FHLM MARCH 2024 NEWSLETTER
GREETINGS:
Greetings from Masaka! We thank God for His abundant provision to the ministry this month. We were able to pay in full all of the youth’s secondary school fees, requirements, and the Centre rent! We praise God for that and for using all who contribute to the ministry!! It’s been a funny weather month as we received our “hot & dry season” this month instead of January. Many people had planted in Jan and Feb because of the rains, now they are praying for the “normal” March and April rains to return!
DIRECTORS UPDATE:
PUBLIC HOLIDAY: On 08th March we celebrated International Women’s Day here in Uganda. I was invited to Full Gospel Church- Kawte to attend the Women of a Difference Conference. It was an excellent day of fellowship with likeminded sisters in Christ. We were blessed with a teaching from my friend, Emily Ojambo. She spoke on the theme: “Chosen by God to Bring a Difference” Ephesians 1:4. She gave the women in attendance much to ponder and work towards as we women become disciplined, principled and prepared to be change makers for our families, communities, churches, and God’s Kingdom. She closed reminding us that we, as women, are God’s special treasures! I was very blessed by the day and I am grateful to Emily for inviting me.
GOOD FRIDAY: On 29th March we had our Annual Good Friday Gathering. This year’s theme was “Restoration” Acts 3:19-21 …Repent therefore, and turn to God so that your sins may be wiped out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah appointed for you, that is, Jesus.
We were expecting 50 guests, but this year we ended up with 65 youth and guests in attendance at the Youth Centre!! We praise God for the beautiful weather we had that day!! It allowed us to set up table in the compound so everyone was engaged in playing games like Monopoly, UNO, and Apples to Apples. For many of the youth in attendance it was the first time to learn how to play these new games. Some of the other youth helped William set up the speakers, and equipment and then they sang songs.
The FHLM Hospitality team helped in serving food & sodas. Because we had more than the expected number of people we thank God we had enough food for everyone. It was like the fish & loaves feeding of the 5,000 in the Bible! After our delicious lunch the Games Team divided those that wanted play into two teams and they a few rounds of Balloon toss and Balloon Cup carry against each other. Pastor Augustine said it was his first time to watch such games!
After the games, FHLM Choir blessed us with some beautiful Easter songs; Jesus Paid It All and You Laid Aside Your Majesty. We also had some special songs from Pastor George, the C2C group, Born Like Others group, and Uncle William Mayiga. They all blessed us with songs that lent themselves to the remembrance of this day and the love of Jesus.
Finally Pastor Augustine Ntaganda was welcomed to give us a message. His message emphasized the text from Ecclesiastes 12:1 -2. He told the youth to use their time wisely by serving God. He noted that a strong youth should pray always and talk about Christ through preaching. Pastor also talked about repentance, he said that people should learn how to repent if they realize their mistakes instead of giving excuses. We Praise God for the word and this glorious day!!
EASTER: Easter weekend was spent at my home in Ssenyange with many of the FHLM youth. We spent all day Saturday preparing for Easter luncheon and baking yummy treats. Though Sunday morning was rainy we woke with joy knowing that He Lives! That afternoon after church 18 people gathered for lunch at the house to celebrate the life of our resurrected Lord Jesus Christ! We were even given an extra blessings with Justine, David and his fiancée Mable, who were in for the weekend! Our God is so good!
YOUTH UPDATE:
MARK ELVIN: We are praying for the Lord to bring a School Sponsor for Mark Elvin. Since he just started secondary 2 we are asking for $30.00 per month. If you have prayed for a Ugandan son and are led to assist this young man in fulfilling his educational dreams please contact me at reetsindiego@yahoo.com or click on the link below. Thank you and may God bless you!
EDDY: We give thanks to God for the wisdom and knowledge He has imparted upon Eddy. He received his Advanced Level National Exam results on 7th March in which he received 10 points out of 20 points in Chemistry, Biology, Food & Nutrition, and ICT. We thank God for his good performance, because this year most of the student who took science subjects received low marks and a big number failed. Masaka Secondary School in which he and our youth attend was ranked 92 in advanced level academics out of 3,994 secondary schools in the country. We are blessed to be able to send our youth to such an outstanding school.
Though Eddy performed well it was not well enough for a government scholarship or to attend a government university. These days the acceptance into government universities is very competitive. That said, he is now focusing on the next chapter in his life, university. He hopes to attend Kampala International University- Ishaka Western Campus to study a Degree in Pharmacy. Sometime in April or May he and I will go for a campus visit.
OLIVER & JUSTINE: These two young ladies are doing will in their 2nd Semesters at university. In 1st Semester towards her Degree in Statistics Justine had an average grade of a B. We praise God for the good performance. In her 1st Semester towards a Diploma in Fashion & Design Oliver had average grades. We pray that she can pull up her results in 2nd Semester.
