FHLM Newsletter Dec 2018 con’t-HNY, Reflections on Masindi Outreach & Christmas

Happy New Year Everyone! Let me start out by saying that I pray that 2019 will be an amazing year for you all and full of our Lord’s blessings! You know every year I pray for the Lord to grant me a verse that I and the ministry can stand on for the entire year. This year God gave me Romans 15:13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (NKJV). Then in church the last Sunday of 2018 God said to have new Hope and much Peace in 2019, as the Holy Spirit strengthens us! I knew in my “gut” that God was speaking to me.

Reflections: As you know we went on an outreach to Masindi and educational trip to Murchison Falls National Park from 17^th to 21^st Dec. The two days we spent in Masindi on Outreach were amazing! Though we had travelled for 8 hours we were all excited to reach Masindi, but we had to first find our guesthouse, get settled in, and find a place for lunch. Then we spent the afternoon at Windows of Life Children’s Home chilling with the children and getting to know them a bit, playing games & UNO and putting puzzles together.  We came back cleaned up and had Evening Glory, praying, giving thanks to God for the journey mercies, and for bringing us to a new place to minister to new people.

The next day we were all up early anticipating the big ministry day that the Lord had giving us. At our Morning Glory Babirye gave us a Word from John 16:12-16 and 2 Corinthians 3:17 and prayed for the Holy Spirit guide us throughout the day and to prepare the hearts of the prisoners we were to share with. We reached the Masindi Prison by 9:30am and were ushered into a holding area where we were asked to remove all phone, cameras, money, belts, and handbags and leave them. It is an interesting feeling being locked into a room with no way in or out but God set us free and we walked into the compound of the prison and onto the “parade grounds” where we were met by over a 1,000 prisoners, both men and women. Our SOAR Youth Team ministered alongside Esther and her team from Masindi Miracle Centre Church. Mrs. Esther, who ministers monthly to the prisoners, started the program off with a prayer and a few words. She then handed over the program to me, as I introduced our team and we opened with a few praise songs.

We were blessed to have Oliver give a testimony about her sister, Stellas’, yearlong false imprisonment and how over that time how they both stayed faithful to God and hopeful of His mercy, knowing Stella would be released. As this small girl came before a thousand people, God gave her much courage and her words were very powerful and moved some to the point of tears. As she finished I supplemented on Oliver’s words and spoke briefly about HOPE, then turned the program over to Alpha who gave the main message for the day.

Alpha opened with a funny but compelling story about a lion & a rabbit. The just of the story is that we need to have ears to hear God’s voice. After he read from Hebrews 4:7 and spoke more about hearing God’s voice. As he was sharing there were a few times that I began to cry remembering God’s grace upon him and how the power of God has transformed him into the minister before us. Alpha closed to a standing ovation from the prisoners. After there were praise songs from Samuel and the male prison choir and then the ladies choir gave us a song of thanksgiving. I was then asked to say a few more words and I shared with everyone that we had brought clothes that the youth collected and a box of soap. As you can tell the time we spent at the prison was very emotional. As we were departing even a prison guard came to me and said, “We’ve had people minister to us before but this time was so different, we know have HOPE.” Praise the Lord, for as Babirye prayed in the morning the Holy Spirit moved in the hearts of man!

Then we headed to the children’s home for lunch with them and afternoon sessions.  After a yummy lunch we gathered all the children and workers and broke into fun songs and games. Our theme for the afternoon was Children Obey Your Parents, Ephesians 6:1. William was in charge of the program for the day and after sharing a few Bible verses, he told the kids a testimony and a story about obeying family and his grandpa, whom raised him. Our youth then presented a skit and several songs about obedience.  We ended the day with many games including duck, duck, chicken (not goose), and red rover. What a fun day! By the way, Alpha’s new name is now Uncle Sweetie, because he always gave the kids lollipops!!

Babirye said, “It was so great visiting children in Masindi orphanage. They were so loving and God fearing. May God continue providing and protecting them.”

We ended our trip with 2 fun safari days at Murchison Falls National Park! We saw God’s amazing creation up close and personal; baboons, giraffes, elephants, cape buffalo, hippos, antelopes, warthogs, Jackson heartabeast, crocodiles, many different birds and even two hyenas! What an amazing trip for us all! It has really bonded the group–we are even more like a family!

Christmas Time:  Two days after returning from our trip we had Christmas baking day at my house. We made cakes, cut out cookies, candies, and cookie bars. On Christmas morning we all went to church reminding us all the true reason for the season. Then I rushed back home to make sure the food was ready and the house was open for the 13 people we had invited for Christmas luncheon.  As people arrived they were all in the true spirit of Christmas! Of course we stuffed ourselves at lunch, but then worked it off a bit playing charades and singing songs. In the evening we opened presents, Alpha was our Father Christmas! Oh and I can’t forget before presents, can you say sugar rush, all the baked goods we made were gone in a flash!!  We had a lovely Christmas! Thank you to all who made it possible for us to celebrate! God bless you!

Since we are now two weeks into January I can reflect back on how blessed we’ve all been in 2018 and I know in my heart that this year will continue His blessings, faithfulness and mercies. But of course none of this would happen unless you all weren’t being used by the Lord to change the lives of these youth, THANK YOU!! Also thank you to all that sent us Christmas cards, packages, and well wishes!!

May the Lord bless you abundantly!

Love,

Rita

Director-Faith Hope Love Missions