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 2nd 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
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