Dec. 11 - Even the new inmates also received Christ as Savior at Gili-Gili Farm Prison

 Ministry Partners

Not sure how it happened but I slept until 7am, I guess missing so much sleep last night just caught up to goods me.

We had a wonderful buffet breakfast this morning with an array of baked goods plus sliced bread for toast, 2 kinds of dry cereal, Spanish omelets, matooke (cooked banana), peas in sauce, potatoes, spinach, chapatti, bananas, papaya, watermelon, and very delicious pineapple and a variety of hot drinks and juices. 

 

These Uganda shillings = US $2 per gallon for gas or diesel 

Because the farm prison O.C. asked us to come after all the prisoners are back from working in the fields we are not leaving until 4 so we can arrive at 4:30, setting up to start at 5pm and they told us we could be there until 7pm. Once again, we see God at work to implement his plan for the day as He opens doors for his eternal purposes. I have been doing prison ministry since 2006 and there are set rules for prisons in general. NO ONE in allowed in the prisons before 9 of after 4 when the prisoners are locked in. But last year, for the first time ever we were asked to do 2 – 6:30am crusades and 2 – 6pm crusades and now today we were asked by the prison O.C. to do a 5-7pm crusade. It is not just out of the ordinary, it is a miracle provided by God.

When we talked about what to do with our morning, I asked about going today to one of the two prisons that are scheduled for tomorrow when Aaron said one of his funny sayings, “Where we are going is not where we are headed.” When I started laughing and asked him to repeat what he just said he corrected his statement with, “Where we are going today is not the same direction we are going tomorrow.” That is why Alfred decided that because of where we are headed tomorrow we will need to come back here, and stay another night in this hotel before proceeding in the opposite direction tomorrow.

Today as I had time, I went over a couple of observations from yesterday that were interesting.

1.     The hotel where we were night before last had razor wire across the peek and the ends of the roof. Aaron said they do that to keep the large birds from sitting there and leaving their “calling card” because it damage the roof covering  

2.     We passed 5 or 6 teen boys standing alongside the road holding their Muslim caps upside down in their palms with their arms extended. We had never seen them doing such a thing before and neither the guys or I have any idea what they were begging for.

3.     One farm prison said we were the first visitors to ever come to their prison

We arrived at Gili-Gili prison a few minutes before 5pm and they let us in although the O.C. Alfred had spoke to was not there. I had an inmate translate into the local language for me and he was the best I have had, he did a great job. The 350 inmates sat in front of and to the left of me all under an open covered area. I had gotten into the salvation portion of the message when I realized that I had not opened in prayer. So I prayed ending with, “And may the Holy Spirit touch the heart of every person here, drawing them closer to the Savior.” Then just as we were about to show the object lesson for the salvation message 15 new prisoners in street clothes were brought in and seated on my right. It was wonderful to watch them also stand alongside the other prisoners to follow me in the salvation prayer. After we had the prayer to receive Christ as Savior. Alfred said the guard who had welcomed us was rushing us because some government officials were coming to speak to the inmates so Alfred told me to share the “Forgiveness” messages next, which I did and all the inmates responded to the invitation to forgive someone else or themselves.

Then the officer cam and told us we had to leave, it was only 5:50pm and the O.C. had originally told us we could be there until 7pm. Alfred said we should wait outside until the officials were finished then perhaps we could finish. But, as we walked outside we could see the large group seated under a tree so Alfred turned me around and we went back in as he informed the guard that the officials were in a meeting and as soon as they came to the door we would leave.

The inmates applauded when we returned, I was able then to do the Discipleship portion of the crusade. WE then left without being able to do the apology portion.

It was a short drive home but getting dark by the time, we arrived at the hotel and had dinner.

It is hard to believe that as of today we have completed half of the scheduled Uganda prisons. The days are going far to quickly.

Please continue to pray for the hearts of the prisoners to be turned to Jesus and for us.

That none would be lost,

Arlene