I. A Health Center for Uganda
From the Holy Metropolis
Lately, despite the financial difficulties that we have been facing, there has been an extraordinary effort by members of the Orthodox Missionary Fraternity to get two building projects completed in the parish community of Transfiguration, Degeya of the Holy Metropolis of Uganda. These projects are the Sacred Church of Sts. Constantine and Helen, and the “P. Papadimitrakopoulos Health Clinic”, which is located beside the church. We praise the Most Merciful God, for His Grace has promoted such projects to their current stage despite numerous difficulties. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Fraternity and also to all those who have contributed their mite to the realization of these projects. Their support has been invaluable.
As you may recall, the place where these projects are taking place, that is, the Transfiguration center, has a prominent position and serves a sufficient number of fellow humans in the region, not only those of the Orthodox faith but also the heterodox, mainly as regards the need for education and health care. However, with the development of the region and of the people living here, the basic needs are increasing. Therefore, whatever is added to the center, such as an extension wing, or the widening of the range of its services, arouses great expectations for this people’s further course in Christ.
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| Click here |
The church needs painting as well as furnishings and equipment (there is 1000 euro available in the fund for this purpose). However, the carpenters’ bids for the seats required were flimsy. Maybe we should have them made gradually. It seems that the carpenters are trying to exploit us regarding the size of the seating space. As for the clinic equipment, the project work is proceeding according to schedule, that is, without any problem. Doctor George Sunday, Orthodox grandson of the late Fr. Elias Buzinde, is the person making arrangements for buying the right medical equipment and having it installed. (There is 2500 euro left in the fund for this project).
The salvation of the people in Uganda and Africa is a work of our Lord Jesus Christ. Despite the delays and the unexpected situations that usually arise, it is going on. May the God of Love bless all those working for the salvation of mankind.
II. OCMC News: The Gift of Peace and the Spread of Orthodoxy in Northern Uganda
OCMC – In northern Uganda, an area that has been decimated by war and
is finally becoming more secure, “every day, everywhere you go, people
are waiting to become Orthodox,” says Fr. Emmanuel Oruk. So many people
want Orthodoxy in northern districts like Lira, Oyam, and Apad that it
is difficult to minister effectively to all of them. Fr. Emmanuel, who
recently visited the Orthodox Christian Mission Center in St. Augustine,
FL., is one priest in the region who has been very instrumental in
spreading the faith. After finishing his studies in Athens in 1994, he
returned home just as OCMC’s first Mission Team to Uganda arrived to
help build a church.
After the catechetical center in Uganda was established in 1995, Fr. Emmanuel was ordained in 1996. In the years that followed there was often political turmoil and war in the north of the country. Fr. Emmanuel notes that these obstacles have made ministry difficult. Over the last 4-5 years, though, there has been renewed hope that the climate will become more stable. The catechetical center has done its part to bring things back together and the Church has been able to provide relief for many in the area.
In Lira, where Fr. Emmanuel serves, a deanery was established through which missions and outreach are coordinated. There are not enough priests in the area, however, leaving many communities without one. Because of this, at least once a year, Fr. Emmanuel and his fellow priests try to travel and reach out to do baptisms where priests are scarce. Many communities still have to gather for services in homes or under trees. Four students from the Lira deanery are about to complete seminary training, with the intention to be ordained and serve the people.
In Oyam, there is a school serving primary through 6th grade, and they are hoping to add 7th grade soon. Some students there are orphans who come into the care of the Church. The school is still under construction, and they are working on developing a dormitory. There is a well being drilled at the school to provide water for the nearby area. It is hoped that this school will develop successfully and be a model to inspire others of all that can be done by local communities.
In Apad, a church is being built with funds from Greece, and sewing machines have been donated for women there. There is so much progress, so much for the people to look forward to, and many new opportunities arising as the Orthodox Faith spreads throughout the region.
