$3.10 Poverty Challenge: Day 5

Day 5 of the $3.10 Poverty Challenge began in a rush. I’ve not slept well the last three nights because of cough and finally enjoyed a full 2.5 hours that led up to 7:30 in the morning, just 30 minutes before I had to leave for the prison.

Once again I found that worship with these inmates was beyond compare. Do you worship the Lord as though he is your only hope? Though I do have some amazing times of worship, I know that I don’t have the sense of desperation for God that prison inmates have.

Choose Your Tree

The sermon, Choose Your Tree, seemed also to be a relevant and unique lesson to these men. I preached/taught about Adam and Eve and their choice of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil over the tree of life (still pondering its purpose). We discussed the consequences of choosing sin over obedience. We then added a discussion of Joseph choosing the tree of life (obedience) when faced with the temptations of Potiphar’s wife. We again discussed the consequences of choosing obedience over sin. Of course we pondered how it could be that choosing right and choosing wrong could lead to the same result—suffering. We came to realize that God transcends our circumstances. Regardless of where we are or what we’ve done, God is still God, still present, still on the throne. Twelve men renewed their commitment to put Christ at the head of their lives and to choose the tree of life, praise God!

After also preaching at the staff church, the Sargent shared with me the story of one of the inmates. This mature man was the principal at a primary school. One of the parents was unable to pay school fees and so after some long time of flexibility he finally had to say pay or go. The mother then tore her clothes and screamed that he was attacking her, though he most certainly was not. Because of Potiphar’s wife and her lies, this man is now in prison. He was refused bond and the lawyers say he may spend the rest of his life there. I am absolutely humbled at being used by God to bring hope and healing to this one man. If I spent all my Poverty Challenge money to reach that prison for this one man alone, it was worth it!

Widow and Two Mites

We most often hear this story in the context of being an onlooker, but today I was the widow with two mites. Wow was this a difficult position to be in. I am mzungu, I am clean and fat, I drank a bottle of water, and I reached the prison on a boda boda. When time came to give our offering at the prison staff church, I had 0.20 cents to offer. I have been making it a practice not to carry more than my allotment for the day so that I am not artificially comforted by “just in case” money and so 0.20 cents was it. Wow did I feel a sense of shame in only having 0.20 cents to put in that offering. I should have walked to the prison, though I already planned to walk home. I should have saved my food money from yesterday. Can’t I borrow from the rest of the week’s money that I haven’t yet “earned.” Can’t I break my Poverty Challenge? I should have carried the last of the potatoes and tomatoes reserved for today and given them. What will they think of me? I felt no sense of humble contentment in giving that gift at all, which is how I imagined the widow who gave her two mites felt.

Today I began with $2.20. I spent $2.00 on transportation and 0.20 cents on my offering. Tomorrow is a new day.

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Malindi Prison Ministry

Finally reaching the Malindi Prison, after months of letters and meetings, was a relief-blessing. When we reached there, however, we found another team of church members prepared for ministry in the women’s prison. Because our goal is to support local pastors, we made every accommodation to them with many blessings. They were incredibly gracious to allow the Cindy B, Lori L, and Pr Njuguna to serve alongside them under their authority. The kingdom as it ought to be. Unfortunately photos aren’t allowable in the prison, but the testimonies were beautiful.

The chaplain, however, was our host in the men's prison and he took a great many photos for us. Praise God.

Bill and Leslie worship in Kiswahili with the men of Malindi Prison.

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Prison Ministry

As always I love joining Carpenter John for his Bugembe prison ministry services on Thursday or Sunday afternoon. He’s been serving as chaplain for more than 10 years and I’ve been joining him about once monthly for almost 4 of those 10 years. Initially we were allowed to sneak a few photos but as the prison system tightened up, photos were no longer permissible. These photos are from early visits but nothing much has changed since then.

Chrystina did a wonderful job relating the story of Queen Esther to the male prisoners and we even had an opportunity to talk about how to treat their wives (i.e., not as the king did Queen Vashti). Sorry no pix of the girls (sniffle).

