Dec. 29 - Commissioner of Prisons Jacob said, "Please come back."

 
Ministry Partners,

Today is my last full day in Uganda although tomorrow my flight is not until 11:55 pm Monday arriving home at 11:25am on Tuesday. Looking at the schedule one has to remember to different time zones. The flight from Entebbe to Amsterdam is 9-10 hours and the flight from Amsterdam to home is 10 with a 3 ½ hr. layover in Amsterdam. It leaves lots of time to reflect on my time here and read my journal, a copy and paste every day of my blog posts.

 

The IRM team with the Ugandan Senior  Commissioner of Prisons & Prison Spokesperson and his wife

My Rwandan friend Pelly, who is the Rwanda Prison Services Spokesperson, connected us with Frank, the Senior Commissioner of Prisons / Prison Spokesperson, here in Uganda who invited us to his home for a meeting this morning. It was short 40 drive that found us at his private home/hotel at the edge of Lake Victoria and an adjacent beautiful golf course resort.

He and his wife were so gracious to us giving us not only tea but also breakfast. He is also quite a business man owning the hotel, two farms and an array of animals including cows, ducks, turkeys ect., and he sells milk. We were there about two hours and after viewing the picture report of this trip, he commented that he appreciated the big work we have been doing.

We returned home about noon and Alfred and Aaron went about getting things ready for our dinner while I made some final preparations and wrote on this blog as much as possible so that there is not much for me to write after the dinner is over. I would like to get to bed at a decent hour since I am still taking cold medications.

Our IRM dinner tonight was wonderful with 35 including former Commissioner of Prisons, Elizabeth. Current Commissioner of Prisoners Jacob and the Deputy Commissioner was also there with his wife. Our guests also included many pastors and wives. 

As the food was being bought out I showed the 30 min. power point that I show at home as I wanted the commissioners and other guests to see and hear what we do in the prisons.

Alfred did an amazing job with ordering the catered buffet that included a huge variety for here: Matoki, Brown and white rice, ground nut paste, peas with ground nuts, potato wedges, Beef stew, Goat meat, Fish, Chicken, Squash, greens, Chapatis and for dessert: Watermelon and Pineapple. In all the years I have been here the beef and other meats are so tough but tonight the beef was the best I have had here, tender and nice.

After dinner we took communion followed by me presenting Commissioner Jacob with a photo report of the 44 prison crusades we held. The I gave the women a shawl, bracelets and tissue package while the men got the traditional two ties. Then 'Thank You" cards were handed out followed by me giving Alfred, Aaron and Peace special Certificates of Appreciation and a gift bag of "goodies". One Woman pastor presented me with a darling woven hat and I can't wait to wear it!

We ended with Commissioner Jacob speaking about the good work IRM has been doing and appreciating us and our partners, that send us here, for the impact through our forgiveness message that we are having in the prisons. He ended by saying, "Please come back."

It was a great evening but hard to say good-bye.

That none would be lost,

Arlene