FHLM Newsletter March & April 2020
Greetings from Masaka and Happy Good Friday!! Despite all that is going on in the world it is a happy day because today our Savior Jesus Christ died for us! 1 Peter 2:24 “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”
Director’s Update:
In 2001 on September 11th my life changed forever. At the time I was a travel agent working on Group Incentive & Meeting Trips for corporations and their executives. When 9/11 happened we had a group of insurance salesmen in New York City. Anyway, on that day as life changed for millions of people the course of my life was changed too. Following 9/11 the company I worked for closed down, I lost my position, and was forced to go on unemployment for the first time in my life. I’m saying all this because as we are handed unexpected, life changing events, like what we are going through right now with COVID-19, our life’s path may change but God will always make what seems an end into a beginning. If 9/11 wouldn’t have happened I may not have went back to university to finish my degree, I may not have changed careers, I may not have meet amazing people (ones that are still friends to this day), my FAITH in God would not be as strong as it is today, and most of all I may have never came to Uganda to live, start FHLM, and serve God!
As we are going through what seems like the end, God is making new beginnings for us all. There is HOPE in the future. We can stand on the amazing LOVE that God has for us all. That said here is how life has changed for us since this virus started in Uganda.
Well from 20th March things in Uganda changed daily as the President addressed the nation each day. Grace and I were able to work on Monday the 23rd. We got some website updates done, and items ready for our picture college. Grace was also able to have an over the phone counselling session with Immy. Immy’s half sister, whom she lives with, decided that it best to go to the family village so they set off the next day to stay there until the quarantine is over.
Tuesday the 24th, Babirye phoned me in the morning and said that her Mom was doing much better and she wanted to travel back to Masaka. I sent her transport money, but by that time the fares to Masaka had been pushed up to 30,000 shillings. They are usually 12,000 shillings. The reason for the increase was because the mandate from the president was that they could only carry 10 passengers per mini bus instead of the normal 16 passengers. Anyway, she said it was a rough day in the Kampala taxi park with people crowding, frustrated and scared, but praise God she got home. Since her return she has walked to visit me and we’ve also been in contact via phone and text every day!
By the evening of Wed, the 25th, the President again addressed the country. He mandated a stop of ALL public transport; taxis, coasters, and all boda bodas. He also stated that if we are not essential workers we are to stay home. Our plan to go to the office to work on Monday and Fridays had been changed. As we lay our plans God directs our steps. Proverbs 16:9 We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.
On Thursday morning I contacted Grace, our Social Worker, to tell her that we would stop coming to the office. She had already gone to be with her parents in the village. We decided to still be in contact via phone with each other and the SOAR Youth on a weekly basis. Than on the 30th the President imposed a ban on all personal vehicles and a daily curfew to be home by 7pm and not out until 6:30am. As of that day we have been in quarantine lockdown. We currently have 53 confirmed cases, praise God no deaths, and the 1st confirmed case is being released from hospital. There is hope!!
This is what the SOAR Youth have been up to in the last few weeks…….
Youthz Update:
Eddy: He is a Secondary 4 candidate this year, so it is so important that he stays up on his studies during this time when school is closed. That said during the quarantine he rode Uncle William’s bike to my home to give it back to him and also borrowed one of the ministry training laptops. Eddy is quite studious and is keeping up with his computer homework and revision. We had a good talk and also had a wonderful time of prayer together. During the next week Eddy found out that several of the S4 teachers have created WhatsApp groups for their students to ask questions and share information. He decided to again come to my home to pick up an old Nokia phone I had to use for WhatApp. Unfortunately the phone didn’t work, it isn’t “smart” enough.
While he was at the house we discussed his family’s food situation. He said that they have used all of their vegetables and food stuffs from their small garden. Since the lockdown his father is unable to sell second hand clothes on the street anymore to eke out a living for the family and I could tell by Eddy’s voice situation was getting worse, so I gave him some ministry money to help out.
Hanisha: That said Hanisha and her Mom are going through a very similar situation. Her Mom is a casual worker, floating from job to job, and since they live it the town they don’t have a garden. As a ministry we decided to purchase beans, posho (maze flour), rice, cooking oil, and soap for them. We were blessed to have Uncle William use “angel bike” to make the delivery of the food items. God is good!!
Psalm 9:18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the HOPE of the poor shall not perish forever.
On a brighter note, Milly, young William, Immy and Justine have all left with their mother’s or guardians to their extended families homes in the deep villages. They are much safer in the villages and there they have gardens and plantations that provide food for them. Either Grace or I have been in contact with them weekly or sometimes more. Justine said that she has found a friend in the village that completed A-Levels last year and is now tutoring her in Maths. She also said that God has been strengthening her and speaking to her as she reads her Bible every day. William said he’s been digging in the plantation with his Grand and he’s been reading his Bible more. Both Immy and Milly are also helping out by digging and enjoying her time in the village.
Oliver: She went to stay with her Grandmother and her half-brother after she finished Secondary 4. It was a blessing that she did this. Since this pandemic hit she has been such a blessing for her Grand, by her out by digging in the garden, preparing food, and feeding her ducks. Oliver has been a blessing to me too by walking 2 hours to my home just to give me an Easter gift. She crocheted a beautiful flower for me. During our visit she said that during this quarantine time she has been re-reading the books of Psalms and Proverbs and they are giving her a lot of encouragement, and wisdom.
Joshua: When the university was closed he had decided to stay in Ishaka for a week at his hostel to pray and fast for the nations, Covid-19 and seek God’s will. During the week that he was doing this the president stopped all public transport so he has been unable to return to Masaka. But when I talked to him about the matter he said it’s God’s will that he stay and continue with what God had set before him. He and I have been in contact almost daily via texts. May glory be given back to God for all this young man is doing for His Kingdom!
So many new beginnings are coming out of this and to those that put their FAITH in God we see goodness abound. We pray that the Lord is speaking to you too and putting new beginnings in front of you too. We are truly blessed as an organization and a family to have prayer and financial support from people like you. You all and the nations have been in my daily prayers for you to stay hopeful, keep the faith, and stay strong and courageous!! Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
In His Grip,
Rita Bulegeya
Director-Faith Hope Love missions (UG)
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