Early FHLM March 2020 Newsletter

Hello everyone and Greetings from Masaka!

Well Uganda is still corona virus free and we praise God for that! As of 20th March the Ugandan government has issued a mandatory shut down for 32 days of all schools and universities, church and places of worship, no public gatherings, no weddings or traditional introductions, burials for family members only, and closure of weekly market days, bars, and discos etc.

Since our Youth Centre is a gathering place and we reach 10 persons or more at programs we will also be closed for 32 days.  Grace and I will still be working on Mondays and Fridays for the time being, doing home visits, over the phone counselling and or general office work. We still have free movement but are limiting the amount of time we are in public places. The government has put into effect other regulations such as washing hands upon entering into supermarkets, and the local market, and a limit on the use of public transport to other parts of the country for emergency needs only.

We believe in all of Psalm 91! But especially verses 4 & 5 which say: “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.”        

Otherwise this is what we had been up to before the closures.

Director’s Update:

Something that Beth Moore said in a Bible Study recently hit me; “at times God calls for us to have a “re-mix” of our lives”. There’s many of us, including me, that don’t like “change” and in season & out of season we want life to remain the same. But doesn’t life get boring? God calls us to change, growth, a new road, movement and stirring things up! I’m now thanking God so much for the “remix” He’s doing in my life and the ministry!! Read Acts 15:36-41.    

That said we would like you to welcome James Sbyonga to the “FHLM Family”! This month James started volunteering at the Youth Centre. He is finishing his degree in business administration at a university near the centre, so on Wed, Friday and Saturday he comes to help out with projects and youth programs. He has already blessed us by “sprucing up” the centre with a few painting projects and running many errands for us. Not to mention that the guys really enjoy having him around since they are now really outnumbered! We are praying that after graduation he will be able to join the family full time as our Programs Coordinator.  

March 8^th was International Women’s Day so we all attended a luncheon for the ladies at Soweto Youth Fellowship. The women’s day theme this year was equality, so we had a small talk with the young ladies about that and about equality for people of color before we watched the movie Hidden Figures. Afterward Aunt Jordyn asked the young ladies questions about the movie. Many said that they were very inspired by the movie!!

Ndejje Visit: On the 12^th and 13^th I went up to Ndejje University to visit Babirye. I got up there in the afternoon and we met up and talked. She has been asked to be the University Christian Union’s treasure. This is a great honour and it shows that she is a trusted person and has fulfilled her leadership role as the cell group “momma” well. She said that being the CU Treasure is a big responsibility and a bit of a challenge. This new post will take much of her time so she is resigning as the cell “momma”. She said that the hand over will be on Sunday the 15^th for the cell and that is the day she will take over the CU position.  I was also able to give her a replacement laptop for the one that had been stolen from her dorm room. She was so thankful and very happy to receive it! She had a CU Team meeting with the patron, so we meet up for dinner in the evening and talked more. The next day we met with the dean of students about her living off campus for 3^rd year. We had to submit a few letters and forms but we hope that our request will be granted. It was so nice to have the extra time with her, catch up, laugh, and not be rushed. What a lovely time we had together!

I want to thank those that prayed about Babirye’s stolen laptop and also send a very big thank you to the person that contributed to the fixing of the replacement laptop.  You all have blessed her so much!

Youthz Update:

On 7^th March all of our secondary students, along with Uncle James and me went to Masaka SS Visitation Day. We visited all of our youth’s classrooms and toured the campus. It was also “school club day”, so we checked out many of the club exhibitions and demonstration tables. Eddy, William and Hanisha registered for the Food & Nutrition Club and Immy, Benita, and Milly signed up for ????  Afterward we all went to lunch at Valley Cave Take-way and enjoyed a big lunch of local foods! 

Grace has started our weekly Counselling Sessions again. She is meeting one-on-one with each SOAR Youth every Monday after school.  Having her on board with us, as a qualified Social Worker, has helped us reach a goal of doing weekly Home Visits. She and I have been meeting with the parents and/or guardians of our SOAR Youth getting to see where and how they live. This is also helping us to get to know their parents/guardians more. All of this unites us together.  

Back to Success was held on 14^th March. We had Chemistry as our subject for the discussion. We started with Benita who had a S.1 passed paper and asked a question about irons. William answered it because he had done the same paper she had in S.1 last year. Eddy and William were the main discussants in this session, they are good in chemistry in topics like electrons and neutrons, because when Milly brought in a question about these topics they helped out.

Uncle James also came to this program and he also helped the youth in answering questions concerning balancing equations, how to form equations. He told them that it’s a must for them to know valances of compounds in order to learn how to balance the equation. He talked about the periodic table and that for one to pass chemistry must be having it.

Hanisha asked a question about the preparation of oxygen gas, Eddy answered draw a well labelled diagram for them and answered all other questions about it.

Eddy explained methods of collecting gases as below:

1. Over water – slightly soluble in water.
2. Upward delivery- less dense in air.
3. Downward delivery- more dense than water.

Uncle James, Eddy and William deserve thanks because they helped the youth to learn more about Chemistry. (Written by; Aunt Grace Mukasiine FHLM- Social Worker)

More Youth updates:  Since the universities closure Babirye has travelled to Kampala to stay with her mother for the next 32 days. Since Joshua is in a private hostel he is waiting for a few days till the “chaos” of university departures calms down and will travel back to Masaka during the weekend. William has requested to travel to his families’ village for the duration of the 32 days to be with his Mom and Grandma.  

Praises To God & Prayer Requests:

• We praise God for answered prayers to the on-going building issues! The family has resolved their issues and extended our rental lease for another 2 years, at the same rental amount. What a faithful God we serve!
• Please pray for the on-going FHLM youth ministry programs to grow and continue to be able to pour God’s love into the community our SOAR Youth.  
• Please pray for our youth during this time of school closure, for provision for their families as now they have extra mouths to feed.
• Since the markets are closed please pray for the parents or guardians of our youth that rely on the weekly markets for their livelihood.   

As you have read it has been a different, but blessed month. We thank the Lord for His provision, and for keeping us safe and healthy! We also thank God so much for all of you!! We are praying for each of you and for the nations!!

May the Lord of hope bless and keep you all in these uncertain times. The only thing we know for certain is that, “Our Lord remains the same yesterday, today and forever”. (Hebrews 13:8). Have a blessed day and may the Lord keep you all safe and sound for you are in the palm of His hand!

In His Grip,

Rita

Director Faith Hope Love Missions