FHLM APRIL 2026 NEWSLETTER

GREETINGS:

Greetings from Masaka! I hope you all had a blessed Easter weekend! 1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. (NKJV)

He has risen! He has risen indeed!!

DIRECTOR’S UPDATE:

BOARD MEETING: On 11^th April we held our 2^nd Quarter Board Meeting. We were thankful that all of our new members elected at the AGM were in attendance. After the reading of the minutes of the previous board meeting and the AGM they were brought up to speed with the current status of the SOAR Youth and ministry as a whole. We discussed several new ideas and programs, and I was thankful for the “new life” the new member breathed into the ministry.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

1. Please pray for our Annual Youth Outreach and Education Trip. This year we are going to Masindi from 14-19 May, 2026.
2. Please pray for all our Holiday Programs to be conducted well and impact the youth.
3. Please pray for the university students to complete their end of semester exams well.  
4. Please prayerfully consider sponsoring Comfort for school fees. She will be starting secondary 1 the end of May. Thank you! 

SOAR YOUTH UPDATES:

WILLIAM: From 16^th to 18^th April William and I traveled on a bus 5 hours west of Masaka to Ishaka to get him admitted to Kampala International Universities’ (KIU) Higher Education Certificate (HEC) Program. It was a very rainy day, but we praise God for His journey mercies. When we arrived we were warmly welcomed by Eddy! It was so good to see him.  After lunch we went to the university to check on admission. We praise God that William was accepted into the HEC program, which has a concentration in chemistry and biology, among other courses. After finishing the programs’ two semesters he will only be able to be admitted into a diploma course, but he is very thankful for the second chance that God has given him. In the afternoon Joshua, one of our SOAR Youth alumni, took us for a campus tour.

The next morning Eddy took us on a tour of the KIU Teaching Hospital. The rest of the weekend was spent searching for a hostel for William to stay in. Unfortunately we came up short, but both Eddy and Joshua would keep looking for us. We are thankful for Eddy’s diligence, because he was finally able to secure a hostel for William!

On 25^th April William and I headed back to Ishaka this time with a packed car full of William’s things for the year! With the help of Eddy and Joshua we got William settled into his hostel room and even got him a bed. The next morning we all went to 8am service at Ishaka Community Church, the church Eddy and Joshua attend. Then it was time to say bye-bye to the guys and head out for our 5 hour drive back to Masaka. We pray that the Lord guides William through this next chapter of life!  

END OF 1^ST TERM: Charity, Ruth, and Pamela ended their 1^st Term on 23^rd April. I picked them up from Timothy Girls’ boarding school and dropped them at their respective homes. The guys, Pius, Mark, and Ronnie, ended their 1^st Term at Masaka SS on 29^th April.  

YOUTH PROGRAMS:

GOOD FRIDAY: We held our Annual Good Friday Event on 3^rd April at the Youth Centre. This year’s theme was Reconciliation based on verse Colossians 1:19-20. As the morning unfolded, ongoing gospel music filled the air as we registered and welcomed people, and they played board games and volleyball till others arrived. We had an opening prayer from Ronald and praise and worship led by Pamela, Comfort, Carol, and the FHLM team. Uncle Douglas was our very colorful MC for the day. He encouraged many of the guests in attendance to give the audience special songs and even share memory verses.

After specials, we had the sermon from the guest speaker, Elisha Ndeleyimaana, who talked about Passion Week and all the events that led up to Good Friday, including the cleansing of the temple, Jesus’s betrayal, the Passover meal, and Jesus’ crucifixion on Friday.  He shared that sin is a burden, a debt, and a stain, and Jesus is the only One that can pay it. After his wonderful message of Christ reconciling us with God, he gave an alter call to anyone willing to receive eternal life through Jesus Christ. Then Pastor Brain led us in Holy Communion and as he shared from 1 Corinthians 11:23.  

After lunch we played a few fun games like eating competition, egg carry, and balloon bust! We ended the day with a cutting and enjoying a cake. Then I gave closing remarks and a prayer. We praise God for His mighty power, love, and the beautiful day we had in His presence.

EASTER: Easter Sunday was sent at my home. After attending early service Daisy and I went home and finished preparing lunch and waited for everyone to arrive. Slowly all seven of the guests arrived and we enjoyed a very yummy lunch. After lunch we played cards and a few games. Towards evening we savored the delicious cakes and cookies we had prepared on Saturday. It was a lovely day

BIBLE STUDIES:  Through the month of April we studied Exodus chapters 38-40 and finished up the book of Exodus. The study on 14^th April was a review of the Tabernacle and a continuation of Exodus 39:32-43. These verses were about Moses inspecting the tabernacle. I started with doing a review of the previous scriptures of the things in the tabernacle. Everyone present did a good job remembering the items; the Ark of the Covenant, alter of burnt offerings, alter of incense, anointing oil, bronze basin, bread of the presence among others. Then I asked them about the topics we discussed in the previous verses and they include; obedience, team work in service, generous giving, sacrifice, being holy, observing the Sabbath and keeping it holy. As we discussed the remaining verses in chapter 39 here are some of the youth and staffs insight:

