Dec. 9 - I spoke to the prisoners through the bars

 

Ministry Partners,

Last evening I tried to get this info correct so I could post about it

According to Alfred, some years ago lGBTQ "missionaries" came to Tanzania and tried to promote their agenda. The government refused and stopped not only their entrances into the country but stopped any foreign missionaries from entering their country or prisons. I am the first to be allowed since that time, my team is not constrained by the "foreign" title. Goodness, WHAT AN HONOR!

 Last night I had mosquitos in my room and I had no mosquito net. When I opened my door there was a young staff person there. She wanted to take me across the complex to another room but it was far to far from the guys so I said no thank you. She returned a few moments later with some mosquito repellent oil, it actually smells better than my repellent. I started to chat with her and found out her name was "VERY NICE". I told her that was a beautiful nae and that I had never heard of it before. I told her I  could not get Malaria again ans why I was here, "To tell people how much Jesus loved them". We chatted about her salvation and she assured me that she had asked Jesus to forgive her sins and be her Savior. What a sweet young girl. She agreed to talking a photo with me today. 

I was not bothered by the mosquitos last night as I turned the air conditioning on and used the heavy blanket to stay warm then left the bathroom light on and the door just barely ajar. They seem to go to where there is light and I figured they would not like the cold and go to the warm room. Anyway, it worked as I found one in the bathroom this morning. 

At breakfast Aaron was not eating much and he explained, "Sometimes I am so hungry I could eat an elephant and sometimes I can only eat a rabbit." He has the most humorous sayings.

After breakfast we were off to what we thought was a 45 min. drive but Alfred pulled up the location and found it was close to two hours.

 

Digging for diamonds

The drive was interesting as I was able to get a photo of the diggings where diamonds have been dug and I must tell you that the huge rock formations here are amazing.

The Deputy O.C. (Leonard) from the prison yesterday has been so helpful as he called the O.C. where we are going today and told him all about us. Today, is their Independence Day when they release some prisoners so we were not sure what we would find. But the O.C. today was not going to give much. He would not let us enter where the 128 prisoners and 7 guards were but he had us stand at the bars where the entry/holding area was. 

He then had the prisoners come from their side and crouch down right up to the bars. I apologized to the prisoners that I could not enter and shake many hands like I do at other prisons. That did seem to break the ice. I ended up doing the salvation message where all present responded and then did the Forgiveness lesson. They had been holding 12 police officers outside during the Salvation but allowed them into the holding area behind me for the Forgiveness portion so not only did the prisoners respond to it but so did the police officers.  

Then it was time to return home but but at one point while Alfred was driving we met another truck that decided to take 3/4ths of our lane. There was a guardrail on our side and Alfred got as close to it as he could without hitting it. Only God kept the truck from taking off the mirror and the side of our van.  

Praise Jesus for his protection AGAIN!

At one point we left off the Bishop as he had some errands to do. The because I only had three pieces of pizza leftover from my dinner last night the guys and I each had a piece that had been on the dash and become very warm from the sun. I have done that trick for many years.

Before arriving back at out hotel we stopped at the prison where we were yesterday. Deputy O.C. Leonard had gotten permission for us to return to see the 16 women prisoners we had missed yesterday. When we entered the prison area we were met by the O.C. but Leonard quickly arrived. The O.C. said I had 30 min. but he was finally convinced to give us 1 hour, all the while Leonard kept looking at me giving me the TINIEST of  nods. I finished the Salvation and forgiveness portions and my hour was up but when I turned to look at Alfred and Leonard I was told to keep going so I finished the Discipleship and Apology portions, taking another 30 min.. I hope he does not get in trouble with his superior. I ended by giving each of the ladies a donated scarf. 

At testimony time, one of the women there, Shaddai, accepted Christ as her Savior and told us she had been a Mus.... She asked me to come back  and teach them more about the Bible. I am not going to write it here but Alfred, Aaron and I SEE now why no one has been allowed into these prisons. I will share when I have the opportunity to share my new PowerPoint.

As we started to leave the women's area the women told Leonard to hold my hand, which he smiled and did. Alfred said he claims he is also my son!!!

We had a dinner meeting with another pastor for here that will do follow-up after we are gone.

And then is was time for bed. Alfred and I went to do the finances when who should show up? Very Nice, the maid/receptionist, came to bring me a mosquito net. She and Alfred moved the bed and she climbed up to secure the net followed by remaking the bed. She was so worried about me last night, what a precious young gal. 

I will sleep well tonight,

That none would be lost,

Arlene