Sleeping quarters

My very first visit and gifting Bibles

Bugembe Prison

Film ministry about forgiveness

An apple treat

Skill training - cobbler

Skill training - tailoring

The lunch line

Muhamed became a cobbler after being released
because of the training he received in prison.

The first ever boy dolly and it was given in Bugembe Prison

Skill training- weaving

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Pastor Geoffrey, Ex-Prisoner

Friend Jonathon with Andrew, Geoffrey, and John
in front of their new church

The boda driven by Carpenter John pulled into the beautiful church yard where we found Geoffrey and Andrew anxiously awaiting our arrival. You may remember Geoffrey from Bugembe Prison. He was the tailoring teacher who, when released, began attending Bible school to become a pastor. Andrew was at Bugembe at the same time but for a much shorter stay. I easily remembered that bright smile, though.

A few of you invested in Geoffrey’s Bible school education and I want you to know that the teachers at that school had so much faith in his abilities as a pastor that they established this church for him. It may only be four sticks and a few iron sheets, but we all know a church is its people.

Carpenter John and I had a wonderful time in prayer and fellowship with these men and are so thankful for what the Lord has done in their lives. As always, John’s influence is long lasting…and so is yours. Our prayers do not go unheard. Please continue praying that they would stay close to the Lord and that they continue to be strong against all temptation.

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Father's Day in Prison

The Father’s Day message delivered in Bugembe Prison was taken from the same Prodigal Son story as delivered at Buwenge Blue. But this time the room full of men came to understand that the selfish, greedy, power-hungry son who thought he knew how to do life better alone than with his dad was forgiven when he returned to his father’s house. Not only was he forgiven but his father came running to welcome him home. I tried to help these guys imagine what that would be like for them.

I asked them to think about the worst thing they’d ever done, maybe that thing is why they are in prison now…maybe not. I asked them to imagine going to tell God they were sorry, they already knew in their heart they were sorry but now they had to go apologize. I wonder if imagining such a thing is very close to actually doing it in this case because God is ever present. Anyhow, I asked these broken men to imagine that before they even arrived at His estate (for certainly God lives on a very large estate), before they even had to get up the courage to speak a word, He came running at them. He came running and wrapped his arms around them and welcomed them home. Not a word spoken but all the love of the Father enveloping them both.

That’s what will happen, a lot like the story of the Prodigal Son. These men could hardly believe such a wonderful reunion could be possible.

But it doesn't end there. Typically one or two women reside in this prison as well. This day...18. 18 prostitutes were jailed the night before in a pretty major sting. Can you imagine telling all these women – most of whom indicated they had no father or had an abusive father – about the love of their heavenly Father and that he loves them so much they can always go home if they’re sorry. Oh ya, that’s what I’M talking about…not a dry eye in the place. Can you imagine that being arrested for prostitution could end up being the highlight of these women’s lives…the point at which they finally realized their Father’s love and take a step toward him? Thank you, Jesus, for allowing me to be part of this beautiful moment in their lives.

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Prisoner-Student-Pastor Geoffrey

Geoffrey and Carpenter John

The space Geoffrey occupies ends right at the door.

A small mud room measuring 8’ x 10’ is the place Geoffrey calls home. No longer does he reside in Bugembe Prison, sleeping with dozens of other men on the hard concrete floor, but instead he lives as a free man in the town of Bugembe. He proudly showed me his tiny place, where he now sleeps on a mattress set upon the earthen floor, and then announced that his wife stays there too. Oh my.

Twin size foam mattress on the hard floor.

Geoffrey was both the lead tailoring teacher at Bugembe Prison and the in-house prison chaplain. Careful and intentional discipleship by Carpenter John alongside a partnership with Surprised by Hope to deliver skills development programs and ministry led this young man to love Jesus. Read the letter he wrote to me after one teaching that touched his heart.

Geoffrey proudly shows his books,
purchased with your gifts.

