Benon Kayanja

One of the things that continues to encourage me is seeing local churches increasingly discover that God has already placed within them gifts, people and resources that can bring transformation to their communities. This is at the heart of our work through JLH and the Church and Community Mobilisation Process (CCMP). We were therefore grateful that some of our JLH facilitators recently joined a CCMP Training of Trainers organised by Tearfund Uganda and facilitated by Jane Achaloi and Martin from Tanzania (pictured). It was a wonderful time of learning, fellowship and sharing with other key people involved in CCMP across Uganda. We came away encouraged, refreshed and better equipped for the journey ahead. We pray that this learning will continue to strengthen our CCMP work and help churches confidently respond to God's call to transform their communities.

As we recently reflected on the first six months of 2026, I was greatly encouraged by what God is enabling us to accomplish. Across our different programmes, JLH worked through 49 churches and communities and directly reached 4,613 people, including 1,062 children, while more than 23,000 people were estimated to have benefited indirectly through households, churches and wider community engagement.

But what encourages me most is not simply the numbers. We are beginning to see our mission taking practical shape. As we do follow-up visits in our strategic locations, we are seeing Churches are becoming more confident in addressing poverty and community needs; farming families are being equipped towards greater food and livelihood security; churches are speaking more openly about gender-based violence, justice, dignity and healthy relationships; and our agroforestry work is bringing together care for God's creation with future household livelihoods. Churches are moving from dependency towards identifying and mobilising their own resources and becoming active participants in community transformation.

This is very close to the heart of why JLH exists. We believe that the Gospel speaks to the whole person and the whole community. Our desire is to see justice prevail, livelihoods flourish, health and wellbeing strengthened, creation responsibly stewarded, and local churches become vibrant agents of holistic transformation. It is therefore wonderful to see that what sometimes begins with a Bible study, a conversation with a pastor, or a small group of community facilitators can gradually influence families and whole communities.

The second half of 2026 marks an important transition as communities move from mobilisation and learning into practical action. In Northern Uganda, churches and farmer groups are advancing into demonstration gardens, climate-smart agriculture, savings and livelihood initiatives, while our agroforestry programme has established two community nurseries and sown approximately 51,200 tree seeds to support environmental restoration, household incomes and climate resilience. Alongside this community work, JLH is also developing social-enterprise initiatives and new partnerships to strengthen our long-term organisational sustainability and reduce dependence on grant funding.

The past few weeks have reminded us afresh of our dependence on God and the importance of praying for those who serve alongside us. Our colleague Stephen Komakech, who works with our Agriculture and Livelihoods programme in Northern Uganda, was recently involved in a motorcycle accident and is recovering, while Valerie, our Gender Officer in Gulu, has also had to adjust her work considerably to care for her husband, Louis, after tests revealed significant bleeding in his brain. Louis was referred to Mulago Hospital, where he underwent brain surgery last week, and we are grateful that he has been able to receive specialist care. Through these unexpected circumstances, we remain encouraged that God is with our colleagues and their families, and we continue trusting Him for healing, restoration and strength. We also pray particularly for God's protection over our staff who frequently travel long distances by road and motorcycle to serve communities across Uganda, holding firmly to the promise of Psalm 121:8: “The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. “Please pray with us

As you remember us before God, we would particularly value your prayers:

For Stephen Komakech, Valerie and her husband Louis — pray for God's healing, strength and complete restoration for Stephen following his accident, and for Louis as he recovers from brain surgery. Pray also for Valerie, that God will strengthen and sustain her as she cares for her husband while navigating her responsibilities, and that both families will experience God's peace, provision and grace throughout this season. For the safety of the entire JLH team as they travel — particularly colleagues regularly travelling by motorcycle and road into rural communities. Please pray for God's protection over their going out and coming in. For JLH's programmes and long-term sustainability — pray that churches and communities journeying through CCMP will move from mobilisation into locally owned and lasting transformation; that our agriculture, livelihoods and agroforestry work will strengthen food security, household incomes and resilience; and that God will grant us wisdom, favour and the right partnerships as we develop sustainable social-enterprise initiatives for JLH's future. For our family and church ministry, please pray for Dorothy and me, that God will continue to give us strength, wisdom and grace as we serve Him through the church, JLH and the communities He has entrusted to us. We are grateful to have Favour and Bright home during the school holidays before they return in mid-September for their third and promotional term. This holiday has also given us the joy of engaging around 40 young people at church through a programme focused on life skills, Bible study, and music, dance and drama (pictured). Please pray that these times will be meaningful and impactful, helping the young people grow in their faith, character, confidence and life choices. We also especially value your prayers for Bright as he prepares for his important examinations in November, which will mark his transition to secondary school. Pray for understanding, discipline, confidence, good health and success as he prepares.

Thank you again for walking this journey with us. Your prayers, encouragement and friendship mean more than I can adequately express. There are days when the challenges before us appear considerable, but we continue to see evidence that God is at work—awakening His Church, strengthening communities and bringing hope where it is needed most.

Our prayer remains that everything we do will ultimately point people towards Christ and demonstrate His love in practical ways.

With every blessing,

Benon