Nazareth House Apostolate

We’ve had really good luck relative to the Freetown Post up until November of 2008. Our packages were all arriving safe and sound until then, then suddenly they arrived opened or not at all. We are still running on a 89% success rate on getting all items to Sierra Leone by post, but our shipments just aren’t arriving as smoothly as before.

Last week another package arrived, leaving around 4 packages still out there, hoping to find their way to St. Laurence House. One contains the very crucial worm pills for the orphanage, the children are in great need of this medication.

Even at his young age, Roo appreciates every box that arrives and knows it will bring help to someone. He keeps this package in a tight grip until he makes his way into St. Laurence House.

You don’t see such excitement in the faces of children of 1st world countries when they receive a package, open it and find it contains toddler formula or stomach medicine! Even more compelling is that Roo is aware that these items are not for him!

Of course, after further investigation in the box, hidden under the hospital supplies and syringe needles for Kroo Bay, Roo finds some Summer Sausages sent for St. Laurence House enjoyment! Oh what joy to this little boy, these sausages are such a special treat – meat that doesn’t need refrigeration!

The next step is to pack up the items that are intended for Kroo Bay Medical Clinic and get it to them. Roo intently watches as his father, James, sorts the medications and hospital supplies.

James and I had a lengthy discussion the other day. He is hurting so much because of the delay in receiving some of the hospital/medical supplies. Kroo Bay is in desperate need for what we have already shipped and he feels sad that the post is not cooperating to assist in helping these needy people. The orphanage desperately needs the worm medication. He said he feels so bad for the people that he has not been able to sleep at night.

James talked with the postal workers and asked them why our boxes are being delayed (or possibly gone missing). Their reply, “Not our fault”; “must be happening in another country”. I beg to differ, I can track them until they get to Lungi, (the port point of Sierra Leone, where the airport is) then its a gamble. The Post Office in Freetown has been faithful and considering their little to no pay for their work, they have been exceptional. Its my suspicion that the abuse of the packages is happening at point of arrival. If only those delaying their delivery would have as much consideration of their fellow countrymen as the people who donated the medications and other humanitarian needs.

Trial and error are part of growing and Nazareth House will do all that it can to find a way to get the items needed to these people. The children in the above picture and all the others in Salone, are our reason to fight and do all we can.

These beautiful people have captured our hearts. Like in every society, there are those who are corrupt, but for the most part, the people of Sierra Leone are gentle, loving people who had no comprehension that another human being could be so bad as to hurt another person… until the war…and then they experienced and witnessed the most unspeakable atrocities. And yet, they continue on, struggle after struggle, re-building their lives with no anger in their heart. They make life happen in the moment, whatever that moment may hold.

It is for them, that we band together and make their moments a little better, bit by bit, moment by moment. Thank you for your continued support.

We’ve had really good luck relative to the Freetown Post up until November of 2008. Our packages were all arriving safe and sound until then, then suddenly they arrived opened or not at all. We are still running on a 89% success rate on getting all items to Sierra Leone by post, but our shipments just aren’t arriving as smoothly as before.

Last week another package arrived, leaving around 4 packages still out there, hoping to find their way to St. Laurence House. One contains the very crucial worm pills for the orphanage, the children are in great need of this medication.

Even at his young age, Roo appreciates every box that arrives and knows it will bring help to someone. He keeps this package in a tight grip until he makes his way into St. Laurence House.

You don’t see such excitement in the faces of children of 1st world countries when they receive a package, open it and find it contains toddler formula or stomach medicine! Even more compelling is that Roo is aware that these items are not for him!

Of course, after further investigation in the box, hidden under the hospital supplies and syringe needles for Kroo Bay, Roo finds some Summer Sausages sent for St. Laurence House enjoyment! Oh what joy to this little boy, these sausages are such a special treat – meat that doesn’t need refrigeration!

The next step is to pack up the items that are intended for Kroo Bay Medical Clinic and get it to them. Roo intently watches as his father, James, sorts the medications and hospital supplies.

James and I had a lengthy discussion the other day. He is hurting so much because of the delay in receiving some of the hospital/medical supplies. Kroo Bay is in desperate need for what we have already shipped and he feels sad that the post is not cooperating to assist in helping these needy people. The orphanage desperately needs the worm medication. He said he feels so bad for the people that he has not been able to sleep at night.

