Nov. 24 - Almost a 5 hour village church service today

 Ministry Partners,

It was nice to wake up this morning and find that it was not raining. We also got a later start today because we're not headed to a prison but to a village church made-up of refugees from Rwanda. Alfred has been connected with his church for some time. But today there were about 570 there and a number of them were first time visitors.

When we arrived the choir was singing and I must tell you there's just something very special about when the African people sing. The power in their voices as they sing worship songs to Jesus it's wonderful to listen to. I have been asked why I enjoyed the music so much when I don't understand what they're singing about but you see the Holy Spirit in me understands very well what they're singing about. But when we arrived the music was so loud I think you probably could have heard it a block away. That's one way to let people know that church has started and they're welcome to come. But because of the tinnitus in my ears I had Alfred ask them if they would turn the sound level down just a bit which they were gracious to do.

There were different choirs of different ages that sang and the children's choir was absolutely wonderful and none of the choirs had written music of a monitor of some kind to help with the words. Each choir sang a number of songs then it was time for me to share . I shared pretty much the same as I do when I do a prison crusade , for the need is always the same , salvation, forgiveness, and apologizing . There was one pastor who videoed my whole 1 hour and 45 minute talk so Alfred is going to get a copy from him for my memory box.

It was so interesting that when I gave the invitation for salvation and it clearly explained that just knowing religious facts about Jesus in your head is not enough to pay your way to heaven a number of the pastors there stood up and prayed the prayer. And once again watching the church people apologize to each other the wrongs of the past was an exciting thing to watch.

When we finished we asked for some testimonies. It's interesting when people say that the message I gave was just for them or that they had a dream the night before that I was coming. After they finished with their testimonies I had a number of packages of scarves that I gave out to all the women present while the men received those beautiful donated ties. There were so many children there that I just did not have enough caps for everyone so I did not hand those out. I will say what i've had to take to the prisons. North

Then a lady came forward and said she needed prayer as she'd been married for a number of years and not been able to have children. They put a mat down on the floor and she knelt and then some other women came forward and knelt including a young girl. The pastors and myself all gather ground and prayed over the women and girl. Then a man came forward and said that they needed to take a collection to pay for the surgery that the little girl needed. People openly gave so that she could have a hernia operation.

I'm not quite sure that those of you at home would handle having a church service that went from 10 in the morning to almost 3 in the afternoon! We were invited to stay for an all church dinner but because there is still some work to get done on the van and all the packing to get done for our departure in the morning we knew we had to leave and get started.

The guys left me off at the hotel and then took off for town with Alfred making he and Aaron a peanut butter sandwich for lunch. I am positive they both would have enjoyed the local foods at the church dinner much more but there just was not time.

After they left me off I began finishing up the packing that I needed to do and emptying everything out of my side room and closet putting everything that we would not use on the trip to Tanzania in the storeroom. It's nice that the lady that owns the hotel allows us to keep that storeroom for our extra things which we will use for the last prison visits we will do here in Uganda after we return from Tanzania.

It is 6:30 and I am finished with all my work but the guys are not back yet. Listing to old time gospel music on my computer made the work go quickly. 

Tomorrow morning we leave at 7am which means we get up about 6. Alfred's friends that own the restaurant where we ate the other night insisted that when we go by their place, in the morning, we must stop as they will have breakfast ready for us. If the traffic is bad and delays us getting they we can take the breakfast with us but if we are not delayed we can eat in the restaurant. Such kindness from them.

Please pray for:

• The salvation's of the prisoners 
• A fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit for the team
• Travel safety over the next month as we will cover lots of long rough roads
• Jesus's healing hand upon my back and right hip

Thanks for taking the time to pray and comment on my posts. It is an encouragement to us.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, as you are eating turkey and pumpkin pie, I will be sharing the Gospel in two prisons. 

Than none would be lost,

Arlene