FHLM JUNE 2024 NEWSLETTER

GREETINGS:

Greetings to you all from Masaka!! The last month has flown by and I can’t believe the 4^th of July is upon us! Happy Birthday America! “Keep me safe, O God, for in You I take refuge. I said to the Lord, “You are my Lord, apart from You I have no good thing.” (NIV)

DIRECTORS UPDATE:

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: Every Monday in the month of June we were off work for public holidays! On 3^rd June the nation celebrated Uganda Martyr’s Day. This day commemorates the 45 men, 23 protestant and 22 catholic, which were martyred for their faith between 1885 and 1887. Each year both protestant and catholic pilgrims from all over East Africa make the trek to the martyr’s site in Namugongo, a suburb of Kampala. On 10^th June we remembered the fallen heroes of the NRA Bush War with National Heroes Day. Then on 16^TH and 17^th the Muslims celebrated Eid al-Adha.

KAMPALA TRIP: On 3^rd June Eddy and I traveled back to Kampala. He was able to stay with his brother, Eric, and get a feel for life in the “big city”. As I was tending to a personal matter on the 4^th Justine met him at KIU and to help him process a tuition bursary. As an organization we still pay 60% of his tuition and functional fees, but the 40% break we get will allow us to apply the difference to his university hostel rent and upkeep. Any deduction in tuition we can receive is a blessing!     

YOUTH CENTRE: This month we had Uncle William do some long overdue renovations at the Centre. He did a few minor repairs to a few broken windows and re-cemented a new pole for the volleyball net. His major project was de-constructing the veranda cover, which over the last five years has rotted from all the rain. He then re-constructed with new poles, and recycled some poles and the iron sheets. It now looks great again and gives us shade!    

FAMILY TIME: From 15-18 June David, Mable, Oliver, Alpha, Shakirah and a few others were at my home for a weekend of praise, prayer and fasting. It was an amazing time with the Lord! We saw Ruth and Immy get released and set free from some old family curses that have been tying them.  We also had some wonderful fellowship and family time. I am truly blessed to have such a great family here in Uganda. Matthew 12:50 “For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister, and mother.”

YOUTH UPDATE:

TERM 2: The secondary youth started their 2^nd Term of the year on 27^th May. Straight away the Advanced Level youth; Immy, William and Milly had beginning of term exams. The Ordinary Level youth did not start exams until 10th June. We pray that the Lord gives them a wonderful term and keeps them safe as they move to and from school.        

JUSTINE: She completed her 1^st year exams on 2^nd June. On the 3^rd she had to move all of her things, as the university is set to renovate the girl’s hostel over the next 3 months. She was able to move the items to her cousin’s home on Entebbe Road. Her cousin also got her a job in a salon where she will be learning hairdressing; plating hair. Not only is this a good skill to have, but it also gives her a bit of pocket money for the next semester. We will miss not having her in Masaka, but this is a great opportunity for her. Justine also celebrated her 22^nd Birthday on the 18^th of June! Happy Birthday to her!      

PROM: On 8^th June the secondary candidates, Charity, Ruth, Pius and Immy attended prom at Masaka SS. Yes, the youth of Uganda have officially adopted the U.S. term “prom” for their end of secondary 4 and secondary 6 event. They said it was like being a movie star when they walked on the red carpet with their friends and had the photographers taking pictures. After their entrances there were speeches from the school’s head teachers, and deputies and then a yummy lunch of chicken, beef, rice, matooke, potatoes, chapatti, and soda. After lunch many of the students had photo-shoots with the photographers. Then the dance began up until 6pm. They said it was a very fun and memorable experience!

OLIVER: She completed her 1^st year, 2^nd semester exams on 27^th May. Then she attended a seminar on 4^th and 5^th June on textiles. Specifically on how to dye different types of fabrics using natural dyes. She is now on semester holiday until 11^th August. During her holiday time she came to visit us in Masaka for a week. Upon her return to Entebbe she started volunteering at a clothing workshop in Kisubi, near Entebbe. While volunteering she will add onto her skills in making fashion dresses, traditional dresses for weddings, party dresses, and others.         

