FHLM Nov/Dec 2016 Newsletter

I hope this last newsletter of 2016 finds you all healthy, happy, and full of anticipation for the New Year! We at FHLM had a wonderful Christmas and New Year’s Eve spent together as a family enjoying, eating, fellow-shipping, praising God and laughing! Here is what went with us in Nov & Dec 2016:

Director’s Update:

I had submitted my application for Ugandan Permanent Residence Certificate back in September, but on 04^th Nov Rogers and I had to meet with the Ugandan Immigration Work Permit Committee regarding the approval of my application. After much prayer and waiting I finally heard from the Immigration Committee on 23rd Dec that my application has been approved for 10 years!! Praise God!! Now I have to go to Kampala to turn in “hard copies” of letters and forms and pay the $500.00 U.S. for the certificate (still praying for those funds). I thank the Lord that I won’t have to have to get any more work permits and I’m one-step closer to dual citizenship.

We held our 4^th FHLM Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Luncheon on 19th Nov. The meeting was well attended by the board members and invitees from local churches, businesses, and municipal government.  During the meeting I read our Annual Report and Pastor Samuel Sombi, Assistant Director, read the board’s yearly report on the organizations progress in 2016. We also had a presentation by Faridah Nansereko regarding her time as a FHLM SOAR Youth. It was a very moving presentation for me and I saw how much FHLM has and can impact the lives of the youth we sponsor. We also made a resolution to form a FHLM Youth Association or Alumni Group of outgoing SOAR Youth. All in all it was our best AGM thus far.

Youth Center Building/Office Update: During Nov. I spent more time trying to find a new place for the office, but found nothing within our budget that could be a permanent place for us. By mid-Dec we were preparing to move, but Pastor Sam, our Assistant Director, surprised me by informing me that he had been in contact with the district and they seem receptive to negotiating a new contract with us. They even sent the District Engineer to look at the building and draw up a new contract. We haven’t received confirmation yet, as the district was closed during holidays, but please pray that this all works out and we can stay! Also please pray that in 2017 we can get our own land and permanent building, so we don’t have to keep renting and going through these trials. Thank you!

Enough about me and the office—here is what our youth have been up to in Nov and Dec!

SOAR Youth Update:

Alpha completed Secondary 4 National Exams on 15 Nov. We are all waiting anxiously for favorable results, as his mock exams results were great!

We have very sad news to report! Alpha’s Mom passed away on Sunday, 20 Nov at 1pm. She had been sick and in hospital, but was doing somewhat better–off oxygen and moved to another ward but couldn’t hold down food and finally her body just gave up. She was only 43 years old. That Sunday afternoon and evening we spent at the family house and there was much crying, as she had become a friend to me. On Monday morning 16 of us headed to the burial in Ssembabule–deep in the family village 2 hours from Masaka. It was a long hard 2 days, but everyone is now on the road to healing.

But then with sad news comes celebration! On 25th November I attended William’s graduation ceremony at Nile Vocational. We are so proud of him for completing his Certificate in Electrical Installation! Both my Dad and Brother are electricians, so we have another electrician in the family! We pray he can find work right away and in his off days he may go for his Diploma.

On Thursday, 24 Nov our remaining our secondary youth, Babirye and Oliver ended 3rd Term.  Joseph and Cephas completed 3^rd Term at vocational school on 2^nd Dec. Now they are ALL around for the next 2 months and the long 3^rd Term Holiday.

We ‘Kicked” off the Holiday by going on our annual SOAR Youth Education Trip. This year we went to Kalangala Island for an overnight from 05-06 Dec . It was wonderful to have David with us for this year’s trip. The other youth got to ride on a ferry for the 1^st time, crossing Lake Victoria. While on the ferry they were allowed to go up to the captain’s control room, see how the ferry is ran and ask questions. Once we arrived on the island they got to see all the palm oil fields and the fishing villages of Kalanagla first hand. They also experienced the island’s beauty and nature by going on a beach and forests walks. On our departure morning we had a wonderful praise & worship and Bible study on the beach. This was a fantastic trip and I praise the Lord for the provision and safety He gave us!

Right after Alpha got back from our Ed Trip he turned around and left for 10 days on an Outreach Mission with Scripture Union to the border town of Busia in Eastern Uganda. During his time away the S.U. Team did door to door evangelism, praying and ministering at the hospital, prison, and local schools and held open air crusades. They also did community clean-up in the local market and on the streets of Busia. Alpha came back to Masaka with a new zeal for the Lord, FULL of the Holy Spirit, and with many testimonies of how good the Lord is! I am so proud to see how far the Lord has brought this young man in the last 3 years! God is certainly GOOD to us when we submit to Him and His call upon our lives.

During Nov and Dec we continued with our normal programs of Movies with a Message, Nov. J.A.M. Session Saturday, Tuesday and Thursday Bible Studies and Friday Life-skills.  But our “BIG” event of the last 2 months was J.A.M. FEST! Weeks of preparation went into the event that was held 16th Dec., and it was all worth the time and energy, as we had a turnout of about 100 youth from the area. From 2-6pm the day was full of the talents and gifts of the youth—singing, dancing, storytelling, drawing, and comedy. At 7pm we started our evening session of praise & worship. That is when the crowd started singing & dancing all around the venue. It was amazing to hear and see the Holy Spirit fall upon us all! At the end of the session, at 11pm, Pastor Sam led an alter call and prayer. What a blessed day!! I have to give a special thank you to Pastor Sam, Bryan, and Joseph for ALL the coordination, time, and care they put into the FEST! What an incredible day and glory be to God for all He did! We are praying that this will be an annual event!

As you have read the last two months have given us much to be thankful for and we are blessed to have the grace of our Lord upon us. As all of you enter into this new year, I pray that you claim this as your verse for 2017: Psalm 65:11 You crown the year with Your goodness, And Your paths drip with abundance.

Have a blessed day and year! Much Love from ALL of us at Faith Hope Love Missions!

Rita Bulegeya-Director