Update on the New Saint Martin de Porres Catholic Church, Nkanchi

Saint Martin de Porres New Church at roof level.

For the last few months nothing significant has been going on with the Church building because materials could not be supplied at the site due to bad roads, and the roadblocks by the rebels in the context of the ongoing Anglophone crisis. The constant roadblocks and bad roads are causing a lot of disorder, slow down in business, restriction in movements, and the poverty level is on the increase. The bad nature of the roads is a further hindrance to movement especially for big trucks that supply building materials. We continue to pray for freedom and an end to war.

The state of the roads in the rainy season.

On August 9, 2023, the funeral of Papa Damian Lon, the father of Fr. Emmanuel Fale, took place inside the Church. Canopies were used to provide shade for the congregation.

The Funeral of Papa Damian Lon at the New Church Site

However, the good news is that we are starting the process of roofing on Monday, October 23rd, 2023, by buying some wood to sew into planks. We figured out that this process would be cheaper. The architect, Mr. Ambe Collins, is in Nkambe now to search for suitable wood that will be sewn for planks.

Mr. Ambe Collins has provided a sample of the roof with plates. The plates will be bolted to make the roof strong and long-lasting. Thus, the initial thing is to buy mature trees, fell them and sew them into planks. The planks will then be smoothened and treated against ants and other wood-eating insects. The roof of the Church will be done in such a way that it suits the equatorial climate which is characterized by humidity and a lot of rain during the raining season. In this way, the roof will be durable.

Sample image of interior roof with plates provided by architect Ambe Collins.

This venture will be expensive, but it is worth it. The Church building is solid, and it is good for the roof to be solid as well. Thanks to all of you, our benefactors, who have committed themselves to helping us realize this project. Getting this far is already a great achievement.

Once again, I say a big thank you to all the donors. Were it not for the Anglophone crisis, we would have built this church at a lesser cost than what is being spent now. The cost of transportation has doubled or even tripled because a lot of money is spent on the way to give to the rebels to buy one’s way out. Things would have been a lot cheaper were it not for this situation. Nonetheless, with the help of God, and with your support, we are getting close to finishing this project.

May God bless you all.

-Fr. Emmanuel Fale Lon