FHLM Newsletter July 2018

Greetings from Uganda! It’s been a rough two months, but in my daily devotions God gave me this verse. 2 Corinthians 1:11 you also helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift granted to us through many. The verse really touched my heart, because I believe God was speaking to me, and giving me encouragement about how each day you all pour out prayers for us!  And if it wasn’t for the prayers of His saints changing the atmosphere of the  heavenly realm then things could be a lot worse, so God bless you ALL!!

Director’s Update:

Centre Break In: Faith Hope Love Missions Youth Centre was broken into again on the evening of 05 July. We are estimating it was between 7pm-9pm, right before Alpha came back to stay for the night. This time there was much damage to the roof and ceilings, as that is how the thieves entered into the sitting room and office areas. As you can imagine, the repairs to the damaged areas cost the ministry unexpected expenses.

But most hindering to the ministry was the loss of a laptop. As the thieves’ rifled through the office they found Jane Francs’, our Social Workers’, laptop and stole that along with her 8 GB flash drive. This was the laptop that she used each day to write reports, update finances, etc., so it was quite a loss. But God is good! When I put out a request for funds to replace the laptop, I was overwhelmed by the response of those that said they would pray for us, and so thankful to those of you who contributed funds. Though we have received the funds for the replacement computer, we are still in process of purchasing it. I praise God for all of you!!

Teaching Again: On 08 July I started teaching a Discipleship Course at Hilltop Church called, Titus Class. The course will be held every Sunday after church for 10 weeks. It is exciting for me to be teaching again, though I teach Bible Studies every week with the youth, this course gives me a chance to reach out to many age groups from our community with the Word of God! “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” Acts 2: 42 (NIV)

On the 22^nd Rogers and I celebrated his Birthday with a chill’ afternoon at home and dinner in! Thank you to everyone that sent him well wishes!

Youthz Update:

Masaka SS Visitation Day was on 07 July, and Jane and I met up with our secondary youth; Eddy, Oliver, Justine, and Joshua at the Visitation Day registration tent. We split up into two groups to make short work of visiting the student’s class teachers to get their beginning of term test results. After discussing the students’ marks with the teachers, we all met up again and proceeded to walk around the school compound, to view the different student club tables. All of the clubs had displays of their projects and information about each club. Of course we had to visit the ITC Club table, because Joshua is a member, and he explained to us about the club and his role as a member. After inspecting all the displays we had worked up an appetite so we headed to a local restaurant for lunch. All in all it was another fun visitation day!

Joseph Update: In the last month Joseph has had a major refocus and redirection of his future. After a few meetings with him, the Senior Board of Directors along with him has made the decision to shift him from studying agriculture to studying music. Music has ALWAYS been Joseph 1^st love and passion, so it will now be the focus of his future studies. He will be going to African Institute of Music (AIM) for the next 2 years to obtain a diploma and formal training in music.

During the last two weeks of July Joseph attended a Top Up Class at AIM studying piano and basic musicianship. Joseph has always played music by ear and has had little to no training in site reading and learning musical scales, so this class was required for to get the basics and a foundation in music. His 1^st Semester at AIM will start on 27 August and we pray that the Lord continues to guide him toward completing his lifelong dream!

Youth Outreach Day: This month we went to Born Like Others on the 14th were we found all the kids and their care taker, Mamma M, sorting beans. Of course our youth jumped in and helped out making short time of the work. After they completed, Alpha led the team in introductions. Then, being the Programmer of the day, he had the kids do a “dance off”. Most of the kids wanted to participate but Alpha picked four of them to compete; Victor, Mulungi, Sudiaisi and Kazeyi. After they showed off their dance skills, Mulungi and Victor were chosen to be the best by their fellow kids and got two sweeties each. After that fun, we went into memory verse competition and Frank, one of the kids, was the best in this. He was so good that he could recite the verse and then tell which book, chapter it was in. Of course he won the rest of the sweeties.

Then it was question time with the kids. Alpha asked them what they wanted to be when they grow up. Some want to be doctors, others teachers, engineers, pilots, bankers, and so on. William led this session and helped answer all the kids’ careers questions. He explained to the kids what subjects they needed to focus on for each and every career they had come up with. They were very happy to know these things!

At the end of our time Joshua gave the kids a testimony. He testified that when he was young he was very stubborn. He said that no one liked him at home, but he thanked God that he changed because of Jesus and when he grew up he became the most disciplined boy at the home and everyone liked him. After, Alpha shared a Word with everyone from Jeremiah 29:11 and closed the day in prayer. What a blessed day! Our youth are really learning how to give back and share their gifts with others.

Movie Day for this month was held on the 21^st. This month we watched Question Of Faith a movie centred around Pastor David and his families loss of their youngest child, Eric. As the movie unfolds three families cross paths after this tragic accident, and as they struggle with their loss, they soon find strength and redemption in their faith. We see how hard it is to understand God at times and how we question Him but through Eric’s death peoples’ lives were saved. Mary confessed Christ and John’s daughter Michelle’s heart received life from Eric’s donated heart. This movie really touched and impacted all in attendance, many to the point of tears! Please enjoy how some of us where affected:

Joshua: The movie was so encouraging, and reminded me to forgive anyone that I had kept on my heart unforgiving, because God forgave us. It also continued to teach me that everything happens for a reason for the good of God’s plans for our lives. The movie was so real that it illuminated my heart to always go by what God brings for me.

Eddy: I learnt from the movie that we should not blame and put our anger on God, no matter how big our problems are. We should also not run away from God because the more you run from God the more problems you get. And if you run towards God, He comforts you and you forget all your problems by covering you under His grace.

Jane Franc: Before we complain much about the problems we have in life, let’s be grateful for what God has blessed us with. John complained because of his daughter’s sickness and he forgot that it was God who had blessed them with her.

Back to Success: On the 28^th we were blessed to have Aunt Faridah back teaching the secondary youth and preparing them for their end of Term Exams in August. This month they reviewed and revised chemistry since this is a subject most of them struggle with. Faridah went through the 20 elements that make up chemistry and she emphasized that if they get to know them and their symbols, chemistry will be easy for them. She taught them a easy acronym for remembering the elements. Faridah continued to revise a Senior 3 chemistry paper with the youth, concentrating on the mole concept. She was helped out by Joshua, our advanced level student who takes Biology, Chemistry, & Maths, who gave the youth more tips on understanding the mole concept and electron charges. At the close Faridah gave Oliver & Justine an assignment on mole concept. She then gave Eddy an assignment of having the 20 elements phrase rememorized. All in all the day was a big help to our secondary youths and we thank God for Faridah.

As you have read it has been an exciting month with a lot of things happening, good and bad, but God has brought us through and we give Him praises for the blessings! To this end I also labour, striving according to His working which works in me mightily. Colossians 1:29 (NKJV) Thank you to all of you that have prayed for us during the uncertain times, and those that continue to stand with us in prayer. Also a BIG Thank You to our monthly donors! Without you none of this could happen. May God continue to bless and keep you all!

Love and Blessings,

Rita

Missionary & Director-Faith Hope Love Missions