July 30 .... Today he became a Christian

Ministry Partners,

It’s hard to believe that this trip is almost half over yet although there is a huge portion of praise at the end of every day there is an element of sadness as each day brings us closer to our final day here.

This trip we have been very aware of the enemy’s attempts to disrupt our efforts and bring stress and discouragement but as always God has been so gracious to us, protected us and provided for us. I keep asking God what he is trying to teach me on this trip and I keep sensing the same answer ……. It’s about TRUST and TRUSTING HIM MORE in even bigger ways for bigger and different things. I’m not sure what that means but I know without a doubt that he will show me.

I am so thankful to be working with the godly men I am working with. They also have a heart of love for the prisoners as shown by their sacrifice to take such time out of their lives to partner together for something God has called us to do, something positive for the kingdom. Of course there is the very special blessing to me of being able to work with and spend time with my son.

Pastor Aaron arrived about noon, having taken our van to the shop to have the radiator and cap checked out as we will be traveling up North in a few days. We loaded up and headed out to Kauga Prison, our 8^th prison. No matter which direction we go our drives have such familiar sights now.

There are roadside and street side vendors as well as those walking and selling their wares. They walk on the sidewalks, the road and between the vehicles selling a little bit of everything. Yesterday one young man came walking between the vehicles selling mousetraps. 

  I now understand why some of them only appear at late evening/night because Alfred says the ones that are there during the day pay taxes and the ones that set up at night do not. Interesting!

Aaron called and said he is so stuck in traffic that he cannot get back to the hotel so the decision was made after Geoffrey arrived that we would go in his van/car to the prison and Aaron would just try to make it there. It is bumper to bumper, finder to finder traffic moving sometimes at 5 MPH and sometimes not moving at all for 5 min. or more. It’s not stop and go traffic it’s stop and stop and with the heat many American’s would have been having road rage by now. 

Kampala is a city of 3,000,000 by night and 6,000,000 by day according to Alfred. It is very apparent that this part of Uganda grew before the infrastructure could keep up. Even the sides of the roads that go through the suburbs are eroding and Aaron says soon the roads there will only accommodate one-way traffic which will create a whole new problem for people as they try to get to work in the morning or try to get home in the evening.

The O.C. from the prison called and Alfred informed her that we were caught in traffic.

We finally arrived at the prison at 2:40 so we were only 40 minutes late.  The officer in charge of Social Affairs who welcomed us was quite ridged and stern when we arrived. We were given a spot to set up as they brought in the 24 women to sit at an angle behind me with 196 sitting under the porch in front of me. We did the same format as usual although Geoffrey took Aaron’s place for one of the skits.

The women seemed happy with the donated shopping bags and everyone clapped in appreciated the Bible sets and blankets. The prisoners wanted us to distribute the Bible sets but we knew we did not have enough and it could become dangerous for us so we declined. So very many of the prisoners came and shook hands with me and thanked us for coming. One young man came and told us he had been a Muslim but today he received Jesus as his Savior. There was a Bible set setting on the table with our supplies and since there were no other prisoners around, they were getting dinner, I gave him one.

Praise the Lord for each one who made a decision for Christ today.

The Social Affairs man eased up some and let us take a photo with him and one guard outside the prison walls when we were done. I did the “I 72 so I can hug you” right as Alfred was about to take the photo and then he laughed and put his arm around me.

It is and amazing thing that traffic on the way home had thinned and we made it in 15 minutes when it took us 1 hour and 40 minutes t get there. Aaron called and he is still out in traffic somewhere. I think one of his short cuts has become a long cut.

Alfred ordered goat and chips for us for dinner, Aaron will o

Alfred ordered goat and chips for us for dinner and then called Aaron to see how close he was to the hotel. He was close so he ordered Goat and Chips for him. Pineapple was the perfect ending to our meal.

A bath and early to bed with the busy schedule I have for tomorrow.

I already have so many stories to share with you when I get home.

The verse for today -

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14,16

That none would be lost,

Arlene