FHLM Feb 2019 Newsletter

Greetings from Masaka! Ehh the month of February was the hottest on record here in Masaka! Just in time for my cousin, Angi, who arrived in Uganda late on 5^th Feb. Rogers and I traveled to Entebbe to pick her and we were able to have a “date-night” before we picked her. Since her flight arrived so late we all stayed over and headed to Masaka the next morning.  On our way back we had a stop-over at the Equator for pictures and to test which way water circulates in a  basin at the Equator-fun stuff!

Throughout Angi’s 3 weeks in Uganda she helped out with leading weekly Bible Studies, went with the youth for our monthly outreach, worked on the Young Mother’s Curriculum , jumped in where needed and even helped clean the Centre. What a blessing!

Angi also got to experience the beauty and majesty of God’s creation in Uganda when she, Liz and I went on a 5 day Safari to three National Parks in Western Uganda; Lake Mburo NP, Semliki NP, and Queen Elizabeth NP. Each of the parks had something special to offer us! In Lake Mburo we were very blessed to see at least 15 giraffes at one time, very close up—it was so special! We also saw many zebra, warthogs, eland, & kobs. Semliki is known for its hot springs! We were able to take a walk through the primal forest to the springs and we saw so many species of monkeys; colbus, red tail, olive baboons, macaffes. The forest was like walking through Jurassic Park—we expected to see some dinosaur come out! At Queen Elizabeth we were blessed to see 2 lions at a distance, and then many impala, buffalo, and a few elephants. What an amazing trip is was for us all! I’m thankful to God for the experience.  The rest of her African Adventures you will read about below.

Visiting Jane: Angi, Joshua and I visited Jane, her husband Febian and their new baby boy, Elijah on the 8^th. Baby Elijah is too cute! When I got to hold him he smiled and opened his eyes for me only. Jane said she thinks he recognized my voice. May you join us in continued prayers for baby Elijah and their family.

Our 1^st Quarter Board Meetings were held on 9^th and 23^rd Feb. We were very busy pouring over the new SOAR Youth student sponsorship applications. Out of the 6 applications received the board approved one right away and then after more information was gathered one was approved, with another pending. Please help me in welcoming Immaculate Nakato (14yrs in Secondary 2), and William Kambugu (14 yrs in Secondary 1) into the SOAR Youth Sponsorship Program and into the FHLM Family!! We are also praying about admitting Hanisha Namayanja, a 14 year girl into the program. We also discussed building security, the current youth in the program and our potential Piggery Project! Please note, we are looking for school sponsors for William & Hanisha, so we ask you to please pray about sponsorship and if the Lord leads you to help change their futures please visit our web-site at www.faithhopelovemissions.org to donate. Thank you and God Bless!

Youth Programs & SOAR Youth Updates:

Back to Success was on 2^nd of Feb, 2019. It was led by the usual teacher Madam Faridah Nanseko. They worked on physics, “Introduction to Physics”.   She asked each and everyone the importance of physics in everyday life and they each gave answers.

Another thing she introduced was that every time they come for Back to Success they would be given assignment about what they have covered and they are to be provided with papers when to write it. Then they are to hand it in to Aunt Rita before the next meeting for Back to Success. This was done in order to improve their performance academic wise and also motivate them, because the best in each assignment will get a prize. Briefly that is how Back to Success was. (Written by: Joshua Kakeeto)

Youth Outreach: On the 9^th Alpha, Oliver, Justine, Eddie and Uncle Angi went to Nurture Babies’ Home for a visit.  It was such a blessing spending time with that joyful bunch of children!!  It’s obvious that Alpha spends a lot of time with them, and the adoration is mutual.  Oliver opened us in prayer and then Alpha taught a song, ’Standing in the Need of Prayer.’  The children did a great job learning it, and then sang it the next day in church!  Alpha introduced Angi and the children asked her questions about America.  She asked them what they knew about America and they responded, ‘When you go to America you come back fat and with gray hair.’  Which we all thought was pretty funny!!  Alpha told a story about 3 rabbits, paralleling catching them to gaining an education, a job and THEN a spouse.  The children played a guessing game: first how to spell ‘Angi’ and then what were Oliver and Justine’s favorite colors.  Then it was time to hand out the sweeties that Uncle Angi had brought: a big bag of Dumdum suckers- which the children LOVED!  Uncle Alpha closed us in prayer- after much photo taking- and we made our way back to the FHLM Centre.  It was an eye-opening and humbling experience for this American girl, another reminder of how blessed I have been to have a wonderful family around me my whole life. Thank you Jesus! (Written by Angi Hartman-Rees)

Back to School: Eddy, Oliver, and Justine started back to school at Masaka Secondary on 4^th Feb. This new school year Eddy will be in Secondary 3 (freshman), and Oliver & Justine are both in their candidate year, Secondary 4 (sophomore) and will sit for their national exams in Nov.

