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