Dear Mister President and members of the Fraternity,
A journey to the jungle of the River Congo hides a lot of emotion, which is aroused by the natives and the ragged children that we come across on the streets when we pass through the villages with the grass-huts.
We are very happy to inform you that the works in the city of Gungu, which is 700 kilometers southeast of the capital of Congo Kinshasa, are in the final course. We visited the city last Thursday on August 23rd. We watched the course of the works for the construction of the Holy Church of the Annunciation of Theotokos as well as the erection of the school. The proper instructions for their completion were given on Thursday and Friday morning. We found out that the people working there are doing everything in their power in order to finish both works as soon as possible.
First of all, the completion of the school along with the interior equipment is estimated at a minimum of 10,000 €. We believe that this school will become a center of the Orthodox Education. It is the first Orthodox school within a radius of 700,000 kilometers.
The people there expressed their joy for that, and are looking forward to its operation. In our Holy Metropolis, wherever there are Orthodox schools, they offer a high level of education, that is why a lot of parents want their children to attend them.
I am therefore asking you to contribute to the completion of the construction of the school.
The erection of the Holy Church of the Annunciation of Theotokos is on the way. After the consignment of the last building – materials, the people working there are expecting it to finish, at least its external construction, within two months. However, they are doing their best in order to finish it earlier.
I will try to inform you about everything so that you can keep the donors informed as well. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your love and support to our Holy Metropolis. May God bless your work and your families.
Nikiforos of Central Africa
