100 Acres of Hope in Northern Uganda

With joy and doxology to God, I bring you very good news from our Holy Diocese! With the generous support of the Orthodox Missionary Fraternity, the Diocese of Gulu and Northern Uganda has acquired an agricultural area of approximately 405 stremmata (100 acres) in the Pabo area of Amuru District. The Fraternity allocated an additional amount for the drilling of a borehole, so that the land may be irrigated and bear fruit.

The purchase agreement was signed in September, in the presence of witnesses and local authorities. We visited the estate with our clergy and met with the local residents under the shade of a mango tree. We discussed the project that is commencing with them, and their joy and anticipation were deeply moving.

This land will be of crucial importance for our mission. It will allow us to develop large-scale agricultural production and strengthen the Diocese’s food distribution programs, especially for our brethren in the challenging Karamoja region, where prolonged drought and food insecurity afflict many families. Valuable job opportunities will also be created for young people, and the project will provide a stable source of income for the Diocese, strengthening our pastoral, educational, charitable, and missionary work throughout Northern Uganda.

I wish to particularly emphasize the importance of this farm for the sustainability of our missionary work. Mission is not an endeavor that concludes with the erection of a church or a school, but a ministry that must continue year after year. This land will provide us with our own resources, enabling us to maintain and expand our work in a stable manner, without depending on circumstances for everything. Thus, your offering will not be exhausted in a single moment, but will bear fruit every year, supporting the mission for generations to come.

And there is something else that fills us with gratitude: water! The borehole will ensure the irrigation of crops even during dry seasons. It will also provide access to clean and safe water for the surrounding communities, contributing to the health, dignity, and quality of life for many families. The significance of this offering is truly invaluable.

We consider this event a genuine expression of Christian love and proper stewardship of God’s gifts. Those who support our work become participants and co-workers in the proclamation of the Holy Gospel and, at the same time, in alleviating the practical needs of God’s people. The fruits of this offering will benefit countless souls for many years, through food security, employment, clean water, and the strengthening of the mission.

We sincerely thank the Orthodox Missionary Fraternity and all those who support the work of the Orthodox Church in Uganda. Your cooperation and support remain a source of encouragement, hope, and strength for our Diocese and for the numerous communities we serve. We assure you that we will remember you in our prayers. We pray that our Lord Jesus Christ, through the intercessions of the Most Holy Theotokos and all the Saints, may bless you richly, grant you health, peace, and strength, and repay your love a hundredfold.

With prayers and much love in Christ,

Nektarios, Bishop of Gulu and Northern Uganda