Sierra Leone Fashion

In many of the photos that I receive from James, I see Kadijah in the outfits that I have left behind from various visits to Sierra Leone. Everyone at St. Laurence House is extremely thrifty and makes best use of what they have and what is given to them. Kadijah has quite the fashion sense and from time to time, she picks out material and has an outfit made. This is most economical way to buy new clothes. Your outfit is custom made (one of a kind) and it stimulates the local economy. The tailor that she uses is exceptionally talented and has even made a Cassock/Alb for Fr. Seraphim which cost us 1/10th of what the God Shops such as CM Almy charge. The quality is better than anything we can purchase store-bought in America or anywhere.

Here, Kadijah sports a typical African attire,

complete with headdress.

Kadijah (far left) & daughter, Lucy (in dark blue 2nd right to left) joins her sisters Fatima, Zainab & Maseray and their children.

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Sierra Leone Fashion

In many of the photos that I receive from James, I see Kadijah in the outfits that I have left behind from various visits to Sierra Leone. Everyone at St. Laurence House is extremely thrifty and makes best use of what they have and what is given to them. Kadijah has quite the fashion sense and from time to time, she picks out material and has an outfit made. This is most economical way to buy new clothes. Your outfit is custom made (one of a kind) and it stimulates the local economy. The tailor that she uses is exceptionally talented and has even made a Cassock/Alb for Fr. Seraphim which cost us 1/10th of what the God Shops such as CM Almy charge. The quality is better than anything we can purchase store-bought in America or anywhere.

Here, Kadijah sports a typical African attire,

complete with headdress.

Kadijah (far left) & daughter, Lucy (in dark blue 2nd right to left) joins her sisters Fatima, Zainab & Maseray and their children.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Sierra Leone Fashion

In many of the photos that I receive from James, I see Kadijah in the outfits that I have left behind from various visits to Sierra Leone. Everyone at St. Laurence House is extremely thrifty and makes best use of what they have and what is given to them. Kadijah has quite the fashion sense and from time to time, she picks out material and has an outfit made. This is most economical way to buy new clothes. Your outfit is custom made (one of a kind) and it stimulates the local economy. The tailor that she uses is exceptionally talented and has even made a Cassock/Alb for Fr. Seraphim which cost us 1/10th of what the God Shops such as CM Almy charge. The quality is better than anything we can purchase store-bought in America or anywhere.

Here, Kadijah sports a typical African attire,

complete with headdress.

Kadijah (far left) & daughter, Lucy (in dark blue 2nd right to left) joins her sisters Fatima, Zainab & Maseray and their children.

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Update on Jodie

Jodie (in gray), with James (in NHA shirt) and Jodie’s schoolmate (in pink).
Jodie’s schoolmate is now in the States.
Photo taken several weeks back.

James says they have noticed some improvement in Jodie’s condition but were unable (due to the pending weekend) to get her into a doctor’s office on Friday. We, in the West, much of the time, do not realize how lucky we are to be able to go to a doctor’s office and actually be seen by a doctor! This is not the case in Sierra Leone, where there are but one doctor to 1000 (or more) patients each day, or no available facilities for medical treatment.

The family hopes to have a doctor see her on Monday. Jodie, Paul, Hannah, James, Kadijah, Pa Foday and the whole Mansaray family wish to thank you for your prayers for Jodie and ask that you continue them. Jodie is the baby, the last born into the Mansaray family.
Jodie dressed in her school uniform. Photo taken a few months ago.
Jodie is 18 years old and is planning to go into Nursing School after high school graduation.
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Update on Jodie

Jodie (in gray), with James (in NHA shirt) and Jodie’s schoolmate (in pink).
Jodie’s schoolmate is now in the States.
Photo taken several weeks back.

James says they have noticed some improvement in Jodie’s condition but were unable (due to the pending weekend) to get her into a doctor’s office on Friday. We, in the West, much of the time, do not realize how lucky we are to be able to go to a doctor’s office and actually be seen by a doctor! This is not the case in Sierra Leone, where there are but one doctor to 1000 (or more) patients each day, or no available facilities for medical treatment.

The family hopes to have a doctor see her on Monday. Jodie, Paul, Hannah, James, Kadijah, Pa Foday and the whole Mansaray family wish to thank you for your prayers for Jodie and ask that you continue them. Jodie is the baby, the last born into the Mansaray family.
Jodie dressed in her school uniform. Photo taken a few months ago.

Jodie is 18 years old and is planning to go into Nursing School after high school graduation.
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Update on Jodie

Jodie (in gray), with James (in NHA shirt) and Jodie’s schoolmate (in pink).
Jodie’s schoolmate is now in the States.
Photo taken several weeks back.

