FHLM Oct- Remainder of Furlough & Nov 2019 Newsletter

Director’s Update:

So much has happened since I landed in Uganda on 31^st Oct and touched the red dirt of the “Pearl of Africa”! But I’m getting a bit ahead of myself because I need to tell how the remainder of my U.S. Adventure continued. The last few weeks were full of travel and I’m thankful for God’s promise in Psalm 121:7-8 that says:The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

I praise God for family, both biological and those friends that are now family! I was blessed to spend 4 days with my Auntie who lives outside Boulder. I spent a whole day with my Cousin and got to see her 6 week old baby and dote on her 2 year old. The next few days I caught up with my other cousins and saw how much their lives have changed over the last two years with marriage, serious relationships, university and babies. Then I was off to spend a week with my brother and his family in Colorado Springs. We had some great family time and spent two afternoons watching my nieces’ high school cross country teams compete in regionals. Then there was an exciting bonus when both the schools’ boys and girls’ teams won titles and are going to the state championships! I also went to their church, Calvary Worship Center, and enjoyed some amazing praise & worship and a great Word from God.

God has blessed me and the ministry with a wonderful Colorado church family in Impact Christian Church in Woodland Park. They once again welcomed me with open arms and I was able to update the congregation on the ministry work that they help with each year. It was so great to see Kim, Kristin, and Pastor Scott!! We also had a lovely luncheon with the Missions Team, as we discussed another Impact Team coming to Uganda in 2020. I also met up with good friends & ministry supporters, Kristina & Adam. Kristina is also praying about coming to Uganda sometime in 2020, so God will be giving us a double blessing from Colorado in the coming year!!       

My time in Colorado went super fast and I was once again flying, this time to San Diego. I was blessed to be hosted by dear friends, Lee & Michael. During my week there I had essential meetings with the missions’ team & pastor team at Maranatha Chapel. FHLM was beyond blessed and very grateful to Maranatha Christian School for their donation of 3 used laptops. These will help us to start up our Computer Skills Training again.  

It wasn’t all work and no play. Thanks to Lee I did get in some “beach” time at Del Mar, I just love that place and the Pacific Ocean!! I also got some girlfriend time with Liesa & Kari. Thanks ladies for the fast catch up over breakfast. As you can see my time flew by and at the end of the week I was blessed again by our Maranatha Care Team with a delicious dinner and a surprise early birthday party complete with cake & presents!! Thank you Melissa, Aivi, Linda and all the ladies for your giving, loving hearts!! 

On 27^th Oct at Maranatha Chapel after service I had a Meet & Greet luncheon and FHLM Info hour. It was so good to see some old friends come to see what the ministry has been up to and also wonderful to meet so many new people that are interested in what God is doing through the ministry in Masaka!!  

Well the time came again to jump on another plane! Pastor Darren was able to drive me up to LAX for my flight back to Uganda. On our way we stopped at In & Out Burger and I got my last taste of the U.S., yea!! Before I left for my gate Darren prayed for me and it was the best way to be sent off.

I’m forever grateful to ALL the friends & family that made this Furlough so wonderful and extra special!! May God bless you ALL!!    

During my time away Jane continued to keep the programs running despite it raining almost every day and both her and baby Elijah being sick, she did her best to keep things moving on. Unfortunately the week I returned to the office Jane resigned. This was sad news for the ministry and for our youth. But she wants time for her family and to move into her career as an accountant. We wish her all the best, God’s favour, and His guidance with ALL she pursues in life! Please keep her and the family in prayer. Thank you! That said I am now in the process of looking for a new social worker. Please keep this process in prayer and for us to find a good, reliable, faithful, and trustworthy and solid Christian to become our next Social Worker! Thank you!

This is what Jane reported back about the youth while I was on Furlough and what they had been up to since my return in November. Enjoy! 

Youthz Update:

On 12^th Oct the Secondary youth had Visitation Day! Though it rained most of the day they still enjoyed. Here is what Jane reported on how the youth are doing in school; William performed very well and he was the 7th in his class with 9 aggregates. Oliver improved her scores a lot. Justine did very well in maths, but she failed Biology. Eddy’s performance wasn’t good this time. He told me that they only gave them secondary 4 papers yet being in secondary 3 they hadn’t studied most of the things. I think the teachers are just pushing them to prepare for next year. Most of the teachers were not at school that day, so we couldn’t see some of the class teachers. For their Visitation Day lunch Immy took them to a new restaurant called Hon’s. Jane said they have good food and customer care.  

