FHLM May 2017 Newsletter-Director and Youthz Updates & Holiday Programs
Greetings from Masaka! I hope this Newsletter finds all of you healthy, happy and safe! Here is what we were up to in May. Enjoy and thanks for reading!
Directors Update:
FHLM Board Meeting: We had our 2nd Quarter Board meeting on 13 May. With a good representation from the members we were able to discuss and vote several matters pertaining to the youth, and future programs, including J.A.M. Fest. We were also able to review the ministries financial expenditures and deal with some administrative concerns. We are blessed to have a very active and involved board of directors.
Past SOAR Youth Reunion: How fitting it was that on Mother’s Day May 14th my original three sons, David, Robert, Rock and Chelsea (Rock’s new wife), all came up to the house for dinner. The guys labeled it “The FHLM Pioneer Dinner!” It was great fun, lots of laughs, memories shared and good talks! It does my heart good to see how God has grown these guys from boys to men. What a gift from God!
Visitors: Tim & Jill Way visited us at the youth center on the 23rd. It was great to see Tim, as it has been a few years since his last time to Uganda. It was a lovely visit and time to share old stories and memories of different Believers’ World Teams we have been a part of. I thank God for such Godly friends and that they take the time to visit when they are in Masaka.
Wedding Stuff: On 6th May I hosted Sarah’s Bridal Shower Tea at Rogers and my home. It was a lovely afternoon full of much, much laughter, and many pearls of wisdom from amazing women of God that were in attendance. The following day I went to Sarah’s last church service at River of Life, her home church here in Masaka. It was a day of out pouring love for the care, faithfulness and obedience this woman of God had given to the children, youth and people of the church and White Eagles Children’s Project. On the 27th was the day Sarah and Ricky were united as one in one of the most beautiful wedding ceremonies I have ever seen. They were married under a Jewish Tallit, the covering of God, and Ricky’s Dad, Pastor Butch, preformed the ceremony. It was so special to be part of their blessed day! My prayers are for them to have God guided and blessed marriage with a life time of love and joy!!
Youthz Update:
Holiday Studies: Since both Babirye & Joshua are in high school they require more one-one-one studies, so during the Holiday they each took classes in the subjects that they find most difficult. Babirye concentrated on Divinity and History, while Joshua took Math and Chemistry. They weren’t the only two that kept their brains fresh during holiday. Oliver and Eddy did revision every Mon, Wed, Fri afternoon at the youth center.
Joseph Update: During his short 3 week 1st Term holiday he was busy clearing land and cultivating a maze crop on a plot of land his grandmother left him. He also spent 3 days vaccinating goats in a village near Masaka. These two things allowed him to keep his farming skills keen and ready for the next term at Mbuye Agricultural College which started on 19 May.
Alpha Update: Alpha still loves the Internship/On-The-Job Training in video & sound editing he is receiving with Mr. Martin. He is diligently working on projects. Thanks to David, Alpha has access to his old computer, so when he cannot complete a project or needs more practice he brings work home.
David Update: Early May, David came to visit and stay with us for two weeks. It was so wonderful to see him. He said it was a much needed rest and the time allowed him the refresh and gain peace back again, as he had been through some recent family situations with his sister losing a baby during child birth and then almost losing her life. We thank God that He spared her life and that David was able to be by her side during the ordeal.
Chapter & Verse: We continued with our Tuesday & Thursday Bible Studies, but during Holiday we “twist it up” a bit with not only chapter and verse reading, but with principle questions, dramas and movies on what we have covered. This month we went through the whole book of Esther with all its drama, power, romance and intrigue. It showed us all the profound interaction between God’s sovereignty and human will and how we all can be used, “for such a time as this”. Esther 4:14
Fun Stuff: Not only did we all learn during Holiday, but we did some fun stuff too! We made our annual Picture Collage of all the things we have done from May 2016 to May 2017. It is a great way to look back on God’s faithfulness, blessings and joy that we have had all year documented in the memory of pictures! The youth also wrote back their pen-pals at Harlan Christian Youth Center. A few times a year they receive letters from them and they get to share some of their experiences of being a youth in Uganda with the kids in the U.S.
Painting Day-On the 12th all of the SOAR youth and some others worked on beautifying the youth center. We spent the whole day painting the veranda and the garage door with very bright and inviting colors of yellow, purple and multi-color strips! Unfortunately our beautifying project made the rest of the building look pretty shabby, so I guess next Holiday we need to have another painting day!
SYF Camp: Soweto Youth Fellowship had its annual youth encounter camp from 19-20 May. Alpha, Cephas, Oliver, Babirye, and Eddy were all in attendance. This year’s theme and verse were, “Check Your Heart” Ezekiel 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Alpha said, “This (verse) sounds good because I am one of those youths who received a new heart of flesh. As a youth leader, I was asking God to give me a heart of boldness in preaching, evangelizing the gospel around all the youths of any kind. All in all the camp was massive, wonderful and good.” Babirye came back with major testimony. Babirye said, “I was transformed and that God lifted anger toward someone and worry off of me!” This was Eddy’s very first camp and he loved it! I praise God for all He did in and through this camp!
J.A.M.: Yea! After a 2 month hiatus we had Jesus And Me on 27th May! Since Moses and Winnie were MC’s that day, here is what they had to say about it. Winnie said, “We called the day ‘Life Story Experiences’”. Moses said, “We welcomed everybody, did some worship songs, and shared some life stories”. Winnie continued, “We shared about having confidence in the Lord like the Kirk Franklin song My Life Is In Your Hands: ‘You don’t have to worry, And don’t you be afraid, Joy comes in the morning Troubles they don’t last always, For there’s a friend in Jesus, Who will wipe your tears away, And if your heart is broken, Just lift your hands and say, Oh I know that I can make it, I know that I can stand No matter what may come my way, My life is in your hands.’ All in all we encouraged our fellow youth to have trust in the Lord.” I praise God that J.A.M. is back and I give glory back to the Lord for He is good!!
2nd Term Starts: All of our Secondary youth started 2nd Term on the 29th and in their 1st week back they had beginning of term exams. Please pray that they have a safe, productive, and knowledge filled term. Thank you!
As you have read this 1st Term Holiday was fun, blessed and life changing. I thank the Lord for His grace in allowing us to pass through the month. I also thank all of you reading for your continued love, support and most especially your prayers!! They are felt by us and honored by our Lord!! Till next month may the Lord bless you and keep you all!
Love,
Rita Bulegeya
Director-Faith Hope Love Missions
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