Dec. 21 –So many looked like teenagers - Peca Prison

 

Ministry Partners, 

It seems impossible that in 23 days, I will be boarding the plane to fly home; my time here has gone far too quickly.

I believe the days have cooled just slightly and the evenings and mornings are just plain lovely. As we waited for dinner last night, Alfred took me on a walk around the hotel grounds to show me where he has been going for a run in the mornings and this morning the hotel owner saw and spoke to him. Our dinner of sweet & sour Pork with vegetable rice and broccoli (for me) and mixed vegies for the guys was delicious. The hotel has Christmas decorations up and are playing Christmas music but it just doesn’t FEEL like Christos. 

In this hot weather which would you choose, a plain metal “home” or a metal home covered with vines for cooling?

It is typical for us to see the metal homes used for solders and prison officers and some have gotten very inventive in this hot sunshine to try to cool their homes much as possible by planting vines of different types to cover the roofs and cascade down the sides.

Today was just a short drive, 20 min. to Peca men’s prison where we met by a lovely O.C. who invited us to visit in her office while the Catholics were finishing their mass. She told us they had arrived late so we waited for n hour for them to conclude. After the inmates sitting an hour for mass I was concerned that having them sit for another two hours would be a bit much. But, I do not know that I have ever seen a more attentive group of inmates, 197 men with their 7 officers including the O.C. who sat through our entire two hour presentation, although it was her day off. My inmate interpreter did a great job in Acholi but I must say I miss Alfred or Aaron interpreting for me.

I was surprised at how many of the inmates seemed so very young, they looked like teenagers. The O.C. had told us how so many were hopeless, how many wanted to commit suicide and how most had no family support because they had ben abandoned at a young age having no idea where their family even was. The hopeless I originally saw in their eyes was gone, their eyes were bright and smiles were on their faces by the time we concluded. They had received Christ as Savior, prayed forgiveness over their complainant of themselves and apologized to each other.

It was so nice to be close to the prison today and not have to drive over the bad roads, thank you Jesus for that special blessing.

I think there is time for me to get some other IRM business done before diner so I will get this posted now.

Thank you for following this blog during such a busy season and for praying for us, we appreciate each one of you.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Dec. 20 – God held back the rain today - Kitugum Prison

  

Ministry Partners,

Well, things are going much differently than what we have been planning for.

Last night the music on my side of the hall in the hotel, where we are was so loud that Alfred had me moved across the hall to the side he and Aaron are in; it was much quieter I must say. Hotels like the one we are in are quite interesting. This is a very expensive hotel but they have two sections, the very expensive section for travelers and locals who have money and then they have the section we are in, for locals without money. Alfred rented our rooms as a local at a very reasonable price. We get to eat in the same restaurant and get the same wonderful comped breakfast as the wealthy patrons.  This morning we were blessed with another wonderful buffet breakfast.

This tree’s bark is used for making traditional clothing and wrapping deceased bodies for burial.

Then we were off for a 1 hr. 45min. drive to today’s prison, but there is definitely something wrong with the van as it died going down the road and there were a couple of other issues but we arrived at almost 11am. The O.C. spoke with Alfred yesterday about our visit but was not there when we arrived so Alfred spoke with the Deputy O.C. who said the O.C. was “coming”. I learned a long time ago that that statement does have a large variety of meanings. The Deputy was concerned about rain since the men would be outside and then there was the issue of bringing the 32 women and babies in, so we waited. Finally, at 12 noon, the O.C. arrived and we were allowed to go inside.

It was an answer to prayer that God held back the rain today. Then the inmates were able to pick up all the drying cassava that was on tarps on the ground. Cassava, is a starchy root vegetable and is a major source of carbohydrates.

I noticed a tree with a most interesting trunk at the edge of the parking area at the prison and Aaron explained about it. He said the bark can be used for a number of thing like making traditional clothing and wrapping deceased bodies for burial but that the trunk of this tree had not been well cared for..

