FHLM June 2017 Newsletter; Director’s Update, Youthz Update

Greetings from gray and cool Masaka! We are having weird weather for July—which is normally sunny and warm. But since we are in “Muzungu Season” (volunteers coming from the west for the summer holiday time), I’m sure they are very happy for the cloudy and cool weather.  Anyway, this is what we at FHLM were up to in June–enjoy!

Director’s Update:

Mini-Retreat: At the end of June I was able to have a few days break and spend some time immersed in God’s Word. It was an amazing time and it allowed the Lord to refresh and refill me. I praise the Lord for these moments of restoration.  After my mini-break I went on to Kampala and stayed for the next 6 days with fellow missionaries John and Lily Eastham and their family.  This also was a blessed time, as Lily spoils me with her wonderful “American” food and cooking! During my time in Kampala I was able to attend a 3 day Freedom In Christ (FIC) Training Course.  It was put on by the African FIC director and there were fellow attendees from South Sudan, Kenya, and different areas of Uganda, so I was able to meet and make new friends from all over East Africa.  I have went through and taught the FIC course before, but I was excited to find there were new materials that had been contextualized for the people of East Africa, along with some new course materials. The FIC Course is so amazing and passing through the information again, along with the Steps to Freedom never gets old. Why? Well it is because it is all about declaring the Truth of God’s Word over your life and renewing your mind with it! Unfortunately my trip away had to come to an end. The Eastham family is so lovely and hospitable that I didn’t want to leave, but I had to get back to Masaka, my hubby, the youth and the ministry.

SOAR Youthz & Program Update:

William Starts Advanced Level! He has started his Advanced Level Certificate studies in Electrical Installation at Nile Vocational Institute. He has decided to be a day student and travel the 8 kilometers to and from school each day with a new bike that he received from his sponsor. He is very thankful to be able to go on to this next level of study and hopes that once he has completed in Dec., he will be able to open his own electrical shop & installation business.

Cephas’ Birthday! We celebrated his birthday on 21 June with some cupcakes and a lively round of “Happy Birthday to you!” I think it really surprised him, because Cephas is a guy that normally shies away from celebrations. But he really enjoyed the afternoon and we were able to celebrate his life!

Alpha On Mission! He attended a Scripture Union (SU) Mission to Lwengo District from 18^th to 26^th June. This mission reunited him with many of the youth from the S.U. Best Friends Fellowship Team that he was on mission with last December in Busia.  Throughout the mission God did great things-over 700 people received Christ as their personal Lord and Savior through the school outreach session, door to door evangelism, open air crusades, prison ministry, and church services. We are so blessed that Alpha can be part of these missions, but mostly because, each time he returns we see growth and maturity in his personal walk with the Lord. I praise God for that!!

Oliver & Other Youthz: Oliver was very sick with malaria at the end of June, but we praise God for His provision to get her treatment and for His healing hand. She is becoming stronger every day and her beautiful smile is back! Soon she will be back to playing netball on Saturdays with her team.  All of our other secondary students, Babirye, Joshua, and Eddy, are doing well and pressing into studies.

Chapter & Verse: We continued with our after-school Tuesday and Thursday Bible Studies. We are passing through the books of Joshua and Luke by chapter and verse. This type of study really brings out the richness and a deeper understanding of the living Word of God!  Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” 

Jane’s Jazzing on Movie with a Message & J.A.M.: On the 17^th June, we had our monthly Movie with a Message Day. We watched a Kenyan movie entitled “The Distant Boat”. This movie had lots of lessons, but I will share my best lesson with you.

This guy Maxwell, one of the main characters, was working in a big company of his father in-law to be. He was sent to a distant village for work and was attacked by thieves when a Muslim man in a distant boat ran to shore to save him. This made me think–What would I risk for a stranger? After a few months Maxwell got an idea to preach the gospel and plant a church there, such that he could be God’s full time missionary and minister. All the people around him (friends, boss, mum, fiancée), were born again. But when he shared his dream with them and each one of them was against it. They informed him that he had a life to live besides being a missionary. This taught me that whenever God reveals something to us, all we need to do is take action, even if it means risking everything. But telling people about the revelation might kill our dream and serve as a hindrance to our break through! Friends let’s take immediate action when we confirm God’s purpose for our lives. Maxwell persisted and went on mission won souls for the Kingdom of GOD and lived a happy life! Food for Thought: The easy way is Not always the Right Way!

We had J.A.M on 24^th June and it was so interesting this month. Guess what, only four people attended but still we had great fun with Jesus. Moses, one of the youth who always enjoys the programs of our youth centre, sang his original composition song entitled “YOU LET ME GO”. Each one of us enjoyed the song, as we backed him up after mastering the song. We also had the best instrumentalists; Cephas and Joshua play some music. We enjoyed the popcorns and all the juice… what else can I tell you? You know what? You Missed!

As you have read June was another blessed month for all of us at FHLM!  I thank the Lord for making this all happen and for His abundant blessings, provision, and travel mercies for all of us!! May our Lord continue to guide, bless you and set you free! John 8:32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Have a wonderful day and month!

With Love and Blessings from,

Rita Bulegeya-Director Faith Hope Love Missions

And

Jane Franc Nabukenya-Social Worker