Carpenter John found a missionary-based Bible school in Jinja town that allowed Geoffrey to attend for free – all he needed was requirements. Two families stepped up to help Geoffrey – to invest in his future with the hope of saving many lives through him. Mukama akuwe omukisa (God bless you)!

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Bugembe Bricks

Remember there is a "no photos allowed" rule.
This picture doesn't include prisoners or the prison.

Smoke filled the air as I neared Bugembe Prison. Benjamin – the in-house chaplain replacing Geoffrey, and guided by Carpenter John – waved me down before I passed too far. Without supervision, Benjamin worked alongside four other men to hone their prison-acquired brick-making skills. He reported that they’re working to make bricks for the OCs residence and eventually for sale. Brick-making is just one of many skills programs available at the prison. Better yet, the program was initiated by the officer in charge and modeled after the skills programs developed in partnership with Carpenter John and Surprised by Hope.

Though I arrived on official business on a non-visitation day, I was blessed with the kind words of a thankful man. What was Benjamin thankful for? That someone outside the prison, with nothing personal to gain, would care about them. Moreover, that people who haven’t even been to Uganda would care about them.

While not every risk can be eliminated when investing in these (or any) men, we do our best to listen to God before starting, allow him to work through us as we prepare the men for living for Jesus, and release our own control over to God as the men are also released. Please pray for each one of these men as they approach their various release dates. Prison life makes loving God easy; it’s life after prison that is hard.

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Geoffrey Attends Theology School

Almost two years ago I introduced you to Geoffrey, assistant in-house chaplain at Bugembe Prison. He gave his life to Jesus after hearing me preach (undoubtedly following a lot of seed planting that had nothing to do with me). After beginning skills training programs in that prison, Geoffrey became the tailoring teacher there and did a terrific job with his responsibilities. When Frederick, the then in-house chaplain was released, Geoffrey became the lead chaplain and continued his tailoring teaching.

A few short months ago Geoffrey was released, having served his two-year sentence with good behavior. He stays close to Carpenter John and attends church with him at Bugembe Methodist Church. When asked, Geoffrey said that he wanted to get theology training and become a real pastor. What an amazing testimony to the wonderful things God is doing inside those prison walls.

Carpenter John, by the grace of God, received approval to allow Geoffrey to attend a particular school and earn a certificate in theology…at no charge. Geoffrey is responsible for his books and school materials but he can attend classes for free and receive a certificate upon completion. When visiting Geoffrey recently, Carpenter John found him in a handmade mud shack by the side of the road. If I understand correctly, Geoffrey simply found a small space where he thought no one would disturb him and started making mud from the ground to build a little hut.

During that same visit, Carpenter John observed that there wasn’t a single thing in this man’s house…including food. When asked, Geoffrey said he had no food and he had not resorted to stealing food and instead gave God glory for his life. Last week I handed Carpenter John an embarrassingly small shilling note and said he could use that to pay for the fuel he’d used in taking me up to the prison and give the rest to Geoffrey. Instead John gave the whole thing to Geoffrey so that he would not be tempted to steal.

There’s more. A few days after I gave that money Geoffrey called. He said thank you for the money and that he chose to buy one of the many needed books for his class rather than to buy food. People, we have got to do something! Can’t we provide the books he needs so that whatever small money he can scrape up with tailoring or other work can be money for food? Can’t we believe God for even more than that? Can’t we believe him for food? I think that even $50 total will buy his books for the term and give him a tiny bit of money for food for one month.

Please understand that there is risk in such an investment…but the potential reward must far outweigh that risk. Will you join me? If you’d like to help Geoffrey become a pastor and/or eat, please click here.

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Love Written in Blood

This message was delivered on Valentine’s Day to the inmates at Bugembe Prison.

