After 33 years of encountering challenges, the people of Lepi village in Gao Bugotu constituency, Isabel province consecrated their multi-million-dollar church building last Saturday.
Thousands of people from villages around the constituency flocked Lepi village for the two days’ celebration which ended on Sunday.
The Anglican Bishop for the Diocese of Isabel, Reverend Ellison Quity was the guest of honour on for the historical occasion.
Initially, the people of Lepi attended church service at the neighboring Japuana village, but the villagers relocated to Lepi in 2010 and built a temporarily church building for worship.
During those years, the community took the initiative to commence the project of the building new church building.
However, the progress was delayed because of finance, ethnic conflict, disunity among community and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Vice Chairman of the Consecration Committee, Ben Devi said it was not an easy journey because it encountered dis-integration and disharmony between families.
Mr. Devi said two major challenges encountered during the journey was the ethnic tension started in 1998 and the COVID-19 pandemic in October last year.
Two days celebrations ended with cultural performances, dances, feasts and presentation of gifts to the guests.
Source. Island Sun newspaper.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
