FHLM OCTOBER 2023 NEWSLETTER

GREETINGS:

Greeting from cool, and colorful Colorado!! I pray this update finds you all healthy, happy, and loved! You shall keep the Feast of Harvest, of the firstfruits of your labor, of what you sow in the field. Exodus 23:16 (ESV).

DIRECTORS UPDATE:

U.S. Furlough: I landed in the Chicago, U.S.A. on 04^th Oct and proceeded to fly to Fort Wayne, Indiana.  The month of October was mostly spent in Indiana with my Dad and step-Mom. Throughout the three weeks I was in Indiana that I spent a lot of time visiting family and old friends. It was lovely to experience God’s artistry as I watched the green trees turn to burnt oranges, golden yellows, deep reds and crisp browns. It invited my heart into autumn and all God’s majesty.  My time with Dad and Carol I enjoyed a trip to Shipshewana, IN, movie day out, and attending their church. Time in the countryside of Indiana does a soul good!  

The evening after I landed (the 5^th) I spoke at Harlan United Methodist Woman’s Association monthly meeting. During my Mom’s life she was an active member of the UMW and I’m blessed to be an “honorary member”. These ladies are a continued blessing to FHLM and I thank them for their continued prayers and support.

On the 7^th my High School class had an impromptu reunion! It’s been 37 years since I graduated from high school. We hadn’t had a reunion in over 15 years, so I being back was a great reason to finally get together. We had about 30 of our classmates in attendance. I’m so thankful to my friend Karin and her husband for hosting us and for everyone that was able to attend this lovely evening.It was also wonderful to get some one-on-one time with my life-long friend, Karin. She is and will always be a blessing to me!!    

I was so happy to see my friend and sister in Christ, Donna, on the 12^th. Then the 13^th-15^th my Auntie and I went down to Bethel, Ohio, near Cincinnati, and spent the weekend with my cousin Angi, who is more like a sister then a cousin. We had a lot of great talks, laughs, and catching up!  It is so special to spend time with her.

On the 17^th and the 24^th I was blessed to speak to the children at Harlan Christian Youth Centre about FHLM and Jesus. I also had a great visit with my friends Debi and Damian who run the centre. Thanks Debi for taking me out and also showing me all around Harlan, Woodburn, and the countryside.     

The 22^nd I was honored to be part of the church service at Harlan United Methodist Church (HUMC). HUMC was my Mom and Grandma’s home church. Being there is always like going home, because so many people that attend have watched me grow up and be transformed in Christ. I’m grateful to Pastor Catherine for letting me take some of her sermon time to share with the congregation about FHLM.   

All in all I was richly blessed by my time in Indiana and Ohio!! I am so thankful to God for my family and friends there. On the evening of the 25^th I was off again and flew to Colorado Springs. Unfortunately, what was supposed to be a 5 hour journey turned into over 24 hours due to severe weather in Dallas, TX. I eventually made it to Colorado Springs the morning of the 26th. I was thankful to God for the protection, strength, and to be met at the airport by my brother, Rob, and sister-in-law, Jackie.

The three of us spent the weekend of 27^th Oct up in the mountains of Breckenridge, CO. It was Rob’s birthday weekend, so we had some special treats, but I’m the one that was blessed by them with all the special surprises. God also treated us to His majesty and wonder with 16 inches of snow that made the trees and town look like a “winter wonderland”.  What a wonderful family time. I am so thankful to God to have a brother like Rob!     

YOUTH UPDATE:

While I have been on Furlough Shakirah and Juliet, my Right & Left Hands, kept things moving at FHLM Youth Centre! Here is a summary of what Shakirah and Juliet sent to me in their weekly reports and all the happenings at the Centre:

Home Visits: Throughout the month Shakirah visited Ruth, Pamela, Charity, Immy’s homes and William’s uncles’ home.  These quarterly visits are the best way for us to dig and get a deeper insight into the youth’s family dynamic. Then we are all able to counsel and serve the SOAR Youth and their families more effectively.     

Parent’s Meeting: On the 5^th Shakirah attended a secondary 2 and 3 meeting that updated the “parents” on the New Curriculum. Unlike the old curriculum, the new emphasizes a student participation, research, and more homework. During the meeting the deputy head teacher, Mr. Mukiibi, also discussed the new DIT program which gives the youth training skills like tailoring, small business, and cooking.  

Candidates: On the 16^th Milly and William started their National Exams (UNEB). They will complete on 08 November. Please continue to lift them up in prayer for God’s wisdom, knowledge and understanding as they sit for each paper. Thank you! Please keep Eddy in prayer as he prepares for his secondary 6 national exams that start on 13^th Nov.  

University: The week of the 23^rd of Oct Justine started mid-semester exams. While away I’ve been messaging with her and she said that the tests were fine. I’ve also been staying in contact with Oliver and she is also hard at work at university. She is starting the practical portion of her course the 1^st week of Nov.  

Birthdays: This month we had two birthdays. On the 7th they pre-celebrated Milly’s Birthday which was on the 9^th.  On the 22nd we celebrated Aunt Juliet’s Birthday. Of course they enjoyed cake, and sang them a few rounds of Happy Birthday!  

