FHLM SEPTEMBER 2025 NEWSLETTER

GREETINGS:

Greetings from unusually dry Masaka!! We need to be praying for rain, as normally in September it is the start of the last rainy season and we have weekly rain. The farmers are concerned, so prayers are needed.  Deuteronomy 11:14 Then I will give you the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil.

DIRECTOR’S UPDATE:

The month of September has been a joyous one with our trip and the completion of 2^nd Term Holiday. I thank the Lord for ALL the 1st the youth and staff had on our trip; ferry boat ride, being on an island, beach time, being on a ship, seeing the airport, and the zoo. We had a wonderful time of sightseeing, beach time, and amazing times with God!  

I also had a trip to Kampala from 24^th to 26^th Sept and was able to see Immy and Justine for dinner. We celebrated Immy’s 21^st Birthday with fanfare and a jubilant song of Happy Birthday from the restaurant staff! It was a special time and of course we had chocolate birthday cake! Immy said that she is thankful for the 21 years that God has given her and especially for this past year’s blessings of being able to join university and the course she desired. It was so good to see her and Justine!   

Also this month Babirye, one of our former SOAR Youth, started volunteering with us. She is helping out on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday at the Youth Centre. She is learning the aspects of both Shakirah and Juliet’s jobs and filling in were needed. She’s been a big help and we are happy to have her on the team!   

ANNUAL YOUTH OUTREACH & ED TRIP:

PREPERATION: The week of 1^st Sept we spent preparing for our annual trip. The youth volunteered for the trip leadership roles; William- Outreach & Overall Trip Coordinator, Pius- Food Manager, Ruth- Praise & Worship Leader, Charity- Time Keeper, Pamela- Games, Mark- Nurse, Ronnie- Transport Manager. With each role the youth prepared items to complete their tasks, lead when needed, conduct rehearsals, and teach. Also each youth was part of a team of two that led Evening Glory; a time of praise, Bible study and prayer for the team every night before dinner.   

TRIP: Our Annual Youth Outreach and Educational Trip was from 6^th to 10^th September. This year we went to Kalangala and Entebbe. We dubbed the trip “Water World”, because it involved so much water! This year’s theme was Love, based on 1 John 4:6-7 and 4:12-16. 

Day 1: We departed the Youth Centre bright and early for Buggala Island- Kalangala. It took about an hour to get to the ferry landing at Bukakata and then we got onto the vehicle and passenger ferry. The crossing was about 30 minutes and then another hour on the dusty roads till we reached Kalangala town. For 98% of the team it was their 1^st experience on the ferry and 1^st time to Kalangala.  

After lunch we spent the afternoon at Kalangala Home for Children with Special Needs. We were greatly welcomed by the children and the staff. The home’s director gave us an orientation about the organization and showed us around the compound. After we gathered in the compound under the shade trees and Pius gave an opening prayer and Ruth & Pamela led a few children’s church praise and worship songs. William then shared the theme verse 1 John 4:6-7 and had a children’s bible study with the kids. He gave each of the kids a heart with the verse…. Mark 12:30 on it. He explained that we should love God with our whole heart and this heart was their daily reminder. Afterwards we made Jesus crowns with the children and they also colored a sheet with our theme verse.  When we completed our craft and then Pamela led games with them. Oh my, it was a jubilant time, with so much laughter, and fun to see the kids being so delighted. It was good to show them the love of Jesus by giving them our time and having funs with them. We were blessed to be able to give them some gifts; scholastic materials, soap and some clothing.  we gave it to their director to handle. We give God all the glory and honor for our time with these children.

Day 2: We attended service at Kalangala Pentecost Church. It was “youth Sunday” and we were blessed to ministry two songs, Reckless Love and Mwagala Mukama (I Love God) to the congregation. After the praise and worship the youth pastor, Sseguya Deo, shared about God’s Wisdom. We read in proverbs 9:10. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to use understanding, decide to use that knowledge. The fear of God produces wisdom and integrity.

After lunch we partnered with some members of the Youth Evangelism Team and visited 3 elderly homes. We split into three groups, to go to the three elderly people whom had been selected for our visit. The women whom my team visited, Eva, rededicated her life to the Lord and promised to attended church again. Shakirah’s group went to an old woman who had backslide in her faith. Shakirah said the woman welcomed them and was so excited to see them. Shakirah shared with the woman from Ruth chapter 1

We thank God for being able to service Him and share His love with this people.

Post evangelism, we had some chill time at Victoria Forest Resort. Five of us hit the pool for some splash time and pool fun. Others jumped in Lake Victoria and relaxed waterside. What a great way to end our time on the island!

Day 3: We were up very early in the morning to catch the 8am ship, the MV Kalangala to Entebbe. It took 3 ½ hours to cross Lake Victoria and we finally arrived at Nakiwogo Landing site about 11:30am. A few of the team members were a little sea sick, as it rained on the crossing and the lake as a bit choppy, but all in all everyone was fine and thankful to be on dry land. Now it was time for adventures in Entebbe!

When we got to our guesthouse we were met by Oliver, Justine, and Immy! It was so lovely to have them join us for a few days! After lunch we went to the Uganda Wildlife Education Centre (Zoo) for the afternoon. Everyone split into groups. I walked around with Pius, Ronnie, and Pamela and at every exhibit Pius read us the animal detail placards. He said it was cool to know about each animal. He loved the otters and the chimpanzees. William said that when we go on safari we aren’t able to see the animals up close or learn much about them, but at the zoo he enjoyed seeing the animals up close. After the zoo went stopped by Imperial Botanical Beach Hotel and toured it. It is one of the oldest hotels in Entebbe and has beautiful grounds. It was a very educational day for us all.    

