Nov. 12 - The truck with IRM supplies is headed to make deliveries to 37 prisons

 Ministry Partners,

After Alfred, Peace and I had breakfast it was time to hire the truck that would deliver the supplies we were required to purchase for each prison. After the Bibles and Discipleship Booklets were loaded 4 men the rest of the supplies were also loaded. We had a time of prayer and then Pastor Peace left with the truck. She will follow the same route we will take, beginning tomorrow, and off-load supplies at each of the 37 prisons we will visit to hold crusades. It is important for her to make those deliveries as quickly as possible as the truck costs IRM $340 per day.

 

  Boxes of God's Word. Thank you to those who donated for this project.

 

 Even more to load

 

Peace, Alfred, Arlene and the truck owner/driver

After Peace left, Alfred and I sorted the many supply suitcases, grouping like supplies together. It's hard to believe that our first prison crusade is tomorrow and I am excited to watch the Holy Spirit work in the hearts of the prisoners bringing them to salvation. Please pray for the souls of the prisoners that they would choose to make Jesus their Savior. This will be the first time Alfred and I will be the presenting team as Aaron cannot be with us for a few days. Pray that we might minister in strength and a powerful anointing from the Holy Spirit.

Although yesterday was Alfred's birthday he wanted to wait until tonight for a special dinner. It is the first time we have been together for his birthday so it is a treat for me to take my son out to celebrate. 

Thanks for praying.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Nov. 11 - A day for meeting the Uganda Commissioner of Prisons

 

 Ministry Partners,

It was a good night, sleeping on a good mattress and getting 7 hours of sleep but I woke to a barking dog at 5am. As I lay in bed for a few minutes my thoughts went back to when I was on the plane, in Amsterdam, waiting to take off. We kept sitting there and were finally informed by the captain that we were being delayed due to someone checking in 3 suitcases but never boarding the plane. He said airport staff was sorting through the loaded luggage trying to find and remove those 3 suitcases. It took them about 45 minutes to find and remove the bags. I tried to not think of why a person would check in bags and then NOT board the plane. Yes, between that and the issue at Immigration here in Uganda, it was quite a day yesterday and I can only give God praise for providing for me and taking such good care of me.

Today was filled with meeting with the Ugandan Prison Commissioner, doing errands and purchasing supplies for the start of our prison ministry day after tomorrow. Pastor Peace met us at the Commissioners building. It was so good to see her bright smile and sparkling eyes. Pastor Aaron is working in Rwanda but will be with us in a few days.

 

 Bishop Arlene, the Commissioner, Rev. Peace, Rev. Alfred  

I really like the Commissioner and we had a great visit as I thanked him for procuring all the prison supplies we were required to purchase. But I told him I was concerned when I saw two boxes of JELLY. Now just why would we be purchasing Jelly? But Alfred opened one of the boxes and showed me what was inside......it was not JELLY as the box said in bold letters but Vaseline for the women and children! I got a huge laugh out of the Commissioner and the team.

He commented how the Prison Authorities appreciate what we do and the way it is changing things.

After finishing our errands we returned home to start getting things together as the truck is to come tonight to load with the Bibles, Discipleship Booklets and the supplies we had the Commissioner procure for us.

When we finished at the Commissioners office Alfred and Peace took me shopping for a new dress. I was blessed by a friend who gave me money just before I left and told me the money was for me to buy a dress or whatever. Alfred and Peace both said they approved of my purchases. 

We are so blessed to have Pastor Peace working with us. She does an amazing job of dividing everything so each prison gets a portion. She will travel with the truck tomorrow to make the deliveries.

I am so thankful for Alfred's care of me, it just makes me smile. Yesterday, he presented me with a special journal and a thick padded seat and back support for the van since he knew I was dealing with back/hip pain  and the next 7+ weeks we will be driving over very bumpy/rough roads.

 Please continue to pray for our health and safety. 

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Nov. 10 - I have arrived in Uganda

 Ministry Partners,

The last leg of my trip from Amsterdam went well but from sitting so long my right hip became so very painful even using my Tens unit I ended up take some pain medication, which I have not had to do for a very long time. I left My house at 9 am yesterday, flew out at 1:30, 12hours in the plane, 2 hr layover, 12 hrs. to Entebbe and 2:12 hrs at Immigration Office. I'm exhausted with only a doze or two and no real sleep.

 

About two months before every trip we ALWAYS are aware that because Satan hates what we do he brings interruptions of varying types to try and get the team or me to focus on the issue and getting upset thereby our focus would be diverted. We learned years ago that when that happens to ask for the Lord's help, leave the issue with him and give Him praise for how He will resolve whatever is needed, then stay focused on what God has called us to do.  I had a huge interruption about two weeks ago and the Lord has faithfully been walking me through that and keeping me focused on this trip.

