Today after breakfast we set off for Kapeeka Prison which took us on a 2 1/2 hour drive. The paved roads are one thing but the rutted dirt roads are another.
This was another farm prison with 64 prisoners.although every prison has things that are similar there are those things and officials that are so different. The O.C. at Kapeeka was so very nice and welcoming. We had arrived earlier than expected so he called back workers that had gone to the fields. He told me how they appreciated the things we had brought, Bibles, Booklets and blankets and stated that no one had ever brought them gifts.
The men were seated under a some very used pieces of tarp and Aaron and I stood at the edge but still shaded for the sun. The O.C. took only a short time to introduce Pastors Aaron, Peace and me. We followed the same program for the crusade and I later asked Aaron why they laughed so hard when I said, "A woman could not fill the emptiness in their life only God could. " Aaron admitted that he added, "Not even 15 women!" No wonder they laughed! During the portion on forgiveness Aaron shared his testimony and how he forgave his father two years ago. At the end, once again we watched the men step up and ask each other for forgiveness. One prisoner asked what to do if he asked for forgiveness and the other person refused. I told him if he asked for forgiveness like the Holy Spirit urged him to do then God would bless him for being obedient and he was not to be concerned wither the person forgave him or not. He could fell good because he had made a good choice by asking. I then shared the instance when I apologized and asked someone and number of times for forgiveness only to have them refuse. I told him he was not responsible for someone else's choices or responses only his choice to be obedient in asking.
We had the men separate into English and Lugandan speaking groups to hand out the Bibles and Discipleship Booklets and once again the Lord saw to it that every man got the language he needed. Oh goodness what a wonderful God we have, caring about even the smallest detail!!!
A few of the men stood and told what it meant to have us there. One man said that he had seen Aaron and I at another prison at another time, that he did not receive Jesus as his Savior then but today he did.
I was so thankful the the O.C. gave us so much time today. It gave us an especially great opportunity to watch the Holy Spirit do His work in the hearts of the men.
Then it the long drive home which a one point we dropped Peace off after discuss the plans tomorrow and the time she needed to be at our hotel so we could set off for our ministry day in a timely manner.
Goodness it's only 6pm and I have the paperwork and this blog done. YEA!!!! For the first time ever I plan on being in bed by 9-9:30.
Dear partners I don't have words to adequately describe what we are watching the Holy Spirit do and the impact of receiving a personal Bible has on the men. How I wish you were here to see for yourself.
Thank you for sending us into the harvest and for providing the bibles that you have.
Continue to pray for:
- Open hearts for the Gospel
- Our safety and health
That none would be lost,
Arlene
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