FHLM NOVEMBER 2022 NEWSLETTER
GREETINGS:
Greetings to all of you!! Well can you believe we are on the cusp of Christmas? We are all excited about Christmas in Masaka and have been preparing for the last few weeks. I hope that all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I was blessed because I was able to have a “traditional American Thanksgiving dinner” with the Impact Team (see below).
DIRECTORS UPDATE:
Ebola: A rare strain of Ebola had broken out in Uganda the end of September; and this was followed by a lockdown in Mubende & Kasanda Districts the areas of the outbreak. Although this is a long way from Masaka we have implemented measures at the Centre like the hand washing station, and no hugs or handshakes. As time has worn on, more cases are being reported in other parts of the country, including Kampala; and the government has now decided to shut the schools for their long Christmas break 2 weeks earlier than planned, as a number of young people have already died of the disease. Please continue to pray for Uganda.
Parent/Guardian Workshop: On 8th Nov we had an all day workshop for the parents and/or guardians of our sponsored youth. We were grateful to Immaculate (Emmy) from Scripture Union Masaka who led the workshop giving us Positive Parenting Skills and sharing the pitfall our children can fall into.
Impact Church Team: After a very long and interesting journey from Kenya, I meet the team of 10 in Jinja, Uganda on 21 Nov. We all spent the night in Jinja and the next morning toured Amazima Secondary School outside the town. It was a great tour and help open up the eyes of the team to how school “works“ in Uganda. Afterwards we traveled the 6 hours to Masaka, arriving about 7pm, just in time for dinner.
On the 23rd we had an Outreach Day in which we teamed up with my church Hilltop- Soweto and our pastor, Brian along with the vice chairperson for Bwala, Julius. We also had all of our youth and some of the other community youth that come to the centre. We had three groups that each went to a pre-selected elderly families in Bwala. We took each family washing powder, soap, combs, Rice, posho, salt, scrubbers and sugar. We did activities like washing clothes, fetching water, sweeping and mopping the homes.
We took the whole outreach team of 27 to Elgin Restaurant in Masaka town. The Impact Team enjoyed the “local food” and the company of all of the youth. After we headed back to Hilltop Church where we all enjoyed learning new games that the Impact Team taught us.
On the 24th the Impact Team had a “Reflection Day”. Charles and I joined them on their safari to Lake Mburo National Park. Thought it was an early 6am departure it was worth it, as we got to see so many animals on our morning nature walk. It was a rare sighting to see a whole heard of eland up close. Of course we saw many zebra, impala, waterbuck, and warthogs. Then we did a game drive to a huge herd of giraffe. We got out of the vehicle and were able to get pretty close to a heard of at least 25 giraffe. It was an amazing experience for all of us! In the after we went to Rwakobo Rock Lodge for a yummy lunch, and hike to the Top of the Rock and some great group pictures! Then it was time to head back to Masaka. But the team had a “surprise” waiting for them. Since the 24th was Thanksgiving Day I arranged with Elite Backpackers to have a full Thanksgiving Dinner made! We had turkey, and all the trimmings. It was a very special day spent with my “Impact family”.
Unfortunately on the 25th the team had to leave, but before they departed we had a “special” morning praise & worship time and Bible study with them. There were tearful good-byes as the team and I headed out for our 3 hour trip to Entebbe. I am very thankful and blessed that Impact Church sent a team and that we were able to deepen our relationship and bond as sisters and brothers in Christ.
SOAR YOUTH UPDATE:
End of Term: Because of the increase of Ebola cases in the country the Ministry of Education urged all of the schools to end 3rd Term early. That said our secondary students ended their final term of the year on 18th Nov. instead of 09 December. This was a blessing in disguise because they were able to spend time with the Impact Team. This Holiday break is the longest of the year, 2 ½ months, and we have many programs planned including the “resurrection” of our Annual Prayer & Fasting Camp in January 2023! This will be our first camp since January 2020 and the COVID lockdowns. Please keep our camp preparations and finance in prayer. Thank you!
Featured Youth: Eddy is in Secondary 5 (Junior Year High School). He is the president of the school’s food and nutrition club. During the past holidays, Eddy had morning Holiday Studies in Chemistry and Biology to help him in his school performance. When Eddy is free, he helps his Mom at home, doing all domestic cores, because he knows how to cook, clean and help with the younger children. Spiritually Eddy goes to church every Sunday from 8:00am-1:00 pm. From the church he goes to school because they study even on Sundays because he is in Advanced Level. During the holiday he attends church evening glory every day from 5:30-6:30 pm. He was part of the youth choir in their church, but because most of the members are students in boarding section, the choir is no longer active. During school time, Eddy fellowships from Prayer Palace in town to make it easy to reach school in time. He reads the Bible every day at 3am and prays before leaving for school at 6am. He is an obedient and God fearing young man! We are blessed to have him in the organization. Please keep his family in prayer as there have been many financial challenges with his father’s business of selling, on the street, 2nd hand coats. Thank you!
Oliver & Joshua: Oliver is in her 2nd year 1st Semester at NIAAD. She completed both semesters of first year at the top of her class, receiving a 4.4 and 4.2 respectively. This semester she has five courses with practical work. She is hard at work on her practicals designing and creating beautiful dresses and trousers, household items aprons, table mats & runners, and chair covers. This semester they also learned tie & dye, and weaving. She is hoping to break for the Christmas Holiday on in mid-December.
Joshua completed his mid-semester exams for third-year in early October. He is doing well as he completes his final semester for a diploma in pharmacy. He breaks for Christmas on 15th After the new year he will be starting industrial training in Kampala.
YOUTH PROGRAMS:
Bible Quiz: On 5th Nov we had a wonderful day learning from the Word of God! Uncle Charles was our facilitator for the day and he led the two teams; God’s Mercy and God’s Grace. Aunt Kellen was our time and stats keeper and I joined in the fun on Team Grace. We had three sections to our day; Bible Questions, Bible Reading, and Verse Finding. It was a great day of learning and laughter!
Movie Day: On the 19th we watched the final two episodes of the Chosen.
Community Clean Up: On 26th we all participated in cleaning the area around the outside of the Centre. Within a half a block area and up and down the road we collected 1 50 kilo bag of plastic bottles and 1 bag of rubbish. The new youth were surprised at how much rubbish was around and I shared with all the youth why it is important to keep out community clean and recycle.
BELA BULUNGI (GOOD-BYE):
As you have read November was a blessed month! I thank the Lord for all of the joy, protection, provision and love that He sent to the ministry and to all who were a part of us this month. I pray that God is blessing you with the same. Until next month may the Lord bless you and keep you!
In His Grip,
Rita Bulegeya
Director -Faith Hope Love Missions
Social Networks:
Leave a Reply