The month of April has been very positive with a three week mid-program break, continued construction funds (watch a progress video here), as well as wonderful testimonies from the student’s returning to ABIDE and sharing about their time at home. They recognize that they have been changed, challenged and grown during the first half and are ready for more. There are many different people from around the world who are involved in the work of ABIDE and/or have been influenced by it. This report is from a variety of different perspectives to show how the work of ABIDE continues to impact both staff and student’s lives during and after the six month discipleship program. It is easy to share my own experience and perspective as an ABIDE Director, but it is important to know what others are saying.

From Connor, a current ABIDE intern “On 23rd April, the ABIDE students arrived back and it turned out they really missed each other over the break, showing that God had bonded them well together in the first half. Praise God for this, and pray that relationships can continue to grow stronger. For the next weekend outreaches, all the big responsibilities are going to the students, such as preaching and leading services, so pray that they can be dependent on God and become closer to Him as a result. In the classes during the week, I am now teaching the Master Plan of Evangelism (by Robert Coleman), looking at the principles Jesus used when making disciples, and not what the world says. Pray for wisdom as I prepare these classes and that the students will be open to learning more about Jesus. I am now into the final two months of my service in Uganda which is hard to believe, pray that God will help me to stay focused on serving Him and have endurance to the end!” Taken from a monthly prayer update to family and friends from home in Ireland.

From Michael, the Kabale House Leader “After a fruitful weekend to Kishanje (JAM Center KLAC) and the communities around, the students and the staff went for a 3 week break from 2nd to 23rd, April 2012. The students have continued to grow spiritually and mature in faith and decision making by big strides. Wilberright Muhindo and Owora Geofrey left earlier and therefore did not go for the mission to Kishanje. Geofrey left early to attend his guardian’s give away ceremony while Muhindo was advised by the father to look for a school to be able to repeat. Towards the end of the first half of our year, am glad to mention that one student in Kabale house, Davis Agaba changed tremendously. He is more cooperative, social and free to interact with both the staff and fellow students. Nelson among all the students has shown much desire to learn even though at the start he looked reluctant. The members of staff are more helpful and cooperative. Our bond is becoming positively stronger every day of our stay together. Our communication is clearer and every step to be taken is freely communicated before a decision is taken.” Selected out a monthly report sent to the ABIDE Director from the Kabale House leadership team.

From Patrick, an ABIDE Mbarara House student “Yesterday night I was so stressed that I doubted if I wanted to live anymore, but thank God who brought Uncle Michael [Kabale House Leader] to take us through the Gospel of John session, I feel alive again, I feel encouraged to LIVE FOR CHRIST (2 Corinthians 5:14), God bless ABIDE!” This information was quoted from his Facebook profile post that other students and staff responded to quickly with positive encouragement and support.

From Fred Michael, an ABIDE Alumnus 2010 “There is a principle taught at ABIDE which is now a part of me: ‘Does it please God?’ This has guided the way I think and act. I was recently approached by a friend to help him acquire a bank loan. He wanted me to endorse a false land title as security to the bank in order to be approved for the loan. My friend promised to give me a percentage – 300,000 Ugandan Shillings in return for the simple service. Though the money was desperately needed, I knew it was wrong and I would be involved in defrauding the bank. It would not please God. The second principle also applied: ‘Does it benefit my brother?’ I learned to consider the effect my decisions have on my neighbors at ABIDE through many activities and outreaches. I knew that while my friend thought I would be assisting him to get the loan, the reality was that it would harmful in the end. The truth will always catch up to you. So I decided not to do it.” Shared during a brief alumni meeting in Kampala about the lasting transformation ABIDE has had in graduates decision making now at University in the Law program. Countless graduates of ABIDE share similar Christ-like character stories.

The first half of the ABIDE program is now complete. We ended with a joint extended mission to Kishanje and are currently in the mid-term break. Students have passed through the first few months very well admist the challenges of youth today bridging the gap between traditional Africa and the globalized western culture. It is a big transition. Christ is actively at work in their lives to redeem them from the ways of the world, the ruler of the kingdom of the air and the sinful nature (Eph 2:2-3).

Living and Active Word of God

One of the most enjoyable and satisfying experiences as a leadership team of ABIDE is to see the students learn to appreciate, respect, understand, apply and communicate the Truth of the Bible. In our VERITAS lessons every week, students are receiving the skills of Biblical interpretation and the Word of God is coming alive. One student, Daniel, shared that he now realizes how many mistakes he has made in teaching the Bible before ABIDE and is now beginning a fresh. Patrick admitted he never understood the use of the Bible or its continuity until now. These are remarkable developments in a short time. The Bible is now alive to them.