James talked with the postal workers and asked them why our boxes are being delayed (or possibly gone missing). Their reply, “Not our fault”; “must be happening in another country”. I beg to differ, I can track them until they get to Lungi, (the port point of Sierra Leone, where the airport is) then its a gamble. The Post Office in Freetown has been faithful and considering their little to no pay for their work, they have been exceptional. Its my suspicion that the abuse of the packages is happening at point of arrival. If only those delaying their delivery would have as much consideration of their fellow countrymen as the people who donated the medications and other humanitarian needs.

Trial and error are part of growing and Nazareth House will do all that it can to find a way to get the items needed to these people. The children in the above picture and all the others in Salone, are our reason to fight and do all we can.

These beautiful people have captured our hearts. Like in every society, there are those who are corrupt, but for the most part, the people of Sierra Leone are gentle, loving people who had no comprehension that another human being could be so bad as to hurt another person… until the war…and then they experienced and witnessed the most unspeakable atrocities. And yet, they continue on, struggle after struggle, re-building their lives with no anger in their heart. They make life happen in the moment, whatever that moment may hold.

It is for them, that we band together and make their moments a little better, bit by bit, moment by moment. Thank you for your continued support.

We’ve had really good luck relative to the Freetown Post up until November of 2008. Our packages were all arriving safe and sound until then, then suddenly they arrived opened or not at all. We are still running on a 89% success rate on getting all items to Sierra Leone by post, but our shipments just aren’t arriving as smoothly as before.

Last week another package arrived, leaving around 4 packages still out there, hoping to find their way to St. Laurence House. One contains the very crucial worm pills for the orphanage, the children are in great need of this medication.

Even at his young age, Roo appreciates every box that arrives and knows it will bring help to someone. He keeps this package in a tight grip until he makes his way into St. Laurence House.

You don’t see such excitement in the faces of children of 1st world countries when they receive a package, open it and find it contains toddler formula or stomach medicine! Even more compelling is that Roo is aware that these items are not for him!

Of course, after further investigation in the box, hidden under the hospital supplies and syringe needles for Kroo Bay, Roo finds some Summer Sausages sent for St. Laurence House enjoyment! Oh what joy to this little boy, these sausages are such a special treat – meat that doesn’t need refrigeration!

The next step is to pack up the items that are intended for Kroo Bay Medical Clinic and get it to them. Roo intently watches as his father, James, sorts the medications and hospital supplies.

James and I had a lengthy discussion the other day. He is hurting so much because of the delay in receiving some of the hospital/medical supplies. Kroo Bay is in desperate need for what we have already shipped and he feels sad that the post is not cooperating to assist in helping these needy people. The orphanage desperately needs the worm medication. He said he feels so bad for the people that he has not been able to sleep at night.

James talked with the postal workers and asked them why our boxes are being delayed (or possibly gone missing). Their reply, “Not our fault”; “must be happening in another country”. I beg to differ, I can track them until they get to Lungi, (the port point of Sierra Leone, where the airport is) then its a gamble. The Post Office in Freetown has been faithful and considering their little to no pay for their work, they have been exceptional. Its my suspicion that the abuse of the packages is happening at point of arrival. If only those delaying their delivery would have as much consideration of their fellow countrymen as the people who donated the medications and other humanitarian needs.

Trial and error are part of growing and Nazareth House will do all that it can to find a way to get the items needed to these people. The children in the above picture and all the others in Salone, are our reason to fight and do all we can.

These beautiful people have captured our hearts. Like in every society, there are those who are corrupt, but for the most part, the people of Sierra Leone are gentle, loving people who had no comprehension that another human being could be so bad as to hurt another person… until the war…and then they experienced and witnessed the most unspeakable atrocities. And yet, they continue on, struggle after struggle, re-building their lives with no anger in their heart. They make life happen in the moment, whatever that moment may hold.

It is for them, that we band together and make their moments a little better, bit by bit, moment by moment. Thank you for your continued support.

We’ve had really good luck relative to the Freetown Post up until November of 2008. Our packages were all arriving safe and sound until then, then suddenly they arrived opened or not at all. We are still running on a 89% success rate on getting all items to Sierra Leone by post, but our shipments just aren’t arriving as smoothly as before.

Last week another package arrived, leaving around 4 packages still out there, hoping to find their way to St. Laurence House. One contains the very crucial worm pills for the orphanage, the children are in great need of this medication.

