THE LATEST NEWS FROM JUNA AMAGARA
Dear Friends and Family around the World,
Greetings to all in this joyous Easter season. Just as these spring days are times of wonder as green, growing things are reborn from months in the winter soil, we continue to be in awe and wonder at the people God is bringing alongside Juna Amagara Ministries. Many who ventured from far north and west suburbs to our first fundraiser at Mykha's Restaurant in Glen Ellyn heard the ministry's message of hope for the first time. Some of them got so excited, they plan to join the mission teams going to Uganda in June this year. The dedication and concerted effort of the US Board and the generous gift of venue and cartering services by Mykha bore much fruit. Word of the ministry continues to spread as we speak to Rotary Clubs, in churches and in homes throughout the Midwest. Many women have become enthused about Lilian's sewing ministry, a school where orphan teenage girls will be able to learn valuable trade skills.
Based on the energy I feel and the funds we have collected, I have instructed the Ugandan Juna Amagara associates to bring more children into the orphan care program. We are expanding. This is something we prayed for and promised to do once the basic ministry was established. It is really happening and I couldn't be more excited. The timing is perfect, as Lilian, Marvel, Najuna and I will be relocating permanently to Uganda on June 4th of this year. My primary work when I get home is to grow the Juna Amagara Ministries with the help of God, local churches, fellowships and a network of influential people. You are all, of course, welcome to visit us. And I will not be absent for long, for I will miss you all too much.
With much love,
Ben Tumuheirwe
In This Issue
First Fundraiser A Success
Growing Relationship with Rotary International
Lilian's Ministry Takes Shape
Dream Layout of Mbarara Campus Unveiled
May/June Trips Building Up
Growing Relationship with Rotary International
It started with an invitation to speak about Uganda to the Glen Ellyn Rotary in early December where a presentation about AIDS in sub-Saharan African touched the hearts of men motivated to take action. Since that presentation, Rotarian Ed Coman has been in touch with the Rotary Club of Kampala about jointly funding a mini-bus for the ministry. Ed, along with Ben Tumuheirwe and Joel Clousing did a short presentation to another club that brought a sizable donation. Other Rotarians have begun fundraising activities within their businesses and one, Patrick Schauer, an attorney, has joined the US Board of Advisors. In March, Ben was made an honorary member of the Glen Ellyn Rotary Club.
Rotary, founded more than 100 years ago, is the world's largest service organization. Its annual meeting in Chicago in April 2005 will draw members from around the world, including Julius Twesigye, a member of the Juna Amagara Board from Jinja, Uganda.
God opened a door when Rotarian John Briggs stopped our chairman Pat Brady to ask him if he could make a presentation. If anyone reading this newsletter is a member of Rotary and is looking for a luncheon program, people from Juna Amagara are ready to go talk about the work we are doing with Rotarians in the US and Uganda.
Lilian's Ministry Takes Shape
Lilian Tumuheirwe has now finished her coursework in fashion design and is looking forward to teaching young Ugandan women some of the things she has learned. Officially, it is called the Amagara School of Fashion and Drapery Design, an orphan girls' educational, vocational and evangelistic ministry under the banner of Juna Amagara. In the works for over a year, mission teams have hauled sewing machines and supplies to Uganda with every visit. Startup funding has been secured. Premises for the school have been found. And, by the time the mission teams arrive in May, Lilian should be able to prepare the proper teaching environment for the first students.
Women struggle to become independent in Uganda as they do everywhere in the developing world. For those who cannot afford to go to university, vocational training is usually acquired "on the job" if in fact a job can be secured. "This school will equip some girls with skills that will help them to earn a living," Lilian said. "There is high demand for clothing design, drapery, bridal and uniform making skills. The girls who graduate here will support themselves and may also employ others. And we hope they will do it with Jesus in their hearts."
Lilian's ministry adds an important dimension to Juna Amagara, again giving hope to people where little hope now exists and an important revenue source to help the ministry grow. If you would like to sponsor one of the first four students, the average tuition for a four-month program is $27.00 per month. Go to www.amagara.org/donations to learn more.
