FHLM March 2017 Newsletter-Director’s Update, Youthz Updates

Greetings from Masaka! We are in middle of raining season here and that means it is planting time! Everyone is out in the fields digging and planting their crops for this season; beans, maize, cassava, sweet potatoes, and ground nuts.

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it.  Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy. Psalm 96:11-12 (NIV)

Director’s Update:

I have been asked to be the Maid of Honor for my dear friend, Sarah Beale. She will be wedding Ricky Dodzweit, a pastor in Kampala, on 27 May. With the title comes several responsibilities and in my “spare time” I have been organizing the maids’ dresses with the tailor, finding the right shoes for us, going to dress fittings with the bride, and planning the Bridal Shower. It has been a blessing to be able to be by Sarah’s side to help her with her BIG day!

Speaking of weddings, Rogers & I celebrated our 5 Year Wedding Anniversary on 31st March! I am forever thankful to God who has brought this faithful, patient, gentle, hardworking, man of God, into my life. What a blessing! Please pray that as we navigate our future years together, that we see and hear each other’s heart with the spiritual wisdom. Thank you!

Reminder: Please continue to pray for the land and future permanent site of the Masaka Youth Center. Here are pictures of the land and building that we have identified. We are praying for $50,000 U.S. for the purchase of the land and the renovation of the building that sits on it. Thank you!

Youthz Updates:

G.L.O.W.—We have started a new partnership program with Soweto Youth Fellowship called, GLOW (Godly Ladies of Wisdom). The monthly program is held the 1^st Saturday of each month and is led by Rachel Nansamba for all of the young ladies that come to the youth center. Each month they do something different; discus girls’ issues, mentor, counsel, train in cooking or do crafts. This is a wonderful and empowering program for our young ladies!

First Aid & CPR—We partnered with H.U.G. on 04 March, as their 2 volunteers conducted a First-Aid and CPR class for the youth. The youth were keen to gain this knowledge, as they have not been taught about basic first-aid or what CPR was. We thank you Aunt Liz, Mia and Natalie for the training.

Movie with a Message-On 18 March we watched Little Boy. A movie about an eight-year-old boy, Pepper, who is willing to do whatever it, takes to end World War II so he can bring his father home. The story revealed to Joshua, “We must all come to the Lord with a CHILDLIKE-FAITH like, Pepper and as Pepper did, put our FAITH in action”. Joshua continue, “Pepper had the “ancient list” of things to do to bring his father back, but in actuality it was changing his character by putting his FAITH IN ACTION.” In turn Winnie said, “We should have faith like it says in 1 Corinthians 2:5….that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” As you have read this movie was very impactful and many of the youth commented about what they had learned. One even quoted Philippians 4:13….I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.  Isn’t that so true!!

J.A.M. Session—This months’ J.A.M. scheduled for the 25^th was canceled due to Mummy Oliver’s passing.

SOAR Youthz Updates:

Thank you for your prayers for wisdom regarding Alpha, Cephas, Joshua and Eddy.

We have been guided to start Alpha on a 6 months Internship Training for Video, Photo & Sound Editing with a local company. This will give him practical, hands-on experience in the field he is setting his sights on as a career.

As for Cephas, we have enrolled him in the Universal School of Adult Literacy, which will give him intense studies for 2 years toward obtaining a certificate in Secondary 4. When he completes he will have opportunities to go into the work force or go for a technical certificate. Please pray for him to concentrate and focus as some of the subjects he is taking—chemistry, physics and biology—are new to him.

The FHLM Board has decided to accept both Joshua and Eddy into our SOAR Youth Sponsorship Program. Based on their needs and situations it was decided that Joshua will be on a Half-Bursary Sponsorship and Eddy on a Full Bursary Sponsorship. Joshua is now enrolled in Secondary 5 and Eddy in Secondary 1 at Masaka Secondary School. When they were told the news of their sponsorships they were both extremely excited about being able to go back to school!! We praise the Lord that we can be change makers in their lives and help them fulfill their dreams! If you would like to partner with us as a change maker please see their profiles on our web-site at www.faithhopelovemissions.org under SUPPORT/DONATE, SOAR YOUTH SCHOOL SPONSORSHIP. Thank you!

Continued Prayers Needed! I thank ALL the prayer warriors that lifted Annet, Oliver’s Mum, up in prayer over the last month. Sadly for us the Lord chose to take her to heaven on the morning of the 25th—she was only 43 years old.  I know your prayers did not go unheard, as during her time in hospital she and the family were held in the palm of God’s hand, but her body and immune system were so weak that they could not continue to fight the low CD4 count and the constant attacks of malaria and other infections. With her passing this has left Annet’s 6 children with no father or mother.

As you can imagine it was a very emotional weekend. We spent the day of the 25^th at the families’ home in Kijjabweme for the Wake/Vigil. The next day twenty of us traveled over an hour outside Masaka Town to the village of Buyoga, in Bukomansimbi district for the Burial.

Through this Oliver had been putting on a “strong face”, but the last several months have been physically, emotionally and spiritual draining for her, her sister Suzan, and the other 4 siblings. They have been putting their faith in action, but the day of the burial was just too much for the girls, as they both collapsed in a state of wailing and grief. We ask for your continued prayers to lift them and the family up to the Lord for complete healing, strength, provision, and faith. Thank you!

We thank you all for your prayers, support, love and encouragement! As it says it Numbers 6 “The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”‘

Have a wonderful day and month!

Love and blessings,

Rita

Director-Faith Hope Love Missions