Nazareth House Apostolate

The Christmas songs are playing over and over on the radio. In particular one song, written by John Lennon captures my attention. It says, “…and so this is Christmas and what have you done?”

Allow these pictures to show you what you’ve done, what we’ve all done through Nazareth House Apostolate.

You brought about smiles,

not just one or two smiles,

but MANY smiles.

You provided our Nazareth House Staff in Freetown, Sierra Leone

with the means

to bring the spirit of Christmas to many people.

Some received

candy canes,

some received rice,

some got a little cash

to help them along.

Others got chickens,

and yes, there are still more shoes to be given.

In return, it is you and I that have been gifted by all this.

On Christmas morning I opened these pictures from James in my email inbox.

These are my greatest gifts I have received: But one in particular lifted my spirits and made me cry tears of joy. It is this picture below:

And another picture of the same child with a smile on her face as she licks her candy cane.

Look again, do you know who it is?

It is a child I never have seen smile, click here for past blog post about her and yet here she is smiling, her eyes shining!

It is little Husianatu from the window of our website homepage. The child lonely for her twin sister who died several months ago. James has brought her family Christmas gifts of rice, candy canes, supplies, etc.

What joy to see this, to see this child smiling. What joy it is to see others smiling, too.

James, you could not have given me a better gift, thank you my son, you’ve done well. And to all of you, our Nazareth House supporters, I say the same:

Thank You so much, you’ve done well and these pictures say it all! Please keep it up, the needs continue so we must continue to give as well.

The Christmas songs are playing over and over on the radio. In particular one song, written by John Lennon captures my attention. It says, “…and so this is Christmas and what have you done?”

Allow these pictures to show you what you’ve done, what we’ve all done through Nazareth House Apostolate.

You brought about smiles,

not just one or two smiles,

but MANY smiles.

You provided our Nazareth House Staff in Freetown, Sierra Leone

with the means

to bring the spirit of Christmas to many people.

Some received

candy canes,

some received rice,

some got a little cash

to help them along.

Others got chickens,

and yes, there are still more shoes to be given.

In return, it is you and I that have been gifted by all this.

On Christmas morning I opened these pictures from James in my email inbox.

These are my greatest gifts I have received: But one in particular lifted my spirits and made me cry tears of joy.  It is this picture below:

And another picture of the same child with a smile on her face as she licks her candy cane.

Look again, do you know who it is?

It is a child I never have seen smile, click here for past blog post about her and yet here she is smiling, her eyes shining!

It is little Husianatu from the window of our website homepage. The child lonely for her twin sister who died several months ago. James has brought her family Christmas gifts of rice, candy canes, supplies, etc.

What joy to see this, to see this child smiling. What joy it is to see others smiling, too.

James, you could not have given me a better gift, thank you my son, you’ve done well. And to all of you, our Nazareth House supporters, I say the same:

Thank You so much, you’ve done well and these pictures say it all! Please keep it up, the needs continue so we must continue to give as well.

The Christmas songs are playing over and over on the radio. In particular one song, written by John Lennon captures my attention. It says, “…and so this is Christmas and what have you done?”

Allow these pictures to show you what you’ve done, what we’ve all done through Nazareth House Apostolate.

You brought about smiles,

not just one or two smiles,

but MANY smiles.

You provided our Nazareth House Staff in Freetown, Sierra Leone

with the means

to bring the spirit of Christmas to many people.

Some received

candy canes,

some received rice,

some got a little cash

to help them along.

Others got chickens,

and yes, there are still more shoes to be given.

In return, it is you and I that have been gifted by all this.

On Christmas morning I opened these pictures from James in my email inbox.

These are my greatest gifts I have received: But one in particular lifted my spirits and made me cry tears of joy. It is this picture below:

And another picture of the same child with a smile on her face as she licks her candy cane.

Look again, do you know who it is?

It is a child I never have seen smile, click here for past blog post about her and yet here she is smiling, her eyes shining!

It is little Husianatu from the window of our website homepage. The child lonely for her twin sister who died several months ago. James has brought her family Christmas gifts of rice, candy canes, supplies, etc.

What joy to see this, to see this child smiling. What joy it is to see others smiling, too.

James, you could not have given me a better gift, thank you my son, you’ve done well. And to all of you, our Nazareth House supporters, I say the same:

Thank You so much, you’ve done well and these pictures say it all! Please keep it up, the needs continue so we must continue to give as well.

This morning, children all over the world are waking up to an abundance of toys and goodies under the Christmas Tree.

There will be those children in First World Countries that will grumble at not getting the right toy, or those that quickly become bored with their abundance of toys and begin looking for more presents, something more to keep them stimulated.

The Children of Nazareth House Apostolate School in Kabala have just got the word that James is in town. He has brought them their Christmas gift …and for most of them… it is the only gift they will receive.

