2008 – Sue’s First Medical Mission to northern Uganda with Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC)
Sue met Simon Menya on her first mission trip when he served as her translator. It was then that their friendship began. Fr. George who coordinated the mission team, shared his vision of a health center to have a clean and safe place for mothers to have their babies. The 24-year war ended in 2008 and people were still living in Internationally Displaced Persons (IPD) camp.
2009 – Fr. George Shares His Plans
On Sue’s second OCMC medical mission, Fr. George shared his written plans with Sue. Traveling from village to village to offer medical care, Sue quickly recognized the need to provide health education to prevent illness and promote good health.
2010 – Sue Leads OCMC Mission
During this medical mission, Sue met and worked with Fr. Joseph, an Orthodox Priest from Florida.
Later that year, Sue led her own medical team and met Dr. Peter, a retired physician from California. While in Uganda, Dr. Peter purchased four acres of land for the future St. Nektarios Health Center.
Health education classes also began this year in many villages.
Fr. Joseph contacted Sue after a few months and asked, “What do the people need?” Sue explained Fr. George’s vision for a health center, the written plans, and the recent land purchase. Together, Fr. Joseph and Sue began fundraising. Fr. Joseph and his parish focused on construction costs, while Sue, her parish and friends focused on medical supplies, equipment, furniture, and medications.
One of the female translators who wanted to become a nurse at the School of Nursing in Gulu was supported. She would later become the first nurse of the health center.
During this time, Simon applies to attend Orthodox Seminary in the United States and is accepted. Scholarship needs delayed his start.
2011 Sue Leads Another Medical Mission with the OCMC Team and Her Own Mission
Sue and Fr. Joseph travel to Uganda to finalize the plans for the health center.
Fundraising continues.
2012 – Groundbreaking
On December 9, 2012, the groundbreaking of the St. Nektarios Health Center is conducted by Metropolitan Jonah of the Greek Orthodox Dioceses of Kampala and All Uganda.
2013 – Construction Continues
Construction of the St. Nektarios Health Center continues using local people from the Village of Akonyibedo.
Again, Sue leads another OCMC Medical Team and her own.
2014 – Dedication and Grand Opening
On January 12, 2014, six years after hearing about Fr. George’s vision, the St. Nektarios Health Center is opened. Patients of all ages are seen fro primary medical care and emergency care.
The original staff consisted of a nurse, doctor, lab technician, and nurse aid/pharmacy technician.
Completed Health Center 
Grand Opening
2015 Level III Health Center Certification
The St. Nektarios Health Center obtains a Level III Certification through the Ministry of Health.
Quickly the Health Center needed beds for patients who had more serious medical problems. The facility now had room for six inpatient beds. Occasionally two patients would need to share an overnight bed.
The St. Nektarios Health Center is open 24-hours a day.
Regular outreach clinics are offered in surrounding villages.
On August 15, 2015, a water well is dug and opens for the Health Center’s needs as well as the village. This provides clean, freshwater. Now women and children do not have to walk a far distance twice a day for water for their families.
August 20, 2015, Father Simon begins his studies for his M. Div at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in New York.
December 15, 2015, Lift Up Uganda is formalized and granted Charity Non-Profit status as a 501c3. This greatly helps fundraising efforts.
2016 – Solar Panels and Maternity Wing
Spring of 2016 saw the installation of solar power to provide light when caring for patients overnight.
A maternity wing was planned and built to finally meet Fr. George’s vision of having a clean and safe place for mothers to have their babies. The maternity wing was dedicated and opened on August 16, 2016.
Adding Maternity Wing 
Maternity Wing
A nurse-midwife is hired and begins prenatal, delivery, and postnatal care. A placenta pit was built according to the strict guidelines of the Ministry of Health.
A solar refrigerator was added to properly store immunizations for babies, children, and adults.
A motorcycle is bought to serve as transportation to delivering mothers who need more advanced medical care in a hospital.
2017 – Continuing Care
Many mothers are now receiving prenatal care, delivery, and postnatal care. Well-baby visits and immunizations are established.
2018 – New Staff and Ultrasound
A second doctor and nurse-midwife join the staff due to increased demand.
Fundraising is successful for an Obstetrics (OB) Ultrasound and training for staff by a Gulu Hospital radiologist.
A baby warmer and more obstetrics (OB) equipment are obtained.
2019 – Staff Quarters, Classes, Graduation, and Motorcycle Ambulance
Plans are made to build a four-plex staff quarter for wo doctors and two nurse-midwives. This allows the Health Center to have staff available immediately and to cover 24-hour care.
The first class in the series of Helping Mothers and Babies Survive is offered in Gulu for 30 nurses, doctors, and nurse-midwives. Iganda was the first site to offer these classes. Gulu was added as the second site. Classes in this series are offered annually.
May 21, 2019, Simon graduates with his M.Div from St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary and will return to Uganda to start his Northern Uganda Self-Sufficiency Project (NUSSP). A second Ugandan, Richard Okello, is accepted at this same seminary with plans to start in August 2020.
July 30, 2019, Simon is ordained to the Holy Priesthood by Bishop Silvester of the new Diocese of Gulu and Eastern Uganda.
One of the nurses at the Health Center begins her studies to become a nurse-midwife. She will return to staff the health center upon completion.
A motorcycle ambulance fundraiser is successful to provide an attachment that allows the patient to lay down on the way to the hospital. Also patients can be brought to the Health Center from villages where it is too far to walk.
2020 Staff Quarters Dedication
January 16, 2020, the staff quarters at the Health Center is dedicated.
March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic shuts down Uganda. No visiting medical teams are allowed from the United States. St. Nektarios Health Center continues to work.
Richard Okello is delayed until August 2021 from starting seminary in the United States. Fr. Simon continues to progress on his long-term project and promote self-sufficiency through NUSSP.
2021 – Hopes and Goals
Hopefully, a vaccine to control COVID-19 will be more available to all people in Uganda and the world. More mission trips from the United States are in the planning process.
The Children’s Library is a goal for 2021.