Nov. 26 1st - Kasangati and 2nd - Nakifuma Prisons

Ministry Partners

I awoke this morning to a beautiful pink sunrise this morning although it was also overcast a bit with billowy clouds that resembled marshmallow fluff. 

                                                                                    

 Today started a bit late as the first prison was close to where we live but even after arriving they were till cleaning so we had to wait a bit. As we waited, one inmate came up to me and thanked me for coming again as he had seen me last year. He said, “Many miracles were done here after you left last year. Because of the changes in the lives of the inmates after receiving Christ as Savior and then forgiving others, every prisoner was released, except for me. Everyone you will see today is new.” 

The prisoners were sitting under a bit or a porch on two buildings that faced each other. I was thankful that they brought it the 45 women to sit on the side. Usually I have to do a separate crusade for the women when there are that many.

At Nakifuma Prison although it was noon when we arrived we still need to wait to get again, There were 150 men and 17 women there according to the deputy O.C. (Officer in Charge), who was a very tall, good looking young man. It. I was able to do most of the preaching from under half of the shade of a tree while the women sat under the other half of the tree.

The Holy Spirits power was evident as most at both prisons accepted Christ as Savior, forgave someone or themselves, and apologized. It is always nice to hear the officials say good things about the good they know our program will do which is what happened at both prisons today.

I do not seem to be adapting very well as it is REALLY hot here and we do not have air-conditioning at our hotel. The other morning I woke finding that I was so exhausted that I fell asleep on top on the bed forgetting to pull the mosquito net around or cover myself with a sheet. Praise Jesus that I did not get bit by a mosquito, because the last time I got bit I also got malaria.

On the way home, we stopped at Alfred’s property so Alfred could show me the construction he is having done there. He already converted his home into a school for the neighborhood but is now building a separate structure for a school for children that are in prison with their mothers. Pastor Aaron is currently is in charge of the existing school.

Well, because I want to get to bed before 11:30 like last night it is time for me to have dinner and bathe.

The IRM team appreciates your continuing prays for:

·       The salvation of prisoners

·       A fresh anointing for the Holy Spirit for the team

·       Health and strength for the team

·       Safety as we travel

That none would be lost,

Arlene

 

Nov. 25 - Luzira Women's Prison

 

Ministry Partners,

I ended today with a HUGE PRAISE JESUS as all three of my suitcases finally arrived. The airport delivered them just as we returned from doing prison ministry.

The woman who owns this hotel came to welcome me when we got home today and we had a wonderful visit. I told her how much I appreciated the portrait she had painted of Alfred and me and how much I appreciated the beautiful new bathtub, mostly unheard of here, she had installed just for me along with a new toilet. I will put that new tub to work for sure.

The new tub 

Today was an interesting day for sure. Thanksgiving Day in America but lots to be thankful for in Uganda. But our thankfulness began yesterday as we were driving to the prison and a motorcycle went around us and the cut in front us us. He did not see the van in front of him brake and he hit the back of the van and as his bike fell over it looked as if he was going to go under the van himself. He struggled for a bit and got the bike up but had trouble starting it but when he did he turned the bike around and sped off, disappearing in the opposite direction as the van owner was observing the damage to the right fender and back of his very nice van. That could have been us and almost was today. It’s interesting that motorbikes here carry all kinds of big things sideways of the bike and then weave in and out of traffic. Today after doing our prison ministry, we were headed back to Kampala when a motorbike carrying, what appeared to be, a full sheet of plywood, sideways fell into the side of our van and then he disappeared into the traffic going the other way when Aaron pulled over to confront him. We praise Jesus that there was not bad damage as that would be something would have to pay for.

Today, we were scheduled to go to Luzeria Upper Prison and because it is a high security prison because all the 3,000 long time political prisoners are kept there. So, it was understandable that we spent almost 2 hours going though the levels of security as the guys and I were put in separate rooms and searched. For scheduling reasons the O.C. asked us to come back on Thursday so he could have all the prisoners’ assembled. He made that decision after I explained the “Forgiveness” information I share as well as having the prisoners take responsibility for fighting by apologizing and shaking hands. We told him we would be happy to return on Thursday. What a wonderful opportunity.

Because Luzira Women’s Prison was close-by, so we went there but it took us almost 2 hours to get in. It seems security has tightened in the prisons in Kigali especially. Our time with the 650 women was great. I was here about 2 years ago and only about 6 women had heard me speak before. Again, the Holy Spirit poured his spirit as almost every women asked Jesus to be her Savior. It was a great day.

While Aaron and I went to the hotel Alfred went into town and purchased a new sound system since our current one no longer works on battery and some places we go do not have electricity.

Well, it is 10:30 and I need to make a stop at that new bathtub and go to bed. two prisons are scheduled for tomorrow.

