Ministry Partners,
Today’s verse was, “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.” 1 Chronicles 16:8
As we headed out to go to the prison today, it was interesting to see breakfast being delivered by single individuals carrying plates with an inverted plate on top, to keep the dirt off, to their customer. No disposable too go containers here. Later in the day, I know that the same delivery person will return and get the plates then take them to be washed for the next day’s breakfast or perhaps something from the lunch menu.
Breakfast anyone?
Well, today has gone quite different than we had planned or hoped. It was an hour drive to the Kigo prisons where we were to hold two crusades, one for women and one for mem. But when we arrived at the men’s prison we were informed that the Bishop from the Anglican Kampala Arch Diocese and would be there most of the day ordaining ministers but we could go to the women’s prison and have the crusade for them. Eighteen of the women were at the ordination but 134 inmates and 2 officers remained for our crusade. I love sharing with everyone but women have a special place in my heart. We had been told to wait until two o’clock and perhaps the Bishop would be finished but as that time approached and we so no movement from that area and we could still hear their loud speakers Alfred decided it would be best to go to another prison, in the area. We had scheduled that prison for tomorrow but we ended up at Kitala prison with 75 inmates, today.
The Deputy O.C. who was tall and handsome greeted us with a huge smile. Arrangement were made as he and I chatted in his office as I invited him to come and listen to the crusade. The O.C was not there but Alfred said we had met her on a previous visit. The inmates already had their own sound system set up so Aaron did not have to set up ours and we just used their microphones. This was a small prison of about 75 men that were seated under the overhang from the rooms where they slept. It was long and narrow and I stood at one end and spoke as they sat on the cement watching me intently. Every responded to all three invitations, salvation, forgiveness, followed by apologizing to another inmate that he had argued or fought with. It is interesting to have the inmates call me “Mum” as I leave and they invite me to come back again
It was late when we finished about 5:00 and as we were leaving we stopped by the office where the deputy O.C. and O.C. were seated. The O.C. rose from her desk to come to the doorway to greet me. She said how happy she was to see me again as she gave me a hug. When I entered the office, I noticed the Deputy O.C. doing some work as he was seated over by an open window that overlooked the area where I had been speaking. He told me that he watched and listened to me and he had never heard a message preached as I did today. He said that if he did not know I was 81 he would have thought I was 18 years old as I preached with such energy.
We all visited in the office and then the O.C. went outside with us so we could take photos together for our report. She told me I needed to return again.
It was late by the time we got back to the hotel and I can tell you I am tired. After eating dinner and writing this, it is 9:40 and time for me to shower and get to bed.
Thank you for continuing to pray for the inmates and for us.
That none would be lost,
Arlene
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