FHLM JANUARY 2022 NEWSLETTER
Happy 2022!
Isaiah 43:18-19 “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold I will do a new thing now it shall spring forth. Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert .” NKJV
Director’s Update:
CENTRE OPEN:: We were back at the Centre on the 3rd. The 1st week we were back we cleaned up the compound, as it had gotten “bushy” in our absence so we cleaned and mopped the Centre. We also had a few days of Centre Schooling to get the youth’s minds focused on school again.
BACK TO SCHOOL: After nearly 2 years all the secondary youth went back to school on 10th January. The Uganda Ministry of Education & Sports established that all learners would be promoted into their next class i.e. S2 to S3 with a modified curriculum incorporating portions of the curriculum that was not completed in their previous classes along with their current classes. This means that the students will be completing almost double the work in one year! They are also having longer Terms and Shorter Holiday Breaks in order to complete.
That said our weekly programs will only be twice a week, Wednesday Bible Study and Saturday afternoon program. But this time has given me the opportunity to work on finishing the Annual Report, the 2 Year Strategic Plan, get in contact with sponsors and donors and many other items that need much concentration.
SAD NEWS: On 4th Jan my Pastor Ray Bentley of Maranatha Chapel, San Diego died of COVID related complications. When I heard the news via email the morning of the 5th I was in total shock. I actually thought it was a hoax, but sadly it wasn’t. As more emails, and news feeds on social media poured in the reality that I had lost my pastor, teacher and friend sunk in and my heart broke. But Ray went home and is with our Jesus. As he entered I’m sure he heard the words well done good and faithful servant. I know he is rejoicing in heaven. We continue to prayer for his wife, Vicki, the family and the church at large for God to comfort and heal.
NEW FAMILY MEMBER: On the 5th Pius brought us a “surprise” in the form of a little puppy! Both he and William were very excited to have this new addition to our FHLM Family. She such a cute puppy and we’ve named her Spot!
SOAR YOUTH UPDATE:
BABIRYE:
We are happy to announce that Babirye has gotten an internship at Mukono Parents Secondary outside Kampala, which will last for 1 Term of school. After the term has finished the Head Master has agreed to hire her to teach Secondary 1 and 2 in computers and Christian Religious Education (CRE). Please join us in congratulating her!
BIBLE STUDY: We started studying a new book this month- 1 Thessalonians. I did the Introduction on the 5th and then each Wednesday afternoon after school we continued through the book by chapter & verse.
Note: When sitting in our 1st Bible study after school had resumed I came to realize how God worked out our youth being out of school for so long for His good and glory. As I sit and listened to them recall how they are now being lights and examples to their fellow youth at school by reading the Word during their breaks, speaking to classmates about Jesus and praying for others. I became so thankful to God for ALL the weeks and months of Bible studies, prayer and fasting days, worship days and general teachings that they received over the long period of school lock down instilling God’s character and love into them.
MOVIE DAY: On the 15th we watched an oldie but a great movie, FLYWHEEL. It was the 1st Kendrick Brother’s movie. Key Quote of the movie: “Remember without your ‘flywheel’ you can’t go anywhere” Key verses: 2 Corinthians 5:17
Here are a few things the youth learned from this impactful movie:
- Milly- We should be like Judy and be bold in Christ. She taught her son about the Lord and how to walk correctly. She also rebuked her husband for cheating his customers and doing wrong things, as she continued to pray for him and God to intervene.
- Hanisha- We are to put everything we do in the hands of the Lord. I like how Judy and the son had prayers for Jay, the Dad, to be protected. As Jay repented and then he gave his car lot to God, he became a light and honest man.
- Plus-When we do something wrong we need to ask for forgiveness. We also need to be honest. “Remember a lie cannot take away a lie”—Pius
- Willy– Sometimes we think we’re doing the right thing putting effort in but not giving any time to God. Jay realized that without out God we cannot succeed. He said, “When I let the Lord rule my life things changed”.
- Immy- We need to let God be our defender like Jay did. If we can change the wrongs we’ve done, then we need to do it!! Jay thought “If I pray I don’t think God would listen to me because I’m prideful etc” but he did let God take over and God listened!
- Justine- Jay allowed God to be his potter, to shape and mold his life and we can too. Jeremiah 18:6 says, “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the Lord. “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel.”
- Eddy- Remember don’t block your blessings. Jay was blocking his blessing by professing to be a Christian but having wrong dealings. But when he started to pray things changed. There is power in prayer! 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “pray without ceasing”.
SPORTS DAY: At FHLM we not only help the youth to grow spiritually, but also physically. On the 22nd we had some rousing volleyball matches. Uncle Alpha was around the Centre and joined in the fun! Team Undefeatable was “defeatable” and Team Jireh seriously beat them the first game! In the second game it was much closer with Undefeatable rallying and taking the lead. Unfortunately they lost again, but in the end they were all winners because we had such a lovely day of fun and fellowship!
bela bulungi (good-bye):
As you can see it has been a wonderful and exciting beginning to the New Year! I can’t wait to see what the rest of the year brings ALL of us! Please join us in continued prayers for our Centre land and for God’s provision to be availed! Thank you. Till next month, stay grounded in the Lord, the Word and His presence.
Much love and blessings to you all,
Rita Bulegeya- FHLM Director www.faithhopelovemissions.org
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