The rector of Knocknamuckley, Revd Darren McCartney, and St Finnian’s curate, Revd Jack Kincaid, are just two of a 48 strong team heading to Uganda with Hopebuilders this week.
The team was commissioned at the evening service in Christ Church Kilkeel on 15 January. The preacher was the recently retired rector of Ballywalter, Canon John Bowley.
Once on–site in Africa, Darren will be fully engaged with the building project whilst Jack is the team’s chaplain. They are following in the footsteps of John who, over the years, proved himself to be one of Hopebuilders hardest workers! Parishioners of both Knocknamuckley and St Finnian’s are part of the team along with members of Kilkeel, Aghalee, Magheralin, Banbridge and Glengormley. The group will be led by Hopebuilders’ founder, David Charleton, who is also a diocesan lay reader.
Their destination is Nakansongola, which is now the site of a flourishing primary and secondary school complex built by Hopebuilders under the auspices of Fields of Life. Whilst there they will erect a dormitory and two donated stainless steel buildings. They also intend to lay the foundations for the next building team.
The advance team leaves on Wednesday 18 January to open the containers and set up camp complete with kitchen. The rest of the team arrive on Saturday 21 to begin work before everyone enjoys a day of rest and worship on Sunday. Three nurses will be part of the group but no doctor on this occasion.