Babirye contacted me with her results for her 1^st Semester at Ndejje University. She got a 4.0 out of 5. Well done Babz!!! We also praise God because Angi brought a refurbished laptop for her to use at university. And since she is taking computers in secondary education, she can actually do the computer course work need on her own laptop. What a blessing!!

Also on the 28^th Joshua received his Secondary 6 National Exam results. He received 8 points, 2^nd Grade. His best two subjects were Chemistry and Computers. Please join us as we pray for him to receive a university scholarship for medical school.

School Outreach: On the 20^th Angi, Joshua, and I went out to Timothy Girl’s High School, in the village of Kaswa, for their evening fellowship. We arrived early and were able to sit and talk with the girls as they took their dinner. Angi was brave enough to try out their meal, beans and posho. After dinner we gathered for the fellowship. The leader opened in prayer and we had a few praise & worship songs. Then she introduced me and I presented and laid the foundation for a training called “Worth The Wait”, that I will be teaching monthly to the girls. I was also able to start on the first session; Relationships. It was such a blessing to be back at Timothy Girl’s, teaching a whole new group of young ladies. I’m looking forward to next month!

Young Mother’s Training was held on the 21^st in the village of Lwannunda and we were blessed to be able to hold it at St Anthony’s Lwannunda Childcare. Most of the 34 women in attendance have children at the nursery school and are young, single mothers. Our team consisted of Angi, Joshua, Liz, and myself. The afternoon was broke into two Sessions; Physical Wellness & Spiritual Wellness. In the physical wellness session Angi taught on topics of Hygiene, Malaria, Nutrition and Growth, General Child Development. I did a bit of follow up teaching and then jumped into the Spiritual Wellness session which focused on Renewed Purity, Forgiveness, and Having a Good Relationship with God. I want to thank Joshua for his wonderful interpreting and Angi for all of her preparation, knowledge, and for the soaps and waters that we were able to give all the women. The training went so well that Liz, Joshua and I have been asked to come back for a 2nd Training on 14 Mach, 2019. Sorry Angi won’t be with us.

Arts & Crafts: On the 22^nd our youth made bookmarks to exchange with the bookmarks made by Angi’s Sunday school class at Bethel Assemblies of God in Bethel, Ohio. We hope this will establish another pen-pal exchange between our youth and church children. We had fun seeing all the bookmark pictures that the children drew for us, as we all sent back encouraging verses and pictures to them.

Movie Day: This month we watched The Miracle Season on 23^rd Feb. Based on the inspiring true story of the West High School girls volleyball team. After the tragic loss of star player Caroline “Line” Found in an accident, the remaining team players must band together under the guidance of their tough-love coach, Kathy Bresnahan, in hopes of winning the state championship.  This is what Oliver, who led the after-movie discussion, had to say about the movie:   

• We should use our talents to encourage others like Solomon in 1 kings and it will take you to another level
• We should work as a team like the team of West Volleyball
• We have to forget the past and we start a fresh because many things happen in our lives and we forget that our God is there, but what I know is that our God cares
• Never lose hope in everything you do because at first you might be down but one day He will lift you up and become a winner
• If you have something you are doing, do it for God but not for other people
• Let us not be jealousy to others, if you want to be a leader and God didn’t give you that chance, give a chance to that person whom God has chosen. You give her courage and God will bless you because of what you have done.

On the 25^th it was time to say bye-bye to Angi, so Joshua, Liz and I escorted her to the airport. We set off early because we had lots to do on our way to Entebbe! We first stopped off at the drum makers on Masaka/Kampala Road where Angi blessed the ministry with a drum for our fellowships. We then headed to downtown Kampala, were Angi got to experience the chaos of Kampala traffic first hand, and then onto the National Theatre Craft Market for some gift shopping. We finally made it to Entebbe Airport by 8:30pm and got her checked in for her mid-night flight. It was another adventure day, but also a sad day because we were saying bye-bye.

We at FHLM thank Angi for her visit and for all of her love, care, and laughter she shared with us!! I’m thankful for your servant heart, spiritual insight, and for the time that God gave she and I to reconnect! May the Lord continue to bless you all too for the prayers, love, support, and encouragement you extend to us! May God richly bless you!!!

Have a wonderful March!

Love and blessings,

Rita

Director-Faith Hope Love Missions