Click Here to Donate »
Dream Layout of Mbarara Campus Unveiled
It is one thing to have acquired a piece of land designated for the ministry campus, as we did in January, but it is another thing altogether to envision what that campus might look like. Enter Steve Puttrich, an expert at developing architectural renderings. Working from rough sketches made over coffee at a breakfast meeting, Steve brought the vision one giant step closer to reality with drawings that look as real as photos. The renderings showing multiple interior and exterior views were on full display at our March 6 fundraiser.
The campus will ultimately serve many purposes and each building will be used multiple ways every day. For example, a new Children's House will have enough room for community meeting space, group projects, worship space or instruction space for neighboring children. Steve's design reflects this functionality.
It may be years before all the buildings on the campus are actually built at a total cost of maybe $150,000. There is a lot of planning to do and we can only lay bricks when the money is in the bank. But Steve's drawings lend reality to the dream. We praise God for his talent and willingness to tackle this project. We're just that much closer to getting more kids under roof on our own land.
May/June Trips Building Up
So far, nearly 20 people from six churches have signed up to visit Uganda in June and experience the joy of fellowshipping and worshipping with lively Christian communities. Some will be departing in May to help with preparations. Some will depart in early June and another team will depart mid-June. Actual itineraries will be ready by early April. Everyone should expect to do some teaching, meet and greet the Amagara kids and travel to lots of schools and churches. For the first time, the June team will be a "family affair," as several parents are bringing teens with them for a meaningful African adventure.
Churches involved so far include Orchard Lake Community Church Presbyterian (MI), Willow Creek Community Church, First Presbyterian Church- Glen Ellyn, Church of the Resurrection and the First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn.
If you have ever wanted to go to Africa, joining a Juna Amagara Missions Team going to Uganda is exciting travel with a godly purpose. There is no better way to see the country, meet the people and glorify God all at the same time.
For more information, email Ben at: ben@resurrection.org.
Greetings to all in this joyous Easter season. Just as these spring days are times of wonder as green, growing things are reborn from months in the winter soil, we continue to be in awe and wonder at the people God is bringing alongside Juna Amagara Ministries. Many who ventured from far north and west suburbs to our first fundraiser at Mykha's Restaurant in Glen Ellyn heard the ministry's message of hope for the first time. Some of them got so excited, they plan to join the mission teams going to Uganda in June this year. The dedication and concerted effort of the US Board and the generous gift of venue and cartering services by Mykha bore much fruit. Word of the ministry continues to spread as we speak to Rotary Clubs, in churches and in homes throughout the Midwest. Many women have become enthused about Lilian's sewing ministry, a school where orphan teenage girls will be able to learn valuable trade skills.
Based on the energy I feel and the funds we have collected, I have instructed the Ugandan Juna Amagara associates to bring more children into the orphan care program. We are expanding. This is something we prayed for and promised to do once the basic ministry was established. It is really happening and I couldn't be more excited. The timing is perfect, as Lilian, Marvel, Najuna and I will be relocating permanently to Uganda on June 4th of this year. My primary work when I get home is to grow the Juna Amagara Ministries with the help of God, local churches, fellowships and a network of influential people. You are all, of course, welcome to visit us. And I will not be absent for long, for I will miss you all too much.
With much love,
Ben Tumuheirwe
In This Issue
First Fundraiser A Success
Growing Relationship with Rotary International
Lilian's Ministry Takes Shape
Dream Layout of Mbarara Campus Unveiled
May/June Trips Building Up
Growing Relationship with Rotary International
It started with an invitation to speak about Uganda to the Glen Ellyn Rotary in early December where a presentation about AIDS in sub-Saharan African touched the hearts of men motivated to take action. Since that presentation, Rotarian Ed Coman has been in touch with the Rotary Club of Kampala about jointly funding a mini-bus for the ministry. Ed, along with Ben Tumuheirwe and Joel Clousing did a short presentation to another club that brought a sizable donation. Other Rotarians have begun fundraising activities within their businesses and one, Patrick Schauer, an attorney, has joined the US Board of Advisors. In March, Ben was made an honorary member of the Glen Ellyn Rotary Club.
