FHLM April 2017 Newsletter; Director’s Update, Youthz News
Greetings from wet and rainy Masaka! I hope all of you had a wonderful and blessed Easter.
Director’s Update
An Over-nite: After all that has been going on in the last few months my friend, Liz, and I decided to go to Kampala for a night, for a little R&R and time away from Masaka, work, ministry etc. I was a nice time, but after being gone for just one night we both realized we needed much more time to decompress, and refresh, so I hope to plan a Retreat in early June or maybe take a short vacation with Rogers. Anyway, I pray I can get some more time away to be rejuvenated by the Lord!
Prayers for Uganda: We would ask all of you for prayers for the country of Uganda and for the Masaka Region, as in the last month there has been an increase in “terrorist” based violence, placing fear into the people of the country. The violence is much like what has been happening in UK, Sweden, and Russia in the last month only the “terrorist gangs” are putting fear into the people here through randomly killings at night in trading centers of Masaka Region, along with the assignations of several top officials in Kampala. We have been told that these “gangs” have ties to international terrorist organizations. I know that with the prayers of His people the Lord’s light will overcome the darkness of evil that has come upon this country, so please keep that in prayer. Thank you!
Youthz News
G.L.O.W.-Babirye and Oliver joined the other young ladies at G.L.O.W. on 01 April. Aunt Rachel had all the ladies draw a picture of “How they saw God”. Some drew pictures of a man with big muscles—their security. Others drew pictures of a man with his feet on the earth, like the verse; Isaiah 66:1 “Heaven is My throne, And earth is My footstool. Where is the house that you will build Me? And where is the place of My rest? Showing that the Lord is control of all things! I thank Aunt Rachel for her continued work with these young ladies!
Girl’s Night & Update on Oliver-To help Oliver with all she had went through with the loss of her Mum and for her to know how special and loved she is, we had a “Girl’s Night” on 01 April at my house with Babirye, Winnie and her. We made dinner together, laughed, chatted, and watched Soul Sufer. It was a fun night! The next day after church we moved her in with Winnie and her wonderful Mum, Lorna. This will be a much better living situation for Oliver giving her daily meals, a secure living area, and much, much closer walk to school each day. I’m praying God continues to heal her and she grows to know God’s Father Heart for her. Can you also please keep her siblings in prayer for healing? Thanks!
Guy Talk—This new young men’s program kicked off on 03 April. This will be a weekly program, held on Monday evenings, is for all the young men at the youth center. This month’s series was “Live Like a Man”
Update on William-We are very proud of William as he has received his UBTEB national exam results back for Electrical Installation and he received a 3.5 out of 5.0. Since he got a Credit he has been accepted back to Nile Vocational Inst for classes toward an Advanced Certificate. During his long Holiday from school he has been working on the compound at Rogers and my house, and also planting crops for his grandparents who are in their late 80’s. William has also joined the newly formed Ssenyanga Security Patrol. The team forms groups that patrol our neighborhood at night. We all feel much safer knowing this team is helping to keep our neighborhood safe. We look forward to seeing all that God has in store for this young man of God!
Fun Day Out!—On 08 April Soweto Youth Fellowship had a Fun Day Out for all the youth of the community. It consisted of games and sports, like “hot potato”, bottle fill, 3-legged race, sack race and a football match. Our Alpha & Cephas stepped up and participated as Team Leaders—good job guys! It certainly was a FUN DAY and I thank Mr. Kurt for organizing the awesome day for everyone!
Easter Programs-We spent Good Friday at Pine Ridge, up on a big hill overlooking Masaka Town, just as Jesus looked over Jerusalem on the day of His crucifixion. It was a wonderful day of remembrance of all our Lord did for us. We had a beautiful time of praise, worship, and prayer amongst the pine trees and all of God’s majesty! That set our spirits right for the drama, a reenactment of Jesus on the Cross. Act 2 was the Tomb, the story of the woman and the disciples going to the tomb of Jesus. It was a blessed day!
Easter Sunday we attended church at Hilltop and then 9 of the youth, Rogers, our friend Denis, and me all enjoyed Easter Lunch at our home. It was such a day of rejoicing and laughter! After lunch we enjoyed time on the veranda relaxing, telling stories and singing. In the evening we all watched the movie, Risen. What a wonderful day! I thank the Lord for the family He has blessed us all with.
Movie with a Message- On 22 April we watched, Did God Grow Tired of Us?? This is a documentary about the Lost Boys of Sudan. This was a movie that showed how hope in really life works! Out of all the youth that commented after the movie, Babirye really summed the movie up, “This was a very touching movie to me. It showed me to never lose hope and to always have hope in God no matter how difficult the situation. Hope helped the boys in the movie get to the refugee camp, hope helped them through the challenges in the camp, hope helped them with the struggles and loneliness in the U.S. and hope guided them to find their missing families after 15 years.” She also said, “God never grows tired of us or gives up on us, so we need to put our hope in Him.”
1st Term Ends-On 25th April ALL of our Secondary Youth were released for 1st Term Holiday that will last up until 28 May. Everyone; Eddy, Oliver, Joshua and Babirye are looking forward to some time off school for some of them and a bit of relaxation. Joseph ended the 1st Term at agricultural college on the 29th.
J.A.M.-Unfortunately the J.A.M. (Jesus and Me) that was scheduled for the 29th was canceled again, this time due to no power and torrential rain, both lasted ALL day! We pray that May we will be able to have the program.
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, the youth and our family 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
Social Networks:
Leave a Reply