FHLM AUGUST 2026 NEWSLETTER

GREETINGS:

Greetings from sunny, dry, and very dusty Masaka! Ask the Lord for rain in the time of the latter rain. The Lord will make flashing clouds, He will give them showers of rain, grass in the field for everyone. Zechariah 10:1 (NKJV)

My apologies for the late release of the August Newsletter. But here is what we were up to in August. Enjoy!

DIRECTOR’S UPDATE:

NEW: Babirye has been hard at work setting up our new social media platforms and posting content. Here’s how to follow us and see all were up to:

BOARD MEETING: On 8^th August we had our 3^rd Quarter Board Meeting at the Youth Centre. We had another strong member turn-out, with all but one of our members in attendance, but he sent apologies as he was at a family function. We had much to discuss and review as we had not met since April. We discussed our staff and the new hire of Babirye as Ministry Development & Social Media Manager. Then I updated the members on recent acquisitions for the ministry. We then reviewed our 5 Year Strategic Frame Work and Work Plan. We then jumped into discussions about the SOAR Youth. We reviewed the secondary youth quarterly assessments and discussed the university students’ progress.  It was a very productive meeting and I thank all the members for their input and continued dedication to the ministry.    

LANDLORD MEETING: On 17^th August one of our 3 landlords was in Masaka from Australia. She along with Uncle Gerald, our Board Ministry Advisor, came to the Youth Centre for an important meeting. I had never physically meet this landlady, so it was great to finally meet her. We, along with Ambrose, our assistant director, discussed the future of the Centre at this location, including rental agreements, the building and security repairs, and the possibility of purchasing the land. It was concluded that based on the current state of one of the other landladies that the purchasing of the land at this time would not be possible. But we need to continue to prayer that the Lord changes her mind. We also agreed upon getting a quotation for roof repairs and affront security fence. But that also came with a negotiation for a rental increase. Please pray that all this works out and that God also provides for the increase in rent. Thank you!       

PRAYER REQUESTS:

TRAVEL: My brother and wife are traveling to Tanzania on 29^th Aug and then he is visiting me in Uganda from 2^nd to 9^th September. Note: They are still in Tanzania so I ask for your prayers for journey mercies for the two of them. Thank you!

NEW TERM: Please pray for the secondary youth as their last term of the year will begin on 14^th September. That God continues to avail His wisdom and understanding to them. Thank you!  

SOAR YOUTH UPDATES:

CHURCH VISITS: Since it had been 2 years since we had our “SOAR Youth Home Church Visits”. We started again on 02^nd Aug with a visit to Comfort’s church, Freedom Church in Kimannya.

Then on 23^rd Aug we all went to William, Pius, and Babirye’s church, Hilltop. It was good to attend Hilltop again and see old members. It was also wonderful that William was still on semester break and could be there with all of us.             

MDD: After all their practices Carol and Comfort finally participated in the “House MDD Competitions” on 08^th Aug. at the school. Unfortunately their house, Lumaba, didn’t win but they said they enjoyed participating in the competition. Africa House was the overall winner and the members received at trophy and a whole cow for BBQ!  

WILLIAM: He ended his 1^st Semester at KIU-Ishaka on 5^th Aug and returned to Masaka on the 6^th.  He spent his first week in the village with his Dad and Grandma. He said that everyone is well, but his Dad is still having Parkinson’s episodes. His last two weeks were spent in Masaka occasionally helping me out at the Centre with some maintenance things and also helping his uncle at his sound studio. It was great to have him around the Centre participating in Bible studies and some programs.

EOT: Timothy Girls HS ended 2^nd Term on 13^th Aug. I only picked up Pamela, as Charity and Ruth were still doing Secondary 6 Mock Exams till 1^st September. Masaka Secondary School ended 2^nd Term on 19^th Aug., so Pius, Mark, Ronnie, Carol, and Comfort are all out of school till mid-Sept.   

JUSTINE: We praise God that Justine already has a job at a supermarket in Kampala which has 5 locations. She was hired as a cashier, but was immediately upgraded to an attendant. She has also been asked to help with their end of financial year inventory and will earn additional salary for doing so. It’s not exactly in her field and she continues to apply for positions in Statistical Analysis, but she is earning a decent wage. We are so proud of her and thankful to the Lord for His goodness to her.  

IMMY & EDDY: Both of them received their 2^nd Semester reports and they both did well. Since returning for their 1^st semester of the new university year and are taking a Module Class. These are concentrated studies in one or two subjects for a period of 1 month. Immy’s module is in Family & Evidence Law and Eddy’s is taking chemistry and pharmacy practice. We pray for their continued success and for God to grant them wisdom and knowledge.

YOUTH & HOLIDAY PROGRAMS:

CRAFTS: On 1^st Aug we tried our hand at making beaded jewelry—earrings and bracelets. Everyone made some beautiful and colorful pieces.

