FHLM-SEPTEMBER 2020 NEWSLETTER

Greetings Everyone- I hope you are all well, safe and sound! Welcome to Fall and Harvest time. Isaiah 55:10 “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater,”

DIRECTOR’S UPDATE:

Praise Reports & Miracles- The car finally came and I took delivery of it on the 5^th. It was great timing by God, because at the time I had a bad back and getting on and off a boda wouldn’t have worked! I took the car to town that first day to run errands. Since then I’ve been coming to the Centre with it every day. It’s been a blessing to be able to drive the girls or guys to town in the evenings. It has also helped me with errands for the ministry and other things. What a HUGE BLESSING to have a car after 11 years!! A BIG THANK YOU to those at Impact that have made this possible and given me a sense of freedom!! 

In mid-Sept my Mom, Patti, had another PET Scan and after 3 chemo treatments the cancer tumor in her lung is gone! Praise GOD for miracles!!! The doctors are still having her complete the remaining 2 chemo treatments, but I know the power of prayer and God’s touch has healed the cancer. I ask you to please continue to keep her in prayer. Thank you!

Opening Uganda- On the 20^th His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni addressed the nation for the first time in 2 months. In his speech he reopened schools for Candidate Classes only; P7, S4, S6 and finalists in technical & universities, starting 15 Oct. He also opened the International Airport and land boarders to tourists only, effective immediately. He opened churches and places of worship too. Of course all of these openings come with strict SOPs and guidelines, but we are thankful that Eddy can now go back to school and we can go to church again.

We are still under a curfew, gatherings are still limited to 10 people, taxis are still limited to 7 passengers and private vehicles are still limited to 4 people. In recent weeks the number of COVID-19 cases have increased dramatically and so have deaths; total cases-6,468, recoveries-2,731 active cases ?? deaths-63. Please continue to keep Uganda in prayer as we don’t have adequate health care facilities or doctors. Thank you!   

SOAR Families- Our youth’s families still feel the weight of the lock-down, so we have started some programs to support them. Since it is planting season here in Uganda we have given the youth seeds to plant in their home gardens. This will give their families carrots, onions, eggplant, and nakati (greens) once harvest comes. This month we also kicked off another Food Support Program. We are helping the families with some essential items that will assist them in these hard times; sugar, salt, cooking oil, and soap. We based it on the size of the family and their monthly usage. We will continue with this program until they can financially get back on their feet. We also continue to give the youth lunch each day they are at the Centre. We and the youth are very thankful for the support of our donors that make these programs possible, “at such a time as this!”   

SOAR YOUTHZ UPDATE:

Monthly Featured Youth- Hanisha Namayanja Musa is 15 years old and came to FHLM in March 2019. She is in Secondary 2. Her mother gave birth to her when she was 16 years old and since the father was Muslim she identified as one and practiced Islam. Unfortunately before she was born her Father disappeared. Her Mom, being so young, left Hanisha with her Maternal Grandmother. The Grandmother cared for her up until 4 years ago when she became sick, then her Mother had to take over care. Hanisha’s Mother and she have had a “difficult” relationship over the years. Because of her Mom’s work inconsistency she cannot financially support her schooling, though she is her only child. In April of 2019 Hanisha accepted Jesus as her Lord and Saviour before the congregation at Hilltop Church. Hanisha needed a “family” unit, love, and support around her and since she came to FHLM we have seen her grow emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

Her favorite book of the Bible is Proverbs and she has taken to writing them out in her journal and memorizing them. She loves art, and drawing has many of her drawings pinned on the wall of her room. She’s also becoming a good singer and just joined the church praise & worship team. She has a fun loving personality and is a natural leader and that is beginning to slowly immerge. We are excited to see where God is going to take her in the years to come. We are still in need of a sponsor for her educational fees & requirements of $30.00 per month.

