FHLM October 2014 Update: Youth News, Missionary News, Ministry News

Wow I cannot believe we are in the last few months of the year already! October flown by!! I pray this Update finds you all healthy, happy, and loved!

Youth News: We had an incredible 09 Oct! Not only was it Uganda’s Independence Day, but was our 1^st Annual FHLM Youth Games & Sports Day! It was held in Children’s Park across the street from our office/youth center. The morning started out very early with many people pitching in setting up the “Houses”; obstacle course, tug-o-war, bumper bellies, dodge ball, sack race, 3-legged race and the lanes for the team relay races. The day’s events started off a bit slow, as we were inundated with little kids at first, but the youth eventually showed up—I think it was the loud Christian Contemporary music that drew them in. As each youth registered they were given a name tag and an evangelism tract. We pray that at least one youth came to know the Lord that day. That said, we all had a wonderful day enjoying the “House” events. Alpha said his favorite house was dodge ball, as it was a new game to him. We ended the day with a big football match and then a dance off! What a day! Glory to God for the fun, fellowship and blessings of the day!

We attended Masaka SS Visitation Day on 11 Oct. Rock and I walked over to the school that morning and meet up with Babirye. Rock was dressed in his Scouts uniform, as he and his school troop was greeters for the day. I took several photos of him and the troop and congratulated them on a job well done at the national jamboree. Afterward Babirye and I visited her classroom and picked up her beginning of term exam grades. During our time of walking around campus we ran into many of our After-School Youth. It was like I had 10 or 12 more youth to be parent to—lovely feeling. We than meet up with Rock and some of his friends and attended the Food & Nutrition Class Exhibition were we got to sample the wares of the students. It was a very nice day.

David University Update: I talk to him every Sunday afternoon and he is doing well in university, making new friends, learning many news aspects of computer design, drawing and photography. The only thing he says is, “Gees Aunt we have a lot of research to do and papers too”. My reply back, “Welcome to university David.” Hehe But he is learning to cope with all the extra work and taking pleasure in all the new instruction. Also he has found a new church that he enjoys very much!

Our Monthly Movie with a Message Day was on 18 Oct. About an hour before the movie 8 youth came over after their Saturday classes, hung out in the Library played games, put puzzles together and fellowshipped. By the time the movie, God’s Not Dead!, started we had 20 youth in attendance. It was a blessing to see how this powerful movie touched and impacted the youth. Joshua said that he realized no matter if you do not know God or rejected Him that even when you are dying, like the professor in the movie, you can accept Jesus. Babirye said she was shocked that in university people teach you not to love and know God. She was happy that Josh, the main character, stood up for his faith and shared his love of Jesus with others. This movie truly proves; GOD’S NOT DEAD!!!!

In our September board meeting Rock suggested that we post fliers in the center stating that we are available for counseling. I have to say, the youth took heed to them because last month I had many counseling sessions with the youth. Please pray for God’s continued guidance, wisdom, strength and knowledge of the Word to help guide these youth through their difficult and challenging situations.

I reported last month that since September’s movie day I have been having weekly Bible Studies with Alpha and William. Yes, they are still attending faithfully every Monday and Wednesday afternoon, but I have some news, William desires to be baptized. He has went through his first baptism class with Pastor Rogers, with one more to go and we hope he will be able to be baptized in early November.

Advanced Computer classes with Mr. Reggie continued in October. The classes were all about theory and practical applications of Microsoft Word. Their last day of classes the 5 students, including Aunt Liz, had a test of the knowledge they gained and all passed with flying colors. The month of November starts advanced classes in Excel.

Youth of Destiny after-school program is still going strong! Every Tuesday afternoon during October we did a deep study on the Lord’s Prayer. On Friday afternoons a young man from Royal Mutessa Universities’ Christian Union taught the youth Christian based Life Skills.

I spent the morning of 27 Oct ministering to over 1,000 youth at Kijjabwemi Secondary School. I shared with them about “Bearing a Vision and Dreaming BIG!” John 15:5…for without Me you can do nothing. Psalm 126:1-16…. Phil 3:14….press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. I thank the Lord for the opportunity to impart the Word of the Lord to them.

Missionary News:

New Beginnings—After 21 years of being in Masaka my dear friends, Dave & Jacqui Dowdy, have left Masaka for a new life in Mbale, in eastern Uganda. Over the last 5 plus years of being housemates they have become like family to me, Rogers, Rock and David. Now that they are gone, Rogers, myself and the guys are starting a new beginning too. We will be moving down the road into a 2 bedroom flat not far from where we are currently living. But we pray that this is the final stepping stone and one day soon our next move will be into a house of our own.

Ministry News:

In August 2013 FHLM became a Limited by Guarantee Company allowing us to have national status and pull work permits, but the Uganda Non-Government Organization (NGO) board requires one more step, obtaining a foreign NGO certificate. I have put that off, but time has come to complete the task, so I spent 29-30 Oct in Kampala meeting with individuals to review our NGO paperwork packet. Unfortunately, it is missing a few documents and several letters, so it is back to work. We hope have the packet completed by early Dec. I will keep everyone posted as to the progress.

As the Holidays are upon us, we are looking forward to the next few months. As you and yours prepare for the Holidays may God protect, guide you and bless you.

Love and blessings,

Rita

Director-Faith Hope Love Missions