May 25

Ministry Partners,

Today was an early start for Pastor Geoffrey as he left before our scheduled breakfast with the pick-up carrying bibles, booklets and a few blankets to deliver them at each of the prisons we will be going to in the next few days. We do not have room in our van so it is a tremendous help to us for him to go ahead of us and make the delivery while also making the O.C.'s aware that we will be visiting them.

It was reassuring to know that our van had been checked over and cleared to travel but then the best plans of mice and men. When we arrived in a "trading center" on the Northern side of Masaka we saw Geoffrey and the pick-up we hired to deliver the things to the different prisons. After a brief chat they waved goodby as they were headed to the last prison and it is the one I was to speak in. Alfred and Aaron came back to the van, got in ........ and the van would not start. There is always something to be thankful for and I'm so thankful  this did not happen when we were way out in the middle of nowhere.

Both Pastors Geoffrey and Aaron said that they felt an uneasiness in their spirits when we entered the van this morning , that "something" was just not right that way we made a brief stop before leaving Kampala and had the van on a rack just for a double check.
Aaron walked a short distance and brought back the local "mechanic" who after some deliberation a determination was made that the issue was the battery so we purchased a new battery from him and we were on our way.

We traveled some distance to the boarder of Tanzania where the farm prison of 71 was located. They had just arrived in from work and were eating their dinner so our arrival was actually perfect timing. The O.C. was gracious in welcoming us and allowed us our full time to have our crusade. We watched the Holy Spirit powerfully move for both salvation and the Forgiveness prayer. One prisoner said that he had forgiven others but he never knew how important it was to forgive himself and he had done that today.

Because the prison was small we had enough bibles/booklet sets for everyone and their happiness over receiving one for their own was evident. One prisoner said he had prayed and prayed for a bible, even this last Sunday in church he had prayed again for a bible. He thanked God for answering his prayer.

 Driving in the dark in Uganda is probably my LEAST FAVORITE thing ever to do but we were caught driving most of the way to our lodging in the dark. The weak headlights that show only a few feet in front of you, roadways with pot holes and bathtub size holes everywhere, vehicles and motorbikes without headlights or taillights and people in dark clothes walking so close to the path of the vehicles that you can reach out and touch them as you go by at a high rate of speed. Tonight we were behind a pick-up loaded with chickens and he dodged a big pothole and just "kissed" one of the two motor bikes that were traveling on the road edge causing them almost crash into each other.
 
When we arrived and the place we are staying and shut the engine off Alfred tried to start the van ......... and it would NOT start. Aaron had concerns so he did not shut the van off at the prison but let it run during the entire crusade. That was a good choice on his part as the prison was a ways back and I would not wanted to be stranded there for the night!!! Yes, more things to be thankful for.

Some people will use anything for a clothsline

Mechanic shops were closed by the time we arrived here and discovered the van would not start so we all had Goat Stew with rice and mashed potatoes for dinner and we will decide what to do about the van in the morning.

As you can see, the Enemy hates what we are doing but praise His name, in Christ Jesus we have the victory.

That none would be lost,
Arlene