FHLM JUNE 2026 NEWSLETTER

GREETINGS:

Hello from Masaka! The month of June has been a month of prayer and pursuing the Lord for what He has for the ministry. Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.

We hope you have a wonderful July 4^th weekend, as you take time to thank God for the blessings of family, friends, and the independence we have as Americans!  

DIRECTOR’S UPDATE:

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: Because of the Ebola outbreak both Martyr’s Day and National Heroes Day festivities were done virtually or locally. Usually Martyr’s Day gathers thousands of “pilgrims” from all over East Africa and the world, so this year no one was allowed to gather at the Catholic or Church of Uganda shrine locations.  Though some local church parishes did have remembrance gatherings.     

RETREAT: The week of 8^th June I was able to get away for a much needed Prayer Retreat after the past 2 very busy months! As I missed my personal retreat last year it was nice to relax, restore, and refresh by the lake. I read almost two books and spent a lot of time in the Word and prayer. I’m so thankful to the Lord for this time away and for speaking to me about both my future and the ministries future.   

PLANNING MEETING: On 23^rd and 30th June our Assistant Director, Ambrose Ssenteza and I had a planning meeting for the ministry. We reworked our staff job descriptions to better reflect the staffs’ positions. We have also made a decision to create a new positon to grow the ministry-Ministry Development & Social Media Developer. We will be hiring Babirye back to fill the position, but for now she will only be working part time. We also worked on a ministry 5 year strategic plan to guide and direct us for the coming years.  

PRAISE REPORT/PRAYER REQUESTS:

• We praise God that Comfort now has a school sponsor. Also that all of our SOAR Youth have a sponsorship! Glory be to God for using all the sponsors to give these youth a hope and a future.  
• Thank you for your prayers for Uganda and the Ebola outbreak. As of 29^th June Uganda has had only 1 new imported case from Congo. Statistics: 20 confirmed cases (15 imported, 5 local), 2 confirmed deaths, 15 recoveries, 3 active cases.   
• Please continue to pray for the Ebola outreach in D.R. Congo

SOAR YOUTH UPDATES:

SECONDARY STUDENTS: Both Carol and Comfort are settling into life in secondary school. They finally have all their uniforms and are getting used to school at the big campus of Masaka SS. Mark and Pius are going to school Saturdays and most Sundays to complete their syllabus before their Mock Exams start in August. Mark said, “Time is flying by, and soon we’ll be in national exams”. 

UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: William is moving along with his classes in the HEC Program at KIU Ishaka. In June he completed mid-semester exams. He said that they went well.  He is now involved with assisting the sound equipment team at the church he attends at campus, Ishaka Community Church.

Since Eddy couldn’t go into the community for the Medical Camps he is volunteering at the campus hospital’s pharmacy to gain experience. Then he received a short break and came to Masaka for a visit from 25^th to 30^th June. He will resume classes on 6th July.

We thank God that Justine found an off campus hostel for June and July, as she completes her final year research project. Her paper topic is “Inflation and National Growth Rate in Uganda”. We wish her the best as she compiles research date from the Bank of Uganda and other sources.     

BIRTHDAYS: Justine’s 24^th birthday was on 18^th June. Since she is in Kampala working on her final report for her degree, we couldn’t celebrate with her, but we sent her well wishes!  

William’s 22^nd birthday was on 26^th June. I contacted him and wished him a Happy Birthday! He said it was just a normal day with no celebration but he was thankful to God for another year of life.    

HOME VISITS: Since Aunt Shakirah is back to work after her maternity leave, she has started our SOAR Youth home visits again. During the month she visited Mark’s Aunt, Ronald’s Mom, and Carol’s Mom.  Home visits allow us to know if there are any situations in the youth’s home environment or with their families. These visits also give Shakirah insight into the spiritual health of the family and allows her to counsel and pray with the parent or guardian.       

YOUTH PROGRAMS:

BROTHERS IN CHRIST: On 06^th June we had a great turnout with 20 guys in attendance, for what is now our quarterly young men’s meeting. Mr. Jimmy Smucker was our special guest. After the initial introductions he talked to the guys about hard work and teamwork 2 Timothy 2:15 Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive His approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. (NLT). He shared testimonies about growing up and hard work, and the differences between a dedicated people verse lazy people.

