FHLM November 2014 Update: Story, Youthz News, Ministry News, Prayer Requests

Greetings to everyone from Masaka! Well rainy season and grasshopper season are upon us here in Masaka! And as I have said in the past, the people here LOVE eating grasshoppers. With that said, I have a grasshopper story for you. We are now staying in our new flat and had a house guest with us that left the window and front door open while he was hanging around the house. When I came home around dusk I closed the door and window and started making dinner. About that time the electricity went off, as it does regularly here, so I lite candles and got out the flashlights. I placed the flashlights strategically around the flat and before long I heard lots of fluttering in the house. I looked around and sure enough there were at least 20 grasshoppers centered on the LED elimination of the flashlights. Of course our guest and I tried to catch them to no avail, as they flew at me like dive bombers—ehhh. But as soon as Rogers came home he ran around the house catching them and of course he caught every last one of the “flying food”, but he didn’t eat them, he deposited them outside! My hero!

YOUTHZ NEWS

We all had a lovely day on 01 Nov at our Young Ladies Tea—GLOW! I think the girls here were surprised by the “English style” tea we had. The Holy Spirit spoke through our speaker for the day, Aunt Purity, as she taught on Luke 1:35-56. Her main focus was about young ladies finding their Elizabeth in life to guide, direct and mentor them in their Christian walk. God certainly met us there that day because when Purity gave the alter call 11 girls gave their lives to Christ! Praise the Lord!

On 03 Nov we had a youth center site visit from 7 members of the Maranatha Community missions’ team from the United Kingdom (UK). Then the next afternoon they participated in our Youth of Destiny-After-School Bible study as we continued our study of the Lord’s Prayer. They joined in our enthusiastic discussion of Matthew 6:11…give us this day our daily bread. We thank the team for their support, prayers, and love of the ministry!

We are still having weekly Bible Studies with Alpha & William and their passion for the Word has become very hungry. It makes me excited to see how much they want to know of the Word and have knowledge of it. Both Alpha & William work on the Market Days, Tues, Thurs & Fri, selling clothing as street hawkers and trying to earn a little money to support themselves.  Alpha recently told me about how he reads his Bible while he is waiting for market customers and how the other vendors make fun of him for his faith, saying he has become “mad” reading the Bible all the time. This just shows me how in love with the Word and Jesus he has become. Also to let you know both Alpha and William desire to go back to school. Alpha will have to re-take Secondary 4 and his national exams, as he didn’t complete them properly 2 years ago. William desires to go to technical school to become a mechanic. If you would like to become a full time school sponsor for either of these young men please contact me at reetsindiego@yahoo.com. Thank you!

FHLM SOAR YOUTHZ NEWS

Rock finished his Uganda National Exam Board testing on 06 Nov and has now completed Secondary 4. He will now be on a long vacation, probably starting Secondary 5 in March, so he has decided to work during his school vacation. On 18 Nov I escorted Rock to Mbale, in Eastern Uganda, where he is working for Dave & Jacqui Dowdy for the 5 weeks. He is excited to be in a new environment and learning the ins & outs of Mbale town.

Both David and Faridah are doing great at university. Each time I talk to them they say they are both very busy with classes, research and class projects. Faridah told me that last Semester she was in the top of her class again with 3.7 out of 4.0.

Babirye finished her last term of Secondary 3 on 25 November. She will be on Holiday for the next 2 months, until 02 Feb. During her Holiday she will be attending the FHLM School Holiday Programs. We also wish to extend a BIG congrats to her for being elected to the FHLM Board as the Youth Representative. We look forward to seeing her grow in her confidence and leadership skills.

MINISTRY NEWS

We have a new Faith Hope Love Missions (FHLM) Board! Our Annual General Meeting (AGM) was on 22 Nov and many of the old board members handed over to new board members (see below). We thank the outgoing board for their years of faithful service and welcome the new members into the FHLM family. We are excited to see the new contributions that they will bring to the ministry and how God will use them to further His Kingdom in Masaka!

Position                                             Old Member                                    New Member

Assistant Director                           Pastor Tom Amannya                     Pastor Chris Kasagga

General Secretary                           Rachel Nansamba                           (Pending)

Treasurer                                          Tom Kamlageya                               Pastor Samuel Sombi

Marketing/PR                                  Daniel Dratibi                                   Pastor John Basco (JB) Ssekalema

Youth Representative                     Mukisa Rock                                     Babirye Namutebi

Legal Counsel                                   Susan Nalugwa-Banadda               (Retained)

General Board Member                 Liz Humphreys                                  (Retained)

General Board Member                 Rogers Bulegeya                              (Retained)

General Board Member                 (Open)                                                Bryan Ojobi

MISSIONARY NEWS

As of 13 Nov, we are settled into our new flat (apartment). Our old housemates, Dave & Jacqui, moved but we had to move too because we couldn’t afford the rent on the house by ourselves and couldn’t find anyone to move in with us. We moved down the road from our previous place–closer to town and just down the hill from the FHLM office/center. It is a good location for us! It is a two bedroom flat, so the guys, Rock and David, are for the 1st time living with Rogers and me. But it isn’t so cramped cause David is still at university and Rock is working in Mbale. Rogers and I are now like “empty nesters” hehe. Of course this isn’t our ideal flat because of security issues and the smallness of the space, but we our thankful that the Lord has provided a place where the rent is low and the location is good. Rogers and I are praying that we are here less than a year and God willing we can start building a house soon!

This year I had 2 days of Birthday Celebration! The day before my birthday my hubby, Rogers, bought a very fancy cake for me and after our dinner out with the family and a few friends, we cut the cake. I have to say, I have never had cake smeared all over my face before, but it was fun! The next day was spent in Kampala were Rock and I really enjoyed the Chinese food at Fang Fang Restaurant. It was Rock’s first time to have Chinese food and he loved it! I thank God for another year of life and a wonderful Birthday!

Thanksgiving in Uganda! Rogers and I went to Dr. Marics’ house and had a BIG American style dinner–turkey, dressing and ALL the timings on the veranda as it was about 70 degrees with a cool breeze!! We really enjoyed after dinner with playing board games, taking motorcycle rides, chatting about American football, and U.S. politics. As much as I love being in Uganda it is always nice to be around a little bit of “home”.  We felt so blessed!

PRAYER REQUEST

Please pray that the Lord continues to guide us with His wisdom and understand through the next two months (Dec & Jan) of Holiday Youth Programs; Bible Studies, Computer Trainings, Leadership Trainings, Prayer Retreat Camp-Out, and all our fun activity days.

Please pray for the commitment of becoming a new general monthly donor or a youth school sponsors, as we are looking to assist other vulnerable youth in the community and build the ministry for the glory of God and His Kingdom. Also please prayerfully consider contributing to my round trip ticket back to the U.S. in April or May. Recently I was blessed with a donation toward the ticket, but I still need $1,500 U.S. to purchase one. If you would like to assist with any of these prayer requests and support please visit us on-line at: https://app.etapestry.com/hosted/ShepherdsStaffMissionFacil/OnlineDonation.html?account=6050

Thank you for your continued prayers, support, encouragement and love! May your Christmas and New Year be filled with the Lord’s everlasting love, joy and peace! Luke 2:10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.

In His Grip,

Rita

Faith Hope Love Missions-Director