Ministry Partners,
Today ended up being a very interesting day. It is a good thing that I get up early and write on the computer because Alfred arrived at my door at 7:45am to take me for breakfast.
But before, I got out to go for breakfast the receptionist/cleaner named Very Nice, arrived too to give me a gift that she had worked on for the past two days that we have been at the hotel. I thanked her and prayed for her and kissed her cheek but after I came back from breakfast to get my suitcase, she again appeared at my door to give me a box to carry my gift in to protect it from being damaged. When I arrived at the van, she was there and I was able to get a photo of her with that beautiful piece of a gift. I'll share a photo of us later.
Alfred, Aaron and I have been doing this ministry since 2006. Each one of us is well versed with what needs to be accomplished for the daily duties. But we are working with a team that has never done this before and although they want to lead and take charge they have absolutely no experience.
Things that needed to be done last night so that we are ready for the day were not done. Alfred had to wait for the banks to be open this morning so that he could retrieve IRM funds for the rest of our trip. Aaron had to refill gas and check the tire pressure given that one of the tires seems to have a leak. Bishop Daudi needed us to drive him around to buy supplies to the prisons.
All in all we were unable to leave town until 9:45 and it took 2hrs to arrive at the prison. During our drive Aaron took a wrong turn and we ended up having to back track. Alfred did not catch the mistake because he was taking a quick nap. When we arrived at the prisons there were only a few prisoners were there. We found out that most of them were out working and so the decision was made that we return tomorrow morning at 6:00am so that means tomorrow I have to do two crusades.
I can't tell you how surprised I am that most of the prisons I have been too and scheduled to go too are the small ones. Surprised and disappointed. We decided that there was plenty of time for us to go and find somewhere to stay. For some different reason, I asked Alfred to turn to left instead of going to town. In the past we have found more success finding available rooms located out of town rather than being in town.
As we were driving along the path/road, I noticed an old women, carrying a hoe, with crippled feet walking while also trying to keep on her flip flops. We had driven by them just a short distance when the Holy Spirit reminded me of the strap-pie sandals in my suitcase. I told Alfred to stop and back up to where the lady was. I got out of the van and Aaron opened the back of the van so that I can get into my suitcase to get them.
I went to the lady and apologized to her saying,"I am sorry I have not had time to wash them but I would like to give them to her." I knelt down and put her crippled feet into the saddles, they fit great. At that point I wasn't thinking, I just thought the sun was hot and I needed to get into the van. But as we drove away, I told Alfred, "I did not tell her about Jesus". So Alfred turned the van around hoping we could still find her and there she was still walking down the road with the shoes in her hand. Alfred said she did not want to get them dirty!!!!!
I was so thankful for Aaron being able to translate my words into Swahili as I shared the love of Christ with her, the young girl with her and the young boy. What a special joy it was to my heart to hear all three of them ask Jesus to be their Lord and Savior. As I said goodbye I reached forward and kissed her on her cheek and unlike when I met her, now she had a big smile on her face.
As I headed to the van, I remembered that I had a number crotchet caps in my backpack and I was able to give one to the girl, the baby in her back and the young boy. It was the first time I saw the girl smile. Alfred was ready with his phone and got the photos. When I got into the van to leave I couldn't help having tears run down my face. Thank you God, for allowing me to share your love. We quickly found a place to stay. Although the beds are high above the floor and they have mosquito nets but no electricity which we are promised.
I had written this far, when everything just disappeared. Alfred knowing how tired I was, came in and typed everything as I dictated to him. Thank you, Alfred.
It is 4pm and we finally have electricity and Alfred has ordered a pork dinner for all of us. I'll let you know tomorrow how it goes. 😊
Thank you for your continuing prayers,
Arlene
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