Bishop Nina commissions Archdeacon’s residence at St. John CoU in Aber

St. John Church of Uganda, Akaka parish, Aber sub-county on Sunday July 6 hosted the Bishop of West Lango Diocese, Rt. Rev. Julius Caesar Nina Otim.

The Bishop, accompanied by his wife Janet Nina, and team from the Diocese, were joyfully and triumphantly welcomed by Mothers’ Union of Aber Archdeaconry.

St. John Church of Uganda in Oketobilo village, Akaka parish is the headquarters of Aber Archdeaconry. Bishop Nina was there to perform two church functions: commission the residence and offer confirmation to dozens of Christians who have devoted and renewed their faith to the Lord.

He thanked the Christians of St. John and the entire Archdeaconry for their generosity and hard work in putting up the residence.

At almost 80% completion rate, the house has self-contained rooms for the Bishop, his Chaplain; Archdeacon and guests of the Archdeaconry.

“We put this house in the hands of God to keep it, purify it against evil spirits, all the dead spirits planted here at a time we don’t know and their spirits disturb those who live and sleep here, and evil dreams; we break its strength,” Bishop Nina prayed.

The Bishop’s prayers further targeted uprooting evil spirits so that even visitors who will have time to get shelter in the house to “sleep in the hands of God with peace”. “Let them do the work of God with faith, love and forgiveness every time while God Almighty stands with them as a shield.”

William Omara Obonyo, head of laity of St. John CoU, welcomed the Bishop, and said there are ten Reverends in the Archdeaconry. “Out of the many, it’s only Aber with this huge structure in the whole Diocese you oversee. You’ll enter inside and smile!”

Omara also informed the Bishop that contributions for the house project were “voluntary”. “This thing we call money stays with the owner. If he or she does not pick it, it remains with them and won’t do the work you want done.

“But because of the mercy of God, there are those who God touched them and gave them the hearts of giving without asking: they are many here.

“I want to thank you for being one of the brains behind the construction of this house, may God reward you for it,” William Omara told the Bishop.

Omara said the Archdeacon’s residence is one of the achievements of Bishop Nina and shall be put in the Magazine of the Diocese.

Before the Bishop, the head of laity introduced Opito Moses (an aspirant for MP, Oyam South) for his generous support towards the house.

Opito, and his family headed by father David Egwel and Hellen Egwel, contributed 118 iron sheets, all doors and windows.

“Tomorrow, when you are invited for a certain prayer, come….because, I am certain that no matter what, a particular prayer will take place. He (Opito) is the grandson of the first Canon Lango had: Erecenia Opito – the first Canon in Lango.”

Omara said Opito and his family are following the footsteps of late Canon Erecenia, whose love for God’s work was deeply rooted.

“I am greatful to our Bishop Rt. Rev. Julius Ceaser Nina for coming to officially open this building. Collectively, we have reached this milestone and because we put God ahead,” Opito told tndNews on Sunday.

“On my own, and on behalf of the family of David Egwel, i pledge our continued support to Churches and Mosques across Oyam South. I am extremely grateful to all at St. John Church of Uganda, and Aber Archdeaconary for today, and showing Apap Bishop overwhelming love.”

Okwanga Alfred, chairperson of the building committee said the initial plan was to have only four rooms. “After the plan, we dug the foundation but money was not yet there. We told Canon Odaga (he was a reverend at St. John): “Let us organise a fundraising event. This was done and we raised shs7m.

“Out of shs7m, the late Cecilia Atim Ogwal (former woman MP of Dokolo district) contributed 50 bags of cement. We added it to the cash and started the foundation with four rooms.

Meanwhile, after the commissioning event, the Bishop confirmed more than 100 young and old Christians across the Archdeaconry.

He encouraged them to be faithful and desist from rumour mongering, describing it “a sin” for those who are holy.