Even at his young age, Roo appreciates every box that arrives and knows it will bring help to someone. He keeps this package in a tight grip until he makes his way into St. Laurence House.

You don’t see such excitement in the faces of children of 1st world countries when they receive a package, open it and find it contains toddler formula or stomach medicine! Even more compelling is that Roo is aware that these items are not for him!

Of course, after further investigation in the box, hidden under the hospital supplies and syringe needles for Kroo Bay, Roo finds some Summer Sausages sent for St. Laurence House enjoyment! Oh what joy to this little boy, these sausages are such a special treat – meat that doesn’t need refrigeration!

The next step is to pack up the items that are intended for Kroo Bay Medical Clinic and get it to them. Roo intently watches as his father, James, sorts the medications and hospital supplies.

James and I had a lengthy discussion the other day. He is hurting so much because of the delay in receiving some of the hospital/medical supplies. Kroo Bay is in desperate need for what we have already shipped and he feels sad that the post is not cooperating to assist in helping these needy people. The orphanage desperately needs the worm medication. He said he feels so bad for the people that he has not been able to sleep at night.

James talked with the postal workers and asked them why our boxes are being delayed (or possibly gone missing). Their reply, “Not our fault”; “must be happening in another country”. I beg to differ, I can track them until they get to Lungi, (the port point of Sierra Leone, where the airport is) then its a gamble. The Post Office in Freetown has been faithful and considering their little to no pay for their work, they have been exceptional. Its my suspicion that the abuse of the packages is happening at point of arrival. If only those delaying their delivery would have as much consideration of their fellow countrymen as the people who donated the medications and other humanitarian needs.

Trial and error are part of growing and Nazareth House will do all that it can to find a way to get the items needed to these people. The children in the above picture and all the others in Salone, are our reason to fight and do all we can.

These beautiful people have captured our hearts. Like in every society, there are those who are corrupt, but for the most part, the people of Sierra Leone are gentle, loving people who had no comprehension that another human being could be so bad as to hurt another person… until the war…and then they experienced and witnessed the most unspeakable atrocities. And yet, they continue on, struggle after struggle, re-building their lives with no anger in their heart. They make life happen in the moment, whatever that moment may hold.

It is for them, that we band together and make their moments a little better, bit by bit, moment by moment. Thank you for your continued support.

Dear Friends of Nazareth House Apostolate,

We’ve been rather quiet lately, not posting a lot of new work on the blog, but that doesn’t mean that we have slowed down at all. In fact, in reality, it means we’ve all been very busy. Each of us doing our part to provide for the hungry, the sick, the naked, the neglected, the marginalized…

Now it is time that we come together to commit to a huge effort to make the compound (a permanent center of operations residing in the area in which we work) a reality. There is so much at stake – namely: LIVES.

Owning our own land, our own building, is imperative to the continuance of our ability to maintain the level of humanitarian aid that the people of Sierra Leone have come to depend on from you as Nazareth House.

If Nazareth House was to drop out of the picture, many would experience many losses in one way or another – either food, medical aid, schooling, health and/or some would lose their very existence.
I, for one, am not willing to allow this to happen. I don’t believe that you want this, either.

Several of you have committed to monthly contributions for Nazareth House. Regular monthly donations allow us to have dependable income to provide for those in need. However, we must enlist many more monthly contributors to continue the outreach we are currently giving each month PLUS raise money to purchase our own property.

We are striving to reach 1000 people giving at least $25 per month to keep at (or above) the current level of aid, keep our Kabala School rolling & growing AND raise money for the compound. To date we have 26 current monthly contributors… a long way from 1000!

At this time we are able to make the monthly needs and the Nazareth House Kabala School budget each month but there is nothing extra to apply to the compound fund raising.

March 2010 is the deadline for owning our own property! Our current landlord has extended our lease for the absolute last time. We have 10 months to raise upwards of $200,000! We all are well aware of how fast time can slip away – to make it we would have to raise about $20,000 each month PLUS the $2,000 we need to provide for those we serve. We currently receive just a bit over $2,000 per month to do what we do – that is, feeding many in Freetown, pay our teachers and provide school supplies, maintain St. Laurence House (our rented compound), feed and care for our staff, provide school fees for those going to high school and University in Freetown, medical fees…and more …

In March 2009, we were able to secure our rented quarters for one more year… this ends in 2010 with NO renewal.

