Ministry Partners,
Today we are heading to Northern Uganda for three
days to do ministry in three prisons.
The man with the pickup arrived as did Geoffrey and
the truck was loaded with bundles of blankets and Bible/Booklet sets. What
great sight to see all those copies of God’s Word to be distributed and the man
with the pickup makes a very good wage. The charge would have been $500each
load but Alfred bargained him down with the agreement that he took the former
load and this load so the price was $450. It’s just part of doing the Bible
ministry here.
As we were having breakfast the man arrived with the
new van but said we would have to pay for the repairs and he is not going to
proceed with the police even though we had the other driver’s license number. We
did not have funds for this in our budget so there was no extra money wired
over.
Please pray that the cost of repairs in very low.
We drove right past the spot on the road where the
accident happened last night but we had many laughs on the way here as some of
the portions of road were in such bad shape that Alfred was dodging what he
said were holes larger than pot holes. I told him we needed to give them a name
that would signify their much larger size but none of us could think of one.
There were so many hole in most of the paved (I call
it that very lightly) road that we ended up many times driving on the side of
the pavement in the dirt. When following other cars or vans its evident that
you are approaching lots of these holes in the pavement as when you see brake
lights come on and the vehicles in front start swerving right then left.
It was a long
hot 5 hour drive to the District, town and prison of Hoima. This is one of the
Districts where oil has been discovered in Lake Albert. Alfred says that this
is the District where he was raised in a refugee camp here until he was 18. The
streets look much the same as the trading centers we have passed on the way
here bit this is the first time I have see flour in the open to be weighed out
and sold.
Flour anyone?
We met up with Geoffrey at a gas station and got 3
cases of bibles off the truck to add to what they had already delivered since
Alfred found out how many prisoners were at this prison so that we would have
enough for everyone. It was good that they had already had lunch, that way we
did not have to worry about going late and interrupting their dinner. It was
going on 3 o’clock when we were finally admitted into the prisons. A small
group of prisoners welcomed us with singing accompanied by 2 drums.
It is a bit difficult preaching for 2 ½ to 3 hours
in the sun as it really saps your strength. We followed the same format and
watched the Holy Spirit speak into so very many for salvation and forgiveness
of others or themselves. The we were able to hand out Bible set to each one
present wile I also handed out a beautiful donated scarf to each women.
Two prisoners spoke and thanked us for coming. When
one of them said they wanted me to come back I replied that if God brought me
back I did not expect to see any of them there, they would be released. At that
all the prisoners broke into applause and cheering.
As we were leaving the O.C. appeared and ushered us
into his office. After I gave him his gift he agreed to let us take a photo
outside of him and his assistant with me.
Then we were off to find a hotel here to stay at. I
am not sure just how Alfred does it but he spoke to a woman at the gas station
and asked about a reasonable place to stay. She referred us to this place, this
beautiful nice new place that is one the nicest places I have ever stayed in
Uganda and the price is the lowest!
They have a restaurant and offer a comp breakfast; I
have a bathtub, hot water and a mosquito net that covers the whole bed not just
½ of it. I am very happy that we will be able to stay here for two nights.
I will actually get to bed by 11 hopefully.
That
none would be lost,
Arlene
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