Rotary, founded more than 100 years ago, is the world's largest service organization. Its annual meeting in Chicago in April 2005 will draw members from around the world, including Julius Twesigye, a member of the Juna Amagara Board from Jinja, Uganda.
God opened a door when Rotarian John Briggs stopped our chairman Pat Brady to ask him if he could make a presentation. If anyone reading this newsletter is a member of Rotary and is looking for a luncheon program, people from Juna Amagara are ready to go talk about the work we are doing with Rotarians in the US and Uganda.
Lilian's Ministry Takes Shape
Lilian Tumuheirwe has now finished her coursework in fashion design and is looking forward to teaching young Ugandan women some of the things she has learned. Officially, it is called the Amagara School of Fashion and Drapery Design, an orphan girls' educational, vocational and evangelistic ministry under the banner of Juna Amagara. In the works for over a year, mission teams have hauled sewing machines and supplies to Uganda with every visit. Startup funding has been secured. Premises for the school have been found. And, by the time the mission teams arrive in May, Lilian should be able to prepare the proper teaching environment for the first students.
Women struggle to become independent in Uganda as they do everywhere in the developing world. For those who cannot afford to go to university, vocational training is usually acquired "on the job" if in fact a job can be secured. "This school will equip some girls with skills that will help them to earn a living," Lilian said. "There is high demand for clothing design, drapery, bridal and uniform making skills. The girls who graduate here will support themselves and may also employ others. And we hope they will do it with Jesus in their hearts."
Lilian's ministry adds an important dimension to Juna Amagara, again giving hope to people where little hope now exists and an important revenue source to help the ministry grow. If you would like to sponsor one of the first four students, the average tuition for a four-month program is $27.00 per month. Go to www.amagara.org/donations to learn more.
Click Here to Donate »
Dream Layout of Mbarara Campus Unveiled
It is one thing to have acquired a piece of land designated for the ministry campus, as we did in January, but it is another thing altogether to envision what that campus might look like. Enter Steve Puttrich, an expert at developing architectural renderings. Working from rough sketches made over coffee at a breakfast meeting, Steve brought the vision one giant step closer to reality with drawings that look as real as photos. The renderings showing multiple interior and exterior views were on full display at our March 6 fundraiser.
The campus will ultimately serve many purposes and each building will be used multiple ways every day. For example, a new Children's House will have enough room for community meeting space, group projects, worship space or instruction space for neighboring children. Steve's design reflects this functionality.
It may be years before all the buildings on the campus are actually built at a total cost of maybe $150,000. There is a lot of planning to do and we can only lay bricks when the money is in the bank. But Steve's drawings lend reality to the dream. We praise God for his talent and willingness to tackle this project. We're just that much closer to getting more kids under roof on our own land.
May/June Trips Building Up
So far, nearly 20 people from six churches have signed up to visit Uganda in June and experience the joy of fellowshipping and worshipping with lively Christian communities. Some will be departing in May to help with preparations. Some will depart in early June and another team will depart mid-June. Actual itineraries will be ready by early April. Everyone should expect to do some teaching, meet and greet the Amagara kids and travel to lots of schools and churches. For the first time, the June team will be a "family affair," as several parents are bringing teens with them for a meaningful African adventure.
Churches involved so far include Orchard Lake Community Church Presbyterian (MI), Willow Creek Community Church, First Presbyterian Church- Glen Ellyn, Church of the Resurrection and the First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn.
If you have ever wanted to go to Africa, joining a Juna Amagara Missions Team going to Uganda is exciting travel with a godly purpose. There is no better way to see the country, meet the people and glorify God all at the same time.
For more information, email Ben at: ben@resurrection.org.
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