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.
As young people’s education within the precincts of the parish
community of Transfiguration is considered very important in the region,
the S. Church of Sts. Constantine and Helen has been erected outside
the wall surrounding the school in order to be established for the
community life of the believers and, (in this way), to separate programs
and activities. As for the Clinic, although located inside the area
that is surrounded by the school wall, it will serve not only the
students, but also all the patients coming through a special entrance
beside the church.
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.
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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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