Janet Sutton reports on
Mityana, Uganda

I lived in Mityana and worked with Pastor Johnstone Makumbi, Mityana Miracle Centre from 2003-7.  I am now back in UK, still very much involved in supporting the projects there and, where possible talking about the work.

So what is the work?  Very much a work of faith – the people in Uganda have very little materially – but their trust and reliance on God is HUGE.

Mityana miracle centre

Johnstone Makumbi planted MMC in 1985 as part of a network of churches throughout Uganda, headed up by Pastor Robert Kayanja.  Currently around 150-200 people attend.  The building is not complete but is slowly progressing.  The singing, praying, love for God and for one another is amazing.

Miracle media ministry

This is a 30 min weekly Sunday morning radio programme where the gospel is preached to thousands of listeners for about £18 pw.  Church members cover the costs of the broadcasts by giving sacrificially.

Miracle development initiative

This is a microloan enterprise.  People in the UK make regular donations of £5-£30 a month to enable small loans to be given to individuals in Mityana.  These begin a business and repay the loan and have to save a small amount each week.   There are many wonderful testimonies of how God has changed lives through these loans – at times from a first loan of as little as £10!!

Rural education development & child welfare scheme

Pastor Makumbi set up this government registered, community-based organisation  several years ago in response to the great need of those in rural villages.  He founded Best Hours Primary School and Kyamusisi Secondary.  Both schools exist to help AIDS orphans and other children who would not be educated as money is not available for school fees (many families cannot even pay the very low fees at Best Hours or Kyamusisi).

Best Hours Primary

In the last 4 years, thanks to the support, help and interest of people in UK and Australia, building work has progressed, though much work remains.  Thanks to regular gifts from a Christian bookshop in Tasmania, a child sponsorship scheme has been set up, enabling teachers’ salaries to be paid.

Kyamusisi Secondary

This school has dramatically changed over the last 2 years thanks to generous gifts from Bless Community Church, friends and contacts who have given amazingly.  Six computers were donated, money raised to send them, a computer room completed, so that students are now learning computer skills.
As a result of gifts from Australia, a girls' hostel and toilet block were built.
A UK businessman gives a 6 monthly donation resulting in a sponsorship scheme, again enabling teachers to receive a small salary.

Aids Education

ACET Uganda ran a training course in 2005 attended by representatives from 10 different churches in Mityana.  Attendees from Mityana Miracle Centre have held workshops, helping young people not only with HIV/AIDS education, but with the many challenges and struggles they face.
Since my return to UK, I have heard a team are regularly going into a local secondary school to educate pupils; John (who some of you know) was asked to run a weekly radio programme, educating people about HIV/AIDS. ISN’T OUR GOD AMAZING!!