After lunch they put the words in to action by building a corn hole game. Jimmy brought his power tools, skill saw, and drill, and many of the guys got to have hands on with cutting wood for the game. As they did practical, Jimmy shared nuggets of wisdom with the guys about making mistakes in life and how life has pressures, but we need to help our brothers out and not bring them down or laugh at them. He shared a word in Genesis 2:15 about man’s first responsibility— to do meaningful and diligent work. He said we work because it has a blessing for we are made in the image of God and His work is meaningful, rewarding and purposeful. So don’t give up working hard for your goals!  All of our work is for God but how well we do our work impacts others, so do you work well. Colossians 3: 17.

Both Mark and Ronnie said that this was the best BIC yet! They really apprenticed Jimmy and all that he taught them about work. Mark said my favorite part was learning how to use the drill and fasten the screws!  

RECYCLED ART DAY: Though I wasn’t around for the program, the youth said that they enjoyed! They cut out old calendar pictures and verses and glued them on to a board, then painted around the pictures. They also added personal touches of Bible verses and biblical sayings.  It’s amazing what beauty you can make out of a bunch of old calendars, cards, and paint. Well done everyone! 

SOUND OF WORSHIP: On 20^th June all of Masaka and area gathered at Laston Gardens for Season 2 of Sound Of Worship—Revive Masaka. This year’s theme was–Rekindling the Worship alter verse Leviticus 6:13— A fire shall always be burning on the altar, it shall never go out. All our staff and 7 of the secondary youth that are day students, including Stuart attended the event. Our own Pamela was part of the Organic Worship Team and Baibrye were part of the Mass Choir. It was an amazing day of seeking out the Lord in praise, worship, and prayer for Masaka and Uganda as a whole! 2 Chronicles 7:14 If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.  

BIBLE STUDIES: This month we jumped to the New Testament and started the book of Matthew. Reason, because we see parallels between Exodus and Matthew, so we wanted to relate the two books. For Matthew presents Jesus as a “new Moses”, portraying his life as a greater exodus that brings spiritual freedom to believers. Our most enlightening study was on 23^rd June where we read through Matthew 4:1-25. Shakirah led the study and broke it down into 4 sections; 1) Jesus’ Temptation or Preparation, 2) Jesus begins His ministry or Overcoming, 3) Jesus Calls the first Four or Ministry with others, 4) Jesus Heals or Full start of Ministry.

Here are some of the comments and things we learned as we discussed the chapter:

• Juliet said that wilderness is a place of preparation. We also see Moses in the wilderness. God tested the Israelites and the devil tempted them via making and worshipping a gold calf.
• Comfort said that we should chase the devil with the Word of God, so know it and memorize it
• Ronald said that there is darkness in light so repentance is the key. Also when we fast don’t just starve yourself, fast & pray and seek God. Separate yourself for God to speak to you and be used by Him
• Carol said that repentance is for us all and we also need to repent on behalf of our great grands. (Lamentations 5:7)
• Juliet said that repentance qualifies to enter the kingdom of heaven. Jesus cares for all both Spiritual and physical.
• Comfort said Jesus qualified for ministry by going through temptation and testing
• Ronnie said we are to come to Jesus wholeheartedly and be committed so serve Him with whatever we have (vs 18-22). For Jesus cares for All people; He taught, healed, and cleansed. (vs 23-25)       

VISITATION DAY: Masaka Secondary School had their 2^nd Term Visitation Day on 27^th June. Most of our day students Carol, Comfort, and Ronald attended along with our staff. Pius and Mark missed. We also invited Stuart so he could take a tour of the school with us, since he will be starting at the school next year. During our tour of the campus we checked out everyone’s home room classes and some of the other classrooms like the science labs, agriculture room, and the art room. The teachers weren’t around to meet with and discuss our students’ academics, so we headed out to lunch at Valley Cave Restaurant. It was a nice day and I’m a proud parent of Masaka SS! 

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. Thank you all! May God bless you and keep you in the palm of His hand!

Love and Blessings,

Rita Bulegeya

Missionary & Director -Faith Hope Love Missions

reetsindiego@yahoo.com