Nov. 27 - Luzeria Upper Prison

 Ministry Partners,

I woke early this morning; even with sleep aid, jet lag continues taking its time to work through.

I was pleased that Alfred ordered Samosas along with the Rolex's for breakfast and as he does every morning, he make me a cup of tea. I would not say I am being spoiled but……I am. He and Pastor Aaron take such good care of me.

As we headed out to go to the prison today, it was interesting to see a familiar sight, loaded 18-wheeler trucks with tree branches tied on the back of their load. The reason you might ask. They do not want motorbike drivers catching a ride by holding on to the back of their truck or a person trying to jump on the back to get a ride!

 

Today we returned to Luzeria Upper Prison. It is a high security prison with 3,000 longtime political prisoners being kept there. Pastor Aaron said it is the top prison in Uganda. Due to the security, it still took us an hour to enter. At one point, in one area, the young girl who had to “check” Alfred when we were here a few days ago was once again there because there were no male officers available. But, she was so embarrassed that she refused and called another woman officer to clear him. One woman officer, who spoke English, said that she loved Alfred and wanted my permission, as his Mom, so she could speak to him. When I told her “sure” it made both Alfred and her laugh.

The Social Affairs Officer took us to her office as she went inside the prison walls to get things ready for us. We were only allowed to take in some of our basic things but I was thankful that what we did get to take in was the items for our object lessons, the music stand to hold my teaching folder and my headset that we were able to plug into their sound system. They had done a lot of work getting ready for us today. There were four very big law narrow tents, three tenths were for the prisoners and the other one I’m not sure for who because it was so large. The table in that our tent was approximately 20 feet long and 3 to four feet wide. There was a beautiful red velvet chair for me to sit on and then chairs for others were not nearly as elegant. The table had a large bouquet of flowers in the center.

I was able to stand and face the prisoners although they were a distance away with 1 tent to my right and one tint in front of me with the third tent to my left. Most of the prisoners had chairs to sit in, row after row after row after row but then there were also many prisoners standing behind the rows of chairs while a few prisoners stood behind me. I stood just outside the tent under an edge of the tent covering but after the sun had moved overhead a prisoner appeared was a large umbrella after I had only preached about 1/3 of our crusade And he stood behind me holding the umbrella over me for the rest of my time there.

It was an amazing day watching thousands of men respond to the gospel and then respond to the call to forgive others or themselves. And as we watch them apologize to each other and take responsibility for their actions It truly was a day to give God such great praise. At the very end, we gave four prisoners the opportunity to give a brief testimony and one of them said that he hoped that we would return. It was a very sweet thing as we were preparing to leave that the prisoners asked us to wait because they wanted to pray for us. When the men were asked if they wanted me to return they applauded and said, “Yes.” We heard that the Head Commissioner of Prisons, that I have not yet met, was going to arrive soon after we departed so I was surprised that Aaron said he overheard the Social Affairs Officer telling a group of inmates to quickly get the tents and other things removed from the area in preparation for the Commissioners visit. WOW, the tent, table, chair and flowers were just for us! The Social Affairs Officer asked me when I would return so I told her that it would be up to God.

 As we headed back to our hotel in Kampala Alfred asked us to stop so he could take a motorbike into another area of the town. He wanted to get some errands done with the instruction that Aaron was to take me back to the hotel and then take the van for servicing because in a few days we will begin our long travels around the country. I am having issues with the internet so I may be times I am not be able to post in the future.

 We appreciate your continuing prayers for the prisoners and for us.

That none would be lost,

Arlene