FHLM Dec/Jan Newsletter

Happy 2021 Everyone! Though I updated you about what went on with me during the first part of January, myself and the youth still had much going on so here is the remainder of what took place in my life and at FHLM during December & January.    

Director’s Update:

Remaining Time in Indiana: During my remaining time in Indiana I, alongside my Aunt Chris, and a few other family members worked on clearing out and cleaning my Mom’s house to prepare it for a future estate sale. It was a daunting task and it brought up many memories, but by God’s grace we got through.

I was also able to spend Christmas with my Dad and family. It was the first time in 10 years that I was able to do so. My brother was back in Indiana for New Year so we all, including my Cousin Angi, and Auntie spent New Year’s Eve together. What a wonderful time to be surrounded by family and old friends. I praise God for my families and friends love and comfort. I also praise God that my Covid test was negative and I was able to fly out of the U.S. on 8^th January. After 50 hours of automobiles, planes, buses and shuttles I arrived back in Masaka the night of 10^th Jan. I’m thankful for the journey mercies that God gave me and for being back with Rogers and my Ugandan family!     

2021 Verse: Each year I ask God to give me a verse for the New Year and this year God has confirmed this verse three times in the last month: Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Uganda Elections: On 14^th January Uganda held it’s Presidential and Member of Parliament election.Wepraise God that Election Day was peaceful, in part that the internet was shut off. The presidential winner was announced that Saturday, and the incumbent, Yoweri Museveni won for another 5 year term.Though after the announcement there was some unrest in Masaka and surrounding towns we were blessed to not have the riots that happened during the November campaigning. By the way, our social media is still off so I can only be reached by email.

Unlike the U.S., Uganda splits their elections days into 3 different days 1) Presidential & Parliament  2) Mayoral & other high political posts  3) Local council, and other general posts. That said each day is a public holiday and our centre is closed, so our 17 and older youth can vote. In January we had 3 election public holidays in Jan plus Liberation Day on the 26th, lots of extra time off but it helped me recover from jet-lag.       

SOAR Youthz Update:

As I spent December in Indiana with family, Grace, our Social Worker, spent the few weeks before Christmas and the fist weeks of Jan. with the youth and overseeing their programs. She was a blessing in my absence and updated me regularly via WhatsApp with all that the youth had been up to and with pictures and videos. The Centre was closed for the weeks of Christmas and New Year. Many of the youth went to their extended families villages for those two weeks and enjoyed family time and traditional Ugandan Christmas’.  Here is Grace’s report of the youth activities and programs.

Fasting: In December we had one week of prayer and fasting praying for Jaja Patti, Aunt Rita’s Mum. Though she passed on, which was sad news, but we believe she went direct to heaven in the arms of our Father God.

Christmas Fun:

Games and Movie Day: We did indoor games like monopoly, Uno and Ludo. I didn’t know how to play some of these games, but I also got an opportunity and some of our new youth in the program, they are so nice and fun games. The Christmas movie was also nice to watch and made us feel the birth of Jesus Christ and the celebrations too.

Christmas Crafts: I helped the youth to make Christmas cards for their fellow youth as everyone had chosen a secret member to give a Christmas card to. It was a good experience as those taking art taught us to make different designs and painting. It was so fun and educational and we hope to have some other time for more skills about making different occasion cards. Mr. Henry also came over on 16 Dec and taught us how to make angels and decorated them for our Christmas tree. During the same week we started making decor for Christmas. This all added to our celebrations!  

Christmas Party: The party was held on 19^th Dec and it was so nice!! It started at 12am – 5pm, we had a lot of activities; praise and worship, prayer, singing competition of Christmas songs, games, lunch, cake and gift sharing. I was so glad to see things happen as planned. The youth were so helpful in preparing for the party, decorations and creative fun games. All of the FHLM Youths attended the party with other five guests, three from Aunt Liz’s family, Hanisha’s cousin and Uncle William. We had our guest speaker as Uncle Alpha and he spoke to us about the good news of the Savior Jesus. He also encouraged the youth not to only rejoice in celebration, but focus on remembering the love of God has for us through His Son.

January Programs:

Bible study and Prayers:  This has been a big pillar for us as a whole and helped us so much, especially in these trying times. Our theme for the month was “peace” which we had in the right time. And it helped us to have hope in God and being at peace in every situation. The youth have learnt to pray and fasting which has helped them to grow spiritually.  We continued to pray for Aunt Rita and her family, for God’s peace and courage. Every youth is now capable of leading A Bible Study and prayer as well.

Centre schooling: For this case the government sent notes for all secondary students so each of our youth were busy copying them down for their revision. Those whose parents have WhatsApp phones Aunt Rita sent them the notes so they can study from home. I also got the notes on my laptop and I have been helping the youth of S.2 to copy their notes by dictating for them, as many are without smart phones at their homes. I also did a Biology practical with the youth. All of this is really helping them to learn and read their notes.

January Movies: We had two Friday movie days in Jan. and watched Overcome and Chronicles of Narnia; Lion, Witch & the Wardrobe. Both movies were learning experiences for all of us teaching us about forgiveness, loving others, and helping out others.   

Back to School: Joshua went back to university on Jan 2^nd. Because of all the Covid interruptions in schooling he started out his first two weeks back in End of Year one exams. Then on the 25^th he started 2^nd year/1^st Term. Eddy went back for his last term of Secondary 4 on 18^th Jan. Babirye started back to university for her 3^rd and final year on the 25^th. We are still waiting for an announcement from the Ministry of Education to see when the remaining secondary students will report back to school and also when Oliver can apply to Technical School. Please keep all of these youth in prayer and for wisdom for the government. Thank you. I also take this opportunity to thank Aunt Rita and the FHLM Board for always planning well for us, we are grateful. Happy New Year! (Written by Grace Mukasiine)

I again thank all of the people that always keep us in prayer! Please know that your prayers are felt and the Holy Spirit is moving through your prayers and supplication! God bless you all!!!  

Have a blessed day!

Much Love,

Rita-Director

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