Oliver and Justine started their Secondary 4 National Exams on Monday the 14^th Oct and they did papers almost every day. Justine finished on 8^th November and Oliver on 11^th November. These exams determine their next step in education, so please keep their results in prayer. Thank you! They are now in their long S4 Holiday and they’ve both really stepped up with Jane’s departure! They have helped out with programs and daily errands. This has been a great learning experience for them!  

The rest of the Secondary students; Eddy, Immy, William and Hanisha started End of Term 3 Exams on 13^th Nov and finished the term on the 21^st. They will be on Holiday Break until early February!

Babirye started her 2^nd Year end of 1^st Semester Exams on 11^th November and completed on 29^th Nov . Since she is Ndejji Universities’ Christian Union “Momma” she will be going straight away on a weeklong Outreach to Moroto, in North Eastern Uganda. The team leaves on 02^nd December. Please keep Babirye and the outreach team in prayer for journey mercies, favour with the people of Moroto and the Holy Spirit to move in and through them all!! Thank you!

Joshua is doing wonderful in his 1^st Year at Kampala International University! He was able to get free the weekend of 1^st Nov and come visit us in Masaka. Though it was the day after I came back to Uganda it was so lovely to see him and catch up a bit! He told me that he has received so much favour at university and at the church he attends, and he is now leading a Men’s Bible Study with 5^th Year Medical Students. He gives all the glory and honour back to God for this favour! He will be starting end of 1^st Semester Exams on 4^th Dec., so please keep him in prayer. Thank you! 

They all celebrated Hanisha’s 15^th Birthday on 14^th Nov! It was a surprise to her because the others wanted to keep the party a secret until after Bible study was over, so when the cake and party favours came out Hanisha was very happy!!  

Youthz Programs:

Movie Days: On 19^th Oct and on 16^th Nov the youth watched two wonderful and inspiring movies. Here are a few of the life lessons, in the youth’s words, that were learnt from those movies:

A Dog’s Journey:

• Eddy: We should keep our friends no matter what they might be passing through. When Trend fell sick, her girlfriend left him and CJ was there for him, so the two of them ended up in a joyous life.
• William: God will always put someone or something to protect us even when we are not aware, just as He did for CJ, her protection was in the dog.
• Justine: God brings things in our lives with a purpose attached to them; CJ’s dog was always there to protect her. Also we should hold unto what we want until we get it, the dog kept on running for CJ until she adopted it.

Soul Surfer:

• Justine: Even if others say that it’s time for you to stop, it is not over with you and your God. For instance, Bethany was tired but her time for God didn’t end and she resisted and went to meet what God had for her. Like Bethany, sometimes God is testing our faith and for that reason He can do anything that may hurt your body and flesh but strengthens your Spirit and Faith!
• Immy: I learnt to be patient no matter what happens to me because God may be planning something good for my life, like what He did for Bethany.
• Hanisha: You have to know that in everything you do God is with you. Even if you get in an accident like Bethany, people will help. Trust in God and you will get better.

Arts & Crafts Days:  On 26^th Oct Jane led the youth in the completion of their Bottle Cap Trivets. Then on 2^nd Nov they all learnt the how to begin crocheting sweaters. Jane said that some of the youth picked up the concept very fast but all in all they did pretty well. On 23^rd Nov, we worked on building a Washer Toss Game that we can use outdoors at camp or in the compound at the Centre. It was great to see the youth work in teams and have fun building and painting their boxes. We finished them up on the 27^th Nov with handles and the PVC pipe centre. Now, let the games begin!! 

On 30^th Nov we had our FHLM Annual General Meeting. I thank God that we have such a great board here in Uganda! The members have such wonderful & creative ideas. It gives me such peace of mind that I can rely on them to make the final decision on all the organizations programs and projects. May God bless them for their humility and their unadulterated service to FHLM!

Prayer Request:

• For our 3^rd Term Holiday Programs, but most especially our SOAR Youth Outreach and Educational Trip to Mbale 9-14 Dec and for our Annual Prayer, Praise, and Fasting Retreat in January. 
• For health and safety for all of us during the long Holiday and during our travels.
• For God to bring the person He wants to fill our Social Worker position and for us to have the decrement to know that they are His choice.

May God bless you and keep you! Have a wonderful day!! Hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving!!  

Love and Blessings,

Rita

Director-Faith Hope Love missions (UG)