TRIP: On 14^th June Pamela and Ruth went on a school Food & Nutrition Field Trip to Kampala. It was both of their first times in Kampala. They both experienced different things because they were in different buses.

Here are the new and exciting things that Pamela saw:

• Dishwasher—I saw how it worked and how it cleaned the dishes with hot water
• Hotel—We went to a very large hotel and I saw fancy rooms, the kitchens, restaurants & banquet areas. In the hotel room I saw a Jacuzzi tub. This was my greatest wonder and the best bathroom I have ever seen!
• Bakery- We went to Hot Loaf Bakery and I learnt how they make bread and cookies on a large scale with big mixers and huge ovens!

Here are the things that Ruth experienced:

• Uganda Industrial Research Institute- We visited several departments of UIRI; pepper processing, meat & vegetable processing, and milk processing. I learnt about the industrialization of such products.
• Hotel- We went to Sports View Hotel and I learnt how to organize a dining table, fold napkins, and use various decoration. We also saw how the hotel meals are prepared for large functions and the daily buffet.
• Bakery- At Hot Loaf Bakery we learned how different snacks and sliced bread is prepared.      

YOUTH PROGRAMS:

GROUP TALK: Group talk it is all about sharing things from our hearts. This program started in 2022 due to some misunderstandings among the youth and it cultivates unity and openness with each other. This forum also gives us a chance to discuss programs, grievances, new programs and ideas and overall changes to the Centre. We reviewed the Term 1 Holiday programs and here’s what a few of the youth said about their Best Program/s: William: “My best program was the Relationship Workshop. It helped me to get answers to several of my questions which has been bothering me in life” Pius: “My best program was the Bible study because I got more understanding and details concerning the Bible”

This time also gave the youth a chance to share about their C2C camp experiences. We also discussed some policy updates. We also shared about our upcoming annual outreach trip in September. By the way, please keep our trip planning, program and funding in prayer. Thanks.

BIBLE STUDY: Every Tuesday evening throughout the month we dug deep into the book of Genesis and studied chapters 17 to 21. One of our interesting studies was from Chapter 19 were we read about Sodom’s Depravity. Here are some of the youth’s comments about the chapter: 

• Oliver- We need to allow God to use us. To be that person who can serve your family, like Abraham, not like Lot.
• Pamela-Lot knew God, many people know God but we don’t know what He does. If it wasn’t for Abraham, Lot wouldn’t have known God. Lot didn’t reflect God in him. In verse 12 we see Lot missed something. We should reflect the image of God in us. God can rescue people on our behalf, like the would-be sons-in-law. In verse 3 bread without yeast, means knowing God whole heartedly.
• Milly- (verse 27-28) Abraham returned to that place where he had seen God. Every time we are stranded, we need to go back to where we found God, to break the barriers in our lives.
• Mark-(verse 12) In the rescue of Lot, God saw that he had little faith. Lot was misled by his wife but if he had remained on his opinion, everything wouldn’t have happened. It is about decision making.
• William- (verse 26) Lot’s wife had 2 hearts, she never wanted to miss what was behind. Some Christians are focused on what is not Godly. Stop looking back at your past and move on.  

DEBATE DAY: Our theme for the 15^th June’s debate was ‘’Corruption should be abolished in Uganda’’. The proposers were Charity, Milly, Mark and William and the opposers were Pamela, Ronald, Immy and Pius.  Chairperson was Aunt Rita, secretary was Shakirah and the time keeper was Juliet. The youth had some very interesting insights.