Nevertheless, the excitement is evident as they run

to the school to collect this very special treat. As they hurriedly make their way to the Nazareth House School,

we notice they are wearing the shoes they received some weeks ago through the Nazareth House/One Love “We Got Feet” Collection Drive.

The shoes are dusty showing the residue of the winds of the Harmattan Season. To the people in Kabala, it is cold and dust covers everything during this time. Happy with anticipation, they wait for the teachers

to hand out the special gift that will make their day. And then they receive their prize! They didn’t get a gameboy,

they didn’t get any games,

they didn’t get new clothes,

nor did they get a Barbie Doll,

or a scooter, or anything like that… they got a candy cane.

One Candy cane is their entire Christmas Gift

and you know what?

They are totally delighted

and very satisfied.

Look at these faces,

see the smiles…

I’ve seen a lot of children with more toys than they know what to do with,

but I’ve never seen those children

with smiles as big

and genuine

as these Kabala children.

The NHA teachers enjoyed a candy cane themselves!

On the way to Kabala to deliver the candy canes, James and Albert stopped at some of the villages to give out the tasty little canes.

At first the children weren’t too sure of what this object was…

but they quickly found out.

May you enjoy the real meaning of Christmas today and always.

God bless you all.

This morning, children all over the world are waking up to an abundance of toys and goodies under the Christmas Tree.

There will be those children in First World Countries that will grumble at not getting the right toy, or those that quickly become bored with their abundance of toys and begin looking for more presents, something more to keep them stimulated.

The Children of Nazareth House Apostolate School in Kabala have just got the word that James is in town. He has brought them their Christmas gift …and for most of them… it is the only gift they will receive.

Nevertheless, the excitement is evident as they run

to the school to collect this very special treat. As they hurriedly make their way to the Nazareth House School,

we notice they are wearing the shoes they received some weeks ago through the Nazareth House/One Love “We Got Feet” Collection Drive.

The shoes are dusty showing the residue of the winds of the Harmattan Season. To the people in Kabala, it is cold and dust covers everything during this time. Happy with anticipation, they wait for the teachers

to hand out the special gift that will make their day. And then they receive their prize! They didn’t get a gameboy,

they didn’t get any games,

they didn’t get new clothes,

nor did they get a Barbie Doll,

or a scooter, or anything like that… they got a candy cane.

One Candy cane is their entire Christmas Gift

and you know what?

They are totally delighted

and very satisfied.

Look at these faces,

see the smiles…

I’ve seen a lot of children with more toys than they know what to do with,

but I’ve never seen those children

with smiles as big

and genuine

as these Kabala children.

The NHA teachers enjoyed a candy cane themselves!

On the way to Kabala to deliver the candy canes, James and Albert stopped at some of the villages to give out the tasty little canes.

At first the children weren’t too sure of what this object was…

but they quickly found out.

May you enjoy the real meaning of Christmas today and always.

God bless you all.

This morning, children all over the world are waking up to an abundance of toys and goodies under the Christmas Tree.

There will be those children in First World Countries that will grumble at not getting the right toy, or those that quickly become bored with their abundance of toys and begin looking for more presents, something more to keep them stimulated.

The Children of Nazareth House Apostolate School in Kabala have just got the word that James is in town. He has brought them their Christmas gift …and for most of them… it is the only gift they will receive.

Nevertheless, the excitement is evident as they run

to the school to collect this very special treat. As they hurriedly make their way to the Nazareth House School,

we notice they are wearing the shoes they received some weeks ago through the Nazareth House/One Love “We Got Feet” Collection Drive.

The shoes are dusty showing the residue of the winds of the Harmattan Season. To the people in Kabala, it is cold and dust covers everything during this time. Happy with anticipation, they wait for the teachers

to hand out the special gift that will make their day. And then they receive their prize! They didn’t get a gameboy,

they didn’t get any games,

they didn’t get new clothes,

nor did they get a Barbie Doll,

or a scooter, or anything like that… they got a candy cane.

One Candy cane is their entire Christmas Gift

and you know what?

They are totally delighted

and very satisfied.

Look at these faces,

see the smiles…

I’ve seen a lot of children with more toys than they know what to do with,

but I’ve never seen those children

with smiles as big

and genuine

as these Kabala children.

The NHA teachers enjoyed a candy cane themselves!

On the way to Kabala to deliver the candy canes, James and Albert stopped at some of the villages to give out the tasty little canes.

At first the children weren’t too sure of what this object was…

but they quickly found out.

May you enjoy the real meaning of Christmas today and always.

God bless you all.

Christmas Eve Mass at Grace Church: 6:30 PM
Christmas Day Mass at Grace Church: 6:30 AM

Christmas Eve Mass at Grace Church: 6:30 PM
Christmas Day Mass at Grace Church: 6:30 AM

As we journeyed on, getting closer and closer to Kabala, we are anxious to meet the twins. I am talking about the little girls that, along with the Nazareth House Logo,

have become an icon representing Nazareth House Apostolate.

