May 6 -

Ministry Partners,

I have arrived in Entebbe Uganda, safe, sound and I must say a bit tired from the 12 hour second flight of this part of the journey.

Alfred, my son and IRM Vice-President along with IRM partner Pastor Aaron picked me up at the airport last night at about 11:30.  I can’t tell you how wonderful it was to see them and get their huge hugs. The last leg from Amsterdam of 12 hours in the plane seemed especially long.

I just love the way God puts people in our lives. As I waited to board the plane in Amsterdam a young African man came and sat a seat away from me . I greeted him and found he spoke very good English which made it easy to engage him in conversation. He said he was a student at a college in Tennessee but going home to Uganda for a visit. When I asked where he lived in Uganda he responded, "in Gulu". Imagine his surprise when I told him IRM would be in Gulu a few weeks from now for a few days doing ministry. He wanted Alfred to will call him tonight and tell him exactly where we will be holding the village crusade so he can invite the people to come from his church at tomorrow's services.

Last night we arrived at our hotel at about 12:30am. Alfred and Aaron both kept commenting on the light traffic. Alfred had contacted them two weeks ago so they would be ready for us but my bedroom had no light overhead, the only light, there was no toilet seat on the toilet and no hot water but Alfred fixed the light after getting one from the next room that was vacant.

The night seemed short yet at 9:00am we were having breakfast followed by setting off to town for different errands:

• Changing money
• Ensuring that we have internet in order to constantly update the IRM blog and Facebook page
• Picking up the pastors arriving from  tomorrows Coronation
• Buying supplies like water, bread and jelly, the supplies for IRM lunches. I brought American Peanut Butter for the traditional IRM lunch.(smilie face!!!)

 I still had suitcases to sort after arriving back at the hotel before our dinner of Tilapia, whole, and chips. Alfred said tomorrow we needed to pick up some American ketchup as the thickened, red, sweetened stuff here is quite different for sure.

We did some book work and then Alfred and Aaron went to check on the Rwanda pastors who arrived earlier today for the festivities tomorrow.

I am trying to stay busy as I do not want to go to bed too early and then be awake at 2am. It will take me a few days to get over the jet lag.

It is so nice to be so warmly greeted by the staff that are still here since our last trip.

We appreciate your continuing prayers.

That none would be lost,

Arlene  

Ministry Partners,

YEA!!!!!! flight day is finally here. Thank you Frank for loading my supplies, driving me to the airport, unloading and schlepping inside the 5 - #49 bags. Please pray that all 5 bags arrive at the same time I do ...... tomorrow night at 11:30!

But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard. Isa. 52:12

Your way, O God, is holiness; what god is as great as our God? You are the God who can do wonders; You have declared Your strength among the nations. Psalm 77:13, 14

I'm claiming these verses for the trip!!!

That none would be lost,

Arlene

May 3 - My birthday

Ministry Partners,

What a wonderful day to be alive, I turned 73 and I am privileged to return to the Great Lakes Region of Africa tomorrow where I will watch the Holy Spirit work in the hearts of those I meet as He empowers me to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them.

 A village church crusade

I was blessed again today with this devotional from His Princess Every Day. I've added a couple words as led ......................

Your mouth and hands are beautiful because they are blessed by Me. I want you to raise your hands to heaven and praise Me. Ask Me, and I will anoint your mouth to share my Gospel and your hands to heal those who are hurting and help those who are in need. I have given you a beautiful mouth and hands to touch others with My love, and when you use your hands to work for My kingdom, I will bless all that you do. It is a privilege, My princess, to have that kind of power in your possession. I can do amazing things through you when you faithfully hold on to My promises. Be assured that while you are using your moth and hands to help others, I, your King, will move My mighty power in all areas of your life. So keep reaching out to the world, My love, and help them to know that I am real. Hold on to My hand, and know that I will never let you go.
 Love, Your King and the One who holds your hand

That none would me lost,

Arlene

May 2 - a Bible Gateway's devotional

I was blessed from this devotional from His Princess Every Day

My princess warrior,
I have so many blessings I want to pour out on you. However, you hold the keys that unlock the amazing plans I have for your life. It is your obedience to Me that will open the windows of heaven for you to receive. If you trust Me, I will bless you with peace. If you share what I have given to you with others, I will give you even more. If you choose My will over your rights, I will give you great favor wherever you go. If you will pray, I will give you the power to change the world around you, My beloved Warrior. All that I ask is that you love and obey My commands, and you and your family will be forever blessed because of your obedience to Me!
Love,
Your King who loves to bless you

 

                 Rwanda - Arlene & Fred doing village evangelism

           That none would be lost,

Arlene

May 1st

Ministry Partners,
Today, I open this blog in an effort to keep you informed of the final U.S. preparations for our 2017 IRM ministry trip to the Great Lakes Region of Africa as well as our daily (if I can) events while the team is involved in ministry there.

I must tell you that I feel blessed that God has called us there for our 15th time. I fly out on May 4th and will return on June 8th.
A VERY big "Thank You" to those from New Life Church who do so much to help get everything ready to go. From Mike, the computer master, to Kristin, the New Life office staff and volunteers who have helped me create documents and done SO much printing, ect.
Because of God's leading and your generous support the IRM fiscal budget was met and additional funds were then put into the Africa Bible Project. We minister as God's Ambassadors and yours in sharing the Gospel in villages and prisons.
This year we will not only be ministering during the daytime but late into some evenings as we received two solar or electric projector/equipment backpacks (1 for Uganda & 1 for Kenya, in their languages) from the Jesus Film Project and will try to show it, after dark, as many times as possible.

A couple of important things:

• This blog was created for the benefit of IRM ministry partners and friends. If you are not a partner/friend or have not been approved to view this blog please find something else to occupy your time and treat my request with respect.
• Because of our rigorous daytime schedule and now showing the Jesus Film at night along with internet issues I might not be able to post on this blog as much as I have in past years. I would appreciate some "grace" with misspelled words or sentences that don't seem to make sense except to my mind, coming in from a very long day.
• Please comment on the blog rather then fb if you have a minute. It's such an encouragement to us after a long day ....... longer day ..... and even longer day!

Please pray for:

• Open hearts for the Gospel
• Favor with everyone we come in contact with 
• New unscheduled opportunities
• Traveling safety - flights and in country
• That ALL 5 pieces of my luggage would arrive at the same time I do
• Health and energy for the complete team

That none would be lost,

Arlene