Ministry Partners,
Well, today went much different than we planned.
Alfred called me at 6:45 and said that plans had changed and we needed to leave at 7:30 so there would be no time for breakfast. I had been up most the night coughing and did not go to sleep until 5:30 and had been awake since 6:30 when I got up and started getting dressed.
Because I was having difficulty talking I had the guys anoint me with oil and Bishop Daudi prayed over me before leaving.
Just as we all were about to get loaded into the van there was a downpour that was beyond belief. We used umbrellas to load the supplies for the prison and get ourselves into the van. I had been told that this is the hottest time of the year for this area so I, for sure, did not bring the right shoes or the right cloths. Thank goodness I did bring a lightweight rain jacket.
On the way to the prison we picket up Pastor Morris but to say the road to the prison was horrible would be an understatement! The people here are used to that kind of downpour and the narrow rutted village paths but I had REAL concerns of what would happen to us and our rig if we broke down from hitting hard on the deep rutted path and how would we ever get a tow truck up in that area. And of course the hard jarring was not helping my right hip that has been doing fairly well. As you see I had my worry hat on 😊! The main roads are much better than Uganda but once you get on the village paths/roads it is another story. After traveling almost an hour we finally arrived at the prison as the downpour continued. No wonder that all that rain cuts gullies in the roadway.
I had great concerns about being able to preach unless there was some kind of cover for the prisoners and for me. I did that yesterday but this was a downpour.The prisoners were seated under an 8ft. overhang from the roof so I stood at the end of a long narrow rectangle with the pastors behind me and some guards behind them. It appeared that we had the whole prison in attendance.
When we got inside the O.C. (yes, they call them that here in Tanzania too) welcomed us but we could tell they had never dealt with outsiders. They would not let us use our sound system as they thought we might us it to be recording the crusade.
I must admit that I was shocked to learn that the pastors here have never ever done prison ministry according to Bishop Daudi. That's why he called me "The Moses of Tanzania" saying I was the answer to his prayer in 1999 and I would be the one to lead/show them how to began ministering to the prisoners. Oh my goodness, I am humbled for sure. It is evident why God called the IRM team here.
I don't think I have ever spoken to a group so intent on listening and watching my every move and that included all the guards. Over 200 were added to the Lambs book of life, forgave and apologized.
When we asked if there might be two or three that might like to tell us what Jesus did in their hearts while we were there about 50 raised their hands so Bishop Daudi picked six and as I gave each one a hug, with their permission, when they finished I wondered if they had ever been hugged before.
As I left the area where the prisoners were, their shouts filled the air, "By Arlene, By Arlene, By Arlene, By Arlene." I turned and waved by to them all.
Before leaving we took photos with the O.C. and some guards outside the prison. We had been informed that we could not take photos inside.
By the time we left thankfully the rain had stopped. It has been another day filled with God's provision and care with the Holy Spirit powerfully working. God was good and helped my crackly voice to complete the crusade.
Thank you again for sending us here.
That none would be lost,
Arlene
Good news.
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