Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far has the LORD helped us.”  (1Samuel 7:12 NIV)

Just three years ago, the Joy Centre was little more than a maize, potato and bean plantation, scattered with stones, bricks and cement. Benoni and Joyie Mugarura-Mutana worked frantically to turn the property, located in Wakiso town, just outside Kampala City, into their retirement home and the place God called them to continue his service to youth and leaders of Uganda.

This video of a tour of the Joy Centre by Benoni was shot by Paulo about two years ago. It shows the beginnings of the dream …

Today, Benoni and Joyie and the Joy Centre fundraising team cannot believe how much God has done to provide for the construction of the centre.  He has been true to his word in supporting the Mugarura’s during their retirement and he has surrounded them with hundreds of friends who faithfully give money and time to support their service and the building of the centre.

The Joy Centre is now transformed from a bushy garden to a busy retreat, camping and training centre. See what it looks like from above by clicking here.

Over 12 million shillings was raised during the Joy Centre fundraising on August 1, 2010.  More money is needed to reach the 24 million-shilling mark for the construction of a roof for the main auditorium of the centre, but we are not worried about this.  We are overwhelmed with the goodness of God and shout, EBENEZER!

Please click here for more details on how to be a part of this one-of-a-kind conference in Kampala.  The website also contains details of how to register, participation in music master classes, dates and times.

Pray requests:

• Please pray for the team from Ottawa, which arrives in Kampala this Sunday, for a safe trip.
• Pray for the conference that God will use the people he has anointed with musical talent to share their ministry with Ugandan worship teams with love.
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to empower the leaders and participants with his purpose.
• Pray for a great time of great music, close fellowship and renewal in the worship ministry in the Pearl of Africa.

It was a day of fellowship, friendship and fun on August 1, 2010 when close to 100 people gathered at the Joy Centre to fundraise for the construction of a roof for the main hall.

Everyone gave generously. The budget for completion of the roof is Ushs. 25 million shillings.  Over Ushs. 12 million was raised on Sunday in cash and pledges and work on the roof has already begun.

We praise God for continuing to provide the Joy Center with friends and monetary support to continue the work of training godly leaders.

Thank you and God bless you all.

Dr. Patrick Mangheni & the Joy Centre Fundraising Committee

Joy Centre in the middle of the image

Click the image for a large view.

Joy and I have gone kookoo!

Earlier this year we decided to raise free range chicken at the Joy Center in Wakiso. We were prompted into this venture when a friend brought us a hen that hatched seven chicks.  You cannot imagine our excitement at the thought of starting our own chicken farm.

Joy hired a young man in our village to keep our small food garden and take care of the chicken.  However a few months later the young man fled with the hen and all, but one chick.

The lone chick quickly grew into a proud cock and needed a friend, so we decided to buy another hen. The new hen grew in popularity around the Joy Center.  A tryst with larger cock in the neighborhood led to seven new chicks!

Using Joy’s expertise as a veterinary officer, we built a small chicken house to keep our growing brood.

Jackie, our daughter, visited her mother-in-law in Fort Portal shortly after that and brought us four chicken from the countryside to increase our flock.  Unfortunately she didn’t know they were diseased and soon, they clucked their last and “went to be with the Lord.”

The disease, which we failed to diagnose, spread to the rest of the chicken and so far 14 have died.

We haven’t given up and we’re starting again.  Constance, our niece, gave us a chicken and the farm has begun all over.  We have one cock and four hens. Hopefully soon we’ll have a nest full of chicks and you’ll be invited to your first meal of Wakiso Fried Chicken!

Farmer Joy at the incomplete chicken house