FHLM Oct 2017 Newsletter: Director’s Update and Youthz News

Director’s Update:

Greetings from Colorado Springs! I hope this update finds you all healthy and happy!  Well I landed in the Chicago U.S.A. on 01 Oct and proceeded to fly to Fort Wayne, Indiana for a three week visit with the parents. During my time in Indiana I was blessed to speak twice to the children of Harlan Christian Youth Center (HCYC).  The Center’s board and the children are such a blessing to FHLM! Our youth and their children are PenPals and about 3 times a year they write to each other.  The HCYC children also support our youth financially by selling bouncy balls and bubble gum! What an amazing example of sacrificial giving they are! We thank you Debi, Damian and all the kidos of HCYC!

My time with Dad and Carol I enjoyed a trip to Shipshewana, IN, walks in the woods, attending their new church, and even driving the tractor & wagon while my Dad and Uncle collected pumpkins. Time in the countryside of Indiana does a soul good!

I was also blessed to speak at Harlan United Methodist Church (HUMC) to the Elder-berry Group of “older” devoted church members. HUMC is my Mom and Grandma’s home church and it is always like going home, because so many people that attend have watched me grow up and be transformed in Christ.

During my time with my Mom (Patti) and step-day, Mike, we had a scare. Mike was hospitalized for another heart attack. I want to thank everyone who prayed and continues to pray for his healing. Despite that surprise, my time in IN was lovely! I’m so grateful to everyone who made it so very special and especially to Daddy & Carol, Mom & Mike, Grams, Frank & Chris, Karin, and Aunt Lucille, may our Lord bless you richly for ALL you do for me and the ministry.

On 20 Oct I was off again, flying to Colorado Springs where I spent 2 weeks visiting my brother, Rob, sister-in-law, Jackie, and niece, Blakeley. We had some wonderful family times attending church together, going to the philharmonic, the zoo and hanging out at home the family and their two Great Danes! I am so blessed to have a brother like Rob! Thanks Bro!

I want to give a BIG thank Impact Christian Church of Woodland Park, CO for their on-going support of the ministry! Pastor Scott and the mission team believe wholeheartedly in sharing the Word to every corner of the globe to make persons aware of how they can be a part of the great commission in their community and abroad.  On the 29^th I was grateful to again be part of their “Mission Sunday”.  Thanks to Scott, Kim, Kristen, Mike and the congregation of Impact!

Well even in my absence the Youth Center Programs must go on! They are in full operation, thanks to Jane Franc! She continues to work hard taking care of the day to day administrative work, youth programs and all while preparing for her wedding. I am so grateful and thankful that I can rely and trust in her.  Please continue to keep her in prayer! Jane thank you for your diligence and faithfulness!  Here is a “sample” of what Jane wrote to me in her Oct Report. I hope you enjoy as you read about what has been going on in Masaka!  “Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.” –Proverbs 25:25

Building Update: We started the month of October in fear since thieves broke into our office on the second day of October 2017. I was so shocked when I opened the office and found all things disorganized. These people tried to look for money from all corners of the office but they couldn’t even find a single coin. I real thank God for His protection because it’s not common here, for the thieves to block into a building and don’t take anything.

Bible Studies (Chapter and Verse): I have been leading the Chapter and Verse sessions all through this month on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and I bless God for the attendance and participation of the youths. These studies help them much in knowing more about the word of God and passing their Christian Religious Education (CRE) exam since those at secondary level all take it.

SOAR Youthz Updates: We thank God for health; none of our youths has fallen sick this month. They are all doing well and enjoy attending all programs nowadays. On the 7^th, I took Justine to her home in Nakayiba for a second home assessment. This time I was able to see all her siblings, as I posted the picture to you on face book. They were all doing well, jolly and healthy. Sudais her youngest brother welcomed me with a hug and as I was leaving he wanted to come with me. Justine’s aunt is so grateful for all we are doing as an organization to her niece. She prayed blessings for the organization and all its sponsors. She said that she didn’t have enough words to thank us but she was so appreciative.

On the 14^th October, we enjoyed Visitation Day at Masaka SS. After collecting reports, we all went for lunch at Elgin one of the restaurants in Masaka. Everyone enjoyed their meals and they were so grateful for this arrangement even in Aunt Rita’s absence.

I continued with the Monday Counseling Sessions and spoke with Oliver on the 16^th and Eddy on the 23^rd Aunt Liz and I spoke to Cephas on the 30^th. All in all they went well and we identified some issues and came up with solutions and advice for them.

Youth Programs:

Movie Day: On the 21^st, we watched Gifted a movie which didn’t leave our youths the same. We were fourteen, but at least half of the number was able to share what they learnt from Gifted. Here is some of what was shared by youths after the movie.

• Justine reminded us to always remember where God has brought us from and be appreciative with what He has given us. She added that, however Gifted we may be, we need to stay disciplined and give respect to those who are older than us, Mary couldn’t respect Miss Stevenson and at times her uncle Frank because she thought she knew better than them.
• Babz was like even if we happen to know something better than others, we should always avoid being proud and boastful. Let’s help others to learn from what we know by making ourselves approachable.
• Oliver said that we should always work hard if we need to have something. We don’t have to just bribe to have what we want yet we didn’t work for it. She related this with Mary’s grandma who wanted who went to court for Mary yet she couldn’t nurture her right at the death of her mum.
• Eddy was like we have to live a life of forgiveness, just as Mary forgave Frank though he had broken his promise of never living Mary by anyone else. Other youths went on supplementing on the above, but all was good from them.

J.A.M. Session: On the 28^th, we had our J.A.M Session. This time round I conducted it differently. I asked us questions which included;

What experience has each one of us had since they joined J.A.M Session?

• Oliver said hers was more of a benefit. She said that she was too shy by the time she joined J.A.M last year, but since everyone was required to say something during this session, the shyness is no longer part of her, she can now express herself in public, sing, dance as she exploits all her potential to Jesus.
• Justine said that through J.A.M Session she got to know other youths of the organization who usually miss other programs and she has been able to identify what potential each of them have and how they can be helpful to her such that she learn from them.
• Eddy said that he was also shy but no more shyness. He was like through J.A.M, He got to know that different people are gifted in different areas.

What could make this session better than it is today?

• Moses said that we need instruments which are permanently here if we are to see a change.
• Justine was like we who know what J.A.M is we need to explain it to those who have just joined such that they get to know, may be it can cause them exploit all the talents rather than singing alone.
• William suggested that we should all have passion for the session and if we do, everyone will know what to do.

All in all it was a different but good day! Aunt, the day today programs at the center are going on well only that I miss you here, but I know you are coming back next month. Tell than God bless you!

Well everyone that is what has been going on with me and with FHLM in October. I hope to see some of you in my further travels in the U.S. over the next 2 weeks. May our Lord continue to bless and keep you all in the palm of His hand!

Love and Blessings,

Rita

Director-Faith Hope Love Missions!