Thank you continuing to pray.

That none would be lost,

Arlene 

Nov. 24 - Prison ministry began today - Kampala Remand & Murchison Bay

 Ministry Partners 

Today was IRM's first day of prion ministry for the 2925-2026 Ministry Trip. It was a bit a drive to get to the first prison and at one point Alfred refereed to his phone GPS and started giving Aaron directions. At one point he said "Turn right" but at the same time he was pointing to the left. Both Aaron and I broke into laughter as I said, "Well, which one is it"  even Alfred laughed realizing that his actions and words did not match. What a joy it is to work with both Alfred and Aaron while also having fun teasing each other, men  who love God and the ministry we have been called together to do,

 

  Aaron, Arlene & Alfred

When we go into the major prisons the security is much more stringent and that's the way is was today. At Murchison Bay all three or us were taken to a side room and searched, then we were told to remove our name badges. I have done over 400 prison entrances and even in Max. security ones we have never been asked to remove my name badge. After a bit the O.C. appeared and the conversation ended with us keeping our badges on. We finally got to the crusade area at 2pm and the prisoners told us that the church would be locked at 3  pm so that meant I only had about 45 min to do a 1 1/2 - 2 hour crusade in 45 min. so Alfred left Aaron and I to start the crusade and he went to talk to the O.C. but when he returned he said the decision had been made to have us return tomorrow for 2 hours. We informed the inmates of the decision and told them we would see them tomorrow and for them bring to bring more prisoners with them.

We packed up all our stuff and walked outside only to meet the O.C. who informed us that we would not be able to come tomorrow BUT he would allow the prisoners to be there until 4pm and he would not close the church at 3 so we returned inside, set up again. we finished right at 4 after 6 inmates gave a testimony f how the Holy Spirit had worked in their hearts in our time together. With each of those prisoners, with their permission , I gave them a hug and blessed. With the two prisons today we watched/heard almost 2,000 give their lives/hearts to Jesus. It was a day to give God praise.    

This morning before leaving the hotel Alfred shared that he had received a message for the 15year old daughter of the pastor where we were yesterday. She wrote, "It was nice seeing you today. You, Pastor Arlene and Pastor Aaron really blessed us today. You know I had never seen a sermon with such interesting demonstrations before. God Bless you all." How special to know that a youth of today would say such kind words.

 My luggage is still in Amsterdam but KLM says it SHOULD be here late tomorrow, we will see!

Time to bathe and go to bed, I'm tired tonight, it has been some time since I preached two - two hour sermons back to back. It is so hot here and I feel sticky and dirty. I have never enjoyed more that bottle of very cold water like today

Please continue to pray.

That none would be lost,

Arlene  

Nov. 23 - The Holy Spirit poured out His power today

 Nov. 23

Ministry Partners

Today is Sunday here and I am still waiting for my luggage (3 suitcases) to arrive but my Air Tags say that they remain in Amsterdam as of this morning. Everything I need for the 3 object lessons is in one of the bags as well as other ministry supplies.

My friend Kathy sent me this encouraging scripture this morning:

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. 2 Chronicles 16:9 ESV  

        

Truck driver, Alfred, Arlene, Aaron, Peace

Pastor Peace is now gone with the truck filled with Bibles and supplies for each prison we will visit, so we will not see her for at least seven days

A mistake was made by one team member who contacted all the 49 (a new number) prisons and gave them the wrong date we would be at their prison for ministry so they will had to contact them again today to give the correct date the team will arrive for ministry according to our printed itinerary. I was originally told that today I would be visiting two prisons but the correct schedule is for those prisons to be tomorrow, so today we went to a village church for an unscheduled crusade. I found, in the stored supplies, a scarf to use in the salvation object lesson and we stopped and bought a small rope to do the “Forgiveness” object lesson. I decided to leave out the Discipleship lesson, as without the gold robe, crown and black (sin) and red (Jesus blood) felt pieces it is a hard lesson to convey. But what a wonderful time it was today despite all Satan’s antics, with my luggage and miss-scheduled days, today the Holy Spirit worked as we watched/heard 60 villagers pray the sinners prayer and the forgiveness prayer.

We left the church with a few bibles for the pastor to distribute but I gave one village woman her own copy as she was celebrating her birthday. The pastor confessed and said that he realized that he had a man he needed to forgive and he did so. But before we left for the airport he said he would be contacting Alfred later with an offering he wanted to take for IRM.

Alfred, Aaron and I all agree that Satan has been/is fighting really hard against us which tells us that this is going to be an amazing trip and today was a good start.

After posting this on the blog, I need to try to get one of my other dresses hemmed.

Please continue to pray for open hearts for the Gospel.

That none would be lost,

Arlene