The one very large tree provided shade for most of the 876 men in the open center area in front of me while a smaller tree provided shade for the 30 women seated to my right. The O.C. and Deputy sat behind me to my left with Alfred and Aaron.  A VERY tall inmate translated directly into Acholi for me and he did a good job.  We were able to complete the entire crusade in 2 hours. It was such a joy to hear them praying to ask Jesus to be their Savior and then praying to forgive someone else or themselves. They finished by apologizing to each other, what a wonderful sight to watch shake hands and say, “I’m sorry” to another inmate they had argued with or had a fight with. When I asked them what their heart felt like after the apology exercise they responded with peaceful, happy, good. I told them they now know how to live lives of peace and not turmoil, even in this prison.  

When we finished I was able to give each women a scarf and each child a crochet cap.

The drive back to Gulu seemed longer than going to the prison because I dozed off as Alfred drove, arriving at 4pm. The guys then left me at the hotel and went back to the shop where they had been before to find out what the remaining issues are and get those fixed.

It is now almost 6:30pm and the guys are still not back from the garage so I will get this posted.

Please continue to pray for the prisoners, the team and that God would intervene on our behalf, defeating Satan’s attacks on us.

That none would be lost,

Arlene 

Dec. 19 - "You will make his people know that they can be saved through the forgiveness of their sins." Luke 1:77 - Gulu Women's Prison

 

Ministry Partners,

A very good morning to you from Gulu, Uganda where it is a bit cloudy this morning. I slept until 7am this morning, which tells me I was very tired after yesterday’s long day. I am thankful that we will stay in this spot for the next few days while we minister to prisons in the area. 

Children in Gulu, Uganda pumping water

This was a good reminder for me today from Bible Gateway, “You, child, will be called a spokesperson of the Most High. You will go ahead of the Lord to prepare his way. You will make his people know that they can be saved through the forgiveness of their sins. A new day will dawn on us from above because our God is loving and merciful.” Luke 1:76-78 GOD’S WORD Translation

 Breakfast at 8:30 was an absolutely amazing buffet and gave so many wonderful choices like yogurt and wonderful pineapple, muffins, sautéed mushrooms along with all kinds of hot dishes like goat, which the guys said was good.Thank you for those of you that were praying about our meal situation.  Following breakfast Alfred got on the phone and started contacting O.C.’s in the area to set up times for our visit.

We visited 167 women at Gulu Women’s Prison this morning and I must confess, God has given me a heart for all prisoners but there is something so very special about ministering to a group of women inmates. When I Arrived I saw them seated under two large tents and as I entered, they were all singing and continued singing while Aaron and I after waited a bit for Alfred to come with the O.C. The stern officer at the gate would not let us enter with our sound system so it took Alfred some time to convince the O.C. that because I am 81 years old I needed to use a microphone for my voice. Well, not really but he uses my age at different times to get something we need. It is interesting how at the end of our crusades many O. C.s comment about how amazing it is for an 81 year old woman can stand and preach for 2-3 hours, sometimes twice a day, and how a young inmate would not be able to do it. Those kinds of words just make me smile; of course, it is the anointing from the Holy Spirit that gives me strength to preach that long.

The woman translator I had today was absolutely the best ever as she translated into Acholi, she was fast and never asked me once “What?”. She smiled broadly at the end when I thanked and praised her, in front of the other women, for the wonderful job she did. Then she thanked me for coming and said how important my messages were. I was disappointed that I did not have enough scarves for them or caps for the children but I will use what I have left for the remaining women prisons. We had 15 officers also attend our crusade today, the most ever and it was wonderful to watch them also respond to the salvation, forgiveness and apology messages.

After finishing at the prison the guys took me back to the hotel and then they took the van for a “check-up” to make sure it is in good order for the remainder of the trip and drive to Kenya. The roads we have been on are pretty hard on any vehicle. I is almost 6pm and Alfred just messaged me that, “We were in the queue but now they are working on us, we are still waiting for a replacement part.”

