Highlights:

• Inaugural Schools’ Worship Service
• Teens One Day Camp
• Building, Business and Ministry

Joy Centre view - glorious sunsets everyday!

Construction of the Joy Center conference hall has been quiet for a few months, but fundraising is in earnest following the completion of roofing of the boardrooms, offices, kitchen and restaurant. The plan is to complete plastering, wiring, plumbing and furnishing this annex which can be used as money for the main conference hall is raised.

As we wait for finances, the incomplete facility is not lying redundant.  Not at all!  It is a venue for regular meetings (see the Teens One Day Camp and the photo gallery below) and it serves as a constant reminder of the faithfulness of God.

Every evening Ben, Joyie and other residents of the Joy Centre gather at the foundation slab of the conference hall to pray.  In faith they believe that God, who birthed the vision of the centre in them, will bring it to completion in his own perfect time.

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Through the counsel of the Joy Centre project committee, a discussion is underway for the possible financing of a fully-fledged commercial accommodation facility to co-exist with the retreat and meeting center.

The commercial accommodation facility is intended to serve the need of many NGOs, faith-based organizations, community groups and tourists who are in need of a clean and safe environment in the immediate environs of Kampala where they can meet at a reasonable fee.  The accommodation facility would be financed through a bank loan and with the support of the project team, a business proposal and loan request has been drafted.

An architectural drawing of the accommodation facility has been presented and costs of construction are ready in case funding is availed.

The facility will have 40 self-contained double rooms, a lounge and a private meeting room.  It will be served by the conference hall annex that is already under construction.

Please pray with us as we consider this proposal.

If you would like to read the proposal and share other funding options with us, please do so.  Leave your contact information in the comments box below.

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Talent leads worship at schools' ministry

On June 7th, 230 teenagers from secondary schools around Wakiso town came to the Joy Centre for the first Schools’ Worship Service.

For three hours the students prayed together, sang praise to God and fellowshiped with each other.  It was a wonderful time of worship with special performances from Kwazee Group and gospel singing star, Sammy K.  The sermon was preached by Rev. Canon Mugarura-Mutana.

The participating schools were St. Michael’s International School, Wakiso Secondary School, Galaxy Secondary School, City Secondary School Kayunga and Wakiso Secondary School.

The Joy Centre is planning a second Schools’ Worship Service to be held on Sunday August 2^nd.  If you are interested in participating, please leave your contact information in the comments box below.

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It’s not too early to start preparing for the school holiday.

Following the second successful Joy Center Teenagers’ One Day Camp, we are planning a third meeting for September.

The Teenagers’ One Day Camp is an opportunity for youth to meet in a safe setting outside Kampala for warm fellowship, good food and lots of fun.

The May ’09 Teenagers’ One Day Camp was based on the theme ‘Honesty.’  After a short teaching, the youth worked in groups to explore why honesty is a fast declining virtue in society, the biblical view on honesty and how to practice honesty in a dishonest world.

For a registration fee of 10,000 shillings, the teenagers were transported to and from Wakiso, they received training materials and were treated to a sumptuous lunch.

Keep your eye on this page for news on the September ’09 Teenagers’ One Day Camp.

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It has been a busy season for Ben and Joyie Mugarura-Mutana.  They continue to participate in their local church, St. Paul’s Kisimbiri, and have been invited to minister at several churches in and around Kampala.  Ben and Joyie are also active leaders in Alpha Group and are counseling several couples preparing for marriage later this year.

Please join us as we continue to pray for more opportunities to use the Joy Centre to the glory of God.