Dec. 7 - Please Pray

 

Ministry Partners, 

Finally, getting to sleep last night was interesting as the water faucet would not turn off. I could hear the drip, drip, drip, drip into the bucket they brought me to bathe from. So, I moved the bucket out of the way and since the floor was already wet I put my bath town on the floor reaching from the doorway to the toilet. I did not want to fall in the middle of the night but by the time I got up that tiny drip had fill the bathroom floor and the towel was sopping. At least I never fell during the night.

Breakfast was at 8 and again it was an adventure. The Spanish omelet they brought me was really scrambled eggs with grated carrots, no green of red peppers and definitely no cheese. And then there were tiny dry peanuts, bread, a type of square doughnut and a type of rice ball that was deep fried. There was no regular tea so I opted for plain hot water but the color of the water caused me to choose not to have any. I could not help but smile as the Bishop took 2 slices of white bread and made a jelly, butter and omelette sandwich. Interesting combination.

Alfred's breakfast, a bar bread type doughnut, 2 rice balls, 2 sausages (?) and tiny peanuts

The prison of 385 men and 16 women with 4 babies where we went to today was only a 5 min. drive but the outcome when we arrived was not good. The O.C. who previously approved our request letter decided that today he would not allow us to enter. He had additional guards with him and they would step away, talk and then return to again refuse. Alfred did a wonderful job trying to persuade him. At one point, I told them that it made me sad that the prisoners would not hear how much Jesus loved them and have an opportunity to receive Jesus as their Savior, or to learn how to forgive or how to apologize so their lives would be improved and the prison would run better.

Alfred said his huge smile and laughter was betrayed by his dark, ugly, blackened heart. At one point he divulged he was another religion so Alfred shared the Gospel with him and addressed his "head knowledge". Then Alfred stated that since he had invited us (International Reconciliation Ministries) to come, was he inviting us to his house? The O.C.'s response was, "You are not welcome at my home and you are not welcome here at the prison." 

We had met last night with a woman pastor from here that is also the secretary to the O.C. where we were today and she was so excited that

I see this as another demonic attack because like I said before, NO ONE has ever before  entered any Tanzanian prison to share the love of Christ. 

We were not informed, before we arrived, that the new Bishop we are working with only got signed permission letters from the individual O.C.'s but had not yet received the signed request permission letter, as of today, from the Prison Commissioner of Tanzanian. There is so much to learn when you are new to the job before you. 

Alfred, Aaron and the Bishop have been in the living area discussing the situation for some time followed by Alfred and the Bishop being on their phones TRYING to see that this does not happen again.

The lady minister that works at the prison is helping the Bishop and Alfred behind the scenes but refused to come for dinner tonight as she was concerned someone might see her since we are staying so close to the prison.

I will close for today as I want to get this posted so you can be praying.

Thank you dear partners for continuing to hold us up before the Lord.

That none would be lost,

Arlene