A train derailed killing 11 people and injuring over 200 more. After regaining consciousness, John Phillips found himself pinned in the wreckage and lying in a pool of his own blood. Fearing his death, he scrawled a message on the upended train seat right above him. Using his own blood he wrote, “I [heart symbol] my kids. I [heart symbol] Leslie.” The rescue team was so moved when they found the message they had to get that train seat to his wife and kids. (True Story)

There’s another moving love story written in blood, the story of Jesus’ love for a lost world. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he have his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Just like John Phillips’ story, we have symbols to remind us of Jesus’ love too – the bread and wine (John 20:54-56).

Jesus’ blood shows the depth of that love for us. I know about a husband whose wife left him and moved in with another man. That husband took on the roll of both father and mother, he did all the housework, he paid the bills, and he waited for his unfaithful wife to return…most importantly, he prayed for her. After living with this other man for over a year, she decided she wanted to come home. That husband gladly welcomed his wife back. When friends asked him why, he said, “Jesus doesn’t quit me no matter how I treat him. The least I can do is try to treat my wife the same way.” Hosea was an Old Testament prophet who modeled the love of God for his people.

Jesus’ blood shows proof of that love for us. The Old Testament tells about a system of blood sacrifices – lambs, bulls, goats. Those sacrifices were required to cleanse people of their sin. Hebrews 9:22 says, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without the shedding of blood there is no remission.” Jesus’ became our once and for all sacrifice by shedding his blood on the cross. We no longer have to meet some standard of law to be clean.

Jesus’ blood shows the promise of God’s love. Jesus’ sacrificial love affected our whole future. Someone once said, “You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving.” John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave…” He gave… God gave his son as a sacrifice so that our whole future would be affected. That sacrifice gives us a deeper relationship with our God. That sacrifice brings a fuller friendship with our God. That sacrifice brings a profitable partnership. This relationship, this friendship, this partnership will never disappoint us. Our whole future was changed.

John Philipps’ and his family will never forget the message written in his own blood. Men, there is someone who has written a message of love for you in his own blood too. Will you accept Jesus as your own? Will you accept his sacrifice of love?  Will you allow this Valentine’s Day mark the day in history when your whole future changed?

More than 20 men in Bugembe Prison stood inside that small sleeping room with concrete walls. With tears in their eyes, they stood to receive Jesus and to receive the Valentine message of love that He gave just for them.

Some content taken from http://www.newsforchristians.com/archive/sermons/ser047.html

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A Divine Boda-Boda Ride

Finishing my yummy bowl of fruit at The Source Café, a man standing just inside the doorway asked if I needed a boda. The truth is that I did need one, but usually when it seems that someone is stalking me I prefer to find someone who doesn’t know what I ate for my last meal. Somehow, though, I heard my voice saying “yes” and we were off to Bugembe Prison. Along the way this boda driver asked the usual polite questions and, when he learned that I love Jesus, revealed himself to be a pastor.

Ever skeptical of such claims and the various cons people use, I proceeded politely. He named his church, his head pastor, and a number of others whom I did not know. When we reached the prison he pulled his well used Bible out of his travel pouch – always carrying his Bible when driving boda – in order to get at his passport. He wanted to show me that he really is who he said he is.

Pastor Denis then told me about the time he used to do prison ministry before he had a family and providing for them became a higher priority. He asked permission to speak with me at the prison. Still cautious, I trusted Carpenter John would know how best to proceed…until the rain delayed him. Plan B…what would be Plan B? Um…God, protect us as we welcome this unknown servant into the prison.

Thankfully John appeared shortly after I began delivering my message and could at least offer post hoc feedback on the additional material added by Pastor Dennis. I must say, though, that through all the caution I felt like there might be some ministry opportunity with Pastor Denis which is why I didn’t shut him down from the beginning. I was particularly struck by the reality that a pastor who would rather be ministering in prison is required instead to drive a motorcycle so that his family has food. This isn’t an uncommon situation for pastors in Uganda but it still makes me sad.

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Geofrey Graduates

Geofrey has been the tailoring skills teacher at Bugembe Prison since the program began. Praise God he has been released after serving his sentence. Please pray that he would find godly friends so that he isn’t tempted back into the same life he had before coming to prison.