YOUTH PROGRAMS:

Digging: The sweet potatoes that we planted several months ago are looking great!  On the 7^th we all got our hands dirty pulled weeds and dug around the potatoes mounds to make sure that the plants were still covered enough. We also removed some sweet potatoes and cassava that were ready to prevent them from rotting. This helps with the growth of the potatoes which take about 6 months to get nice and big before harvest!  We also planted more cassava and cleared where we were going to put greens and vegetables.

Church Visits: On the 8^th we continued with our Monthly Youth Home Church Visits. This month we went to Charity’s, Victory Church Nyendo. The message for the service titled; “The Spirits Which Attacks The Church Today” and the pastor taught from Revelation 17:1-8. Since Charity has recently moved quite a ways away from this church, this was a great way for her to say good-bye to her pastor and congregation. She will now attend Full Gospel-Katwe which is a short distance from her new home. It is also a blessing because this is the church that Ruth attends.    

Visitation Day: On the 14^th we went to the youth’s school Masaka Secondary for 3^rd Term Visitation Day to check their academic results according to their classes and streams. With the help of their class teachers, we encouraged our youth to put more effort into their academics. We thank God because we had a good day and everyone but, Eddy and Immy who were sick, were able to attend.

The candidates’ results for O-Level Mock Exams were out and Milly received a DIVISION 2, and William a DIVISION 1.  Their performance was really good, according to the previous results for term two. Since their results were promising, we pray for excellent results in their national exams (UNEB). We also received Immy’s Secondary 5 results, and she needs to put more effort in order to receive better grades. The other FHLM Youth senior three and below had no prepared results because they are on the new curriculum and had a new school schedule. Afterwards we also enjoyed a special meal at Elgin Restaurant.

Bible Study: We are still going through the book of Revelations by chapter and verse. This month they studied Chapters 9-13. The 18^th October, Wednesday Bible Study in which they read from Revelation 11:1-19 stood out to Shakirah. Here are some of the comments and lessons learned: 

• Ruth talked of verse 13. We are to compare to our lives to this verse. If problems come our way, like those in the verse, they draw us to God. But some were diverted from God, but we need to worship Him no matter what.
• Pius talked about the pervious verses and how the people had a habit of guilty conscious, and neglecting God. But when the people faced a trouble they thought of coming back to God. In verse 13, they came to know that God is real and glorified him.
• Pamela shared about the two witnesses in verse 6, and related it to Elijah commanding rain not to come and later on commanded it to come. She also spoke of verse 10; time is going to reach when the downfall of a born again pleases the ungodly. It might not be physical death but spiritual death and in verse 11, we are to see the breath of God.
• Shakirah spoke about verse 11. We should have all hope in God, not like the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel 37:1. As Christians, we should rely on the hope and the promises of God that even when the world is laughing at us, one day one time God is going to take away our shame. Also In verse 1, we see the measuring of the altar, worshippers and the temple. We are the ones to be measured in our respective ministries, so we should learn to be serious while serving God because whatever we do, we are to be weighed. We don’t have any excuses to give to God, because many have overcome those excuses.
• Charity talked of verse 9-19, God wants us to give testimonies for Him. Every time we are persecuted, we are building God’s testimony.

Movie Day: On the 28^th we watched “My Daddy Is In Heaven”. This is a heartbreaking, true life story based on Rebecca (Becca) Crownover’s book about the sudden and tragic loss of her child Acie’s dad and her faithful husband in an 4^th of July accident. Fueled by anger at God for the loss of her husband and a backsliding of her faith, Becca begins to drink heavily to find peace and eventually is arrested for public intoxication and disorderly conduct. This incident and a chance meeting with a beggar on the street who told her about God’s mercy, were her “wake up calls”.  During this time her daughter, Acie, was staying at her Grandpa Rick’s farm. Though Becca’s doubts, questions, and anger lead her to rebellion, her reconciliation with God reignites her faith and reunites her family.

This movie was a true inspiration for all of us, teaching us to be strong Christians when we face challenges! We have to stand firm and handle them in a Christian way, because the peace we are looking for is in God. Here is more of what the some of the youth learned from the movie:

• Ruth– In most cases we can’t live in life without trials but trials are not supposed to drive us from God. As Becca had gone away from God, she even got more problems. The more you get away from God the more He goes away and the deeper we fall into bad things. So, we should stay close to God.
• Eddy– We think that going away from God we shall get peace, but instead it takes us far away from Him. We should know that God is the only one with peace that passes all understanding.
• Charity– When troubles come we always lose energy to pray and hope fades when we are in hardships, but we should not lose hope in God.
• Precious- We should stay on truth because when Becca went to her friend she was diverted. So, we should draw near to God and He will draw near to us.
• Pamela- We are to draw near to God no matter the situation we are passing through.

BELA BULUNGI (GOOD-BYE):

As you have read the last month has been filled with abundant blessings! 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. May our Lord continue to guide and provide for you.

Love and Blessings,

Rita Bulegeya

Director -Faith Hope Love Missions

reetsindiego@yahoo.com