Jan 5 – Plans changed for us today, we were at Kapenguria Prison, Kenya

 Ministry Partners,

Another beautiful morning in Kitali, Uganda. 

This is the door to my room , that I told you about a few days ago, with a hasp just like some prisons.

Bishop Edward had breakfast and left to get supplies for today before Alfred, Aaron and I went in for breakfast As I told you before we work hard but also have lots of laughter and this morning was one of those. The restaurant at the place where we are staying is very unique, to say the least. They served us breakfast this morning. First came a tiny plate of fruit with 1 baby banana, 2 slices of pineapple, 1 slice of mango and 1 tiny passion fruit cut in half. Alfred, Aaron and I did all we could to not burst into laughter, it looked like something you would set before a two year old child.. The guys ordered black coffee and my order was hot water and a tea bag (I like to make myself WEAK tea because of my allergy to caffeine). We could see this breakfast would be quite different from the buffet breakfast they offered us on the first morning. After the girl server left our table, I gave Aaron and Alfred the mango and the passion fruit. But when she came back Alfred told her I did not care for the other fruits. She returned with 4 more slices of pineapple and 2 baby bananas and commented that because we were both the same gender that she would spoil me.

After she served each of us separately, going back to the kitchen window each time,   we were served a bowl of dry cereal while she made separate trips to bring a small metal container of milk to each of us. She then asked if we wanted omelets, Alfred said yes with chilies, Aaron said no omelet just 2 pancakes (actually crepes) crepes and 1 sausage, meanwhile still no coffee or tea although breakfast so far has taken 30 min.. Then Alfred’s breakfast came, the omelet had no chilies but veggies were also there. Aaron’s plate arrived with 2 sausages and lots of veggies and before Aaron could say anything the server said, “Veggies are good for you, eat them!” We all looked at each other and clenched our teeth to keep from laughing aloud until she walked away. Finally, the coffee arrived and my tea & hot water arrived as already made tea. When my order of 2 crepes and 1 small beef sausage arrived the plated also contained steamed broccoli (the server remembered that I said I liked it when I ordered it with my dinner last might!) I thanked her and told her I did not usually eat broccoli for breakfast although I did eat some this morning out of appreciation for her sweet spirit.  

I hope the last paragraph has made you smile.

As we waited for Edward, Alfred informed me that there had been a change in plans. We were to be at Eldorate Main Prison today but Edward was informed that Kenya government officials were going to be there so he rescheduled Eldorate for tomorrow and said we would do Kapenguria Prison today before driving to Eldorate where we would spend two nights. I have special memories of Kapenguria Prison, as it is the very first prison I visited when I came to Kenya in 2018.

After an hour+ drive where the prison chaplain who took us to the O.C.s office welcomed us. The O.C. was a very nice officer and as we sat in his office while Aaron was setting up the sound system, he asked me how I got involved in prison ministry. I had the opportunity to tell him the story of Rwanda, how God called me and opened the doors for me.

As the O.C. walked us to the meeting area, he pointed out the wire fenced off section where the worst and violent prisoners were with their guards. I was so pleased when he said he was going to have them brought to hear me. He also agreed to have the women prisoners from another section brought in. The meeting are was long and narrow with the women and their guards seated on one end while the men prisoners were seated alongside the open structure, outside in the sun. There were 650 both convicted prisoners and remand prisoners.

I began as I always try to do, I stepped away from the O.C. saying, “I need to do what I try to do at every prison.” I walked from one end of the men prisoners and shook hands with those I could reach but was disappointed that the women prisoners had not yet arrived. When I went back to my seat next to the O.C. he leaned over to me and said, “That was a very nice thing you just did.” I told him the prisoners have enough people telling them how bad they are and that I want them to see me as kind. That way they are more apt to listen to what I have to say.

Today we lad the largest amount of prison officials along with guards who all stayed for the entire crusade than we have ever had although at one point the O.C. left.

A woman chaplain appeared; she missed me sharing in Kampala yesterday so she traveled over an hour on public transport over really bad dirt roads to hear me share today.

It was an amazing thing to see as prisoners, officials, guards and chaplains as they stood and prayed to receive Christ as Savior and Forgiveness over someone else or themselves. Followed by prisoners apologizing to each other and to the guards and officials. The officials and guards also apologized to each other.

What I have found in Africa is that most people have a wonderful religious knowledge about the existence of God, Jesus is God, Jesus died on the cross and He rose from the grave. Then I share with them, Rom. 6:23 “ For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” And Eph. 2: 8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast.” It is an important fact that Jesus loves us so much that He paid the price for every wrong thing we would do and then he offered us the free gift of salvation and eternal life. Each person has to make the decision for themselves. To refuse God’s gift to us OR receive his gift and make it ours, God gives us the choice.

We ended with two inmates giving a testimony about how God had worked in their hearts during our time together.

As we finished the women officers brought the women to our van where I presented the women with the last of my donated scarves and a crochet cap for the one child.

It was another wonderful day filled with the powerful work of the Holy Spirit.

Then it was the two hour drive to Eldorate, find a hotel, have dinner and sleep.

I have the added task of getting this blog posted. It seems impossible but in just 4 days, this ministry trip will end. I am not ready to come home.

We are so thankful for you, that you sacrifice your time to pray for the prisoners and us.

That none would be lost,

Arlene