Here’s a brief note I received from Carpenter John, the chaplain at that prison.

Praise God sister Leslie, let me hope everything is going well with you, am glad to share with that Kirunda Geofrey one of the Bugembe Prison inmates was released on 5th/Feb/2013 after serving his sentence for two years, So pray for him as he is now just wondering of what to do though he is having tailoring skills. And if there happen to be any opportunity of helping him to have a start it will be very good, i had some good time with him in our Wednesday bible study time.

much love in Jesus' name

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Bugembe Bibles

More than 15 boxes of Bibles were donated and shipped by my friends in South Carolina. But there are only so many extras to go around. The Bugembe Prison men were always thankful to receive their gift and sometimes the eyeglasses that helped them see the small Bible-like print. But this time, my friend wished for Bibles in the local language for her birthday and so very many of her friends responded.

I had the privilege of being present when these spines were cracked and to hear the expressions of appreciation flowing from the men. Carpenter John, the prison chaplain, delivered the message about putting on the full armor of God, and it became obvious that some of the men could hardly read. Not only that, most of them were uncertain about how the book/chapter/verse system between the two bound covers worked. Goodness the things we take for granted.

A simple teaching about how the Bible is organized, who the major authors are, how the books are organized, and the like is definitely in order. Carpenter John was concerned about doing such a teaching given the turnover in the prison, but I encouraged him to proceed so that we might teach even one how to be closer to God through the Word. If you have any tools or suggested simple curriculum to help with an introduction to this big Book, we are eager.

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Christmas Meal at Bugembe Prison

One business concept that the people in Uganda seem to grasp quite well is that of supply and demand. There is a huge demand for travel on and around the Christmas holiday and the supply of taxis is limited. Thus, traveling any significant distance meant triple the cost. In many cases this increase meant that some people could not afford to visit their family this holiday. I’m thankful for your gifts that allowed me to travel to Bugembe Prison so that I could wish the prisoners a merry Christmas and deliver a hope-filled message before they enjoyed the second-annual Christmas meal sponsored by my sister and her husband.

About two hours after the originally scheduled meeting time, I was pushing up against my next deadline. I knew Carpenter John was on his way, but if I didn’t go in alone I might not have the chance to say hello at all. Beyond the locked gates I trod…alone in the prison yard. It occurred to me to be at least a little afraid, yet I wasn’t. I know many of these men and have only been met with respect each time I come. And I was rewarded. Upon arrival they clapped and cheered and welcomed me with exuberance.

We talked about the meaning of Christmas and I asked the men whether or not they would have had children if they knew that child was going to die. Every one of them said “no.” “What, then, would prompt our Father to birth his child knowing he would die,” I asked. Love. The men saw Christmas in a new way today. They saw the singular purpose of one man’s life and the reason for which that life was sacrificed. I love watching their faces come to some new kind of recognition, like a light dawning.

Just as we finished greetings, the message, and prayers, Carpenter John and friends arrived with the meal. The men were definitely ready to receive. I can’t express enough appreciation for John who devotes so much of his life to these prisoners and to my sister and her husband for devoting their resources to them as well.

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Bugembe Prison Self-Sustainability

Fifty or so men packed themselves into the tiny chapel inside Bugembe Prison to hear what the visitors had to say. These men continue to weigh on my heart. Man after man testifies about the fellowship they find in this place, which is nothing short of amazing. It’s no surprise they find the love of Jesus here.

Today, purely by God’s divine purpose, Pastor Fred joined Carpenter John and me. And with him, Gideon, a former prisoner now pastor. Each of us took a short time to deliver a message and the way they coalesced was beautiful, though we’d not spoken about our messages in advance.

I taught about Jesus as the shepherd and how the sheep know the voice of their shepherd. We likened the parable to children knowing the voice of their parents and parents knowing the voice of their children. Pastor Fred taught about Jesus as being the Way and connected to my teaching by saying that if we hear the shepherd’s voice we ought to follow him because he is the Way. Pastor Gideon talked about how following his voice leads you away from the old life and into new life with him. He used his personal testimony to illustrate the redeeming sacrifice of the Shepherd for his sheep. Oh my, it was awesome!

