FHLM Feb 2013 Update-Back to School, Hot & dry, Board Meeting & Missionary Team

Greetings from Masaka! I hope this update finds you all healthy, happy and blessed!
On 04 Feb, Rock and David started a new year of school. Rock started in Secondary 3, equivalent to Freshman year of high school and David started in Secondary 6, equivalent to Senior year of high school. They were both very excited to start school this year and are both working hard during their study time. Rock had mid-term exams the week of 25 Feb. We set a daily revising schedule for David. He is being very diligent with his studies, every night he is at my house before dinner reading, and re-writing his notes and after dinner until 9pm or later.
It is February, so that means it is hot and dry here in Masaka. The temperatures have been in the high 80’s and 90’s for much of the month with no rain in sight. That means that our always abundant fruits and vegetables are either scarce or at very high prices. We are all praying that the rains start soon to break the heat and the high market prices.
On 23 Feb we had our monthly FHLM Board Meeting. Many things were discussed, but here are just a few to make note of. FHLM now has a bank account in Uganda! Also in response to our board wanting to seek out Ugandan sponsors and donors, we are very excited to share that we also have our 1st Ugandan donor. He is a true advocate and behind the vision of FHLM. He will be contributing what he can into the youth sponsorship program-Spread Their Wings (STW). We are also partnering with another community based organization in the village of Kyanjale, Kings Kids Friends of Grands. They work with the elderly in their community, have a primary school (nursery to primary 2), and have a local woman’s group called, Woman of the Beautiful Gate, that makes crafts and jewelry. We feel that this will be a wonderful partnership.
Also FHLM is soon applying for limited by guarantee status, which moves us from a community based organization to a non-government organization. It has been a long process to get us to this point, but we pray that in the next few weeks to a month everything will be completed.
Update on Rachel the disabled girl that attends Kitengessa Primary. We received a report that she was having problems with her wheelchair, so a few weeks back Rogers went out to her home in the village and picked up her chair for repair. She is now very happy to be wheeling around again!
On 25 Feb we were Blessed to welcome Tim Way and 3 other missionaries from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Tim and his family were missionaries in Uganda and Masaka for 9 years, so having him back in our midst is such a Blessing! This year he brought 3 missionaries from his house church, The Boiler Room; Katie, Bob, and Brittany. We were able to spend a few days together doing outreach and evangelism. In particular we organized a friendly football match with sister Fatuma’s Street Children and after the match we were able to share about Jesus. Both Tim and Rita spoke to the youth and children. After Rita spoke and shared from Psalm 27 one of the youth stood up and asked to be born again. All of us laid hands on the youth and Rita lead him in the sinner’s prayer. Praise God for that night! The next day Tim, Katie, Brittany, Rita and Fatuma all went to the do outreach at Kings Kids Nursery & Primary. The ladies shared the Bible story of Noah in each class and the children drew pictures of what they were THANKFUL for. We also went into the village of Kyanjale to visit a few of the elderly. We all prayed for them and fetched water. It was a wonderful day sharing God’s love!
Praise Notice:
1. Rita was healed of the pain and discomfort from the large cyst on her liver after it was removed
2. For the 1st FHLM Ugandan donor
Prayer Request:
1. Please continue to pray for Rita’s U.S. airline ticket to be re-instated by British Airways and that the travel agent working on the issue has the Lord’s favor.
2. Despite no return ticket Rita is believing and setting things in motion for her U.S. Furlough. Please pray for grace and favor with the potential churches, university and school that she being lead to speak at while in the U.S.
3. Please pray for health, protection and wisdom for Rogers, Rock, David, Rita and the FHLM Board Members
4. Please pray for Rogers continued ministry work with the Tabernacle Church plant and Youth in Action.
5. Please pray for the two U.S. Missionary Team that are coming to Masaka in June and July. That they are able to raise funds to come and that the Lord gives their leaders vision and wisdom to do His will here.