Nov. 25 - Luzira Women's Prison

 

Ministry Partners,

I ended today with a HUGE PRAISE JESUS as all three of my suitcases finally arrived. The airport delivered them just as we returned from doing prison ministry.

The woman who owns this hotel came to welcome me when we got home today and we had a wonderful visit. I told her how much I appreciated the portrait she had painted of Alfred and me and how much I appreciated the beautiful new bathtub, mostly unheard of here, she had installed just for me along with a new toilet. I will put that new tub to work for sure.

The new tub 

Today was an interesting day for sure. Thanksgiving Day in America but lots to be thankful for in Uganda. But our thankfulness began yesterday as we were driving to the prison and a motorcycle went around us and the cut in front us us. He did not see the van in front of him brake and he hit the back of the van and as his bike fell over it looked as if he was going to go under the van himself. He struggled for a bit and got the bike up but had trouble starting it but when he did he turned the bike around and sped off, disappearing in the opposite direction as the van owner was observing the damage to the right fender and back of his very nice van. That could have been us and almost was today. It’s interesting that motorbikes here carry all kinds of big things sideways of the bike and then weave in and out of traffic. Today after doing our prison ministry, we were headed back to Kampala when a motorbike carrying, what appeared to be, a full sheet of plywood, sideways fell into the side of our van and then he disappeared into the traffic going the other way when Aaron pulled over to confront him. We praise Jesus that there was not bad damage as that would be something would have to pay for.

Today, we were scheduled to go to Luzeria Upper Prison and because it is a high security prison because all the 3,000 long time political prisoners are kept there. So, it was understandable that we spent almost 2 hours going though the levels of security as the guys and I were put in separate rooms and searched. For scheduling reasons the O.C. asked us to come back on Thursday so he could have all the prisoners’ assembled. He made that decision after I explained the “Forgiveness” information I share as well as having the prisoners take responsibility for fighting by apologizing and shaking hands. We told him we would be happy to return on Thursday. What a wonderful opportunity.

Because Luzira Women’s Prison was close-by, so we went there but it took us almost 2 hours to get in. It seems security has tightened in the prisons in Kigali especially. Our time with the 650 women was great. I was here about 2 years ago and only about 6 women had heard me speak before. Again, the Holy Spirit poured his spirit as almost every women asked Jesus to be her Savior. It was a great day.

While Aaron and I went to the hotel Alfred went into town and purchased a new sound system since our current one no longer works on battery and some places we go do not have electricity.

Well, it is 10:30 and I need to make a stop at that new bathtub and go to bed. two prisons are scheduled for tomorrow.

Thank you continuing to pray.

That none would be lost,

Arlene