Ministry Partners,
The adventure continues.
Late yesterday afternoon I had to ask for toilet paper and when the lady brought me some I took her to the bathroom and showed he the door handle on the inside, it only had one screw that was almost out. The doors POWER shut and I had concerns about the handle coming off when I tried to exit the bathroom and I would not be able to get out and with the cement and brick thickness of the walls, even if I hollered Alfred would not be able to hear me. So I wedged the bowl brush and holder between the door and the jam so the door would not close completely.
Our pork dinner left a lot to be desired but at lease it was a meal. But climbing into bed was exactly that since the bed was on a very tall frame and as I stood beside it the mattress hit me right at my bust. I finally got a chair, got up on the chair and then got into bed. I just had to laugh and although the mattress was not very thick it was firm and very comfortable.
We were to get up at 5:45 to be at the prison at 6am but I woke at 4:30 so that was the end of my night. The hotel agreed to give us breakfast after we finished at the prison which was so kind of them.
Then we returned to the hotel for a breakfast of watery beef soup, chapatis and tea. I had Aaron get the PP&J from the van and made myself PP&J chapati roll-ups to go with my tea.
Then we were off for a 2 hour drive to a prison of 4,000, this was what I was hoping for. The Bishop had invited another pastor to travel with us for the next few day that I was not aware of. Alfred had informed that we could only take one extra person with us and we were not asked. But when we arrived at the prison we were met with all kinds of resistance and because the local pastors had only gotten permission from the O.C. and not the official they needed to. I went to the van and prayed as the guys stood outside trying to convince them to let us ministry to the inmates, but they refused. I cannot tell you, I do not have the right words, to express my disappointment and frustration. We came to Tanzania to see what prison ministry here would look like and we are truly finding out. I am not SURE at this point, just how many of the remaining scheduled prisons we will be able to minister in. I have LOTS to pray about and consider for 2025.
Then we were off for another two hour drive to the next prison of 550 and although they allowed us in we had to stay in the entry area and for a second time Aaron, Alfred and I had to speak through the bars as I put my arms through from time to time. Regardless of the bars the inmates were glued to us as were the guards and they responded to each of the three messages. The O.C. stood just a foot or two away from me as I spoke and after I finished said how important the things were that I shared.
Then we were off for another 1 1/2 drive heading toward tomorrows prison. We found a place to stay but after we checked in e were informed that Alfred and Aaron could not stay in the same room. I am not even going to try and explain that!
The guys , except Alfred, went into town to buy the supplies that we need to take to the prison and Aaron needed to pick up more water and bread for lunches. Alfred has ordered dinner for 7 so I will see what that brings.
I never knew I would see so many rice fields, it's amazing and in all the days travels only one time did I see a tractor in any field. There are only people hand working the soil and fields with bulls and cows hitched together to pull the, I guess it's plow but I was never close enough to identify it for sure.
I am going to call it a night and get this posted.
Your comments are an encouragement to us, thank you.
Please continue to pray for the O.C.s, that we would find favor with them, for the prisoners prisoners and fro us.
That none would be lost,
Arlene
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