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
I'll continue praying for good food for all!
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