Bible Study: We continued with our Tuesday Bible Study and this month’s theme was Encouragement. As the youth led we were all blessed by their selection of chapter & verses and input, but one team stood out to me this month, Eddy & Joshua. Their Chapters were Psalm 25 & 91. They explained how David had many prayer requests to God in chapter 25. Then in chapter 91 God answered his prayers and encouraged him. Joshua said, “We, as believers, should make David’s prayers our own prayers. David put his assurance in God and was ready to walk with Him. We need to do the same for without God we can do nothing!”  Eddy stated, “Without God’s guidance we cannot put our learning into action and we need to let God’s ways be ours and pray for His guidance.” He added from chapter 91, “When we walk in the right way God will be our strong tower, our refuge.” As our youth ‘deep dive’ into the Word of God I’m encouraged to see their growth and learn from them. Praise God!      

New Wednesday Programs:

Sports Day- We are all about keeping our youth fit, so on the 2^nd the youth and Grace had a fun time enjoying volleyball together. For several of them it was their first time playing, so much of the day was a fun learning experience. Unfortunately I was unable to be in on the fun because I was home sick. Grace led the activity, as it is one of her favourite sports. She said, “It was a great day and the youth blessed me a lot. We hope we can play more often.”

Movie Day– On the 9^th we had a “Double Feature” movie with a message. We watched Sunday School Musical and Breakthrough. We learned many things from these two great movies, but here are the things that stood out to the youth:

• We can work together as a team to achieve our goals and we can have unity.
• That our faith in action and prayers can move mountains and help miracles to happen
• Though John (boy in Breakthrough), was adopted he still had parents that loved him deeply and had faith in him and God.

Baking Day– On the 16th we had a lot of fun baking Apple Fritter Loaves. But our favorite part was eating them!! It was many of the youths’ first time to try cooked apples, including Grace. She said it was yummy!

Arts & Crafts- On the 23^rd the youth finished up making their handcraft bags out of palm leaves. All of the girls and William were very diligent in finishing up their “homework” of weaving and sewing the bag together. This day they finished up putting the bag together, putting on the handle, attaching the zipper and putting in the lining. They turned out beautifully! I’m always amazed at how people come up with ideas like weaving palm leaves and using the materials from posho sacks to make beautiful handcrafts. Our youth have a wonderful skill level and the ability to catch on so fast to all that Oliver taught them. We pray that this skill won’t die out and they will use it at their homes and to create small businesses.  

Life Skill Fridays:

Dare to Be Different- Grace led “Dare To Be Different” on the 12th. She taught sessions on how to say yes or no, how to be confident, and not following the crowd. Proverbs 1:10 ‘My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.’ This teaching really impacted the youth and challenged them to think differently and act differently! Throughout the month they would bring up this teaching during Bible study times, in counselling or in regular conversation. I’m so happy that it was such a great learning experience for them!!

Community Clean Up- We are continuing with teaching our youth about Conservation and what it means to put love in action! On the 18th we had a Community Clean Up in Bwala around the Centre yesterday. We were all amazed at how much rubbish we found in such a small area. People were thankful for our work, as they honked and waved us on. A lady even brought us a bunch of bananas!! It was a rewarding afternoon of work, cleaning God’s creation.

We celebrate life here at FHLM, so on the 28^th we celebrated Immy’s 16^th Birthday!! Her actual birthday was on Sunday, so she was surprised when we started singing and brought in a cake! Happy Sweet 16 Immy!!

We are forever grateful for God’s grace and protection during these times. We are also happy that we can continue to impart God’s Word, love, joy, faith, and hope to our youth. Of course, none of this could happen without the prayer and financial support of our donors. Below are a few of our prayer needs. Thank in advance for the blessing of your prayers!

In His Grip,

Rita Bulegeya

Director- Faith Hope Love missions (UG)

Please Pray For The Following:

• Babirye’s Mom to be healed of a knee injury.  
• Justine’s Aunt Prosey (her guardian) slipped in the mud and fell into a ditch injuring her tailbone and back. Please pray for relief of pain and for complete healing.
• Continued healing for Benita’s Mum from malaria.
• Full-Time school sponsors for Hanisha, Milly and Benita Maria.
• Continued “General Sponsors” to come along side Faith Hope Love Missions to see God’s Kingdom work done.
• If you feel it upon your heart to pray or give to the ministry work please see our web-site at www.faithhopelovemissions.org and click on the “Support” page.