I will wait a bit before I decide what to do for dinner but I will post this for today.

Please continue to pray for:

·       1- The salvation of many prisoners

·       2- That we would find favor with everyone we meet

·       3- Health and a fresh anointing for the team by the Holy Spirit

·       4- Safety as we travel about

Blessings on each of you and your families, I hope you are enjoying the Christmas season.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Dec. 18 - How much can 1 pick-up carry? - Amuru & Kaladima Prisons

 

Ministry Partners,

Well, last night did not turn out like I had hoped. I was unable to post yesterday’s blog because, according to Alfred, Something was going on with the satellite over the area where we were staying. That is why I had to post it earlier this evening.

Just how much stuff and how many people can 1 pick-up carry? And they are still loading.

Alfred had ordered breakfast for 7:30 so we could at least get our breakfast by 8:00 and be on the road and off to our first prison of the day, Amuru, by 9am. But, breakfast did not arrive till 8:30 and when it did it was quite interesting. There was an orange green color juice, milk for African tea, and two large pancakes with scrambled eggs in between. I guess you would call it a pancake sandwich and since there were two for each of us, we ate and put the second one in tin foil to eat later in the day.

I could tell you about the unbelievable roads we went on today but I have explained about the roads in the bush before so I will so no more tonight except they were some of the worst. We could not find our way to Amuru the first prison and none of the 7-8 motorbike men seemed to know for sure where it was, one said it was so far, and the road so bad, that he would not take us even though Alfred offered to pay him. Finally, after 3 hours we found the prison of 350 men and 3 women. There were also 6 guards that all stayed to hear our crusade. The long building roof overhang provided shade for about 2 hours but the last 30 min. I was in the sun with the men. I am always giving God praise as I watch the prisoner and officers respond to the salvation and forgiveness invitations but watching the inmates and officers apologize to each other is something special.

It was about 3pm when we left the prison and headed for Kaladima where we arrived 1 hour and 45 minutes later. The 275 men were seated out in an open center area, in the sun but since it was, almost 5pm there was no direct sun. Because our time was short, I only did the salvation and forgiveness messages and ended with the apology portion. I struggled with the inmate translating into Lugbara as he was very slow and seemed confused at times. The O.C. talked to the men about the importance of the messages we had shared before we left. The languages today at both prisons were English, Swahili and Lugbara.

Then it was time to drive to Gulu in the dark where we arrived at about 8pm. It was not the best idea over the bad roads but Aaron is such a good driver. Alfred found us rooms but I was too tired and just not hungry so decided to get yesterdays and today's blogs posted, shower and the bed as it is now 10:30.breakfast tomorrow is at 8:30 so I can sleep in and we only have one prison crusade tomorrow.

Please continue to pray, we see God doing miracles every day. 

That none would be lost.

Arlene 

Dec. 17 – No internet so this being posted a day late - Olia Prison

 Ministry Partners,

Please know that as I report on our days that I am not complaining. I am just reporting the way daily events are.

Last night the electricity went off but then came on again for a few hours but was off again from 3-6am. My room got warn, but not bad, due to not being able to use the fan. Going to bed was interesting, as I had to make the bed before I could use it. The top sheet and blanked was neatly folded and on top of the bed but I am thankful that the bottom sheet had been put on. They assured us that there would be hot water to shower with but there was none for me.  The hooks to hang cloths and my used towel in the bathroom were so high that I could barely reach them as I stood on my tiptoes. Actually, I gave up on the towel hooks and just draped the damp towel over the sink. Perhaps they are an indicator that the people in the area are very tall or that I am very short! 

 

This is a photo of the elderly woman that I met on the ferry yesterday, she was very happy with her new scarf.

