FHLM Sept/Oct 2019 & Furlough Thus Far
Greetings all! I hope this update finds you all healthy, happy and full of the spirit! Well Sept and Oct have been full months of planes, trains and automobiles. Before I left for the States my Auntie sent me this verse; Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. As I moved through my furlough navigated the cultural differences, family, friends, travel, changes etc. I leaned into this verse and really sought out God’s guidance, for He is good.
Director’s Update:
After a two year absence my feet hit U.S. soil at Chicago O’Hare Airport on the 9th of Sept. After clearing immigration, customs, and rechecking my bags rather fast I got shuttled down to my connecting terminal for a short hop flight to Fort Wayne. It was a blessing to be met at the Ft Wayne airport by my Mom, Dad and Step-Mom. So wonderful to see them and hug them after 2 years!
I spent the next two weeks at my Mom’s home helping her clean, sort, and get rid of things from the house. It was good to just be with her, talk, encourage and process many of the things that she has been going through since my Step-Dad’s passing. On the 22nd Sept I was blessed to be able to share about the ministry with the congregation of Harlan United Methodist Church. During my time with Mom she and I were able have a few “fun days out” at her works Annual Luncheon & Meeting and we also got to tour Sweetwater Sounds with her Bible study ladies. We were also blessed to have some good quality time with my 90 year old grandma, some cousins and a few aunties.
The next 10 days I spent with my Dad and Step-Mom. We had a blessed time of catching up and enjoying places around their home like the Auburn Fair, the small towns, and the lake areas. During my time with Dad I was able to spend a little time with my friend, Donna, praying and encouraging each other. I also got to spend a Sunday afternoon with my oldest friend and sister in Christ, Karen. Dad, my Step-Mom and I spent an afternoon with my dear, Great Aunt who is 91 years. What a blessing family is!
On the 25th and 26th I got to share with the kids and staff of Harlan Christian Youth Centre. I can’t thank Debi & Damian enough for all the years of support to the ministry and to the kids of HCYC for being pen-pals with our youth. I also want to send out a BIG thank you to the United Methodist Women for their donation and goodies for our youth. Both of these organizations have blessed the ministry and me richly of the years.
On Oct. 3rd it was time for me to leave Dad’s and with tearful byes I headed off to my Mom’s again, because we along with my Auntie were headed to Bethel, Ohio near Cincinnati to spend the weekend with my cousin, Angi. I was pleasantly surprised to be able to share about the ministry with her church congregation at Bethel Assembly of God. What a wonderful Spirit filled church! We all had a nice weekend together. But again I had to hug my Mom and tearfully say bye-bye, because I was flying off to Denver to spend a few days with my Aunt and cousins. More furlough adventures to come!
Jane has been taking care of business in my absence and communicating a few times a week giving me updates on the youth and the happenings at the Centre. She’s said that little Elijah has been missing me, looking at my empty chair and desk with a lot of intense stares. I miss that little guy. Here is what Jane has been updating me with via FaceBook each week:
Youthz Update:
Immy Update: She is doing well and walking well always requesting to walk with us down to town after Bible study though I have not allowed her yet. But praise God, by the first week of Oct. I noticed a big improvement in her walk and I’m thinking of letting her start to walk down the hill to the taxi stage with the rest of us. Thank everyone for their prayers.
One on one counselling with the youth is on-going every Monday after school. It continues to be a blessing to the youth to voice their cares and concerns as God and I guide them.
Movie Day was held on 14th Sept and we all watched Miracles from Heaven, a wonderful movie! Here are some of the lessons that we learnt:
- Immy: We are to be putting our hope in God alone, not judging others because of what they are passing through.
- Oliver: God can use someone for His people to know Him, we should know that God is always with us no matter what and we should listen to God’s voice and know His signs. It was a butterfly that led Anna to her healing.
- Eddy: Let’s have Faith that there’s nothing impossible with God! We shouldn’t predict what God can do, He can do all things so we shouldn’t give up even when lots of troubles come our way. And we shouldn’t curse God though we pass through hardships for we shouldn’t trust in people but only in God.
Term 3 began on 16th Sept for the Secondary students; Oliver, Justine, Eddy, Immy, William and Eddy. I got all of their school requirements bought a head of time. Of course, the first week back they all had to jump back into beginning of term exams for the whole week and even on Saturday, so we had to cancel our Outreach at the hospital.
Hanisha’s Home Visit: I was able to go visit Hanisha’s Mom on 17th Sept. She is doing Ok but still having difficulty with finding a permanent job. Please keep her in prayer. Otherwise, they are getting on and we had a good talk about their life and how Hanisha is changing since coming into the organization.
On 28th Sept we finished up the Bottle Top Trivet Craft. Immy and Hanisha were the teachers that day. Oliver and Justine learnt how to do the craft since they hadn’t been able to participate before. Immy, Hanisha, William and Eddy completed their work so they can now give the trivets to their families as presents.
Our weekly Bible studies are going on and all youths are participating well. My husband, Febian, came on Thursday 3rd, Oct and he led us in Bible study where we were studying Romans 6:1-23. Everyone enjoyed him leading us.
We had Back to Success on 5th Oct and Eddy was the main teacher. All the youth were bringing in questions about Maths as Eddy solved them one by one. I know this is helping them to perform better in class.
Well that is all for now, only that I miss you here, but I know you are coming back soon. Tell than God bless you!
(Witten by: Jane Franc Kagulu- FHLM Social Worker)
Well as you have read God is good and is keeping the ministry moving forward, keeping me safe & abundantly blessed as I travel around the U.S. I’m so very thankful for all God has done and what He will continue to do! I hope to see some of you in my further travels in the U.S. over the next few weeks. BTW, I’ll be at Impact Christian Church, Woodland Park on 20th Oct and Maranatha Chapel, San Diego, on 27th Oct. May our Lord continue to bless and keep you all in the palm of His hand!
Have a blessed day!
In His Grip,
Rita Bulegeya
Director-Faith Hope Love Missions
Social Networks:
Leave a Reply