FHLM JULY 2021 NEWSLETTER
Greetings
Greetings from Masaka! We have certainly leaned into this verse this month! Philippians 4:6-7 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Director’s Update:
COVID Update: On the 30th, after total Lock-down of 42 days, the President Museveni & COVID19 Task Force decided to have a partial lifting of the restrictions. Since the number of daily new COVID 19 cases had reduced to only around 250 per day and the death rate had decreased substantially we were able to finally be allow to move about in private vehicles, on bodas, and public transport within other districts. They also allowed businesses to be opened at 20% staff capacity, so we made plans to re-open the Youth Centre. Unfortunately, all schools and universities remain closed along with all places of worship and public gatherings. Please continue to keep Uganda’s leaders, health care workers, and sick in your prayers. Thank you!
Still Working: Both Sarah and I have been working throughout the 42 days of lockdown. The time away from the Centre has allowed me to catch up on large projects like budgets, a 2 year strategic plan, starting the Annual Report and updating the web-site. Along with that I’ve been staying in contact with all of the youth on a weekly basis. It has been a joy to talk to them and see how they and their families are getting on. I’m also keeping up with our Daily Devotional WhatsApp group.
Sarah has a Phone Call Schedule and is speaking to two youth each day. She is checking on them, their families, and doing some counseling. She has also started Bible Study Group Conference Calls with the youth. Since Babirye and Joshua have such busy school schedules Sarah set up a FHLM Bible Study WhatApp group for themand we are discussing each week on that forum. Here are some highlights of the lessons learned from the group studies:
Lessons from Galatians 3 by Group 1 (Willy, Hanisha, Milly, and Benita)
- We have to continue living by faith not losing hope because of this current situation.
- Praying unceasing to make our faith stronger.
- Law cannot justify us but only having our faith and believing in Jesus Christ so as we can be justified. Keep believing in God, the best planner of our lives who will see us through this situation as conquerors.
Lesson from Galatians 5 by Group 2 (Immy, Justine, Eddy, and Oliver)
- We have the freedom/ liberty in Christ Jesus. Asking of all we need and do any we want to do (serving one another in peace) that brings God’s glory. Loving one
- Having faith helps us go through every situation not by circumcision
- Asking God to always fill us with the Holy Spirit. So, as we can be led by the spirit of God. And not being led by the desires of our flesh. Spirit of God is our companion that God left us with. If we need the Holy Spirit, we should lay down the fruits of the holy spirit, for the Spirit of God to dwell.” Romans 8: 16 Those that led by the spirit of God are the children of God”. And that which is born of the spirit overcomes the world.
Baking Days & Birthdays: We’ve had a few “lock-down” baking days at my house. On the 8th William and Eddy rode their bikes to the house and we made three chocolate cakes, one for each of us! It was great fun to bake and make lunch together. Since we weren’t able to celebrate William’s birthday on June 26th because we were in lock-down, he made a special cake for himself. Then on the 22nd Immy, and Justine walked an hour to the house, and Eddy also came over via his bike. We had a “pie party” that day, baking two pineapple pies. I had been promising Eddy for a year that we would try it. Though it was a first for us to make pie, and we had a few mishaps with the crust, they turned out great! We each got half a pie to take and share with family. That day I also made Roger’s birthday cake and 5 extra cupcakes for a special treat, as we had a belated birthday celebration for Justine!! Rogers and I celebrated his birthday that evening with his favorite meal and cake. What a wonderful day we all had!
Family Support: Toward the end of the month we again sent support to the youth’s families for food, supplies and general needs. All of the youth and their parent or guardians have been unbelievably thankful for the assistance!
U.S. Furlough?: Please pray for me as I’m hoping to return to the U.S. in September for my bi-yearly Furlough. Please pray that Uganda’s airport remains open, for God’s guidance and wisdom in planning and also for His provision. Thank you!
SOAR Youth Update:
Babirye: She was able to return from Kampala to Masaka on the 4th. Both Rogers and I had looked for cargo transport for her, as this is the only means of movement since private and public transport has been stopped. But to no avail we failed. Long story short, unbeknownst to us this daring young lady went to a major round-a-bout in Kampala and found a ride with a UPDF soldier back to Masaka. We praise God that she was shielded by God and got home safely! Upon her return she started university on-line classes. She has also been working on her final research paper to submit before she graduates university.