Breakfast today was Rolex’s, Mango, Passion fruit juice, tea and milk. They gave us a number of Rolex so we saved some for lunch, which we ate here before leaving this afternoon at 2pm for the prison, which is close.  After watching chickens running around in front of our rooms Alfred asked to speak to the cook to find out about tonight’s dinner …… we’ll see what we actually get.

Aaron commented this morning at breakfast that it is an unusual thing to get up in a strange place, day after day and not know where we are going for the day or in which direction. We all had to laugh at that because it is so true. It is hard to believe that we only have 11 more days of ministry here in Uganda before we head to Kenya.

Today the drive to Olia farm Prison was only about 20 minutes and Reagan the O.C. was a delightful, handsome officer, I think he will go down as one of my favorites. As we setting up the sound system for the inmates, Alfred and I sat in his office and chatted for a bit as he explained the time to be served for these 290 convicted inmates and how with good behavior, etc., they can cut off 1/3 off their sentence. These inmates are hardened criminals some including murder and there are no non-convicted (Remand) inmates here. He said that prisoners from other prisons are sent there when they have only 1 to 7 years left in their sentence. This was new information for me to hear after the twenty years I have been doing prison ministry. He also told us that his wife is the O.C. of one of the prisons we have yet to do. He said he was going to call her and tell her about our program.

I was thankful for the large trees provided shade for the inmates and the IRM team. There were no women inmates there but one of the guards was a woman. Alfred and I entered as I went around and shook hands with those closest to me. The O.C. and the woman guard sat behind me as I spoke while Aaron translated into Swahili and then Alfred followed Aaron, also speaking Swahili. The crusade lasted 2 ½ hours but near the end I saw the O.C. get up and go to the back of where the prisoners were seated, he motioned a couple of prisoners that had decided to leave, to go back and sit down which they promptly did.

The prisoners said they wanted to thank us for coming so they sang a song for us and at the end, Aaron got in with those in front and let them in a song. Everyone celebrated, what a wonderful end to a great crusade where decisions for salvation, forgiveness were made and apologizes were given, even to the O.C.

Back at our lodging dinner of goat and fish fillets were served, the guys said their goat was good and my fish was eatable and to top everything off…… I had hot water to bathe in. Wahoo!!!!!

I am not able to get on line and Alfred worked for some time to see if he could fix it but because his phones (2)  are also having issues he thinks the satellite is having issues. So this may not get posted until tomorrow but I will keep trying until 9 then I will head for bed.

Thank you for continuing to pray.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Dec. 16 – The Deputy O.C. said, “Wow-Wow-Wow” Adjummani Farm Prison

 Ministry Partners,

Last night things for dinner did not go well and my fried chicken was like shoe leather that even Alfred thought was terribly bad as was his and Aarons Chicken stew. Although I tried to eat what I could because I needed the protein but it just stayed in my mouth like a ball of waste that I finally spit out, so I ended up eating the chips and mashed potatoes that they served me with the chicken. The food has been so bad that the guys are also not eating all their meal. The power was off all night so no charging phones or computer and no working fans.

 

Women take a rest under their shade while waiting to sell there wares

Breakfast was orange/lemon juice, Rolex-es and African tea or Chocolate. I had chocolate for the first time and it was pretty good. We decided that since there was no electricity that we would just leave as soon as we could get the van packed.

I just love some of Aaron’s saying like, he woke up about midnight and could not go back to sleep and he felt like a cow with its eyes wide open or we better hurry up and get going because we do not know where we are going!

It was over an hour-long drive, on the worst roads ever, to the ferry we needed to take across the West Nile River.  Alfred says we have traveled on Uganda’s worst roads for some 1,300 miles. I was disappointed that we were not allowed to take photos on the ferry but Alfred and others were taking selfies. Alfred and I found room to sit in one row and Aaron sat behind us in another row. There was a sweet , weathered very old woman sitting next to me with her 9’ long load of firewood in the aisle on the floor next to her. I smiled at her and gave her a scarf and tract, which a soldier promptly took from her and then proceeded to tell others in his row what it said. I thought, go for it, and help me share the Gospel. There was a very young girl, 11 or 12, sitting across from me holding a baby so I gave her a large crochet cap and motioned that the cap was for her. It brought a huge smile to her face.