A quick check in on the skills development projects revealed a few wonderful surprises. First, they’ve added agriculture to the projects. Now – inside this cement fortress – maize, cassava, and various other food life can be found growing in sacks of dirt. The men will no longer eat grits only but their diet will be supplemented with healthy foods as their skills are supplemented with subsistence farming techniques. Further, alongside the many other skills the men are learning, Geoffrey the tailor proudly displayed the products the students made. They’ve all done an excellent job. My goodness I’m so thankful for them.

Carpenter John proceeded to give me the list of things they need to continue the program. I briefly discussed the value of these programs with him in that they now make products for the market that can be sold and then the money used to purchase those very needed items. Self-sufficiency. Of course, it’ll take work on John’s part, but I believe he can easily be the conduit to this program so that our financial aid is no longer needed. Please pray with me that he is motivated, encouraged, and successful in finding a market for these and any other products the tailors make. Amen.

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Prison Program Sustainability

The sweet juice tasted delicious after eating dust and exhaust fumes for three hours. The ride to Jinja was speedy, for sure, but passion juice was just what I needed while waiting to meet with Carpenter John, chaplain of Bugembe Prison. When he arrived, we exchanged packages. I delivered the last box of Bibles from Beaverdam Baptist Church folks and he presented the first batch of products made from the samples provided just last week. As expected, a bit of feedback was needed, but overall the prison tailors did a great job. Take a look at the products Carpenter John and I will work to sell so that the funding for the various vocational programs in the prison can become self sustaining.



Eyeglass/Sunglass cases



Jewelry pouchs

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Bugembe Prison Worship Service

Wool blankets covered the ground drying in the hot sun after a good washing. Just finishing their morning routine, the prisoners were summoned to prepare for their Sunday service. Before entering the stifling room where church is held, Carpenter John called the three old men to receive eyeglasses supplied by Beaverdam Baptist Church friends. These men approached with their Bibles, another gift orchestrated by Paul from Beaverdam, and almost jumped up and down when they found the eyeglasses that most suited their needs. Wish I could have taken a picture of the three of them with the tags dangling off their noses and the little sticker in the upper right corner of their new specs. They were absolutely thrilled.

Later in the church service, two of the old men who received glasses gave the testimony that they had once known Jesus but fell away from him. Being back in prison renewed that relationship and they thanked God for that experience. Little did they know that the message I would deliver would come from Philippians where Paul testified that he would use his prison experience to glorify God. Another man testified to the brotherly love he found in prison rather than the fighting and animosity he expected. I can attest to that sense of a peaceful spirit there.

After delivering the message from Philippians 1 that had ministered to my heart (a gift from Marti), three men made decisions to accept Christ as their personal Savior. Praise God for his perfect timing in the way this message came together and was received. Please continue to uplift Andrew, Dramon, and Martin as two of the men prepare for their court trials and seem to associate accepting Jesus with acquittal. Also, pray for Carpenter John as he continues to disciple these men in the truth of what accepting Christ really means.

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Bugembe Prison Vocational Training Projects

As the yellow-clad prisoners prepared for the Sunday service, I met with Geoffrey (the tailoring prisoner-teacher) to introduce a few new product ideas. I emphasized to Carpenter John, the prison chaplain, the need to help the group become self sustaining by making salable products. Certainly some of those students who have participated for some time are capable of making a few of the simple sample items presented. After all, Geoffrey made the girly dresses without a hitch.

I brought six different fabric prints along with the other necessities required for making the sample items. Thank you to Anna for the thread, bias tape and ribbon, and various other goodies that will be used to make these items. Thank you to Heidi for the beautiful African fabrics (and for the fabrics being delivered to Kakira prison too).