It sounds impossible to raise such money in so little time; but I know there are many other organizations doing a lot LESS with a lot MORE money. God knows our needs. I keep hoping somewhere out there someone or some organization will have the compound money & will open their heart and give it at once. It could happen, but its not the way things usually go. We pulled together to build a school, clothe the students in uniforms, feed the hungry in many areas of Sierra Leone. We have done A LOT! and will do even more. We must pull together again, locking hearts and minds to find a way to make this happen.

You, individually or with your organization make up Nazareth House-those that pray, support, and work to serve those in need. It is that unity of all our talents that make Nazareth House so unique. So how are we going to perpetuate our continuance, making a difference in the lives of those who live in the midst of despair and poverty?

When Nazareth House first started in the year 2000 and I had to ask for donations, I was embarrassed, maybe even ashamed that I had to beg. Then, I went to Sierra Leone …
I saw women washing clothes in buckets, their mud floors flooded from the rains. These women were doing, with great dignity, everything they could to provide clean clothes for their families. I simply throw my clothes in a machine and walk off, come back later and throw them in a dryer. sigh…
I saw children, unable to go to school in order to sell food to help support their families. And they aren’t selling their goods in air conditioned clean buildings, they are walking (barefoot) from village to village with heavy loads on their heads.
I met people who were overjoyed to receive common over the counter medications that are taken for granted in most American households.

I found hungry children and adults….
and children dying of diseases such as pin worms! Yes, pin worms! My pride, my whatever it was had to go, if begging gets them what they needed to better their lives – then begging is what I have to do. So here I am, in front of you, begging you to spread the word of the Work of Nazareth House. This is a shared process and we must allow others to be blessed as much as we have by been by this giving, this demonstration of love.

This work is a part of you and you a part of it. Scroll through past posts and look at all we are doing – you, me, those in Sierra Leone … we are making a huge difference. We cannot stop now.

Of course, I am asking you to contribute financially to this worthy cause. If you haven’t committed to a monthly sum, please consider doing so. If you can give anything LARGE or small, it goes to change a life. Giving once a year, quarterly, monthly…whenever…whatever…it makes a difference. Don’t hold off, thinking it won’t do anything…believe me it will.

I am asking you to share with your friends, relatives, church, organizations the chance to be a part of this beautiful service to others. It is such a wonderful blending of people of all walks of life, denominations, religions, creeds, race coming together to help those in need. A unity of love.

It is what we are told to do:
“for I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat: I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison , and you came to Me” These are Jesus’ words but they are shared and summed up by all religions – “help the poor, the hurt, the needy”.

Contributions should be sent to
Nazareth House Apostolate
2216 Goldsmith Lane
Louisville, KY 40218 USA

or made through Pay Pal
add the amount you wish to give on the donation link of the website: www.nazarethhouseap.org

If you need information or material to help spread the word about Nazareth House please email me at nha.prayer@gmail.com. You can also check Nazareth House Apostolate as a Cause on Facebook. See us in action on Youtube at www.youtube.com/SaloneNHA.

If we go into the bank, we can’t collect the interest on our money unless we’ve put money into our account. Right? Conversely, we can’t collect money for a compound for NHA unless we’ve put interest into doing so. Lets compound the interest for NHA.…spread the word, tell everybody.

Being absorbed into God’s mercy,
Vicki

Dear Friends of Nazareth House Apostolate,

We’ve been rather quiet lately, not posting a lot of new work on the blog, but that doesn’t mean that we have slowed down at all. In fact, in reality, it means we’ve all been very busy. Each of us doing our part to provide for the hungry, the sick, the naked, the neglected, the marginalized…

Now it is time that we come together to commit to a huge effort to make the compound (a permanent center of operations residing in the area in which we work) a reality. There is so much at stake – namely: LIVES.

Owning our own land, our own building, is imperative to the continuance of our ability to maintain the level of humanitarian aid that the people of Sierra Leone have come to depend on from you as Nazareth House.

If Nazareth House was to drop out of the picture, many would experience many losses in one way or another – either food, medical aid, schooling, health and/or some would lose their very existence.
I, for one, am not willing to allow this to happen. I don’t believe that you want this, either.

Several of you have committed to monthly contributions for Nazareth House. Regular monthly donations allow us to have dependable income to provide for those in need. However, we must enlist many more monthly contributors to continue the outreach we are currently giving each month PLUS raise money to purchase our own property.

