1/5/10

We went to morning devotions, then came home for lunch. When we were finished with lunch, we got dropped off at this afternoon prayer meeting. It takes place from 12:30-2 on Mondays-Fridays. Everyone here loves it because it unites all of the churches in Uganda. It was a typical Ugandan church service. Afterwards, our driver, Godfrey, told us that we were going to the prison. There were three other people in the car with us, but when we got there, only one woman named Joyce came down with us. Godfrey said they would come get us later. Angela and I looked at each other and laughed because we thought he was joking. I mean, they couldn’t expect us to go just with Joyce, right?

They asked us if we wanted to go to the men’s ward or the women’s ward. Since we have both been to the men’s ward on our last trip, we decided on the women’s ward. Thankfully, it was the right choice! We got inside and didn’t feel overwhelmed. There were about 30 believers who were waiting for us to share. They sang a few songs, then Joyce told us to share. Angela shared her testimony. I felt nervous because I wasn’t prepared to share. I kept thinking about the audience. What could I possibly share with these prisoners that would be encouraging to them? After Angela spoke, I shared a bit of my past experiences, as well as a few verses. I mainly shared about God being with us even when we don’t feel like he’s around. God put Micah 7:8 on my heart, which says, “Rejoice not over me, O my enemy; when I fall, I shall rise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me.” When I read it to them, they gave a resounding “Amen!”

As terrified as we were, it was actually a pretty rewarding experience. We realized that we overreacted when we first arrived and that we shouldn’t have been scared. When we got home, the power was still out. It flickered on once or twice, but never fully came back. I have never been so thankful for electricity in my life. It is definitely one of those things we take for granted in the States.