The three sample items included a simple eyeglass case, a jewelry pouch with a draw string, and a hair tie – all using the beautiful African prints. I tried to choose items that were easier for those beginner tailors and one that might be a little more challenging. The folks learning to sew these products will be able to take these patterns with them when they leave prison and continue making the products for themselves. Geoffrey also has the liberty to develop his own product ideas that will help generate revenue for the group.

The guys were super excited to sew something more than their own uniforms. I can’t wait to see the results.

On another note, I passed by Mohamed – the man who was in prison and started his own shoeshine business after learning the trade at Bugembe. While business is slow, I was glad to find him there trying his best to make the business succeed.

(Sorry, still no photos allowed.)

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Mohamed Repairs Shoes

Vocational training has been well received in the Bugembe and Kakira prisons and Carpenter John continues to facilitate their success. We visited one recent “graduate” who established a small shoe repair stand just near the road leading away from prison. Mohamed was a Muslim man who received Jesus as his Savior while in prison. He absolutely needs Jesus to help him change his eternal life in a supernatural way, but he also needs to see how God is in the every day things like work and relationships so that he can change his natural life too.

Prison ministry is so much more holistic than perhaps other ministry might be. For example, these me need to learn how to function in society in a way that keeps them out of prison and the ladies of Konoweka, for example, simply want to grow their faith and their skills. Because of Heidi, Mohamed received a startup kit for his new shoe repair business and while building a clientele is not always easy, he is evidencing the effort needed to succeed. I’m so thankful to be a small part of that ministry alongside the real pros like John.

Street boy stands next to Mohamed as does Carpenter John.
Please pray for the business/customers he needs to become successful.

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Iron Bars in Prison

Heidi delivered the Fragrance of the Lord message to the two women in Bugembe prison (12 had just been released). Those ladies were so blessed by Heidi’s tenderness with them. Thankful and sweet. Happy to get their new fragranced goodies and Bibles, they loved hearing that God loves women and that our sacrifices are a sweet fragrance to him. (Remember, no photos of the prisoners allowed.)

The Officer in Charge greeted us following that visit with the women and eagerly showed us the skills training he implemented in making chair/desks, which included some woodwork and welding. Ya, the prisoners are allowed to have iron bars, welders, electric saws and the like. I was surprised but there was much security and the mindset of the men had changed since we began our skills programs in that they loved being productive rather than idle and wanted to keep the program alive.

I was so pleased to see that he was aligning his vision for these men with what Carpenter John had dreamed of for so long and what we implemented just over a year ago. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen alignment of programs and I wonder about how good God is to affirm that we’re all doing the right thing by orchestrating our hearts in the same ideas and ways. Who was first, whose idea it was…doesn’t matter. What matters is loving these men enough to invest time, money, and talent so that they can walk in the way God has created them. Pray that I am able to gain audience with the Ministry of Prisons (or whatever it’s called) to have the prisoners begin making their own uniforms.

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Girly Dresses in Prison

A quick visit of encouragement to the men of Bugembe Prison and they were eager to show me the progress they’d made in making girly dresses using the pattern my maama made. This is the same pattern the Konoweka ladies have and could be using, so comparing their efforts and their skills was valuable. What did I find? Two adorable girly dresses, using fabric donated by the Caring and Sharing women in Florida, almost perfectly made. The single stitch that joins the dress is tricky but they did an excellent job. The pattern is simple and the instructions are straightforward but comprehension is sometimes challenging because we just do things differently. What to do with these dresses? Let’s give them to the maama prisoners for their babies. All the men cheered! I’ll be exited to arrive and see a baby wearing the dress. Your dress sponsorship helps provide the supplies to keep these tailoring programs going while students learn. If you'd like to check out the girly dresses availaable for sponsorship, click here.

Kakira prisoners stand in readiness to begin their training program. This prison is smaller than Bugembe and so the pool of teachers is also smaller. This means that the tailor who was here, and who was intended to teach tailoring is no longer in prison. We wait for the next arrival, although we try not to wait anxiously. The cobra and shoeshine work, though proceeds with the guards and leaders thankful for the investment in their school of misunderstanding.

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