Asiatu and Husianatu, twins peering through the window.

I couldn’t wait to thank the little girls for the beautiful picture. Asiatu & Husianatu holding James’ hand.

I wanted to personally meet their parents and thank them for myself. I had supplies and rice ready for them. The closer we got to their house, the more excited I became.Finally James drives up to their house and they come out to greet us, except I see only one twin and she is leary of us, staying to herself, distancing herself from all that was going on. James explains to the parents that I am anxious to meet the girls. I notice the change in his face, I don’t understand. I am still looking for the other twin. James turns to me and says, “Mum, Asiatu has passed on, she passed four months ago”. I knew she had worms, I could tell in the photos. I even brought worm medication specifically for them. Try as I might, I was unable to withhold the tears. My stomach sunk, my heart broke. You want everyone to be okay. Its our nature, especially as Americans,to think we can fix it all. Then there’s times like this when reality slaps you in the face and you realize all you can do is keep trying and bear witness to all. People need to know how others live or shall I say barely exist.

Husianatu went to the window. How many times I have looked on our website at the girls peering through window. You can see they are peering beyond, looking for a better world. Half of this little team has found it. And Nazareth House will continue to do all it can to help the other twin and her family live a better life while she is still in this world.
The twin was standing outside the window and I tried to laugh and joke with her, trying to distract the sadness out of the moment. But that’s what the moment held and it was all we had, so we just embraced it. Next thing I knew, Husianatua left and as I looked at the window, I see the lone child peering out. I don’t have words to explain the heaviness in my heart as I looked at her, alone in the window. I reached for her, her eyes are so sad, but I remember they are the same sad eyes in the photo on our website.
I wander over to Fr. Seraphim, he and James are giving rice to the family. I can’t tell you how much it means that you all pooled together to provide the “on-the-ground” needs while we were in Sierra Leone. We were able to do so much with what you gave. This is what its all about: Loving and giving and you’ve all made that possible. The unity, the teamwork, Nazareth House supporters are the best.Although we now have one less looking at us from out of the window,We also now have one more looking at us from heaven.and Asiatu is cheering us on! Back on the road, we travel on to the next stop… We’ll tell you about that later this week.
God bless you all, you fill my heart. You fill their hearts. Thank you for your continued support of Nazareth House Apostolate.

As we journeyed on, getting closer and closer to Kabala, we are anxious to meet the twins. I am talking about the little girls that, along with the Nazareth House Logo,

have become an icon representing Nazareth House Apostolate.

Asiatu and Husianatu, twins peering through the window.

I couldn’t wait to thank the little girls for the beautiful picture. Asiatu & Husianatu holding James’ hand.

I wanted to personally meet their parents and thank them for myself. I had supplies and rice ready for them. The closer we got to their house, the more excited I became.Finally James drives up to their house and they come out to greet us, except I see only one twin and she is leary of us, staying to herself, distancing herself from all that was going on. James explains to the parents that I am anxious to meet the girls. I notice the change in his face, I don’t understand. I am still looking for the other twin. James turns to me and says, “Mum, Asiatu has passed on, she passed four months ago”. I knew she had worms, I could tell in the photos. I even brought worm medication specifically for them. Try as I might, I was unable to withhold the tears. My stomach sunk, my heart broke. You want everyone to be okay. Its our nature, especially as Americans,to think we can fix it all. Then there’s times like this when reality slaps you in the face and you realize all you can do is keep trying and bear witness to all. People need to know how others live or shall I say barely exist.

Husianatu went to the window. How many times I have looked on our website at the girls peering through window. You can see they are peering beyond, looking for a better world. Half of this little team has found it. And Nazareth House will continue to do all it can to help the other twin and her family live a better life while she is still in this world.
The twin was standing outside the window and I tried to laugh and joke with her, trying to distract the sadness out of the moment. But that’s what the moment held and it was all we had, so we just embraced it. Next thing I knew, Husianatua left and as I looked at the window, I see the lone child peering out. I don’t have words to explain the heaviness in my heart as I looked at her, alone in the window. I reached for her, her eyes are so sad, but I remember they are the same sad eyes in the photo on our website.
I wander over to Fr. Seraphim, he and James are giving rice to the family. I can’t tell you how much it means that you all pooled together to provide the “on-the-ground” needs while we were in Sierra Leone. We were able to do so much with what you gave. This is what its all about: Loving and giving and you’ve all made that possible. The unity, the teamwork, Nazareth House supporters are the best.Although we now have one less looking at us from out of the window,We also now have one more looking at us from heaven.and Asiatu is cheering us on! Back on the road, we travel on to the next stop… We’ll tell you about that later this week.
God bless you all, you fill my heart. You fill their hearts. Thank you for your continued support of Nazareth House Apostolate.