever received!

We stopped in the village as we left the prison and as Alfred made some copies we needed I was able to enter the market and give a old woman a scarf and tract without causing a scene from the surrounding venders.

Village market children & Arlene

It was a day of God's design for sure.

That none would be lost,

Arlene