Construction Donations

After last month’s appeal for support in this report, a number of individuals have donated to the second ABIDE house construction in Kabale. One family wanted to give in special memory of their recently deceased parents as a lasting investment from their lives. The total ABIDE funds was at a very low $200 on March 21st 2012. Miraculously within one week, the same account had over $10,000! We are now resuming the work next week to start roofing the house while making the metal windows and doors. The current ABIDE students were recently at the site to pray for God’s provision in its continuation and completion.

Student Mission Visitations
A fellow staff member in the Kabale House shared that the “Missions and outreaches are fields of unification and spiritual growth. The sense of brotherhood is felt now much more than how we began.” Jesus knew what He was doing in discipling the 12 young men. Sending them out into the fields was a vital training ground for maturity, experience, unity and harvesting. The ABIDE students have experienced the same as they serve Christ in their communities and churches each weekend. The long drives throughout the beautiful countryside give them great times to bond and sing praise to God together. The actual ministry gives opportunities for different students to share testimonies, preach the gospel, translate for others, lead praise and worship, interpret films, present skits, and lead people to Christ. God has been using them in this first half to reach out to many schools, churches and communities. They are confident and effective. The second half will be even more focused on these missions to their home area. ABIDE was also blessed to receive a mission team from Trinity International University. We hosted the school group of around 20 students, teachers and administrators for lunch and were given three young men to stay and partner with the program for one week. It was great for international friendships to be formed in Christ (left). The TIU team was very appreciative and encouraging to the students and staff.

Break Time

The staff is now enjoying a season of rest as students have all gone to their homes for three weeks. It will be a relaxed Easter celebration, then continued leadership training and evaluation before reopening. We desire for the students to use this mid-program break as an opportunity for:

1. Reporting to family, friends and community of the work accomplished in ABIDE
2. Personal preparation for further studies after ABIDE
3. Serving in the local church during the break
4. Introducing Farming God’s Way methods
5. Completing assigned course works


All students are expected to report back to Mbarara by April 23rd, 2012. Keep in prayer for the development of the students during the break and an excitement to continue growing as we all return. We thank God for His provision and asked for your continued partnership.

As the program continues to progress, ABIDE students are going deeper in classes while experiencing more opportunities to serve Christ in local churches, schools and communities. We have began to visit students home areas for concentrated ministry outreach with the families and home churches. Students are eager to participate and serve. We have been witnessing God's work in bringing people to His salvation and restoration. God is using these times to work in and through the students to be equipped and experienced in evangelism and discipleship.

Exam Results Revealed
The secondary school final exam results have been announced. Many students are happy with their results while others are discouraged. This is a common time for students to lose hope in Uganda for further education and direction in life. We have been pursuing them indivdually in counseling sessions to share personal experience as leaders who have passed through that time, as well as encouragement according to God's faithful promises for each one of them. We are seeing positive changes in the students attitude and pray for continued motivaiton and commitment from them as we seek God for each of their future plans and dreams.

Roofing the Kabale House

The construction in Kabale is stalling due to a lack of resources. We have built to the level of roofing with timber and iron sheets (above). It has been by God's grace and many different peoples generosity. Now the more costly phase of finishing the interior is needed. It will require another $20,000 with the added rooms and increased size of the structure. While it is a heavy burden and slow process, the end result will be an amazing facility for God's work in ABIDE with Juna Amagara Ministries. It will be fully utilized!

Washing Feet
Each year there is an extra special class lesson in the Gospel of John from chapter 13. ABIDE leaders actually wash the students feet. This year was again a special time to wash the students feet as a demonstration of our love for them, obedience to Christ, and an example of servanthood and humility in good leadership. Students were shocked and touched, speechless. It is something so rare and counter-cultural in the world. The message is powerful. The lesson is never forgotten. One day it will be their time to wash other peoples feet as a part of following Christ in His new Kingdom.

A new year is fully under way for the ABIDE program of Juna Amagara Ministries. It is a special one. 2012 brings the fifth and largest class of students, the continued construction of the Kabale House and staff leadership training in preparation for the program to open again in Mbarara and Kabale, Uganda. We believe this will be another standout year of God’s favor and growth in all the plans and goals of ABIDE.

Fifth Class of Students
One the first day of reporting, Monday 16th of January, 19 students arrived on schedule (below).


