Dec. 25 – A wonderful Christmas greeting from the Uganda Bible Society - Two Oyam Prisons

 Ministry Partners,

Happy Jesus Birthday to each of you from the IRM Team in Gulu & Lira

What a beautiful morning here in Gulu. We had a wonderful breakfast, finished packing up and headed out to Oyam about 9:30.

We received this wonderful Christmas greeting from the Uganda Bible Society

Yesterday we were having some issues with the van so Alfred spoke to the rental company and he and Aaron took it to a shop here. Amongst other things, the air conditioning belt had broken and fallen off. Thankful it did not cause additional damage. So much damage has been caused by the very bad roads we have traveled on that with all that banging and hitting the huge pot holes (that cannot be escaped) ….. something had to give. Then there are the speed bumps as we travel on paved roads that are everywhere so they keep ones speed down. Four small ones, then one large one, followed by 4 more small ones. I have had to make some difficult end of trip decisions to be able to cover the cost of so many repairs but I am thankful that I was able to do that. Of course, there is a financial cost to sharing the Gospel and seeing so many receive Christ as Savior. God has been so faithful to provide what we need.

When we arrived at the Oyam prisons, I noticed live turkeys outside. I asked to use the toilet and an officer pointer me to the one down from the O.C.s office. Well, that was an interesting bathroom. It was clear that it had been constructed for men as they took a pit toilet and raised it up to counter height so it would function as a urinal. It was a job for me to climb on top of the counter to be able to use it. I will not explain further, stop laughing, I think you get the idea.

We had driven over very bad dirt roads again. The men’s prison of 364 was the first crusade today with the men sitting in front of me on a porch under the roof overhang of a very long building; more men were to my left in the direct sun. I greeted many of the men when we entered and. there were two inmates who interpreted for me into the Langi language because the first one got tired part way through. At one point Alfred had to intervene, because what I said was not being interpreted correctly. But the men responded to the salvation, forgiveness and apology messages. When we ended the men asked me to return.

Then we went to the Women’s prison of 45 for a crusade there. The women and the team were seated under wonderful shade trees. The inmate who did a great job translating for me said she had seen me a number of years ago at another prison. The 8 babies that were there were darling. The women also responded to all the invitations so I can tell you it was a wonderful Christmas for me. Seeing 100’s receive God’s free gift of salvation and spending the day with Alfred and Aaron made it a Christmas to remember.

When we finished the crusade, the officer made a comment about me speaking their language so I explained to the women that I was sorry I could not remember their beautiful language. I told tem about the tumor in my skull, damage to the nerves on top of my brain and damage to my comprehension and memory banks making it hard for me to remember new things. The officer said they needed to pray for me and that is just what all the inmates did with some kneeling to pray, what a blessing to me. When they finished praying the women sang two Christmas songs about Jesus in English as a gift to me. They also asked me to please not forget them and return.

Then it was back on the bad dirt roads to head to Lira to find a place to stay. With it being Christmas it took us checking out 6 hotels before we could find rooms and this time I have to do stairs and they tell us the blaring music from the courtyard that make the windows rattle will go on until mid-night. But I am thankful, I have a bed, a toilet with a seat and hot water. What more could I ask for?

We finally had dinner and it is 10:15 so I need to get this posted so I can get to bed. We have two crusades tomorrow.

Please continue to pray for the inmates and for us.

That none would be lost,

Arlene