FHLM OCTOBER 2024 NEWSLETTER

GREETINGS:

Greetings from Masaska. Wow, I cannot believe we are in the last few months of the year already! October flew by!! I pray this update finds you all healthy, happy, and loved. All Your works shall praise You, O Lord, and Your saints shall bless You. Psalms 145:10

DIRECTORS UPDATE:

FHLM YOUTH CENTRE: The recent census in Uganda revealed that of the 45.9 million people in Uganda, 50% are 17 years of age and below. Youth age 18-30 years comprise 23.5% of the population. Middle-aged (31-59 years) is 21.5% and Older persons (60 and above) are 5% of the population. That said, 73.5% of Uganda’s population is from 0 to 30 years of age making it the 2^nd youngest population in the world   

This is why there is a huge need for an organization like FHLM and our Youth Centre! Our core values of discipleship, Bible Studies, skill building and leadership training are fundamental values and key skills to be taught amongst this rising generation. Hence, we are continually fundraising for the purchase of land and to build a permanent Youth Centre in Masaka, for this generation and future generations to come! Your prayerful consideration in supporting the purchase of land for the FHLM Youth Centre is appreciated. If you are led to donate please click the link below for on-line donations or send checks to the below address. Thank you for your continued support in transforming Uganda!

OR

Shepherd’s Staff
C/O Rita Bulegeya, Memo #6050
P.O. Box 24174, Knoxville, TN 37933  

PUBLIC HOLIDAY: Uganda gained her independence on October 9th 1962. This year’s Independence Day was marked with military parades, ceremonies, and performances in Busia, in Eastern Uganda. The celebrations are designed to promote the nation and its culture. It is a source of national pride and a reflection of Uganda’s history and progress.

BIRTHDAY: On 22^nd Oct we celebrated the life of Juliet our Admin Assistant. Her birthday fell on Bible Study day, so it was a perfect time to have a party, as everyone was around. It was extra special to have her two children, Anne and Josiah, in attendance. Of course we all enjoyed cake and the festivities.  

BOARD MEETING: On 26^th Oct we had our 4^th Quarter Board Meeting. We had many topics to review, and here are a few of the items we discussed. We set some new SOAR Youth policies regarding the youth’s academics and attendance of programs. Pamela gave the Board a briefing on our Outreach & Ed Trip to Gulu. She also shared some personal testimonies and those other the youth, and how the trip impacted them. We also talked over our fundraising for land. I shared about the Impact Team that is coming in November. We would ask you to please keep the Team in prayer as they prepare their hearts to travel to East Africa. May God use them mightily! We ended with reviewing the upcoming programs for November, December, our Annual January Camp. I am thankful for the boards’ desire to see our youth and this generation transformed!  

YOUTH UPDATE:

HOME VISITS: Throughout the month Shakirah had home visits at all of the secondary youth’s parents or their guardian’s homes. As I read her reports I found that she is not only checking on the progress, and home life of the youth, but she is ministering to several of the guardians. I see the BIG effect she is making in their lives, as she shares the Word with them, prays for them and counsels them. By doing this work for the Lord she is also impacting the home lives of our youth. I value Shakirah and thank her for mightily serving the Lord!     

VISITING DAY: On 5^th October the FHLM Youth who study at Masaka Secondary School had their visitation day. We thank God because everyone reached safely and on time. Pamela, who is the school’s Assistant Head Girl, was among the Prefects who were registering the parents and directing them where to go. Immy was not with us because her secondary 6 Economics class went for a seminar at Mengo S.S. in Kampala.

On this day the school had also organized a student’s sport day, so checking the youth’s results started late. Eventually we were able to check the academic performances of only for the candidate class students, Pius, Ruth, Charity and Immy, as the school only marked and printed results for their internal mocks and no other students. 

At round 1pm the youth and staff went out for lunch at Valley Cave Restaurant where we had a delicious meal which included; matooke, rice, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, posho, cassava, meat and peas with some drinks like sodas and water. Everyone had a good time and enjoyed the day. 

CANDIDATES: Pius, Ruth, and Charity started their National Exams on 14^th Oct.  We ask for your continued prayers for them as they will complete by 05^th Nov. Also Immy starts her national exams on 11^th Nov. Please keep her in prayer as she prepares for the exams. Thank you!

UNIVERSITY YOUTH: I usually message with them on a weekly basis and check to see how they are doing and how they are progressing with lectures and campus life. Here’s a brief update:  

• Eddy has been adjusting to campus life at KIU- Ishaka very well. He is deep in lectures, but still finding time to attend a weekly Cell Bible Study Group with Joshua. He said he really enjoys the fellowship. He had his mid-semester exams from 23^rd  to 31^st Oct.
• Justine is doing well at KIU and completed mid-semester exams on 16^th Oct. She still enjoys her weekly campus Bible study group and the monthly overnight fellowship that is attended by campus youth from about 4 different churches.
• Oliver is doing well at University Kisubi. She said that this year the university was given its charter, so it is now recognize by the government of Uganda and given status as a university in the pursuit of academic excellence. She has been working hard on a few screen printing projects. She said they are very time consuming, but she is grateful to know how to do this.  

YOUTH PROGRAMS:

BIBLE STUDY: Throughout the month we studied Genesis chapters 28 to 31. The study on 08 October was my favorite, because the power was out and as we sat in the dark the Holy Spirit illuminated the Scriptures for us. That evening we studied Genesis 29:1-35 about Jacob and Rachel. As Jacob journeyed to Haran to meet his mother’s family and his new bride, God gave him divine providence.

• Pamela shared from verses 26-30. She said that Leah really knew God as she named her sons biblically and God really fought for her. She was covered by God’s grace and He made her important, valued, and a beautiful woman. 
• Ronnie said that favor and strength were given to Jacob by God
• Immy shared from verse 20, saying that Jacob’s love for Rachel moved him along as if no time had passed. This is a picture of how we need to love God. As issues arise we need not let our love for God diminish or affect our walk.  
• Mark expounded on verses 6 and 25 saying that Jacob was caring for his uncle and though he was deceived Jacob kept the peace in the family and his life.   

LIFE SKILL: On 19^th Oct Shakirah and I led the youth in a Career Guidance Training. We helped the youth understand the meaning of career and what to consider when choosing a career. As we went through the power point presentation we talk through the subjects to take or focus on while selecting the career course. We also discussed several career guidance questions with the youth; Does this job interest me? Am I studying the right subjects to get into this job? Am I interested in and good at these subjects? Am I likely to get the grades I need to study this subject at college/university? 

We then looked at what to consider when choosing a technical school or university. We went through a list of the top technical schools and universities in Uganda. Then we gave them the career path questionnaire to fill out as they considered their careers.

At the end the youth wanted some more clarifications on careers and the subjects to be taken, so I projected a PDF of Career Guidance for Uganda Secondary Schools. This had a list of careers and the detailed information for each career that they had questions about. We pray that this workshop will help them make the right decisions for their future and put them on their correct career path.

BELA BULUNGI (GOOD-BYE):

None of this could happen without our prayer supporters and those that financially support. Thank you all for your love, support and blessings! May you all have a blessed November.

In His Grip,

Rita Bulegeya

Missionary & Director -Faith Hope Love Missions

reetsindiego@yahoo.com