Sue Nelson is our Woman of the Week, nominated for starting the nonprofit Lift Up Uganda, an organization promoting health, education, and self-sufficiency. We asked her to tell you more about how she got started to where she is today. You see her here with Deacon Richard at St. Vladimir's Seminary's Three Hierarchs Chapel.
"In 2008, I had an opportunity to serve as a nurse practitioner on my first medical mission with Orthodox Christian Mission Center to northern Uganda. By the second day it seemed that God was revealing His purpose for my life. I had my medical training and I was interested in mission work. It all fell together.
"Our team, educational and medical, went to Gulu in the north, an area ravaged by the 20-year war. While hosting a medical clinic in a church, the first person I met was a young man named Simon Menya. I will never forget it. He said, "Madam, may I help you?" I instantly felt a connection to him, as if God had sent me to meet him. Every year thereafter I went on a mission team to Gulu, now as the team leader.
"In 2010, with the blessing of Metropolitan Jonah of Blessed Memory, I organized my own team yearly to study the needs of the northern people (Acholi tribe) and their priests.
The young man named Simon was my translator and helper on every trip - our friendship grew to one of trust and mentorship on both parts. In 2011 this young man confided that he felt called to be an Orthodox priest. The journey would not be easy and would take some time, but God had a way.
"(Fr.) Simon was accepted to St. Vladimir Seminary through a scholarship program for tuition, room, and board. Plans were now in motion. But there would be many other needs. In 2015, God led me to create a nonprofit - Lift Up Uganda (LUU) — with the vision to improve health, education, and self sufficiency in northern Uganda. (Fr.) Simon became LUU's first project. The staff, faculty, and seminarians at St. Vladimir welcomed (Fr.) Simon and many friendships continue to this day. In 2019, the young man named Simon became Fr. Simon and was ordained to the Orthodox priesthood. To this day we are still best friends, and fellow workers as we learn from each other. Fr. Simon has opened many doors for LUU.
"When Fr. Simon left for seminary, I needed a new translator! Richard Okello was ready to help. Richard served well and then left for seminary in 2022, supported by LUU, to fulfill his call to the priesthood. He graduated in 2025 and is anticipating ordination in December of 2025. LUU is happy to have played a part in the lives of both Fr. Simon and Dcn. Richard who have returned to Uganda to serve their people. This fulfills LUU's goal to improve the self-sufficiency of the Ugandan people.
"On that first OCMC mission trip in 2008, I met Fr. George Lakony of St. Nektarios Church in Akonyibedo village. Several projects have developed from that relationship. Fr. George expressed the first pressing need in the community: a health center where mothers could deliver their babies in a clean and safe place. Maternal and newborn deaths were all too common. Father George said, "You are the one to make it happen." The task seemed insurmountable, but the seed was planted. Again, God had a plan but it would wait until some years later.
"In faith, Father George created building plans, and then a physician on my team bought land, another priest member of my team caught the vision and we initiated fund raising. In 2013 we broke ground and in 2014, St. Nektarios Health Center (SNHC) opened for the community. Additional improvements followed: a water well, solar power, a maternity wing, internet, and staff quarters. For the first time, the people in the village could receive health care locally. A motorcycle ambulance was quickly replaced by a certified ambulance vehicle. Our midwives provide classes for expectant mothers and well baby care, including an immunization program and classes for Helping Babies and Mothers Survive. Plans are being finalized for a new sanitation system. The St. Nektarios Health Center is a Level 3 health center and serves hundreds of local villagers of all ages with 24/7 care.
"God had another project in mind. In 2010, the OCMC mission team collected $600.00 for a special project. When Fr. George was asked what was needed, he not surprisingly said, "A school!" $600.00 was a good starting point. Soon a mud hut with thatched roof was built by the villagers who were eager to have a school for their children. In time, a brick building for classrooms followed for grades K1, K2, and K3 plus Primary 1 through 7. In 2025, our Primary 7 students will graduate and sit for their national exams. They will then move on to secondary school and university. We implemented a student sponsor program to help with school fees. Many upgrades have been added at the school and we are currently looking for land for a sports field.