Day 4: Unfortunately we had to say bye-bye to Justine and Immy, as they had to get back to university for morning lectures. We also had to be at the Entebbe International Airport by 9am for a tour. Florence, who works for the Civil Aviation Commission, led our tour and gave us good information on how the airport operates. She then took us outside the airport, to a hill that overlooks the backside of the airport, the runways, and above us the Control Tower and operations centre. She shared about different aspects of the air carriers, the various runways, and how each plane lands. Afterwards we toured the operations and meteorological centre. It was very interesting to learn about the weather and how it’s patterns effect the air carriers. We learned that they are also the weather center for all of Uganda and communicate with East Africa regional weather centers. 

After our lunches we went to the Lido beach for an afternoon of swimming in Lake Victoria. Much fun was had by all who swam!! Actually I enjoyed watching everyone play and frolic in the lake. It was a great way to end our time in Entebbe.

Day 5: It was our last day in Entebbe and after breakfast we had a group photo. We packed up and headed for Masaka, but we first made a stop at Victoria Mall. This was new experience for Ronnie, Mark, and Pamela. They were so excited to see and ride in an elevator and see a big supermarket. They marveled at all the “cool shops” too. After our tour of the mall we said good-bye to Oliver and set off again. We reached Masaka about 3pm safe and sound. We thank God for the journey mercies and His provision for our trip.           

SOAR YOUTH UPDATE:

BACK TO SCHOOL:  On 13^th Sept I took Ruth and Charity back to Timothy Girls HS for their 3^rd term. On 15^th Sept the remaining secondary students; William, Pius, Pamela, Mark, and Ronnie, started the term at Masaka Secondary School. 

This is William’s final year and term of secondary school! He will be starting his Advanced Level National Exams on 10^th November. Please keep William in prayer as his future plans for university depend on his exam scores.  

Pamela is also in her final year, but of Ordinary Levels at secondary school. Her national exams kicked of, or should I say baked off, on 29^th Sept with her Food & Nutrition Practical. She had 3 hours to complete a full meal, do a table setting and center piece. She made beef stew, rice, nakatee, mixed fruit juice and then baked a Victoria sponge cake and made mango jam for the cake filling. She also made a very fancy fruit basket center piece out of a watermelon. Wow, what an undertaking, but God gave her the strength to complete. Her remaining exams and practicals start on 13^th Oct. Please keep her in prayer as these exam scores determine the combination that she will take in secondary Advance Levels.

YOUTH PROGRAMS:

BIBLE STUDIES: In September we read and discussed the chapters of Exodus 14, 15, and 16 in our weekly Tuesday evening studies. The study on 30th Sept, in Exodus 16:1-36 about the Manna and the Quail was very interesting.  We began with an opening prayer from Pius. Then Shakiriah went into an explanation of the chapter. After her explanation we went into discussions:

• I posed a question, how many times do we complain to God? In verse 18 we see that God’s grace is sufficient to us, but we need to check our disobedience to God just as in verse 27-30.
• Mark shared from verse 4 and said that it was unfortunate that the Israelites were so quarrelsome. But he noted that our God is caring and the even so God rescued them and cared for them with manna and quail.
• Babirye shared her insight from verses 13-21. She said God is so loving and forgiving despite our complaining and disobedience. She said that God is slow to anger, though He can punish us. But just as a father He doesn’t get tired of loving us, for His grace is sufficient. 
• Pius talked about verses 22-26 and the Sabbath Day. He said that we are to respect the Sabbath day because it an essential day of rest that God set aside for us to observe. 
• Ronald shared from verse 19-20 and said that the people disobeyed God. We too should pay attention to what the Lord has said.
• Juliet talked of Exodus 15:26, God wanted them to know that he is their God.  verse 12-15, grumbling is a disease. Our God is full of mercy. We don’t need to be forgetful about what God has done for us.
• Shakirah shared about the consequences of disobedience. The more we continue to do it, God has to punish us so as to understand. She read Romans 6:1, do what the Lord tells you to do.

BROTHERS IN CHRIST: On 27^th Sept we had another good turnout for Brothers in Christ. This month Uncle Alpha led the young men through the topic- Self-Esteem. He asked questions about their childhood, parents/guardians and building trust. He then discussed the 3 pillars of self-esteem; Acceptance, Significance, and Competence. He said that these are the three-pillars that support the whole person. That all of these aspects of man help build a mental picture of who we are, for we are a product of what we think. Proverbs 23:7 says for as he thinks in his heart, so is he…. He ended by sharing that the spiritual part of us is who we really are deep inside. It’s the part that will meet with God when we die. We pray that topics like this continue to build the confidence, character, and spiritual life of the young men in attendance.

BELA BULUNGI (GOOD-BYE):

Thank you for your continued love, support, prayers and encouragement. Just as Paul ended his letters, I send the same blessing to you all. “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen” (2 Cor. 13:14)

Love and Blessings,

Rita Bulegeya

Missionary & Director -Faith Hope Love Missions

reetsindiego@yahoo.com