FHLM JUNE 2022 NEWSLETTER
GREETINGS:
Oli otya? (How are you?) All of us at FHLM are all doing well. Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him! Psalm 34:8
DIRECTORS UPDATE:
Home Visits: This month Kellen and I continued our visits to the homes of our youth’s families and guardians. Last month we visited Eddy’s family, and Milly’s Mom. This month we went to see Justine’s Auntie, Pius’ Mom, Immy’s sister, and William’s Uncle. These visits allow us to assess the youth’s living conditions, environment, and discuss home life with the parent or guardian. They assist us in a better understanding of the youth and how to move forward with the programs to assist them.
Babirye: In the afternoon of 18th June I went to the Cultural Introduction, a pre marriage ceremony, between Babirye and her future husband, Ambrose. This ceremony officially introduces the bride and groom to each other’s families. It is also a day were the bride price, the future church wedding, and celebration of marriage are all sorted out. Also the groom’s family brings gifts of sugar, rice, crates of soda, and soap to the bride’s family, as a thanks for the day and bride. Culturally it is a very significant day. It was a blessed day and I’m thankful to have been a part of it! Now we are praying for the church wedding to happen!
Visitors: I have been serving in Uganda for 13 plus years and I am praising God that my brother, Rob, and his family are finally able to make the trip to see me. They will be visiting from 09 July to 22 July. Please pray for their journey mercies and that we have an amazing time together, as I show them my home and country of Uganda!!
SOAR YOUTH UPDATE:
Visitation Day: On 18th June we had our 1st post COVID school visitation day at Masaka Secondary School! It was so good to meet with the youth’s class teachers and review their beginning of 2nd Term Reports. The teachers, youth and I discussed their marks and classes that they are struggling with. Along with why they are having difficulties with those subjects and how they can improve. After meeting the teachers and walking around campus Kellen and Charles escorted everyone to Titanic Restaurant in Masaka town for lunch. I was unable to attend lunch because I was at Babirye’s function. I want to thank God and extend my thanks to all of our SOAR Youth’s school sponsors for helping these youth attain there educational dream!! May God bless you!
Youth Birthdays: On 18th June after their visitation day lunch at Titanic Restaurant the youth, Charles and Kellen celebrated Justine’s 20th Birthday. They all enjoyed eating cake and singing her Happy Birthday!!
On 26th June, before our movie, we celebrated William’s 18th Birthday! Of course we celebrated with chocolate cake, sodas, and balloons!
YOUTH PROGRAMS:
Debate Day: On 04th June we had a very rousing debate!! Our day’s Motion was: “Should born again Christian ladies and gents adopt the dot com life style i.e. ladies and gents wearing trousers, mini-skirts, short dresses, long hair, dread locks, balanced trousers and damages etc.”. Every one of us was involved; Uncle Charles was Chairperson, Aunt Kellen the Secretary, and I was the Time Keeper. We started with the Uganda National Anthem and a prayer opening prayer. Then we had the Opposers Leader, Pius, and Proposers Leader, Eddy, present their opening remarks. After each of their team members were able to present their sides. Of course there were many “objections “raised and points of “clarifications” needed. Kellen gave out marks depending on the confidence of each team member’s arguments and the motion points given. It was interesting day seeing the youth’s opinions. It also helped us to understand ways we can guide our youth in walking a Christ like life.
Picture Collage: In the afternoon of the 11th we all worked on our Annual Picture Collage. We had 245 pictures from May 2021 to May 2022 to look through and pin to the collage board. It was great fun looking at all the things we have done in the last year and recounting stories of those events. We were all thankful for the beautiful memories that we have been blessed with!
Movie Day: On 25TH June we watched Where Hope Grows. This is a movie chocked full of lessons for the youth and we adults too. It is about a Calvin Campbell an ex-baseball player who struggles with alcohol and raising a teenage daughter. Then he meets, Produce, a young man with Down syndrome who befriends him, gives him hope for life again, and shares Christ. These are the lessons learned from the movie:
- Pius-Never stay trapped in the past. The past should not determine your future dreams.
- Pamela-Failure is not the end of life. It’s a process of learning. Through mistakes and failures, we get testimonies.
- Justine-Do not let people define whom you are. Mind about what God talks about you. We should have faith in God. Let the word of God define us.
- Immy- Campbell and Produce worked hand in hand to be what they wanted. We should always appreciate people that come to us.
- Charles-Produce stood in the gap to help Katie when she was almost being raped. We should also help friends who are faced with different challenges in life.
- William-We should check the kind of people we associate with. Katie, Campbell’s daughter learned that lesson.
- Milly-God makes a way even through many challenges until you reach where He planned for you.
- Eddy-Produce brought hope to Campbell and his daughter. We should bring hope to other people especially those that we live with. Produce was always cheerful because he trusted in God. His hope was in God.
Bible Study: This month we started a new weekly study chapter in 2 Timothy. Here is a highlight from our “Special Study” held on 29th June. I say it was special because we were blessed to have several of our past SOAR Youth join us for the evening; Uncle William, Uncle Alpha, David, Oliver, and Mable (David’s Fiancée). It was lovely to have them attend and give us all insight, as the Holy Spirit moved. Oliver opened us in prayer as Uncle Charles read in 2 Timothy 3:1-17. These are some of the lessons learned:
- Aunt Rita: We are in last days according to what we have read from vs1-vs9 We should be rooted in Christ because many people these days are doing all sorts of evil.
- Eddy: Paul was demonstration the Word of God and it’s power. Remember God’s word is alive, so we should joy from it and walk in righteousness. (verses 16-17)
- Pamela: Persecution and challenges are part of life. We shall find challenges in this walk of salvation but we have to endure as we announce Jesus are our Savior. (verses 11-12)
- Uncle Alpha: We should not allow our hearts to be taken by money though we need money. We need to have self-control in all areas of life and be aware of the warnings given us in verses 1-9.
- Uncle William: We should be watchful of all that is going on in this world, but in turn we should love all people.
- Oliver: We should prepare ourselves for the unknown time of Jesus’ second coming. We should preach the word of God to all people.
BELA BULUNGI (GOOD-BYE):
I thank you all for your continued prayers, love, care, and encouragement!! You are all such a blessing to the ministry and our FHLM family and I thank you!
May God bless you and keep you in the palm of His hand!
Love and Blessings,
Rita Bulegeya
Director -Faith Hope Love Missions
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