I obtained my visa for Uganda in Sept and printed out a copy that "just fit" in my passport, like I have done every year. PDX and Amsterdam airports checked my visa card when I checked in with no issue. But last after passing through Immigration on 19 previous trips with no hassles #20 was one for the books. They said my print out was too small but they would have no problem that they would look it up on the Uganda Gov. site. Well go figure, the gov. site showed my previous 2023 visa but nothing for 2024. The radiation damage to my memory banks and comprehension are considerably worse, for some reason, when I fly. I pilled up the iVisa email where I received confirmation that I had purchased the visa but it would only open my most recent visa which was for Tanzania. So, all I could say after some considerable time had passed was, "Please go and get my son who is waiting for me. " To which they responded," He  is not allowed back here." I was close to tears but then there was God's provision He changed their hearts and they went and got Alfred. Alfred said we could just buy another visa which they agreed to so. Visitors are advised to get their visa before arriving!

Alfred gave them the credit card for our bank here to pay for a 2nd visa but after waiting for some time they said they still had not received the payment so Alfred pulled up our account on his phone and showed them that the amount had been sent from our account. We waited ........waited .......and waited some more when they finally said something was wrong with their system and the ONLY thing we could now do was purchase a 3rd visa with cash, which Alfred did. I really think the reason they could not find my visa was do to their system from the beginning. 

I had arrived at 10:30 and as we left the airport it was 2 1/2 hours later and I had a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Alfred in my hands. Alfred and I were both exhausted but agreed that the whole kerfuffle was just proof of Satan's hassling work to try and get us angry and distracted but we saw it as PROOF that we were going to watch God pour out his power on this trip like never before! 

I had each suitcase strapped with two straps that I had embroidered my name on, one strap was missing but as we drove away from the airport I asked the Lord to bless the person who took it. I was determined not to let Satan get me upset over that.

Falling into bed after 2am left me sleeping until almost 11, goodness I really was tired. It was a joy hearing Alfred wake me from outside my door saying, "Wake up Mama, it's time to get up." Today after eating my favorite pineapple, roll-up ( scrambled egg rolled up in a chapati) and  African tea. Alfred and I worked on the finances and then went to look at the supplies we will be delivering to the prisons as required. 

I am also sorting the suitcases of supplies we had stored at Alfred's to add them to those I brought. I would have liked to have taken a nap but I know that would end up taking longer to get over jet-lag. 

Such a huge 'Welcome Home" from all the locals here including the man who washes our van, the ladies who clean our room and the man who brings our meals.

That's it for today.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

Nov. 9 Arrived safely in Amsterdam

 Ministry Partners,

I have arrived safely in Amsterdam and am setting at the gate for my flight to Uganda.

I sat next to a couple going to Italy and had a wonderful time sharing Jesus love with them. I also had a great talk with one of the flight attendance and just before we landed she came to my seat and handed me a packet while telling me 'these are usually for people in first class but I want you to have one." What a sweet gift. Not sure whats in it as we were about to land.

That none would be lost,

Arlene

 

 Ministry Partners,

Just a short time ago flight day seemed so far away but the last month has just flown by. I am so excite to fly out today.

I spoke with Alfred yesterday and he said everyone there has been praying about my flight, arrival and ministry time there. 

It is am amazing gift from God that with all my health issues He still calls me to go, provides for me by your financial partnership and anoints my words. I really do not have the adequate words to express what it is like to watch the Holy Spirit work as He adds 1,000's to the Lambs Book of Life. I know that their lives will be changed for the better, forever, just like mine has been. 

My ticked says 22 1/2 hours flight time and I will arrive first in Amsterdam with a 2 1/2 hour layover.

Thanks so much John and Linda Roethe for the ride to the airport and for the help getting me checked in. You are both so good at helping me schlep the heavy suitcases.

m

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 schedule with 56 crusades and 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, as I will be coming in from a very long day, preaching from 2 1/2 to 6 hours.

Please leave a comment 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:

• That hearts would be turned to the Lord and His salvation so that Almighty God would be glorified and praised.
• That the Holy Spirit would pour out His power like never before.
• That the fire of God would fall as it did in 1 Kings 18: 36 – 39
• That God would rest His Spirit on us, the IRM team, and all he has called us to do in Africa from Nov. 8^th through Dec. 31st.
• That we would find favor with everyone we meet.      
• That the team would have safe travels and stay healthy

Thank you to each of you, this trip is only possible because of God's leading and your prayers and financial giving. 

That none would be lost

Arlene

Nov. 7 Final preparations

Ministry Partners,

It was good to see all three suitcases and my carry-on filled, weighed, inventoried and lined up, ready for my 9am ride to the airport tomorrow morning. It will be wonderful to arrive in Uganda Sat. at 11 pm and see the team.

 

 These next two months will be filled with watching/hearing the Holy Spirit working in the hearts and lives of the prisoners and with the team.

Please continue to pray for us. 

   

That none would be lost,

Arlene

October 24 - Arlene's blog opening is on Nov, 7

 

Ministry Partners,

In 15 days I will be traveling to the Great Lakes Region of Africa to do Prison Ministry, holding 55 prison crusades. This blog will be opened on Nov. 7 and I will post the events of the day each evening as internet is available.

That none would be lost,

Arlene