Nov. 21 - Moonshine!

 Ministry Partners,

When I arrived at my room I discovered that flowers adorned my bed, the floor and a bouquet was on the table. I found out later that a young man had done the decorating, how sweet.

As I listened to the rain, off and on as I slept last night, my thoughts went to the prisoners and the red mud that they will deal with when they go about their daily routine. Then there are the street and village vendors that lay down a blanket to display their wares.  They say rain is a blessing and makes the crops grow but it also creates a hardship for many others. 

Alfred ordered breakfast for us last night and requested that it be ready at 8am so we can be loaded up and on the road by 9am. When I walk anywhere here the stones and the paths are so uneven that Alfred holds hands with me which causes us to get a lot of "looks" as people judge that we are lovers. They have no idea that I am his Mom and he is my dear son AND that I am old and might need help.

What a surprise, when we got to the dinning area there was a group of 12 with a 5 yr old child also there along with a Ugandan teen. It was clear to see the group was from another country/religion and did we ever get the "look" from all of them. I realized that a Ugandan girl was sitting with the child at a table alone next to us and not allowed to sit with the family group for breakfast as she was the house helper. When I went to get my tea I overheard one of the woman who was being so unkind and chewing out the young boy that was serving omelettes.

My heart hurt that the house girl was so excluded from being included with the family meal. At one point I got up and walked over to her and opened a conversation by telling her that I noticed she had such a sweet smile. She told me her name was Alice. As we were talking the same unkind lady came up to me and asked if there was a problem. I said no and that I noticed Alice had a sweet smile and I was jut chatting with her. She wanted to know if I lived in Uganda and I said , "No, I am from America, I'm here with my son and Pastor Aaron, we are telling people about Jesus and how much Jesus loves them." As I turned to go back to my table I looked her in the eyes and said, "Jesus loves you very much.' Alfred said later that when I first got up and went to chat with Alice that every member of the family watched me.

 After I finished eating I went to the serving table and asked for the young man who was making omelettes but was informed that he had left. I told the other 4 staff, that were there, that all of them did such a wonderful job serving us and would they please tell that the young man that I had noticed what a very good job he was doing.

It was about an hour drive to the prison of 350 men plus some women. It had really rained here too so I was glad that we were under a cover as the ground was so VERY muddy. The crusade found prisoners making good choices for salvation, forgiveness and apologizing. So many were set free today and Aaron and Alfred did such a wonderful job translating for me.

When we finished I asked how many women were actually there as only a few came. I was told 25 and I remembered I had gifts for women in the van so Alfred and I went to the van and I pulled out the bag of simple backpacks and counted........there were exactly 25! Alfred and I went back into the prison to give the women their gift but he was not holding my hand and as I stepped on a very muddy slick spot, down I went. I fell hard on my right hip side, the one I have been having so much pain in. Some prisoners came and wanted to help me up but Alfred told them to give me a minute then he stood near my feet, gave me his hands and helped me get up. There was a water spicket nearby so Alfred walked me there to rinse off my feet and shoes. As I was doing that a prisoner came and grabbed my foot/shoe and said, "Let me grab this blessing." He put his hands on one shoe and then the other, scrubbing the sides and soles with his hands. I thanked him and then went to the women to give them their backpack gifts. As I turned to leave I asked for the prisoner who had cleaned my shoes and when he identified himself I asked if I could hug him, He smiled broadly saying , yes. After giving him a hug Alfred and I walked to the van, I was holding very tightly to his hand this time.

We only had one prison to do today and then we took the long drive back to Kampala. At one point I noticed that there were a number of roadside stands selling glass bottles of different sizes filled with clear liquid just waiting to be sold. Alfred and Aaron had quite a discussion about what the liquid was so Aaron pulled over and asked at one stand. Imagine m surprise to find out that it was what , in America, we would call Moonshine! Even Aaron was surprised that they were selling it out in the open.

Moonshine!

It is hard to believe that we have now completed 15 crusades. As we left town we stopped for gas and Alfred bought treats for everyone along with cappuccinos for he and Aaron. 

Traveling with Alfred and Aaron is so much fun as they put on gospel music and sing along. They are always teasing each other and once in awhile me . Aaron smiles broadly as he says he is son #2 and he is an excellent driver just like Alfred so I always feel very safe.

I am so happy to be back in Kampala and at the house we rent with my very good bed/mattress as the one at or last hotel was awful, with a huge sunken hole in the middle which killed my back/hip. Alfred and Aaron said theirs were the same way. After the first night I came up with a plan. I pulled all the covers down to the bottom of the bad and slept across the end of the bed where it was a bit more firm. Everyone agreed that if we are ever in that area again we will not stay there. 

Tomorrow is sorting, repacking and REST!!! or so I have been told.

Thank you for your prayers,

That none would be lost,

Arlene