The ferry ride was about 15 minutes long and cost $50 for the van that included the three of us. When we landed and everyone was getting prepared to get off the ferry, Alfred tried to help the old women get her long tree limbs, that were strapped together, on her head but she made it clear that she did not want/need his help. Once off the ferry the road was paved, what a treat! But that did not last long and we were back to dirt roads as we headed to the prison. Because we did not have any idea where it was we had to pay a bike-man to show us part of the way, then drove some and stopped and asked directions from another bike-man, Alfred says they make a good GPS.

Alfred was able to charge his phone in the car so he contacted the Deputy O.C. gave him our approximate 12 noon arrival time. He was a very nice young man of 31 who told me he had been the Deputy there for five years. The large shade trees outside made for a good spot for the 753 men to gather. Then they brought in the 18 women and 4 babies that are housed a short distance away.

Alfred and Aaron translated into Swahili for me and an inmate did a great job translating into Mandi but by having two translations done our crusade takes longer 1 1/2 - 2 hours to 2 ½ - 3 hours.

Because we were not sure if we could complete our entire crusade before they were to eat we first did the salvation message, then forgiveness, then apology and ended with the discipleship portion. Watching so many respond to each invitation was powerful to say the least. At the end the Deputy O.C. thanked us for coming and then saying, “Wow, Wow, Wow, what you have taught today was not only good for the prisoners but also for the staff, like the sergeant sitting at the back.” At that point, the Sargent stood and saluted us. Then the O.C. thanked us for making it clear that the inmates had value.

We ended our crusade as I handed out donates scarves to the women and caps to the 5 children. However, as I turned from the women’s area back towards the men and where the guys were, there was a beautiful African crane just a few feet from me. I wanted to reach out and pet it but I was concerned I might get pecked so I did not. As we excited the prison, I stopped and wept, saying, “Thank you God for allowing us to be a part of your precious work today.”

After finally arriving back in the village town we could not find a place to slay so Alfred asked a bike-man to take us to the hotel he had found a name for but no directions. Our rooms are pretty basic but under a thatched grass roof. I have a toilet and a fan, what more could I ask for. Well, electricity as of a moment ago the electricity went off, so that means no fan. I am very tired tonight so hopefully, I will get a good night’s rest

Our dinners were not that great, I don’t think they raise chickens here that is tender.

Please continue praying for the prisoners and us.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Dec. 15 – There was no road yesterday so we followed a grader. - Moyo Prison

 Ministry Partners,

What a good night’s sleep I had last night but woke at 6 am. What a same when I could have slept til at least 7 or 8 because breakfast was not until 8:30. However, I used the time on the computer as Alfred has me using his MTN WakaNet unit to get on the internet and then I connect to Canby Foursquare Church’s VPN, which lets me work on my post for the day and then post it to FB. Otherwise, if I happen to just have weak Wi-Fi at the hotel we are staying at I am unable to that. But I used it so much he had to go purchase a new card for the unit which is happily displaying blue lights.

There was no road yesterday so we followed a grader.

Alfred knocked on my door at 8am and invited me to sit outside, on this beautiful morning, to sit on the small veranda with chairs outside our rooms. After a bit, Aaron also joined us. How nice to have some time to just talk about the bible or whatever since we are only doing one prison today and it is this afternoon. Alfred opened our conversation by sharing about his morning devotions in John 20. Before we knew it the “breakfast at 8:30” tome arrived. There was no coffee for the guys so they had tea and although there was spiced hot water, there was no hot milk so they could not make African tea but Aaron put so much honey in his tea that he was really having a bit of water with his honey. I like plain tea so I had to ask them to replace my spiced water with plain water. Our breakfast was not buffet but what they chose to bring us: watermelon juice, 1 egg fried, fried potatoes with bits of carrot and samosas which Aaron and I saved for lunch.

