FHLM August 2017 Newsletter: Director’s Update, Youthz News

Greetings from cloudy, cool, and somewhat rainy Masaka! We are on the verge of the second rainy season, so many of us are walking around in jackets and sweaters. Of course most of you reading this are a bit surprised to read that Uganda can be cool, but it’s true, kind of like spring in the Mid-west. This month’s verse: Proverbs 4:18 But the path of just is like the shining sun, that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.

Director’s Update:

Visa Update: Rogers finally has an appointment with the U.S. Embassy on 19 Sept to be interviewed by an Embassy Counselor to see if he will be eligible to get his U.S. Tourist Visa. Please keep this in prayer! Thank you!

FHLM 3^rd Quarter Board Meeting: Our meeting was held on 12th Aug with another strong member turn-out. Over the course of the last 3 months we have received 3 requests for school sponsorship, so when the board met we had to take a long look and review of each of the youth’s applications and information. There was “unanimous” vote for Nalwadda Justine!! She is a 15 year old orphaned girl that is being raised by her aunt, after the deaths of her father, mother, and step-father. She has been attending secondary school, but her aunt has struggled greatly to provide school fees and basic needs for her, Justine’s two young siblings and the Aunt’s three children. We are very excited to welcome Justine into the “FHLM Family”. The board also worked on plans for our 2^nd Annual J.A.M. Fest that will be on 16 Dec. Please pray for the preparation for this BIG community outreach event! Thank you!

Youthz News:

End Of 2^nd Term & Counseling—On the 16^th the SOAR Secondary youth; Babirye, Joshua, Oliver and Eddy finished up their 2^nd term of school. A few days after each term we have one-on-one EOT Counseling Sessions to review the school circular and then finding out the challenges and the good things that happened during the term. We also check on each youth’s home life, spiritual, physical and emotional well being. This practice has been a blessing to both them and us.

Here is a little update on some of the SOAR Youth:

• William also finished his 2^nd Term in Advanced Electrical Installation on 11 Aug. During his Holiday he is working at Rogers and my house to earn some money and he is also planting beans for the new season on his Jjaja’s (Grandpa’s) land.
• Praise God! After Eddy’s bicycle accident he is completely healed and it looks like he will only have a scar on his chin.
• This Holiday Joshua is taking a Math top-up class for 3 weeks, so he is at school from 8am to 1:30pm Monday to Friday and then he comes to the center for afternoon programs.
• Oliver went for a visit to see her Jjaja (Grandma) and sister at the family home from 20-23 Aug. She said that Jjaja was so happy to see her! Oliver said she really enjoyed spending time with her sisters!

Movie Day—On 19th Aug we watched the movie Break Away, about Francois, who is a hard working husband and dad that gets laid off. None of his efforts to get another job succeed and he is forced to use what he has, including an old bicycle, in order to provide for his family. With the help of his “black sheep” brother, a bicycle shop owner and pro-cyclist, Francois makes some life-changing discoveries about his life, career and faith in God. This is what a few of the youth in attendance had to say about this inspiring movie:

• Winnie: Have passion for whatever you are doing and don’t wait around for others to do it for you!
• Moses: Take what you have and use it, like in Matthew 14:13-21 when Jesus used the 5 loaves and 2 fishes and multiplied them to feed 5,000 plus people. He used what He had!
• Jane: You may think that you didn’t have a good start to life but don’t pity yourself—just move forward because you never know who you will inspire or encourage in the process.
• Joshua: Stop fearing and never give up cause with God you can do anything! He quoted Job 19:25; “For I know my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth.”

J.A.M.—Jesus and Me (JAM) was held on the 26th, but unfortunately the whole town was out of power that day, but we endured because we had the POWER of God with us! It was great day! Eddy and I kicked off JAM as MCs asking everyone, “What is powerful in your body?” Babz said, “She has power everywhere, but mostly in her voice for singing and praising God.” I opened up with a poem from Streams in the Desert to inspire everyone that their ‘Home is in the Lord’. Cephas then took over as MC and challenged everyone by asking, “What skills do you have and what do they use them for? Did you ask God what you should use your skills for?”  He referenced the story of David’s anointing as king in 1 Samuel 16. After discussion was had, we enjoyed songs from Moses and William, a.k.a. Rapper Willy. James a.k.a. Raj Rama shared about “character” and asked the crowd, “Is your character the same when you are at home as it is when you are at church?” Again his words made everyone think about their faith and their lives. I love how JAM brings out “life transforming” ideas and thoughts to challenge all of us in our daily life. We ended the day in prayer and walked away meditating on the day’s events.

Revision Days—Every Monday and Wednesday the youth came to the center library and revised books—studied and recopied school notes to keep them fresh on subjects and topics.

S.U. Camp—From 27th to 31st Aug. Babirye, Oliver, Eddy, and Justine went to Scripture Union Camp at Kako Secondary. Alpha was amongst the camp facilitators and leadership this year. The theme and verse were ENTRUSTED, 2 Timothy 2:2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. (NIV) These are some of the things that Oliver took away from Camp Kako:

• Lessons I Learnt from this Camp
  • I should be strong in everything I do
  • I should be trustworthy
  • I should respond and taking good counsel from some people
  • I should have a mentor who can guide me and give me counsel
  • I learnt some memory verses like Exodus 18:21 and 2 Timothy 2:2
• Things I liked and experienced in the Camp
  • The programs are nice because we did Quiet Time and Aerobics.
  • They taught us how to memorize verses from the Bible
  • There was nice music and very nice meals
  • I made many new friends
  • We fasted and we prayed and in this the chains were broken
  • We played different games and many of them were new to me.

It truly is a blessing to be able to send these youth to a camp where they learn more about the Word, the Lord and get to experience a whole range of new and different activities. I praise God for the provision that enabled us to do this for them!

I want to say thank you to all who pray for us, and support us in many ways. I will leave you with words from Paul, “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

In His Grip,

Rita Bulegeya

Director-Faith Hope Love Missions