Nov. 28 - "The words I heard today have conquered my heart"

 Ministry Partners,

Although it rained last night it was not raining when I got up.

Sorry, the blog would not let me add a photo tonight

It appears they found they ran out of seating for breakfast yesterday so they opened up the big dinning hall for breakfast today. When I went to get the water for my tea another lady was just setting down the  hot water container because it was empty. But as she started to turn away they brought a fresh one and set it in front of me. I motioned for her to go ahead, after all she was there first, but the look on her face was puzzled. She poured her water and then looked at me and motioned to the cup I was holding. How sweet of her to pour my tea water as we both smiled at each other. No words needed.

As we sat eating our breakfast I noticed a lady with a young child sitting a table away. She kept pointing the child toward me and talking to him in English, I guess she wanted him to see his first Muzungu (white person). Usually here when young children sees me they cry and are afraid because they have never seen someone like me before. Finally, I got up and walked toward them and told the mother that I did not want to make him cry. She laughed and I was fine coming close. She said he was 8 months old and I told her he was a darling child. I told he to have a blessed day and then returned to my table.

As we left for the men's prison it began to rain and I was concerned because they lock the prisoners in when it rains. We met with the deputy O.C. and another officer and Alfred discovered they had been similar places so they struck up quite a conversation laughing with each other. I was so pleased when they both said they would come hear me speak. But we saw God's provision when the Deputy O.C. decided to have the men brought into a very large building. We watched as the men just kept coming, more and more and more, I wasn't sure the room could hold them but they sat crunched together all 1,900 of them.

There is just something exciting about speaking to such a large group and watching them respond to not only the salvation message but also the forgiveness message. And when they went to apologize to each, and some to the Deputy O.C., the smile on his face was priceless.

One prisoner said, "I am choosing to forgive my complainant today. The words I heard today have conquered my heart."  

Then it was off to the women's prison where we found a new building for us to meet in. The O.C. was one I had met before so we found favor right away. Once I share my testimony about believing I had no value the skepticism fades away and they then understand that when Jesus died on the cross he demonstrated his love for them. Romans 5:8 Showing them they have value to the Savior and so do you.

The women made such good choices today in responding "Yes" to all three invitations. And as some women gave their testimony about what the Holy Spirit did in their hearts during our time together one inmate said that her husband dead and she never knew it was important to forgive him but after watching our object lesson she realized how important it was, so she prayed to forgive him. Watching the women choosing to be obedient to what the scriptures say about receiving God's free gift of salvation, Eph. 2:8&9 as well as forgiveness makes EVERYTHING we go through to be here very very worth it.

Just to be clear, Satan hates us and what we are doing here and we experience Demonic attacks every day. That is just one reason we appreciate your prayers for us. 

It may be late before I get to sleep tonight, there is a party going on just outside my room in the small courtyard there.

That none would be lost,

Arlene