I also saved, from last night the remainder of my dinner, some very bad chicken pizza, there was no beef. As usual, I asked them to use extra sauce and extra cheese. Otherwise, the pizza is very dry and the cheese is almost non-existent. Well, the sauce came in a bowl and there were carrots on the pizza. Alfred asked the cook twice if he knew how to make pizza and he assured us that he did. For sure, what he knew was different from what we knew. I tried to share with the guys but after a small bite they left the rest of their piece. I will leave it covered in the sun for a bit to heat it up today, I may end up having a PP&J sandwich.

I spent the rest of the morning working on photos I have taken, to delete bad ones, so I could free up space on my card. Yesterday, it started giving me messages so I have no idea what is happening because the card is 32gb and only shows on the computer 3 gb used. I brought 2 older cameras with me but both have failed. If anyone has a good camera they no longer use because you use your phone, I would be glad to take it off your hands.  

Yesterday I tried to get a photo of an interesting phenomenon but my camera could not capture it. It was very hot yesterday and while we were traveling on the dirt roads, it rained a bit. When the rain hit the hot packed dirt, a mist rose over the road like throwing water on a hot frying pan. And then there was the time that the dirt roads were so rough that as we passed a heavily, high loaded motorcycle, the young man lost control and headed for the left front fender/door where I was seated as all I could say was, “Jesus”. We all saw that he was going to hit us but somehow God protected us as the motorcycle fell over away from the van. It was so loaded that I am sure the man could not stand the bike up without unloading it first.

At 3:30 we headed to Moyo prison, only a 20 min. drive. When the O.C. was explaining to Aaron how to get there he said, “When you get through town just go up and after a while go right.” After hanging up Aaron broke into such laughter that he could hardly drive and said, “Just what does ‘go up’ mean, go up where and which right turn, there are so many.”

Aaron and I started the crusade as Alfred went in to meet with the O.C. who was not going to allow us the full time we needed, were able to do most of our program but we were stopped before we could do the apology section as the prisoners needed to eat their evening meal. The languages spoken today were Swahili and Mandi. Alfred and Aaron took turns translating into Swahili and the inmate translator for Mandi language was excellent as he even followed my movements.

Right after I started preaching a Muslim man, that was seated at the edge of the other inmates, got up and went to the corner of a building that was close by and started chanting a Muslim prayer. Aaron saw a number of Muslims that were in front of me look at him but they never got up when he motioned for them to join him. Aaron sid the power of the Holy Spirit was very evident today through the entire crusade.

There were only three women brought in and they smiled broadly, as I gave each of them a donated scarf. The Holy Spirit worked again today as they responded to the Salvation and Forgiveness invitations. I wish I could adequately tell you the change I see on the inmate’s faces after receiving Christ as Savior.

Alfred has ordered dinner for us but because I know that, every kind of meat is so tough here I hope I can eat it. The animals here just do not have any fat on them and are so lean and meat needs to be fat marbled a bit to not be tough. Dinner for all of us was really bad tonight and it was evident when the guys could not finish all their dinner nor did I as they put some kind of hot pepper in mine.

It is now 8:30, time for me to shower and go to bed.

Please continue to pray for the salvation of inmates, for our fresh Holy Spirit anointing and our safety

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Dec. 14 –Today I spoke under a grass-thached roof - Bidi-Bidi & Yumbe Prisons

 It is a beautiful Sunday morning here in Koboko, Uganda. I had a good night’s rest after a nice hot shower and I am ready for whatever the Lord has in mind for this day. This certainly is a day to praise God for his goodness to me, that he would call me to be a part of what he is doing hear in Africa and provide me with two Godly men, Alfred and Aaron to work side by side with me and see that I am well supported. Then there are each one of you, who faithfully pray and financially give to this ministry. Goodness, there is so much for me to be thankful and grateful for every day. 