In 2023, LUU constructed a Community Children's Library at the school. This, along with programs added by the librarian, has improved interest in reading for all children in the community. A computer lab assists students and teachers in research, curriculum enhancement, and skills. The local community benefits because older students can take books home to share with their families. Teachers and LUU share new ideas to benefit the families and community. The clinic and the school fulfills the vision of LUU to improve health and education in northern Uganda.
"While at St. Vladimir, Fr. Simon went on an OCMC mission trip to Guatemala, which has a similar culture of poverty that depends on agriculture and husbandry for survival. The work he saw inspired him for his own country. Fr. Simon, using the parish work in Guatemala as a model, created Northern Uganda Self Sufficiency Project (NUSSP) and registered as a Community Based Organization (CBO). After graduation and his return to Uganda, he has started many projects. LUU works alongside Fr. Simon in many ways to open a medical clinic, piggery, school, bee keeping and goat farm. This NUSSP model of self- sufficiency can be duplicated all over Uganda.
"In 2008, we began to work with the Mothers Union, women who came from the camps, who were making beads and jewelry in order to pay school fees and support their children. When they expressed a desire to learn to sew, we bought sewing machines and provided training. They are dedicated and over the years they have grown in skill and creativity. I often sell their products in the U.S. and they now have market opportunities in Uganda.
"It has been one of my great joys to work with Ugandan men and women as they seek innovative ways to help their own people. We have sent persons to school for skill training, provided mosquito nets, helped with school fees, and many other day-to-day helps that empower the people to come closer to their goals. I cannot list all of them but there is evidence sprinkled around Uganda that they are gaining confidence and discovering solutions to problems that have plagued them for many years.
"I did not start out with a list-in fact, I never dreamed of all the experiences I have had. It feels to me like God told me what to do and so I simply followed His guidance doing the next thing. On that first trip in 2008, Fr. George said, "You're the one we have been waiting for." In truth, perhaps I was waiting for the people of Uganda."
Axia!
Sue Nelson is our Woman of the Week, nominated for her work in starting the nonprofit Lift Up Uganda. we asked her to tell you what she wants you to know about mission work and how to do it well. You see her here with baby girl Susan, delivered at St. Nektarios Health Center; with a mother and daughter who were treated by her at an outrach medical clinic; and with Frances from St. Luke Church teaching students from St. Nektarios School about recycling plastic in the "elephant":
"On my first mission trip in 2008, Uganda had just concluded their 20- year war with Joseph Kony and the Lord's Resistance Army, who attempted to annihilate the Acholi race in northern Uganda. For twenty years people suffered in IDP (internally displaced persons) camps trying to stay alive. Now they were encouraged to return to their villages. Their homes had been burned and farms destroyed; churches, schools, and businesses were gone. Most were dependent on international non-government charities and now they needed to completely rebuild their lives. Many missionaries, including OCMC and Lift Up Uganda, offered hope, love, and support to the traumatized people as they tried to find a way forward.
"Experienced organizations can be a helpful and safe avenue for people who are just getting their feet wet in missions. There are so many things to think about: health, safety, cultural differences and emotional stress. Experience really does matter when it comes to international ministry. It is important to absorb the lessons that others have learned along the way.
"Those who pursue mission work do so because they want to help. I encourage people to remember that the effects of mission work take time and perseverance. There is no quick fix and only God is able to accomplish change in lives and culture. We remind ourselves to do the work out of obedience to God, not for what we want to accomplish."
As always, we asked our Woman of the Week, Sue Nelson, to tell us about her morning routine - both here in the States and in Uganda. You see her here with her favorite icon, Christ Blessing the Children, and with Fr Simon Menya receiving icons for his new church of St. Catherine in Acholinyk village:
"In the State,s I am an early riser at 4:00 am. It is quiet and peaceful good time to pray and read the Bible. Then I take a walk in the fresh air before starting work on LUU needs: correspondence, financials, review of potential new projects, and stabilizing partnerships with other nonprofits. There is also planning for future mission trips.
"When in Uganda, I still wake up at 4 o'clock and after prayer and scripture reading, I begin to make plans for the activities of the day. Soon the team is ready for a full day of helping our Orthodox brothers and sisters. Every mission trip is different and involves people from all walks of life to offer health and education.
"I've learned that in Uganda unexpected changes happen frequently. There can be more than one possible solution when working with the team and the nationals. Teamwork and flexibility are key."
Thank you, Sue!