FHLM March 2016 Update—Director’s News, SOAR Youth News & More
Director’s News
Greetings from Masaka!! I hope you all had a wonderful Easter Holiday!
On March 10th I had to go to Kampala to visit a technical school for Joseph and meet up with David to discuss university finances, so I made a 2 day trip of it. Why, because I was graciously asked and hosted by a fellow missionary family, John & Lily Eastman. They blessed me with staying at their lovely home and feeding me amazing meals! I thank the Lord for them and for the sanctuary & respite they gave me.
Rogers and I were blessed to host 7 youth at our apartment for Easter lunch. It was a big undertaking cooking for 9 people on a two burner gas stove and no running water, but everyone helped out and made it a wonderful day! A special thank you goes out to Alpha, Babirye and Winnie for being such big helpers in the kitchen! “My cup runneth over….”
On the 31st Rogers and I were blessed to celebrate our 4 Year Wedding Anniversary!
SOAR Youth & General Youth News
BIG News for William! He has passed every area of the Uganda Business and Technical Examination Board (UBTEB) exam and has no re-takes. That said, he has received a Craft Certificate in Electrical Installation. Now he will be schooling for the next 3 terms toward a Diploma in Electrical Installation. BIG Congrats William!!!
On Saturday, 05 March we had Man2Man–an afternoon of real men, real issues, real faith. real food! Of course I was not present, but the guys told me it was an awesome time of sharing guy’s issues of ambition, who a man is, sex and choices! Many of the young men told me that they were so very thankful for the day, as no one had ever talk to them about such subjects or explained things to them in such a manner. A BIG thank you goes out to Pastor Sam and Pastor Dan for leading the sessions. Please pray for leaders and guidance as we are hoping to have monthly Man2Man Days in the future!
We are running in the Uganda Marathon in Masaka on 05 June! On 08 March Jane and I got our team of 7 registered at the Marathon Launch Day. Our youth are running to benefit FHLM, so every dollar that you donate to our FHLM TEAM will go toward the youths education expenses and the centers monthly programs which benefit our youth and reach out to the youth of Masaka! Please help us reach our goal of $1,000 U.S. and donate at https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/faithhopelovemissions The web-site is set up through a U.K. charity, so please do not let the donations in pounds throw you–$50.00 U.S. is approximately 35£ and $25.00 U.S. is approximately 17£ Thank you for supporting us in “Running the race of endurance!!!”
On 12 Mar we had our Monthly Movie with a Message. We watched the movie Woodlawn. After the movie Babirye commented on how gifted Tony, the lead character, was and how God gives us all gifts and talents that we should use despite the challenges we may face in life. Other youth said that Tony’s faith helped him to face those challenges of racism and how important it was to give others hope. After our discussion we all prayed. I am thankful for movies like these that open up the hearts and minds of all of us—especially the youth.
Back to school programs are in full swing. Every Tues & Thursday after school we have Bible Studies and every Friday we either have Team Bible Quizzes or Life-skills.
On 23 March we sponsored, along with Hill Top Church, Abaana Uganda & Soweto Youth Fellowship, a Community Leaders Breakfast for the government and technical leaders of Masaka municipality, sub-county and district. We were blessed with a good representation of the community leaders. We, as organizations, presented to them about our organizations and then had a very open Q&A session. The Chief Community Development Office and the Representative of the Mayor than spoke to the group on how we as NGO’s can partner with the local government to assist with youth issues and develop programs to help them. We plan to hold this breakfast twice a year so we can continue to build our relationships with leadership and use this forum to transform the community of Masaka!
Good Friday, 25 March, we had a joint program with Soweto Youth Fellowship. We kicked off the afternoon with a wonderful praise & worship session. We then watched the movie The Apostle Peter & The Last Supper remembering the final moments before the arrest of Jesus which ultimately led to His crucifixion and resurrection. This helped us to visually transition into a “Re-living of the Last Supper”. Pastor Sam led all of us in a deeper understanding of what Passover and Communion are as he read from Luke 22:14-22 and Exodus 12, as we all followed along in the Word. Then seated around the table we all broke bread and took the cup in remembrance of the real meaning of Easter. This is what is SO GOOD ABOUT GOOD FRIDAY!
The next day was Masaka Secondary School’s visitation day. Since neither Babirye nor Alpha had beginning of term exams, because of their class levels, Jane accompanied Alpha to visit his class teacher for a short visit. Upon their return we started our BIG Easter J.A.M. Session!! This month it was truly an old school JAM session, as Joseph, John Paul, Julius, Laben, and Dawson broke into amazing instrumentals and then Babirye, Vincent and Patrick busted in with several songs. What made the day even better was a testimony from a young man, Gerald. He spoke of when he was in secondary and how he disobeyed his parents and left school but realized his stubbornness, came to his senses and repented to his parents. He said that now that he is older her realizes how his parents discipline and love were so important and encouraged the other youth there to listen to their elders. It was an important and powerful testimony! You just never know what the Lord is going to do through J.A.M.! I shared with the youth the prayer of Hezekiah in 2 Kings 19: 15-19 and spoke to them about being aware of the idols of this world. Afterward, we all joined in with a group song. We were all blessed by the day!
As you have read it has been a blessed month for us all! I thank the Lord for His protection, love, grace, and provision He has giving us throughout the month. I pray you all have had the same blessings poured out upon you and your family! Psalm 115:12 The Lord has been mindful of us; He will bless us;
Have a wonderful day and blessed week!
Love,
Rita
Director-Faith Hope Love Missions
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