 

Today I spoke under a grass-thatched roof

These days of ministry are not about me but about God’s faithfulness, his strength, his leading and his anointing on us. It is about the IRM partnership with each of you that he has put together. The phrase "a cord of three strands is not easily broken" comes from Ecclesiastes 4:12, emphasizing the strength found in unity and close relationships. It suggests that when individuals come together, they can support each other more effectively than when they are alone and God + you + IRM = a very powerful cord!

This morning after our breakfast of juice, watermelon, scrambled egg, macaroni, pork and beans (without the pork), very over ripe banana and a tiny cookie, I guess that is what it was, we had a great discussion about circumstances in our lives, events of some days and God’s eternal perspective ……we needed more time! Alfred has had a group of people who meet on line EVERY night at 10 for a number of years, to study God’s Word for an hour and pray. He said he would be speaking tonight on Psalms 23 as he has done for the last two nights.

Little did we know that today we would witness God’s direct hand guiding us. It is a difficult thing when all you have is the name of the prison you have been approved to go to. From the hotel where you are you, do not know if you should go right or left when you get to the main road. Absolutely nothing about your day is sure as you set off, you do not know what language they speak or if there will be an inmate that understands English enough to interpret for you. Today we traveled 4 hours on bad roads in the bush, as they would say. Road construction was going on at every turn, in almost every area where we were traveling. At one point, there was no road and we just followed the road grader that was working. When construction finishes on the backroads we traveled today these area will be so nice.

The two small farm prisons we went to today were very small but the dark eyes and faces seemed familiar to me as I see that look at every prison. I know what hopelessness looks like. At the first prison, they brought in two young girls that were housed in an adjoining area. As soon as they sat down, I went over to greet them and shake their hands but one girl immediately stood up and in very good English said, “May I have a hug?” At that moment, the very bad, rough, jarring drive there vanished from my mind. The prisons really do not encourage touching the prisoners but years ago, I started shaking hands and greeting the prisoners when I arrive and give a hug to those, at the end, who give a testimony concerning our time together. It is rare for an officer to tell me not too but this was different. I told her, “YES” and as I gave her a hug she held on to me while the inmates behind us broke into laughter. Then I asked the 2^nd girl if she would like a hug to which she said, “Yes.” At this prison, an inmate understood English and did a good job translating my words into Lugbara.

O.C.’s come in pretty much two versions: Powerful but kind and Powerful, tough and egotistical. Today we experienced both kinds. The first prison O.C. tough and egotistical bordering on rude while the O.C. and the second prison, Yumbe, was so kind and welcoming, maybe it had something to do with his name. His name was Alfred just like my sons. I am used to preaching under trees but at the second prison, I preached under a grass thatched roof with open sides. This O.C. even extended our time, as we arrived late due to the roads, so we could present our whole crusade.

The Holy Spirit worked powerfully in the hearts of all the inmates today bringing most of them to salvation.

After leaving the last prison, it was a two-hour drive to get back into an area where we could find suitable rooms. We ordered dinner but when it did not come by 9pm, I sent Allred a message saying I was just going to go to bed as I was so tired. As I sent the message, the food came. I am not quite sure what I am going to do so I have suitable food to eat.

Since I showered as soon as I got in my room so I will post this and be off to bed, it is 10:30. I am thankful we only have one prison to do tomorrow and breakfast is not until 8:30.

