FHLM April 2016 Update: Director’s News, SOAR/Youth News, Community News

Director’s News:

Rainy season is officially here, as it has rained every day for the last 4 weeks—we are soggy! Actually it is the heaviest rainy season I have ever seen with much flooding, bridges & roads washing out and many of the village houses have collapsed due to the rain. Please pray for our community and those in the villages that have lost their homes. Thank you!  Isaiah 55:10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

The weekend of 08 April, Rogers and I went on a trip to Jinja for our dear friend, J.T. King’s Wedding to Ashley Laverty. They are both missionaries to Uganda from the U.S. and Canada serving in Jinja. Their wedding was on 09 April at an amazing site, Samuka Island Lodge, about 45 minutes via boat from Jinja Town. It was such a beautiful ceremony with many tears of joy! After the ceremony we all enjoyed a delightful reception on the lawn overlooking beautiful Lake Victoria. This weekend was a blessing, refreshment and a much needed time of re-connection for Rogers and me as we had not been away together in over a year and a half.

SOAR Youth News:

Cephas started at Providence Vocational Institute on 18 April. Since he has only completed Primary 7 (elementary school) and did not desire to go to secondary school, he will be taking classes toward a Government Craft Certificate in Computer Science. We pray that we will receive a permanent sponsorship for school fees for him. On 25 April Jane and I also paid a visit to his Mum, Margret, at their home in Nyendo—the town adjacent to Masaka town. We wanted to see how she has been faring since the loss of her husband in Sept of last year and discuss our role in her son’s life.

On 18 April Joseph and I went to Mbuye Farm School for a site visit to see if this is the school in which he will continue his education and complete a Certificate in Agriculture. We had a lovely meeting with Madam Principle and the visit went splendidly, as the school is very well established and known throughout Uganda. Joseph has one other farm school to visit, Ssese Farm School, before he makes his final decision. He will be starting back to school in June, so if you would prayerfully consider becoming him permanent school sponsor we would be grateful. Thank you!

UG Marathon Fundraising Status for Team FHLM: Thus far we have raised $122.00 U.S. toward our goal of $1,000 U.S. If you would like to support our challenge and support our team of 8 runners and walkers please visit this link—https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/faithhopelovemissions Remember the funds received go toward our un-sponsored SOAR Youth’s school fees and also toward our general youth programs. Thank you in advance for your support!

Please pray for all of our SOAR Youth as they are in End of 1^st Term Exams this week and next! Thank you!  

Youth News:

On 02 April we were blessed by a talk from Richard Munn, evangelist, from Ireland. He spoke to us about “Moving Forward” and powerfully taught from the Word in 2 Kings 7:3-10, Luke 15:11-21, Psalm 139, and Hebrews 12:1-2. As the Holy Spirit moved one young man gave his life to Christ! It was a day that has resonated in my heart and mind! I thank You, Lord, for bringing Richard, your servant, to share with us all!

In late February the Local Counselor 5 (LC5) for Kimannya/Kabakuza contacted FHLM about a young girl, Oliver Namuwunda, that was in a dire situation with her family and in need of school fees. On 05 April, Jane, the LC5 Counselor and I did a Home Site Visit of to her residence. We indeed found that the family of 5; Mum, and her 3 sisters are living in two boys’ quarter rooms and barely making ends-meet. Mum is selling sweet potatoes & onions in the local market for money. Oliver’s 75 year old grandmother has been digging vegetables and selling some coffee beans to assist her daughter and grand-daughters with food, general needs and some school fees. That said, we have done our 1^st of several On-Site Assessments and will be monitoring Oliver’s situation to see if she will become our next SOAR Sponsored Youth. Please pray for us to have God’s discernment, guidance, and wisdom. Thank you!

Jane and I have been diligently preparing for May Holiday Programs; special Bible Studies, Life-Skill Talks, Workshops and many other programs!

Monopoly CRAZY! The youth have discovered Monopoly and are fascinated by the game. During our weekly Drop-In Center Days several of them come by and play the game for hours at a time. I’m happy that they are enjoying but mostly because they are learning the concept of counting, team play, managing business, and understanding how to spend money to yield a return. The little things in life can sure help these youth!    

Monthly Movie with a Message Day was on 23 April were we watched War Room! Before the movie we had an awesome time of praise, worship and prayer to prepare our hearts for what God had for us. I just love this movie and it was so well received by all the youth, as it has so many life lessons. We had Alpha lead the discussion session after the movie. He has seen the movie a few times, so he had a good grasp on its content and Biblical references. There are several of the youth comments from our discussion session:

• Jimmy stated, “It is so important to trust in the Lord and to pray for want you want. Not just ‘Lord let your will be done’, but to be specific in your prayers”. He also stated, “It is so important to have destiny supporters in our lives.”
• Joseph said, “I learnt that it is never too late to forgive and get right with God.”
• Babirye said, “I learnt that the devil is here to ‘steal, kill and destroy’, so we need to soak ourselves in prayers”
• Jane stated, “We need to submit to God and resist the devil so God can see us through situations. If we do this automatically the devil will flee from us!”
• Joshua, said, “We always get positive outcomes from repentance and I’ve learnt I need to repent and ask for forgiveness immediately when I’ve done wrong to my fellows. Also I’ve always prayed in the morning, but now I’m going to make a prayer room, where I can fight battles.”          

Community News

You reap what you sow—back in 2011 we trained the Zinunula Omunaku Women’s Group in Kitengeesa on how to make paper bead jewelry. Well Regina, one of the ladies in that group, passed her skills onto her son, Tonny, and the children at his nursery school—St. Anthony’s Lwannuda Child Care. They are now making beautiful paper bead jewelry but had no market for them. Now through our contact with the organizers of the Uganda Marathon we have helped Tonny get the jewelry to UG Marathon craft shop in Masaka Town were the jewelry can be sold to benefit the children of St Anthony’s.  Liz and I felt it important to visit to the nursery school, so on 15 April we went to the village for a site visit. We were very impressed with how Tonny and Regina have incorporated ‘play education’ teaching techniques into their daily lessons with the children and how they have done so much with so little.  2 Corinthians 9:6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

It has been an exciting month with lots of field work and activities. I thank you Lord for making this all happen and for His abundant Blessings, provision, and travel mercies!! May God bless you all and keep you all!

Have a wonderful day and week!

In His Grip,

Rita

Director-Faith Hope Love Missions