BACK TO SCHOOL: Because I was sick Shakira took the senior five students Milly and William for their first day of Advanced Levels on 11th March. She walked them through the process of turning in the schools’ requirement items, doing the final registration, and sorting out their school uniforms. We are excited for their next academic step and pray that the Lord will continue to guide them and bless them with His wisdom and knowledge.
HOME VISITS: This month Shakira has started weekly home visits to the youth’s parents and/or guardians. During the month she visited Pius’ Mom, Charity’s Aunt, Pamela’s Mom and Immý’s sister. Home Visits allow Shakira to check on their living conditions, and overall family situations. She also asks probing questions to the parent or guardian about the youth’s character, social development within their home surroundings, and the parent’s concerns. This time is also a great way to share the Gospel to those parents of guardians that don’t know Jesus and pray with those that do.
YOUTH PROGRAMS:
FARMING DAY: On the 2nd the youth that arrived to the Centre early along with Aunt Shakiriah cleared the land by removing the sweet potatoes to prepare for another season of planting. After lunch the other youth and Aunt Juliet continued clearing the land, and then dug holes for the eggplant plantation. We weren’t able to get the eggplants until the 5th. On that morning William and Aunt Shakirah planted them and we praise God for the rain He brought that afternoon. We are hoping for a great harvest that can help feed our youth and their families.
BIBLE STUDY: This month we continued going through the book of Genesis by chapter and verse. I really enjoyed our study on 3rd March in Genesis 4:1-26 where we read and discussed the story of Cain & Able. I posed a question to everyone, why do you think God rejected the offering of Cain? As we discussed we talked about the subjects of sacrifice, anger, self-control, repentance, and giving to God with a cheerful, whole heart.
- Ruth- She shared about verses 4 & 5. That when we give, God is testing us to see our hearts so we need to be faithful with the offering.
- Juliet- She reread verse 6 and said that God had already known what Cain was to do. That we have to remember Psalm 119:11. Cain didn’t keep the word of God in his heart.
- Milly- She shared from verse 9 and said we tend to forget our responsibilities, take care of all people, unity in church, we don’t need to behave’ ’I don’t care situation.’’
- Pamela shared on being humble. She said that in chapter 3 we saw God asking Adam and Eve, what have you done. Even in verse 10 there was a sign of repentance. Avoid the generational curse.
- Immy talked about verse 2 and 5, Abel brought the fat of his flock, but Cain brought his seeds, and how we are to give the priority to God. Also to give to people the good things as if you are giving to God.
- Milly added about verse 8, the devil is always planning plots to us. Cain looked for away of killing his brother, always watch out for devil’s schemes.
- Pamela, though Adam and Eve were chased from the Eden, God was still concerned about us. Give the only thing you have as God gave his only son.
ART DAY: On the 9th after lunch, we had Recycled Art Day. Before we started I gave brief explanation of the type of art we were doing using old calendars, plastic bags, paint and glue. Everyone was very engaged in this program, showing their talent. The designs they made were very colorful and beautiful and showed their creativity. We have hung the new piece of art in the Centre hallway for all to see.
VISITATION DAY: On 16th March we went to Masaka Secondary School for the youth’s visitation day. Shakirah & Juliet arrived early and registered all 8 of our secondary youth at the main tent. Since I was still not completely well I sat and talked with Rock, one of the ministries first sponsored youth. He was there visiting his niece. That said, Shakirah and Juliet took the youth around to the various school club exhibitions. The youth’s favorite exhibitions were the technical drawing club of small house models, the agricultural club of rabbits and bee keeping, and the food and nutrition club. Shakirah also visited Pius’ class teacher to discuss a few issues. Unfortunately only Pamela’s secondary 3 class teach was available to talk to and get her results, which were excellent! The other students were told to pick mid-term results on Tuesday. Juliet also purchased Chemistry practical books for all of our o-level students and William in A-levels. Afterwards we all had a nice local food lunch at Valley Cave Restaurant. We had a good time and everyone was happy for the special meal.
CROCHETING: On the 23rd the youth did more crocheting of baby caps. This lot will be given out to the women in the hospital maternity ward when we do our next outreach there. Ronald, Elvin and Annet, were helped by Immy to learn how to handle the needle to make the first stiches. Milly taught Precious, who had never crocheted before. The day was a great skill learning and leadership time.
BELA BULUNGI (GOOD-BYE):
As you have read this month was full of blessings and God’s grace & protection. We hope you all enjoyed your Easter weekend. May God continue to guide, protect and provide for you all.
In His Grip,
Rita Bulegeya
Director -Faith Hope Love Missions
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