James says they have noticed some improvement in Jodie’s condition but were unable (due to the pending weekend) to get her into a doctor’s office on Friday. We, in the West, much of the time, do not realize how lucky we are to be able to go to a doctor’s office and actually be seen by a doctor! This is not the case in Sierra Leone, where there are but one doctor to 1000 (or more) patients each day, or no available facilities for medical treatment.

The family hopes to have a doctor see her on Monday. Jodie, Paul, Hannah, James, Kadijah, Pa Foday and the whole Mansaray family wish to thank you for your prayers for Jodie and ask that you continue them. Jodie is the baby, the last born into the Mansaray family.
Jodie dressed in her school uniform. Photo taken a few months ago.

Jodie is 18 years old and is planning to go into Nursing School after high school graduation.
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Saturday at Grace

This just as the morning Mass closes, the sunrise is fully active. Pinks, Purples and Blues streaking across the sky. Its beautiful. They say it may rain today, but there is no evidence at the moment.

Saturdays at Grace Church begin the preparations for Sunday. The chores are done, parish hall cleaned, flowers placed on the altar and around the icons – those things that people notice but believe are miraculously accomplished. Thank God (as it happens in most parishes) for the faithful few that tirelessly tend to this week after week.
We do not use a florist for our altar and icon flowers. Instead, we have planted perennials around the grounds and use them for the Glory of God.


It is practical, thrifty and the altar is always beautifully adorned – at no cost from the church budget. It is exciting to see what is in bloom for the week and how best to use each flower.

Tomorrow, the Fourth Sunday in the season of Trinity, is our Fellowship Sunday. This is our tradition every 1st Sunday of the month. People bring in a “potluck” dish and we share a meal and fellowship after the 11 AM Mass. If you are considering visiting us at Grace Church, this is always a good Sunday to start – it is the perfect opportunity to get to know us.

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Saturday at Grace

This just as the morning Mass closes, the sunrise is fully active. Pinks, Purples and Blues streaking across the sky. Its beautiful. They say it may rain today, but there is no evidence at the moment.

Saturdays at Grace Church begin the preparations for Sunday. The chores are done, parish hall cleaned, flowers placed on the altar and around the icons – those things that people notice but believe are miraculously accomplished. Thank God (as it happens in most parishes) for the faithful few that tirelessly tend to this week after week.
We do not use a florist for our altar and icon flowers. Instead, we have planted perennials around the grounds and use them for the Glory of God.


It is practical, thrifty and the altar is always beautifully adorned – at no cost from the church budget. It is exciting to see what is in bloom for the week and how best to use each flower.

Tomorrow, the Fourth Sunday in the season of Trinity, is our Fellowship Sunday. This is our tradition every 1st Sunday of the month. People bring in a “potluck” dish and we share a meal and fellowship after the 11 AM Mass. If you are considering visiting us at Grace Church, this is always a good Sunday to start – it is the perfect opportunity to get to know us.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Update on Jodie

Jodie (in gray), with James (in NHA shirt) and Jodie’s schoolmate (in pink).
Jodie’s schoolmate is now in the States.
Photo taken several weeks back.

James says they have noticed some improvement in Jodie’s condition but were unable (due to the pending weekend) to get her into a doctor’s office on Friday. We, in the West, much of the time, do not realize how lucky we are to be able to go to a doctor’s office and actually be seen by a doctor! This is not the case in Sierra Leone, where there are but one doctor to 1000 (or more) patients each day, or no available facilities for medical treatment.

The family hopes to have a doctor see her on Monday. Jodie, Paul, Hannah, James, Kadijah, Pa Foday and the whole Mansaray family wish to thank you for your prayers for Jodie and ask that you continue them. Jodie is the baby, the last born into the Mansaray family.
Jodie dressed in her school uniform. Photo taken a few months ago.

Jodie is 18 years old and is planning to go into Nursing School after high school graduation.
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Update on Jodie

Jodie (in gray), with James (in NHA shirt) and Jodie’s schoolmate (in pink).
Jodie’s schoolmate is now in the States.
Photo taken several weeks back.

James says they have noticed some improvement in Jodie’s condition but were unable (due to the pending weekend) to get her into a doctor’s office on Friday. We, in the West, much of the time, do not realize how lucky we are to be able to go to a doctor’s office and actually be seen by a doctor! This is not the case in Sierra Leone, where there are but one doctor to 1000 (or more) patients each day, or no available facilities for medical treatment.

The family hopes to have a doctor see her on Monday. Jodie, Paul, Hannah, James, Kadijah, Pa Foday and the whole Mansaray family wish to thank you for your prayers for Jodie and ask that you continue them. Jodie is the baby, the last born into the Mansaray family.
Jodie dressed in her school uniform. Photo taken a few months ago.

Jodie is 18 years old and is planning to go into Nursing School after high school graduation.
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment