FHLM MAY 2022 NEWSLETTER

GREETINGS:

Greetings from Masaka and all of us at Faith Hope Love Missions (FHLM)! We are finally headed into our dry season. Psalm 37:3 Trust in the Lord, and do good. Dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness. (NKJV)

DIRECTORS UPDATE:

Board Meeting: On 14^th May we had our 2^nd Quarter Board Meeting at the Youth Centre. Most of our members were in attendance and Pastor Sam joined us via Zoom. We were able to get an update on all of the SOAR Youth and how the secondary students performed in 1^st Term. We also reviewed this quarters financial budgets and the members informed me on how to handle some accounting and Ugandan tax policies. We are moving forward as a ministry and I’m very thankful for our board’s knowledge and expertise.

Trainings: The week of 16 May was full of off-site trainings for our staff. From Tuesday to Thursday Kellen, and Charles attended Project Nehemiah Workshop facilitated at Willow Resource Centre and the Moderators were from ITEE UNIVERSITY from the U.S.  I was also able to attend the first day of the workshop and found it very beneficial. These are some of the take-away lessons learned from Kellen & Charles.

The Four Looks taught them how to read the Word of God and go deeper. Kellen said, “I used to use ‘look here’ only but in this workshop I learnt how I can read the Word personally and in a Bible study group. I can now take the group through the ‘four looks’ that we looked at while in bible study.”

Charles said, “The training was of beneficial on my side because it taught me many things which has already started making a change on my life. First and foremost, they taught us three kinds of learning which was; Head; this is where academic learning takes place. Heart; this involves emotions, values, beliefs, spirit, character and everything at the core of an individual. Hands; this reflects skills such as teaching, counseling, evangelizing, coaching, discipling,”

Then on Saturday 21 May Charles got the opportunity to attend another training at Full Gospel Church Nyendo, put on by One Hope. It was about how to teach Sunday school students and youth. Charles said, “It was a good training and we were taught how to deal with pupils and how to ensure that actually what was taught was understood by the learner. This was so interesting.”

Price Increases: Uganda, as most of the world, is experiencing a surge in petrol prices which are now at 5,600 shillings per liter. To put that into perspective it is $7.75 per gallon. Also the cost of living and general commodity items like posho, bread, sugar, and soap have tripled in the last month. In a country that has an average daily earning of $1.25 per day this is devastating! That said our youth’s families are struggling even more to provide food for themselves. As a ministry we are doing our best to offset their needs but it is not easy.  

On 27^th May Kellen attended a Masaka SS School Parents’ Meeting and was told that due to an increase of prices the school is thinking of increasing school fees, so that the school programs can continue running smoothly. The head teacher said that the board will sit to agree on how much to increase and when they are done, they will put it in end of 2^nd term circulars.

She was also updated about the new curriculum for senior 1 and senior 2. We were told that the curriculum was changed because even the world has changed so they want to prepare students get ready to live in a changed world.

SOAR YOUTH UPDATE:

Prom: Both Immy and Justine are candidates this year, so traditionally the school throws a “Leavers Party” at the school for all students finishing Secondary 4 and 6. This year they have adopted the American term Prom for their party. The youth dress up, and there is a dance at the end of the day, but unlike proms in the U.S. the function is held during the day and there are many speeches and even performances by the youth. Both of the girls said that they enjoyed the day and they now have wonderful memories.       

Birthday: On 25^th May we celebrated Pius’ 15^th Birthday!! He was very surprised and happy to have balloons and a cake. He said that he’s never received a birthday card and it was so special to him. May God continue to bless his life and give him many, many more years of life!    

YOUTH PROGRAMS:

1^st Term Holiday: The week of 2^nd May was the youth’s last week of Term Holiday. On the 4^th we had our final Holiday Bible Study where Milly & Immy concluded our theme of Resurrection from the book of 1 Corinthians 15:35-58.

On the 5^th we had a “Group Talk” with all the youth. It was an open talk where each youth was able to voice their opinions on the Holiday and also voice if they had problems with anything or anyone. Many of the youth expressed how he or she felt while at the center. They shared their joys, worst moments and even if something had annoyed them. Uncle Charles advised the youth the following;

• To work hard at school because hard work pays.
• Not to give up. He encouraged them to press on.
•  To know where they come from.
•  To believe in themselves.

It was a wonderful afternoon that helped to continue to unify our “family”.

Our last day of Holiday Program was the 6^th and we had Worship Day where the youth led in praise and worship. I led us through a teaching in Genesis 12:1-9. I taught on Abraham’s Call and the following points:

• There is a purpose for every ones call.
• God’s promises are true.
• There is a calling on our lives to do something for God.
• When people come against us, God will hold us.
• When we become obedient to the Lord, He will bless us.

2^nd Term: On 9^th May the youth started their 2^nd Term at Masaka Secondary School.  In their 1^st week back they had beginning of Term Exams. 2nd Term will run till the first week of August. Please keep our youth in prayer for God’s wisdom and knowledge to be poured into them and for their safety as they travel to and from school. Thank you!   

Weekly Bible Study: Since the youth were back in school we started our After School Wednesday Evening Studies in 1^st Timothy. Here is a highlight of one of our studies held on 25^th May.

READING: 1 TIMOTHY 4:1-16

Milly led us in an opening prayer and Pius read the Chapter.

Lessons leant from the Bible study.

• Aunt Rita– We are in later days because we see what we have read every day, there are false teachings from all corners of the world. Because of that, we have to know the word of GOD through reading the Bible. She added that everyone has got a gift from God.
• Pamela– We have to stand out of the crowd. She added we should ask God to give us grace to differentiate between different spirits because it’s not that all come from God, some are evil. What is happening now is the fulfillment of the scriptures because many people are doubtful, they are tired of waiting. We should associate with God and learn to make our personal decisions.
• Pius– We should tell our brothers and sisters the truth about the Christ Jesus.
• Kellen– We should be watchful because there are false prophets and pastors these days. We should be repentant sinners and set good examples to other people.
• Charles– Let us not neglect our spiritual gifts. Let’s go and lead those that are being misled.
• Immy- Not everything we are told is beneficial. We should first think about our faith before we make any decision.
• Eddy- We should read the Bible if we don’t want to be deceived and we should be contented with God because He is enough in all situations. (Written by Kellen Niyomukiza)

Sports Day: The 21^st was a lovely day for Volleyball! It was guys against the gals! Guys Team-Sons of God included Pius, Eddy & William. Gals Team- Glorious Girls included Pamela, Milly, Charity, Jannifer and Precious. I can see their teamwork and skills improving each time we have volleyball day. The 3 guys won 4 of 5 matches, but everyone enjoyed!   

Movie Day: On the 28^th we watched MR. HOLLAND’S OPUS and this is what we all learned from this inspirational movie:

• Immy- Lets not give up on life.
• Pius- Never regret on how you lived your life because God has good plans for everyone.
• Pamela- Love what you are doing in order to succeed. Mr. Holland was productive to others, he was not selfish.
• Aunt Rita- The smallest thing you do for someone might turn into the biggest thing in their life.
• Milly- God gave us different abilities and talents. We should use them to help others. She added that we should leave to live a good legacy like Mr. Holland.
• Uncle Charles –We should stick on our talents.
• Willy– Love what you are doing.
• Eddy– Invest in making friends. Mr. Holland used what he had to impact people.
• Charity- Show love to people you are serving or working with.
• Jenniffer- When you love, you are also loved. Like Mr. Holland we should try by all means to make our families happy.
• Kellen- Be thankful and appreciative to those that do good to you. We should be confident in whatever we do.

BELA BULUNGI (GOOD-BYE):

It has been another wonderful and blessed month! By God’s grace, and your donations and prayers we are able to continue serving the Lord here in Masaka. I thank you all!

Love and Blessings,

Rita Bulegeya

Director -Faith Hope Love Missions

reetsindiego@yahoo.com