Joshua: Due to the rise in COVID cases, the university stopped the students from doing hospital practical work, but they have started online classes. Joshua is taking 7 course units this semester! His academics are going well. He is always reading, as there is a lot to cover this semester. The online lecturers give them a lot of assignments too.
He said that God had been teaching him much about obedience. This has led to him doing more ministry work. He is making teaching videos for WhatsApp, and sending encouragement verses & messages via text all the SOAR youth and myself each morning. He has said that God has convicted him to start to mentor the church secondary students. He is teaching them how to present the Word, and led to have them lead Bible studies so they learn how teach others.
Oliver: She has been well and has been helping her grandma dig in the garden, cook and is take care of her. She is hoping and praying that the lockdown ends so she can start technical school in August. She has been practicing Word and Excel on the laptop so she stays fresh for school. When we talk we often chatted about the future and she said she is missing me and loves me. She is such a joy to my life!
Justine: Both Justine and her Aunt Prosey were sick for a few weeks this month, but we praise God because He healed them both. However, we have sad news, on the 11th Justine’s Grandmother died of COVID in the family village of Kalungu District. Justine and her Aunt Prosey were only notified of the illness a few days before she passed away. It was sad that her Aunt Prosey was too weak from being sick herself to get to the burial of her own Mother. Our prayers continue to go up for comfort, strength and peace.
Immy: At the beginning of the month Immy was sick with the flu. We are thankful to God for her healing. Each time I speak with her on the phone she brings such joy to me. She is a delight and so full of love and laughter. What a blessing she is to us all!
Eddy: He is well, is staying at home and helping his Mom out around the house by cooking for their family of 8. He said he has also enjoyed the baking days at my house and is learning much each time we bake. Eddy has a heart for prayer and every time we talk he makes sure to ask of the other youth and adds them to his prayer list. He has also been praying for his Secondary 4 national exams results, which are due to come out in August. He prays that God to guide him and give him the right combination for his high school education (HSE). He said that when results are out he will get textbooks based on his combo and start reading to prepare for HSE.
William: He is well and staying very fit! Uncle Alpha and he have taken to distance running every morning at about 6:30am. He has also been riding his bike to his uncle’s home and around the area to get grasses for the rabbits. Unfortunately one day while on his way to Benita’s house to pick grass he had an accident as he was descending the very steep slope to her house. He was unharmed, because he jumped from the bike, but the bike received a lot of damage. Since it is an essential mode of transport for him and the rabbits we paid for the repairs. But with that comes happy news because one of the rabbits gave birth to 6 baby rabbits this month.
Also William’s Grandfather has been ill so he’s not been able to prepare the family garden for the next season, so his Grandmother had him come to the village to help her. Since there is no public transport William rode his bike all the way to the family village at Bukudda, it took him 2 ½ hours. He ended up staying in the village the remainder of lock-down and his Grandma says he’s been a blessing to her.
Hanisha: She has been meeting with two of her schoolmates from 8:00am – 1:00pm each day to revise notes, have subject discussions and study together. She is also continuing with her craftwork at home and helping her mom out with housework.
Unfortunately on the 24th her mom received the news that the house they have been caring for and living in rent free for the last 4 years was being rented out. The owner was only giving them a few days to leave the house. That said, they packed up everything, including the dog, rented a lorry and moved 2 hours from Masaka to the family village outside Kyotera town. Thought this is temporary, at least they are blessed enough to have their Grandma’s home to go to. Please keep them in prayer as Mom needs to find a job, so they can get provision for their rent and transport to return to Masaka before school starts.
Benita: This entire lock-down both Sarah and I have had a big challenge connecting with Benita, as her mom’s phone is always off due to lack of power. We’ve tried to connect via her brother Kato and even a neighbor’s phone, but even these means have been difficult.
Milly: She doing well and we thank God for the healing her little siblings from flu and cough. She has also began some crochet projects, making cross bags and scarves. She walks between the house that her mom rents and the family village about once a week. When she’s at home her big job each day is fetching water at the local well and carrying the jerry cans home.
bela bulungi (good-bye):
God has brought us through a lot this month and we have nothing but praise for Him! As the verse in Proverbs 3:5-6 says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, seek His will and He will direct your paths. Thanks to all that have prayed and stood with us during these uncertain times. Also a BIG Thank You to our monthly donors! Without you none of this could happen. May God continue to bless and keep you all!
Love and Blessings,
Rita Bulegeya
Director-Faith Hope Love Missions
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