FHLM April 2015 Update—Youthz News, SOAR Youth, Missionary News

Greetings from Masaka everyone! Here is what we were up to in April.

Youthz News

On Good Friday we had a joint showing of the movie, Son of God, with Soweto Youth Fellowship (SYF)–35 youth in total. After the movie we had question and answer time; asking the youth what they had learned. Than both Mr. Kurt from SYF, and I talked to the youth about what the Cross means to us. We than put the cross in the middle of the room and we all joined hands; then took a minute to just look at the cross and thanked God in our own words for the Cross and all He has done for us. It was so powerful and many of us, including me ended up in tears. Thank you Father God for Your Son that died for us all, for Jesus for taking our sins upon Himself, and giving us life!

Every Saturday afternoon from 5 to 6:30pm we have been letting the Hill Top Church Choir practice in the Library. Most of the choir consists of youth from our project, Babirye & Alpha, or those that come to the Center, so it is a natural setting for them. I have been able to sit in on a few practices and have had the pleasure of listening to their sweet mix of melody, guitar, and keyboard. Wow, is it BEAUTIFUL!!

On 11 April we had our Monthly Movie with a Message Day. We watched the 2nd of the Left Behind movie series. We started out with a rearing time of Praise & Worship–what a blessing! After the movie ended we had a usual discussion time but this month Pastor Sammie led and it turned into an amazing sharing session. Many of the youth opened up about how they need to have a deeper relationship with the Lord because they don’t want to be “left behind”. They also said it is important to have a purpose in life, without that and serving the Lord there is nothing.

We had J.A.M. (Jesus & Me) Session on 25 April. As usual we had an amazing day of beautiful singing! Many of the youth that attended sang songs they had composed. Alpha was our MC for the day and he shared a few of his poems with us all. Here is one of them:

It’s only God who turns a mess to a message,

A test to a testimony,

A trial to a triumph,

And lifts one from zero to hero.

Wait upon Him as you enjoy this.

SOAR Youth News:

In April we didn’t have our regular Hospital outreach Day, as the youth were in their end of 1st Term Exams from Monday, 13 April till the end of term on Tuesday, 21 April. Yes, they even go to school on Saturday and Sunday during exam times, so they were very happy when Term 1 broke on the 21st! Babirye said it was so nice to sleep in the 1st day of her Holiday and not wake up at 4am! They will be on Term Holiday for the next 3 weeks. The day after school ended I met with each of the SOAR Youth one on one to reviewed their time in school, and counseled them about the challenges and positives of the last three months, both in school and spiritually. This was a very beneficial time for both me and the youth.

The 1st full week of Holiday we had Bible Study Monday and Wednesday afternoons. We also had a Craft Day which entailed taking all the old pictures off of our Collage Board and replacing them with up to date pictures from the last year. All the youth had so much fun cutting out pictures, listening to Gospel music, laughing, and chatting about the fun times we have all had over the last year!

Missionary Update:

Rogers and I spent Easter Sunday at Tabernacle Church-Buleyi. Rogers preached on “Remembering the Resurrection” Matthew 27:32-66. Who is the I am? The meaning of the Gospel, death, burial and resurrection of I am! It was a very wonderful day with the Lord and refreshing to be in the village!

I was blessed to preach at Royal Mutessa University Christian Union on 12 April. I spoke to them about having a “Heart Like David Did”. I based the teaching on 1 Samuel 13:14 “The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart” Throughout his life David was a man in relationship with God. I spoke to the students this and about how the Lord is still searching the earth today (2 Chronicles 16:9) for men and women that share the same characteristics as David; humble, reverent, respectful, devoted, loving, faithful, integrate, and repentant. I thank our good Lord for opportunities like this to share His Word!

John and Lily Eastman & family, missionary friends from Kampala and also my home church in San Diego, were able to visit me in Masaka on 06 April. It was wonderful to see them and do a proper catch up, as we haven’t spent quality time together since Rogers and my wedding 3 years ago. It was such a lovely time! I was able to return the favor when I was in Kampala on 14 April and visit with them. I thank God for missionary friends!

As you have read April was a blessed month! I thank the Lord for all of the joy, protection, provision and love that He sent to the ministry and to me in April. I pray that God is blessing you with the same. Until next month may the Lord bless you and keep you!

In His Grip,

Rita

Director

Faith Hope Love Missions