We began with the Proposing Team which stated Corruption should be abolished. Team leader, Charity shared how corruption is a violation of human rights, and it leads to under development of infrastructures, and delayed social supplies. Mark argued that corruption leads to death of people and it is disrespectful for those who practice it. Milly said it leads to the oppression of the minority, increased immorality, and it leads to a low standards of living. William talked how it damages relationships, and the risk in criminal prosecution, financial laws and loss of jobs.

Of course the opposers debated the opposite; Corruption shouldn’t be abolished. The team leader, Pamela, stated that corruption makes us secure and when money is given, it helps people to reach somewhere they couldn’t have reached. Ronald said it helps people pass through different situation and improves on the standard of living to those that have not been paid or given a good salary. Immy stated that it brings development in government. Also bribing for a job creates economic activity and improves lives by reducing poverty. It also favors the unfavorable in some hospitals or schools. Finally Pius said it helps the development of many cities, improves on social service provision and leads to many employment opportunities.

In summary, God doesn’t allow corruption. Hebrews 12:1-2, Apostle Paul was after doing the will of God. All in all, we all agreed that corruption should be abolished. The proposers won and each member of the winning team got cookies.

MOVIE DAY: On the 22^nd we watched a harrowing, dark and gripping movie called, ‘’The Sound Of Freedom’’. Many of you reading may have seen this movie or heard about it. The movie is based on a true story about Tim (Timoteo) Ballard who worked on child sex trafficking cases for the U.S. Homeland Security Department. Tim ends up rescuing a boy, Miguel, and then learns that his sister, Rocio, is still captive as a sex slave. This is when he embarks on a dangerous mission into the Columbian jungle to save her. 

After the movie we had our usual question & answer session and discussed what we had all learned from the movie. But this time I started out by asking; “Why would I show you a movie like this?” Pamela replied with, “It is so important to know what goes on in the world and in other countries. There are many situations in life that happen to people and we need to be aware.” Immy said, “For us to know that child slavery is real.” I then read Matthew 18:6, “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he was drowned in the depth of the sea.” – Jesus (NKJV) 

The youth then went on sharing what they had learned from the movie. Here are their comments:

• Pamela said that we always get opportunities, if we don’t go deep to understand them, then we may get problems. We need to ask before anything. God can do whatever it takes to rescue us.
• Immy said that the world is pretentious, many people do pretend yet they are evil. Let’s know that there’s someone that is fighting for us.
• Shakirah said that we need the knowledge of wisdom. The boss was sticking to the law but Timoteo stuck on his calling. He was fully determined.
• Pamela said that each person’s calling is different, so don’t copy other’s callings, but ask for the Lord and the Holy Spirit to guide you.
• Pius said we need to be courageous and persistence, braveness with a strong relationship.
• Eddy talked of calling. People are suffering because they have left their calling. Do your part and save others. He said there was a quote in the movie, ‘When God tells you what to do you can’t escape it.’
• Ronald said that we should not lose hope and we should be faithful. We should persevere and be strong.
• Charity said that being in a situation doesn’t mean that you have lost it all. Lucio was obedient even when she was mistreated. Pray and overcome.

VISITATION DAY: We attended the secondary youth’s visitation day at Masaka Secondary School on 29^th June. After registering all of our youth we waited for them to arrive. When they arrived we went to pick their beginning of term 2 reports and speak to their class teachers. Most of the youth did well and even improved from their end of 1^st Term exams. Immy (S6) and William (S5) were the only two that need much improvement. Please keep them in prayer. Thank you!

After, we took a tour of the whole school, mainly for Ronald’s sake as he is to join secondary 1 in February. It was also good to see each of the youth’s classrooms and hear about their classes. After all that, we went to Valley Cave Restaurant for a yummy lunch. It was a nice day!  

BELA BULUNGI (GOOD-BYE):

It has been a great month! I thank you all for your continued prayers, love, care, and encouragement!! You are all such a blessing to the ministry and my family and I thank you!

May God bless you and keep you in the palm of His hand

In His Grip,

Rita Bulegeya

Director -Faith Hope Love Missions

reetsindiego@yahoo.com