Jan. 6 – The Deputy O.C. asked me to stay over - Eldorate Prisons, Men & Women

 Ministry Partners

I welcomed a beautiful morning today in Eldorate and went for breakfast at 8:30, as the prisons are close today. Chaplain Edward was with us for breakfast today and it great for the team to be together and discuss the events of the day. I addressed him as “Bishop Edward” but he told me that since he is on ministry with IRM that I am the Senior Bishop with spiritual authority and to please call him Chaplain Edward when I introduce him or refer to him. He told us that he used to work at these prisons so they were very familiar with him which caused us to find favor right away. 

The Deputy O.C. at this Maximum Security Prison today invited me to “stay over” until tomorrow because he was so impressed by our program.

Then it was off first to Eldorate Women’s Prison where there were 185 women and 10 babies. We were met by two very nice women chaplains who took us inside the prison walls to a large contained building that left plenty of room for additional inmates. I greeted some of the inmates and because we had no time constraints, we were able to present our entire program. We watched/heard the women respond to the salvation, forgiveness invitations and then apologize to watch other and the guards stepped forward and did the same to the prisoners. Many women cried today when we did the “Forgiveness” and apology portions.

After we finished at the women’s prison we had to wait a bit as the inmates at the Maximum Security were being counted and the shift change for guards also took place. The very kind Deputy O.C. who welcomed us came to the van and stood at my window, talking to me while we waited, for quite some time and then invited us into his office.

Because of the security at this prison all the items we take in with us had and bag with my bible and to be searched, the small suitcase with our mics and sound equipment, case with the IRM sign and music stand top, 100 ft. extension cable and bag with my bible and object lesson supplies. In a side room, right before we entered the prison, three top guard very stern officials started questioning us when Edward, who was following us, stepped into the room. Then the smiles came out as they recognized him and greeted each other. They quickly motioned us to enter the prison.

Unlike the women’s contained building, the men’s contained building was packed to the brim with 1,250 serious crime offenders, convicted and remand inmates. A few members of their choir had purple and gold robes on and they were boldly singing to welcome us.

Because of our late start 3:15 I had concerns that we would be stopped at 4 when prisons are closed to the public so I opted to hold the Discipleship portion of the crusade until I had done the salvation, forgiveness and apology portions. I did not want to be stopped in the middle of the forgiveness message. If they did not stop us, I would add the Discipleship part at the end. It was a good plan because although they gave us a bit of extra time, until 4:25, I was not able to add the Discipleship portion.

But what we saw/heard from these serious offenders was something I do not have adequate words to convey. They had such boldness as they prayed to receive Christ a Savior and the Forgiveness prayer, tears flowed then and as some gave testimony to how the Holy Spirit worked in their hearts today. One inmate gave his testimony about how his wife and child had sent him to prison and when he got out he would have nothing because they had taken everything he had but today he forgave them. I was standing next to him, a broken man, watching his eyes as he spoke with tears running all the way down his face. He held me for just a second longer as I gave him a hug. Alfred, Aaron and Edward said that men in Africa just do not cry but today the tears abounded for many.

I could not help but smile as Edward translated one inmate referring to me as “Grandma-Mom”. As we ended the men in unison asked me to return and I cried as we walked away from the building and Alfred admitted that he cried as he listened to the inmate’s testimonies.

After we walked out of the prison, the Deputy O.C. appeared and said a guard told him what had happened inside. He thanked me and then invited me to “stay over” until tomorrow because he was so impressed by our program. Well now, that is a first.

What tremendous work of the Holy Spirit we witnessed today.

Tomorrow we have one prison to do. We only have three more days or ministry left and then we return to Kampala. Please continue to pray

That none would be lost,

Arlene