Plans for Aru
Christians in north-east DR Congo resolved to build a new church to celebrate the Centenary of the Anglican Church in Congo in 1996. The building has involved some input of money from outside but also many physical and financial contributions from the Christians. Bricks have been hand made, stones and sand quarried from the land and the builders have been fed with chickens and ugali brought from many parishes. The war caused many problems not least in a shortage of lorries to transport the timbers for the roof, Finally in November 1999 enough wood was procured the roof frames made, and it was time again to call upon man power to raise the roof.
The roof was completed sometime in 2000 (leaving a gap where the drum tower will be) and although much work remains to complete the building there is a new purpose in those working on it. This is because Bp Njojo announced plans for Aru to be the centre of a new diocese, and when he was visiting Aru in April this year he called a committee together to plan for the diocese. Last year David Sharland reported that "there is great joy at the Archbishop's announcement that Aru will be a Diocese in 2002"; but that may be optimistic. The Archdeacon of Aru writes that the Bishop gave the committee four tasks to complete:
1) To build a cathedral
2) To find one year’s salary for the new Bishop
3) To find one year’s salary for a Diocesan Secretary
4) To find one year’s salary for a Diocesan Treasurer.
Judy Acheson recently reported
the Cathedral is vast and going on very well: now roofed and
floored. So point one is covered but the salaries come to
$250 a month so the archdeaconries need to raise $3000 and
only then can they send their report to synod and turn the
Centenary Church into their Cathedral. When Judy visited she
chatted to some of the committee to help them plan the many
other things which are needed to prepare for the new diocese.
She gave them some things to think about. The Archdeacon of
Aru has a special interest in encouraging the Christians as
he is waiting to retire but is unlikely to do so before the
new Diocese is opened and the church blessed. 
So there is much work ahead but we pray that as the children pictured here in front of the "cathedral" grow so will the spirit give growth to the new diocese and bless all who worship there.