FHLM APRIL 2025 NEWSLETTER

GREETINGS:

Greetings from Masaka! I pray that all of you are doing wonderful and are truly blessed by the Lord. I also hope you had a memorable Easter and I thank you for all your prayers for our Good Friday Program.

DIRECTORS UPDATE:

WORKSHOP: Shakirah attended the Scripture Union Positive Parenting Workshop on 5^th April under the Theme: Parenting A Prodigal Child. This is a summary of her report:

It was led by Pastor Kizito Patrick. He began by sharing the theme verse; Luke 15:11-24 and stating that this workshop is all about welcoming a prodigal child, and raising him up. Pastor Kizito said that if you don’t give your children the things that made you to be who you are, it is dangerous. You should give them the roots to stand strong in the storms of life. Give them the wings to fly-up to their God given potential.

Pastor’s other main point was that as parents we should make the most of your time with your children. Ephesians 5:16. We should make the most of our opportunities because the days are evil. Our children need “more of our presence than our presents.” Your presence increases your children’s self-esteem

Then he focused on Single Parenting. He said it’s not over with life if marriage separation happened. That as single mothers we should not speak ill of men and make all men to be evil. Single parents should look for both a father and mother figure. The greatest gift we can give to our children is a present father.

SEMINAR: From 7^th to 9^th April Shakirah, Juliet and I attended The Theology of Law & Grace Seminar at Willow Resource Centre. It was led by Jeromy Puckett from Berean Institute. Over the 3 days of this interactive seminar we dug into at deeper understanding of law & grace and unveiled their harmony in scripture.    

RETREAT: I was blessed to be able to attend the Journey Together Women’s Retreat outside Jinja from 25^th to 27^th April. I had not been since pre-COVID, so it was so nice to see old friends and meet new ones. I was really blessed because this time my dear friend, Sarah, was able to come with me. This year’s theme was True Identity—Living As God’s Beloved….2 Corinthians 6:18.    

The weekend was a blessing, a refreshment, and a much needed time of re-connection with the Lord and other ladies in the mission field. Over the course of the weekend God spoke to me about forgiveness and what it means to fully forgive! I praise Him for His goodness to me and for His abundant grace and love.   

PRAYER REQUESTS:

• Please pray for Justine as she is still waiting on God to give her an Internship Placement.
• Also please pray for all the youth as they are in Term Holiday, that the Lord protects them, gives them His wisdom, and draws them closer to Him.  

YOUTH UPDATE:

IMMY: On 1^st and 2^nd April Immy and I traveled to Mbarara to visit Bishop Stuart University.  We spent the entire 1^st day at the university. We did a campus tour with the Assistant Register visiting the library, other faculties, the campus Chaplin, and the Faculty of Law class rooms and head of the department. After Immy applied for August intake, and then we went on a hunt for campus hostels. It was a fruitful day and we thank God for giving us journey mercies as we traveled.

OLIVER: Despite the unending rain, Oliver’s last fashion show at University Kisubi on 14^th April went on successfully. Her collection of children’s, men’s, and women’s evening attire was beautifully curated! So much so that out of the 15 finalist she won third prize. I am very proud of her and all of her accomplishments. I was also very thankful to Babirye for modeling for Oliver and for Justine and Mable who attended and supported Oliver on her special day.   

EDDY: On the 14^th he along with other Rwandese students from KIU-Ishaka attended the Rwanda Genocide Remembrance Day near Mpigi. This memorial site is where thousands of bodies washed up on the shores of Lake Victoria after the horrific events of the Rwanda Genocide in 1994. Eddy was a baby in Rwanda when this took place, but his family lived through this horrendous tragedy. He said the memorial service was a very moving experience and something that we never want to see happen again and that he will never forget. 

RUTH: We celebrated her birthday at home in the evening of the 17^th with Mark and Ronnie. Then on Easter Sunday we had another cake for her and celebrated again with a few rounds of Happy Birthday! So on her 21^st birthday she received a double blessing!    

GOOD-BYE: Mr. Mpungu the Head Teacher of Masaka Secondary School had his send off on 14^th April. After 18 years of service to the school, his legacy has left a transforming mark on the school. Ronnie, Mark and Pamela attended the program. Pamela said it was a colorful event and she was blessed to give a speech wishing the Headmaster well in the next chapter of his life.     

SECONDARY YOUTH: Timothy Girl’s High School end of 1^st Term for Ruth and Chairity was on 17^th April. Shakirah and I traveled to Kaswa, just outside Masaka to pick them. The remaining students at Masaka SS; William, Pius, Pamela, Mark and Ronnie ended their 1^st term on 29^th April.   

YOUTH PROGRAMS:

BIBLE STUDIES: Throughout the month of April we read through Genesis chapters 45 to 49 verses by verse learning and discussing the Word of God. I’m thankful for our weekly Bible studies and how the Word illuminates our paths.    

BIBLE QUIZ: We had a wonderful Bible Quiz on 5^th April with much joy, learning, and laughter. There were two groups; ELITES (Ronald, Pamela, Ann and Josiah) and ESSENTIALS (Pius, William, Mark). Each group participated in answering various Bible questions about Bible history, old & new testament, and the Sword Game. Juliet worked as the time keeper and I was quizzing them. In the end the ESSENTIAL scored 68 points and ELITES 65 points. Though one group were the winners they all tried their level best which shows the spiritual maturity.

I like this program because it encourages each participate to grow in the Word of God through reading the Bible. The Bible quiz day also challenges the Youth to get time to read and study their Bibles on the daily basis for the better performance in these quizzes and their spiritual lives.

GOOD FRIDAY: On Good Friday 18^th April we had our annual program. This year’s theme was Passover. We had invited youths from different places, like Hilltop Church, Latter Glory Assemblies, C2C, Liberty Worship, Vibe Media, Masaka Baptist, Full Gospel, and with the FHLM youth we were 74 people in all.

While waiting for all the visitors to arrive, we had some praise and worship from Pamela and the FHLM Choir. We also had special songs from different youth from the various churches and ministries. And the youth from C2C gave us a wonderful skit based on Good Friday. We welcomed Pastor Augustine to address us on the Good Friday celebrations and he explained the meaning of Good Friday. We then heard a message from Pastor Brain about Holy Communion. He went into details and read from 1 Corinthians 11:23-31. He explained that communion refers to fellowship or thanksgiving, act of remembrance that God is with us, act of confession, and an act of examining yourself and Joy. After we took bread and then the blood of Jesus for His remembrance, we were blessed with a very delicious lunch. When we finished lunch we went ahead with the games led by Pastor Augustine, Charity, and Pius. We thank God for our successful Good Friday! May He receive the Glory and Honor.

EASTER WEEKEND: On Saturday and Sunday most of the youth were at my home. On Saturday we baked cupcakes, cakes and Italian Easter cookies. We also did all the food prep for Sunday luncheon. On Sunday morning we went to early service and heard a great message about resurrection from Pastor Phillip, our Associate pastor at Full Gospel. Immediately following service we rushed home to finalize the food. I had 14 people for luncheon, including Alpha & his new bride Martha, Shakirah and her family, and Juliet. We had a lovely afternoon talking, laughing, playing games, and chilling. I thank God for my home and that it is a joyful gathering place for friends and family.   

BELA BULUNGI (GOOD-BYE):

It has been an exciting month with lots of wonderful activities. I thank you Lord for being in the midst of every event, journey, and program, for without Him and His abundant blessings, provision nothing could be done!! May God bless you all and keep you all throughout May.

In His Grip,

Rita Bulegeya

Missionary & Director -Faith Hope Love Missions

reetsindiego@yahoo.com