There is a deep appreciation for the help that the OCMC offers the people of northern Uganda – working together, sharing together, and helping them to move forward. However, there is also a drive to become more self-reliant in whatever small ways they can. As Fr. Emmanuel says, “Yes, we are poor, but we have to lift ourselves up through a life of sacrifice. We need to have the spirit of sacrifice.” Every community is now sharing something small with the local catechists- soap, or a bag of sugar- out of inspiration to help themselves grow and move forward together. By working with the OCMC, they are learning new ways to do things and what contributes to success, and those things can be shared throughout the country.
Click
The Orthodox Church in Uganda, an outgrowth of indigenous self discovery
Orthodox Mission in Tropical Africa (& the Decolonization of Africa)
Orthodox Uganda (tag)
Kanisa la Orthodox (tag)
Pioneers of the Orthodox Church in Uganda!
News & articles from the Orthodox Church of Uganda here & here.
"The African culture is ripe and ready for Orthodoxy because her people already live in community..."
“Christ is the hope of the Africans” : A spiritual Odyssey in Tanzania
Natives Africans bishops in the Orthodox Church
LIVE, BEYOND THE LIMITS!
«African needs to be helped, to find his divine roots, for his soul to be at peace, to become united with God...»
After the catechetical center in Uganda was established in 1995, Fr. Emmanuel was ordained in 1996. In the years that followed there was often political turmoil and war in the north of the country. Fr. Emmanuel notes that these obstacles have made ministry difficult. Over the last 4-5 years, though, there has been renewed hope that the climate will become more stable. The catechetical center has done its part to bring things back together and the Church has been able to provide relief for many in the area.
 |
| Metropolitan Jonah of Uganda |
In Lira, where Fr. Emmanuel serves, a deanery was established through which missions and outreach are coordinated. There are not enough priests in the area, however, leaving many communities without one. Because of this, at least once a year, Fr. Emmanuel and his fellow priests try to travel and reach out to do baptisms where priests are scarce. Many communities still have to gather for services in homes or under trees. Four students from the Lira deanery are about to complete seminary training, with the intention to be ordained and serve the people.
In Oyam, there is a school serving primary through 6th grade, and they are hoping to add 7th grade soon. Some students there are orphans who come into the care of the Church. The school is still under construction, and they are working on developing a dormitory. There is a well being drilled at the school to provide water for the nearby area. It is hoped that this school will develop successfully and be a model to inspire others of all that can be done by local communities.
Namayumba again
In Apad, a church is being built with funds from Greece, and sewing machines have been donated for women there. There is so much progress, so much for the people to look forward to, and many new opportunities arising as the Orthodox Faith spreads throughout the region.
There is a deep appreciation for the help that the OCMC offers the people of northern Uganda – working together, sharing together, and helping them to move forward. However, there is also a drive to become more self-reliant in whatever small ways they can. As Fr. Emmanuel says, “Yes, we are poor, but we have to lift ourselves up through a life of sacrifice. We need to have the spirit of sacrifice.” Every community is now sharing something small with the local catechists- soap, or a bag of sugar- out of inspiration to help themselves grow and move forward together. By working with the OCMC, they are learning new ways to do things and what contributes to success, and those things can be shared throughout the country.
Click
The Orthodox Church in Uganda, an outgrowth of indigenous self discovery
Orthodox Mission in Tropical Africa (& the Decolonization of Africa)
Orthodox Uganda (tag)
Kanisa la Orthodox (tag)
Pioneers of the Orthodox Church in Uganda!
News & articles from the Orthodox Church of Uganda here & here.
"The African culture is ripe and ready for Orthodoxy because her people already live in community..."
“Christ is the hope of the Africans” : A spiritual Odyssey in Tanzania
Natives Africans bishops in the Orthodox Church
LIVE, BEYOND THE LIMITS!
«African needs to be helped, to find his divine roots, for his soul to be at peace, to become united with God...»
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