Over the following week of camping and student orientation the remaining students joined to add up to 23 fully engaged students. It is the largest group so far. They were invited first from the JAM children who finished S6 and also supplemented by other students chosen from around the country. This year we have a harvest of five JAM children who have passed through their secondary education with the assistance of Juna Amagara and are now maturing into adults. ABIDE was specifically designed for them to continue developing their lives in Christ and setting goals for their future careers. Other students of ABIDE were invited for Mbale, Lira, Kasese and surrounding districts of Mbarara and Kabale. The students are now busy with the daily scheduled activities of ABIDE as they were divided into both houses evenly. We are currently renting the Kabale House. We thank God for this class and pray that God will use the activities, classes and ministry outreaches to equip, nurture and transform the students.

Kabale House Construction
After the construction project was delayed to begin, we have been working hard to ensure its continuation to reach our new goal of opening the facility for use in April after the midterm break of ABIDE this year. The foundation required extra effort and resources to ensure it was strong enough to hold the house because of the mountainous terrain. Therefore the building project has taken more funds than first expected. We have added iron bar columns and retention walls. We have not yet reached our first goal of $50,000 by January 2012 and now need an additional $20,000 to successfully finish the Kabale House for full operation. The good news is that the extra support used in the foundation of the home gives us an advantage of building more stories as funds allow. This will in the end give us a greater facility to use for Juna Amagara Ministries. As the engineer has drafted these new plans, we will have the capacity of 8 bedrooms and basement store and extended main house living area. We praise God for this opportunity but also now pray for His extra provision. The house is now taking shape with the brick walls being raised up higher each day in the main house and bedrooms. We will soon need to begin roofing with timber and iron sheets and then move into the interior finishing of the house with plumbing, electrical and plaster. There are only enough construction funds for a few more weeks of work and then we will have to stop. Pray that God opens the door for more resources to be given toward this worthy cause for Christ’s Kingdom.

Staff Leadership Training
Each year before the program opens, all ABIDE staff meet for training, prayer and delegation of responsibilities. Some new members have joined the leadership team: Mugasha Michael, Twesigye Dancan, Beinomugisha Bruce and Turyasiima Wellen serve the Kabale House (right) and Matthew Kehn, Akankasa Medard, Tweyambe Alexander, Amoni Isaac and Connor Johnston serve the Mbarara House. The training gave the staff a common purpose with 5 key principles to work from: Excellence, Initiative, Love, Service and Multiplication. It is our desire to God use us as leaders of ABIDE to create a good environment for God to transform the students.

The 2012 ABIDE program began on January 16th. 23 students have confirmed their participation and 19 have arrived at the Mbarara House (below). Many more students are eagerly calling and hoping for a place to open up for them!


We enjoyed a camping retreat for the last two days on a nearby mountain. There was an introduction of the theme of ABIDE from John 13-17 as well as many team building activities to stimulate a vertical connection with God and a horizontal partnership with each other. We are now shifting into student orientation for this first week. The remaining students will be arriving in the next two days. You can see it already. The hearts of the students are ready. It is going to be another amazing year with dynamic growth in the students lives who will be equipped and empowered to transform the world with Jesus Christ.


At the same time, there is much focus on the construction of the new Kabale House site. Time, energy and resources have been highly invested in the building project and there is still much work to be done. The cement slab (above) on the foundation has been finished and now the building walls will rise up quickly. Because of the steep terrain, it was necessary to ensure a strong foundation. Please continue to pray for God's provision to meet the extra expenses. It will not be easy. But it gives a great opportunity for the program activities to be fulfilled with its own facility. Your support and encouragement is needed. Thanks for standing with Juna Amagara Ministries in Uganda and equipping students leaders through the program of ABIDE.

The end of this year approaches with the celebration of Christ's birth in the world as well as another step of radical faith in ABIDE.


The construction project has been delayed with many necessary preparations for the building to begin. But now everything is ready! The land has been cleared (above). The documents are signed and approved. The first half of construction funds is available in the bank in Kabale. We will be paying off the final balance with the land owner before Christmas. And we are digging the foundation footings tomorrow December 12, 2011!

Our goal is to complete the foundation before the Christmas holiday. This will allow the cement slab to set and the construction workers to enjoy their time at home over Christmas. Then it will be a race against time to see how fast we can build up the home. We open the ABIDE program on January 16th, 2012. I sincerly believe that God is going to raise this house in His perfect timing!

We need your help. You are invited to make a donation for this ABIDE construction project with an end of year gift.

Please download and fill out the End of Year ABIDE DONATION CARD or use the JUNA AMAGARA WEBSITE DONATION PAGE to make a specific end of year gift to ABIDE on-line.

Now is the time to invest in the transformation of lives in Uganda through the ABIDE program of Juna Amagara Ministries. There are only a few weeks remaining to reach our $50,000 goal. Help us raise the remaining $20,000 by January! God blessings and conviction,