GENERAL CLEANING: Since it has been SO dusty the Youth Centre was in dire need of a good cleaning both inside and out, so on 14^TH Aug we cleaned! Everyone pitched in! The girls cleaned inside wiping down walls, washing windows, dusting furniture, and mopping. The guys cleaned outside cutting shrubs, raking, sweeping, pulling weeds, and washing the gate. We all worked very hard that day to make our Centre look clean and sparkle for the landladies’ visit and for ourselves.  

BIBLE STUDIES: This month we covered Matthew 7:15-29 up to Matthew 9:1-17 in our weekly Tuesday evening studies. My favorite study this month was on 18^th Aug when we studies Matthew 8:18-34. We dealt with the last three sections of the chapter; (vs 18-22) The cost of following Jesus. (vs 23-27) Jesus calms the storm, and (vs 28-34) Jesus restores two demon possessed men. We had a very interesting discussion time. Here are some of the comments and lessons learned:

• I said there’s an earthly cost when following Jesus, following Jesus gives us great value. Don’t make excuses in knowing God deeper. Allow him to shape you and heal you.
• Juliet said that verse 20 talks about our security in Jesus Christ, for without Jesus we are not safe.
• William shared on verse 22 and stated that Jesus said “follow Me”. He continued saying that this is a BIG statement because some people are half save, as they haven’t given their selves fully to Jesus. To follow Jesus we must fully give yourself to Him.
• Babirye said in verse 19 that some people expect only good things while following Jesus, but there is a great cost and sacrifice in following Jesus.
• I shared on verse 24, and said this was a sudden storm. Sometimes life’s storms come without knowing, but we always have Jesus in our “boat”.
• Pamela shared from verse 25, saying that “waking” up Jesus is praying in all situations. Pray without ceasing to reach the victory. We should talk to Jesus and wake him up.
• Ann shared from verses 24-26 and said storms are challenges in life we face, but you don’t have to be with little faith.
• Babirye said that when we are following Jesus, situations will be there. The storm was around Jesus not within him, thus peace and confidence come from Jesus Christ. I read verse Philippians 4:6-7
• Carol said that storms come and go but if we don’t wake up and pray the storms will stay.
• Comfort said don’t be scared in the storms you have believe that Jesus is with you and that you have a powerful Savior who knows your future.
• Ronald shared on verse 26 and said that “storms” make sure your foundation in strong and built on Jesus. Though the devil will fight, but we will overcome with the power to rebuke. He read 1 John 4:4.
• Babirye said that knowing scriptures and knowing Jesus is different. Don’t hide in the name of Jesus, be discerning and careful, there’s many false teachers out there. 

RED CROSS: On 26^th August we hosted a training for the Uganda Red Cross. We set up in the tent because we were 40 persons in attendance. The training was led by the Assistant Administrator Nakandi Amina. She began by explaining what the Red Cross throughout Uganda does and how they administer general 1st Aid before a patient is taken to hospital.

She then shared the steps to follow to ensure safety for the 1^st Aider and the victim and the ABC’s of checking a victim. Then she got out the manikin and demonstrated these steps and CPR. William volunteered to demonstrate what he had learned. The Stuart volunteered to be a “drowning victim” and the trainer showed us the steps taken to access if they are ok. She then went through how to mobilize a fracture using simple items like sticks or cardboard. She also reviewed the Heimlich Maneuver for choking victims. We are so thankful to the Masaka Red Cross for this practical and hands on training and to the youth who openly participated and asked questions.

S.U. CAMP: The Scripture Union Youth Camp was held at Kako SS from 22-26 August. This year’s theme was “Empowered by the Holy Spirit To Witness” (Acts 1:8). Both Pamela and Mark attended the camp where they had Bible studies, quiet times, workshops, sports & games, and other activities. 

NO C2C CAMP:  The Encounter Camp was postponed to September so the 6 youth that we to attend were unable to (Stuart, Comfort, Carol, Daisy, Ronnie, and Pius). They were so disappointed, so on 31^st Aug we took all the youth to Annali Resort for a Fun Day Out! It was my first time there and the pool is a good size and clean! We spent the whole day there and the youth enjoyed swimming, and pizza, and much joy and laughter were had by all! This was Carol, Comfort, and Stuart’s first time swimming, so at first they were hesitant to get in and they clung to the wall, but by the end of the day they too were splashing around the pool! It was a great day to chill, relax, and forget about all the terms’ academic pressures.    

BELA BULUNGI (GOOD-BYE):

I want to say thank you to all who pray for us, and support us in many ways. I will leave you with these words from Paul, “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

Love and Blessings,

Rita Bulegeya

Missionary & Volunteer Director -Faith Hope Love Missions

reetsindiego@yahoo.com