• Comfort said that when we are working for God, we must give him our best just like people gave in silver and gold to God for the construction of the tabernacle.
• Babirye added that obedience is key in serving the Lord. The Israelites did everything as the lord commanded. So, we must also be obedient to God for Him to bless us in return.
• Juliet added that we should learn to complete that tasks given to us by God in our daily lives just as we see the Israelites did in the construction of the tabernacle. She asked us to read Psalms 139:16.
• Comfort said when we are serving God, we must do it whole heartedly. And we must help the needy and bless other people in order for God to bless us too. First bless others and be blessed too.
• Carol added that we should not complain incase God delays to answer our prayers or blessing us just because we helped other people too. Don’t command God to bless you quickly.
• Babirye added that, God’s timing is the best. He will bless you in the perfect time. He is never late or early. So, we must be patient and not command God for blessings.
• I shared that Moses was a good leader. If he wasn’t, all this work wouldn’t have been done. A good leader delegates work to others in order to accomplish God’s work. Just as Moses picked people who were skilled to help him. As a leader it is important to delegate give some tasks to other capable people and trust them. We should always work in a team. If you work in a team, the work will be accomplished easily and in time. T.E.A.M. T- Together, E- Everyone, A-Achieves, M-Much or more.
• Also shared good leader also rewards the people he leads and blesses them. Just as Moses blessed the people after constructing the tabernacle. A good leader also follows up to make sure the tasks given are being completed properly.
• Pius added that once you are appreciated, let it not become a seed of pride in you just as Satan became proud after knowing he was the best angel and then was chased away from heaven.
• Ronald said that if we are united, tasks will be easy. Just as God blessed the Israelites after working in unity and accomplishing God’s work. Everyone has a role in God’s kingdom.
• Babirye concluded saying that these chapters about the construction of the tabernacle were teaching about sacrifice giving up self, cleansing or being made pure, order or following God’s ways and integrity or handling responsibility well while serving God.

We finished our bible study with worship form Juliet and a closing prayer from Pius and everyone went home.

VOLLEYBALL: Saturday the 18^th was a bright day with no rain and moderate sunshine, so it was perfect for volleyball. After lunch Stuart and some of Pius’ friends joined the SOAR youth. They all played some football (soccer) and some board games as they waited for Aunt Grace to show up for training. Grace took the youth through some bumping and passing drills. Then she had them go to the court for some serving, and general skills practice. Everyone enjoyed the volleyball practices, and for most of the youth it was their first time to get involved in it, so they picked interest. Everyone played as a team which is going to be good when FHLM plays a friendly volleyball match with the youth at Willow Resource in May.

GARDENS OF FAITHFULNESS: This is an off-shoot of Farming God’s Way (FGW). The program was led by Jimmy Smucker, a missionary from the U.S., and Regional Trainer for Farming God’s Way. He was joined by Mr. William, a FGW trainee. We held the week long program on 24^th April, and 27^th to 30^th April. Each day consisted of Biblical theory, and practical. 

Day 1: It was a very rainy morning so Mr. Jimmy and Mr. William started our training with an introduction of Farming God’s Way and Gardens of Faithfulness. We also watched a few videos on soil experiments. In the afternoon we plant a personal demonstration garden.   

Day 2: We had another very rainy morning so Mr. Jimmy taught theory on dependency, God’s all sufficiency, and seasons & times (Ecclesiastes 3:1-11). In the afternoon we started our “Well Watered Garden” by planting maze, beans, pumpkin and zucchini.    

Day 3: We kicked off the morning in our “Well Watered Garden” by planting carrots, Swiss chard, and cabbage. Then Mr. Jimmy had a theory session on living an abundant life (John 10:10) and reaping what we sow (Luke 6:38). After lunch Mr. William shared on doing things with high standards. Afterwards the ladies were able to have the rest of the day to work in their personal gardens.   

Day 4: We were blessed to have the guys join us this day, as they had just finished 1^st Term the day before. We stated the day in our “Well Watered Garden” by planting sweet potatoes, and onions. Then clearing and preparing for Compost Day. The day’s theories were on Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-26) and Tithes & Offerings (Malachi 3:7)

Day 5: Compost Day. We had 4 teams; woody, dry, green, and nitrogen. And several helped with collecting water. It was hard work, but we all worked in unity to build the “compost house”. Mr. William taught the afternoon’s theory on compost, relating to the practical we had done in the morning.

Throughout the week we battled rain, roots, and rocks, but by God’s grace we succeeded! I am very grateful to Jimmy and Mr. William for all the training, knowledge, and hard work. I’m also thankful to the youth for their hard work and commitment to the program. I cannot wait to see the harvest!  

BELA BULUNGI (GOOD-BYE):

As you have read April was a blessed and full month! I thank the Lord for all of the joy, protection, provision, and love that He sent to the ministry and to me in April. I pray that God is blessing you with the same. Until next month may the Lord bless you and keep you!

Love and Blessings,

Rita Bulegeya

Missionary & Director -Faith Hope Love Missions

reetsindiego@yahoo.com