We are striving to reach 1000 people giving at least $25 per month to keep at (or above) the current level of aid, keep our Kabala School rolling & growing AND raise money for the compound. To date we have 26 current monthly contributors… a long way from 1000!

At this time we are able to make the monthly needs and the Nazareth House Kabala School budget each month but there is nothing extra to apply to the compound fund raising.

March 2010 is the deadline for owning our own property! Our current landlord has extended our lease for the absolute last time. We have 10 months to raise upwards of $200,000! We all are well aware of how fast time can slip away – to make it we would have to raise about $20,000 each month PLUS the $2,000 we need to provide for those we serve. We currently receive just a bit over $2,000 per month to do what we do – that is, feeding many in Freetown, pay our teachers and provide school supplies, maintain St. Laurence House (our rented compound), feed and care for our staff, provide school fees for those going to high school and University in Freetown, medical fees…and more …

In March 2009, we were able to secure our rented quarters for one more year… this ends in 2010 with NO renewal.

It sounds impossible to raise such money in so little time; but I know there are many other organizations doing a lot LESS with a lot MORE money. God knows our needs. I keep hoping somewhere out there someone or some organization will have the compound money & will open their heart and give it at once. It could happen, but its not the way things usually go. We pulled together to build a school, clothe the students in uniforms, feed the hungry in many areas of Sierra Leone. We have done A LOT! and will do even more. We must pull together again, locking hearts and minds to find a way to make this happen.

You, individually or with your organization make up Nazareth House-those that pray, support, and work to serve those in need. It is that unity of all our talents that make Nazareth House so unique. So how are we going to perpetuate our continuance, making a difference in the lives of those who live in the midst of despair and poverty?

When Nazareth House first started in the year 2000 and I had to ask for donations, I was embarrassed, maybe even ashamed that I had to beg. Then, I went to Sierra Leone …
I saw women washing clothes in buckets, their mud floors flooded from the rains. These women were doing, with great dignity, everything they could to provide clean clothes for their families. I simply throw my clothes in a machine and walk off, come back later and throw them in a dryer. sigh…
I saw children, unable to go to school in order to sell food to help support their families. And they aren’t selling their goods in air conditioned clean buildings, they are walking (barefoot) from village to village with heavy loads on their heads.
I met people who were overjoyed to receive common over the counter medications that are taken for granted in most American households.

I found hungry children and adults….
and children dying of diseases such as pin worms! Yes, pin worms! My pride, my whatever it was had to go, if begging gets them what they needed to better their lives – then begging is what I have to do. So here I am, in front of you, begging you to spread the word of the Work of Nazareth House. This is a shared process and we must allow others to be blessed as much as we have by been by this giving, this demonstration of love.

This work is a part of you and you a part of it. Scroll through past posts and look at all we are doing – you, me, those in Sierra Leone … we are making a huge difference. We cannot stop now.

Of course, I am asking you to contribute financially to this worthy cause. If you haven’t committed to a monthly sum, please consider doing so. If you can give anything LARGE or small, it goes to change a life. Giving once a year, quarterly, monthly…whenever…whatever…it makes a difference. Don’t hold off, thinking it won’t do anything…believe me it will.

I am asking you to share with your friends, relatives, church, organizations the chance to be a part of this beautiful service to others. It is such a wonderful blending of people of all walks of life, denominations, religions, creeds, race coming together to help those in need. A unity of love.

It is what we are told to do:
“for I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat: I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison , and you came to Me” These are Jesus’ words but they are shared and summed up by all religions – “help the poor, the hurt, the needy”.

Contributions should be sent to
Nazareth House Apostolate
2216 Goldsmith Lane
Louisville, KY 40218 USA

or made through Pay Pal
add the amount you wish to give on the donation link of the website: www.nazarethhouseap.org

If you need information or material to help spread the word about Nazareth House please email me at nha.prayer@gmail.com. You can also check Nazareth House Apostolate as a Cause on Facebook. See us in action on Youtube at www.youtube.com/SaloneNHA.

If we go into the bank, we can’t collect the interest on our money unless we’ve put money into our account. Right? Conversely, we can’t collect money for a compound for NHA unless we’ve put interest into doing so. Lets compound the interest for NHA.…spread the word, tell everybody.

Being absorbed into God’s mercy,
Vicki