Dec. 12 - Change in itinerary. We are headed to Kenya.

 Ministry Partners,

They asked us to be at breakfast at 7:30 but it arrived at 8. Bishop Daudi was praying and fasting so he did not join us for breakfast but Bishop Dominick arrived so he was able to eat the extra breakfast. Then because we did not have room for an additional person in our van Pastor ????? chose to stay at the hotel.

It took about 1 1/2 hours to arrive at the prison where Bishop Dominick and Alfred went in to talk with the O.C. while Bishop Daudi , Aaron and I stayed in the van. The longer we waited the more I prayed and was concerned. Almost an hour later Alfred and Bishop Dominick exited the front prison door and as Alfred leaned into the window he said, "Mom, I have done all I can. You are not wanted here in Tanzania!"

The prisons were all very happy to receive the supplies IRM provided but they did not realize that a "WHITE" face was attached to IRM. Bishop Dominick had even contacted the person he knew in the government. They made it very clear that I was not welcome in the prisons of Tanzania and that included the remaining 8 prisons on my schedule. I have never dealt with prejudice before.

We headed back to the hotel and my heart was so broken that I could not hold back the tears, tears for the prisoners who will not hear about the love of Jesus this next week , tears of disappointment, tears of hurt, tears of rejection, tears of a broken heart and tears for a lost vision of the impact I have already seen in the prisons where we were allowed to minister as 2,875 souls were added to the Lambs Book of Life.

Bishop Dominick's is so humble and kind and we stopped by his church to leave the prison soap supplies we had purchased for him to distribute to his 75 parishioners. As I entered the church I could see there were no chairs. When the people come for church they sit on the floor on tarps or mats that are spread out. I purchased a few chairs for the church before leaving. We were able to meet Dominick's sweet wife who bowed before me in greeting. ( I can't tell you how hard it is for me to have people bow before me.) I was able to find a nice blue floral scarf that matched the blue in her skirt/wrap. I must say, of all the spiritual leaders I have met here he is my favorite, he has such a soft kind spirit. He will work well with the prisoners if he is ever allowed to return to the prison.

As we drove away from the church a very old woman was walking on a path, she was all bundled up and it was so hot. I asked Aaron to stop and I retrieved a nice scarf from my bag and along with a Gospel tract and gave them to her as she knelt in front of me. She invited us to her home although Alfred thanked her but told her we would not be able to.

It is very clear that, for His own reason and purpose, we have done what Jesus wanted us to do here and He did not want us to proceed any further here in Tanzania. So in the morning, we will leave early and proceed toward the Kenyan boarder, where we have never crossed before. We must go there to exit Tanzania. But Bishop Daudi has a Bishop friend who lives just over the boarder in Kenya that wants us to do at least one prison in his area. We have worked in a different area of Kenya for 5 years so there should be no problem. Since it is on our route back to Uganda it will be interesting to see what God has in mind for each day.

For a person who likes most everything for ministry in a very detailed plan/schedule the next week is going to be very interesting and it will definitely be one designed by the Savior. I feel VERY safe with Jesus, Alfred and Aaron.

Thank you for your continuing prayers

That none would be lost,

Arlene