Please keep praying for the inmates, we are in a HEAVY Muslim area and for us. Night all.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Dec. 14 - These 5 young adults from another religion responded to the salvation, forgiveness, apology invitations today. - Lobule Prison & Koboko Prison

 Ministry Partners,

Every day is an adventure as we rise in the morning not sure of what we will face because we do not know, for sure, the location of the prison or what we will actually be able to accomplish for the day. When we finally found a place to stay last night, they assured Alfred that we would have good internet but later last evening there was none and this morning when I arose this morning and now it is 5:30pm and there is still none. Last night I went to take a much-needed shower but there was no hot water or water at all in the shower so I opted to use the washcloth I brought with me as water from the washbasin to wash-up a bit. This morning when I told Alfred (he is about 5’7” tall), he went into my shower and reached high over his head and turned a tiny lever on the wall unit there. If you did not know it was there, a person would never see it to know it was there. I would have to put a chair in the shower to be able to reach it but tonight I should have a nice shower even if it is cold.

Alfred and Aaron almost never complains about dinner but he and Aaron shared a whole, large tilapia with side accompaniments, which they said were not good. I had sweet & sour pork but the meat was so tough that I could barely get my fork to pierce the meat and the mountain of mashed potatoes was big enough for two people. I had asked for ½ mashed potatoes and ½ vegetables but what I got was a huge mound of rice and the Sweet and sour sauce was like nothing I recognized.  Breakfast was no better as we were not able to choose what we wanted; they just served us their choice, bitter lemon/orange juice, watermelon, sautéed vegetables with chicken wings and matooke all covered with an unflakier red sauce and pieces of rolexs. For the first time ever I saw the guys eat only ½ of their breakfast, they said it was not good. I ate the watermelon and rolexs as I needed the protein from the scrambled egg that was in them. Alfred and Aaron ordered coffee but got African tea (tea with lots of milk in it).

These 5 young adults from another religion responded to the salvation, forgiveness, apology invitations today.

Then it was off to the Lobule Prison but the guys were not sure where it was located so although Alfred kept trying to get his GPS to work, we stopped every few miles and asked a motorbike rider for directions. None of us has ever been in this part of Uganda and there are no road signs on backwoods dirt roads.

This was a very small farm prison but it was great to do our full crusade for them, to which they all responded to all three invitations using English, Swahili (Aaron) and Lugbara (an inmate). The inmate who translated Lugubala did a great job but speaking with two translators takes work on my part to not start speaking too quickly and not letting the second translator finished.

Then it was off the return to the prison where we were yesterday that could not let us enter do to the appearance of government officials. I told Aaron yesterday, “Perhaps the specific prisoners who needed to hear todays message were not here today but will be tomorrow.” My friend, Kathy, made this verse about yesterday’s events on my blog, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” Gen. 50:20 ESV

Well. I am not sure about prisoners but right after we entered the prison and Aaron was setting up the sound system 4 young men and 1 girl, from another religion, entered and spoke with the guard, they had come to speak with the inmates. He explained about yesterday and why we had priority but he said they could enter and listen to our presentation. The language of the prisoners was English, Swahili, and Kakwa, One of those young men said he would be glad to interpret into Kakwa for me, and he did a wonderful job.

There were over 350 men, 32 women and 2 babies there. The crusade went well with the inmate responding to all three invitations and at the end, I gave each women a donated scarf and the babies received a new crochet cap. Alfred said all five of the visitors responded to the invitations for salvation, forgiveness and apologizing.

As we spoke outside with the five visitors, one stated that he was impacted when I quoted Romans 6:23, “ For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” And another one said it was hard for him to believe a woman of my age could stand and preach for that long (2 ½ hours).” That statement made me laugh.

On the way home Alfred treated me to a strawberry yogurt, Aaron to a Coke and himself to a juice as he knew it would be a bit until dinner. I am going to miss being spoiled by my son when I get home.

Alfred admitted his dinner was not that great and Aaron did not finish his. So now the guys are also finding it hard to get something good to eat.

We have two prisons to do tomorrow and it is already almost 9pm, time for me to bathe and go to bed.

Your prayers for the prisoners and the team are being answered. We are watching the Holy Spirit do amazing things every day. Please continue to pray.

That none would be lost,

Arlene