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.

Part 1 can be reviewed by clicking HERE.

As we travel on towards Kabala, we are taking periodic stops, to check on our bald tires, to stretch our legs, have lunch and allow Fr. Seraphim his prayer time.
It is lunch time and the road conditions will soon be getting worse, at this point they are only beginning to show what is up ahead. Only a few scattered potholes are present, but we know a few miles down the road; that will not be the case.We find a shaded spot to pull off and enjoy our lunch. There doesn’t seem to be any villages around and we have a little time to ourselves before we reach Kabala and meet with all the school children. As we finish our lunch and begin to clean up,
Fr. Seraphim finds a space to do his Prayer Office, as Kadijah and I decide to find a private area in the weeds to go to the bathroom. Fr. Seraphim tells us that beyond the trail there is a small stream through the woods, so we head that way – only to meet a man on a bicycle coming out of nowhere. Apparently his village is way up beyond the stream. It is amazing, every time I believe I have total privacy in a thicket or jungle grove, out pops someone from thin air.

The man goes on ahead of us and Kadijah and I do our business and meet up with him at the car. As we talk with him, soon women appear (again from out of nowhere). are there 2 or 3? No there are more…Kadijah and I were just by the stream, and we didn’t see anyone, no evidence of someone approaching, but sure enough here they come. I love it, I love Salone.
We’ve been granted yet another opportunity to meet new friends. We chat for a bit and then we must be on our way. There are many other stops to make before we reach our destination in Kabala.
Before we leave our new friends, I make sure to slip them a few leones as a gift to buy whatever supplies they may need. Everyone can always use a little extra.Just as we drive off, I look back and see the man on the bicycle has pulled out a cell phone from his pocket. He is calling his relatives to tell about our meeting. Another phenomenon, most people don’t have enough food or necessary items to sustain themselves, but nearly all have cell phones. And they have service even in the midst of a jungle. My daughter in America told me that I came through clearer calling from Sierra Leone than when I am right next door to her. Remote villagers having cell phones puzzles people in the West, but not me. Cell towers are everywhere and this is a good thing. When you are stuck out in a village devoid of emergency medical facilities, etc. in the jungle, it is a blessing to be able to connect with someone and share your troubles.

Although it is a long drive and not an easy one at all, I love traveling to Kabala meeting the villagers as we go along. If we ever had the time, I would turn the trip into a three day journey stopping at every village along the way just to meet everyone. ………………Who knows, maybe next year, I’ll do this.

Part 1 can be reviewed by clicking HERE.

As we travel on towards Kabala, we are taking periodic stops, to check on our bald tires, to stretch our legs, have lunch and allow Fr. Seraphim his prayer time.
It is lunch time and the road conditions will soon be getting worse, at this point they are only beginning to show what is up ahead. Only a few scattered potholes are present, but we know a few miles down the road; that will not be the case.We find a shaded spot to pull off and enjoy our lunch. There doesn’t seem to be any villages around and we have a little time to ourselves before we reach Kabala and meet with all the school children. As we finish our lunch and begin to clean up,
Fr. Seraphim finds a space to do his Prayer Office, as Kadijah and I decide to find a private area in the weeds to go to the bathroom. Fr. Seraphim tells us that beyond the trail there is a small stream through the woods, so we head that way – only to meet a man on a bicycle coming out of nowhere. Apparently his village is way up beyond the stream. It is amazing, every time I believe I have total privacy in a thicket or jungle grove, out pops someone from thin air.

The man goes on ahead of us and Kadijah and I do our business and meet up with him at the car. As we talk with him, soon women appear (again from out of nowhere). are there 2 or 3? No there are more…Kadijah and I were just by the stream, and we didn’t see anyone, no evidence of someone approaching, but sure enough here they come. I love it, I love Salone.
We’ve been granted yet another opportunity to meet new friends. We chat for a bit and then we must be on our way. There are many other stops to make before we reach our destination in Kabala.
Before we leave our new friends, I make sure to slip them a few leones as a gift to buy whatever supplies they may need. Everyone can always use a little extra.Just as we drive off, I look back and see the man on the bicycle has pulled out a cell phone from his pocket. He is calling his relatives to tell about our meeting. Another phenomenon, most people don’t have enough food or necessary items to sustain themselves, but nearly all have cell phones. And they have service even in the midst of a jungle. My daughter in America told me that I came through clearer calling from Sierra Leone than when I am right next door to her. Remote villagers having cell phones puzzles people in the West, but not me. Cell towers are everywhere and this is a good thing. When you are stuck out in a village devoid of emergency medical facilities, etc. in the jungle, it is a blessing to be able to connect with someone and share your troubles.

Although it is a long drive and not an easy one at all, I love traveling to Kabala meeting the villagers as we go along. If we ever had the time, I would turn the trip into a three day journey stopping at every village along the way just to meet everyone. ………………Who knows, maybe next year, I’ll do this.

Part 1 can be reviewed by clicking HERE.

As we travel on towards Kabala, we are taking periodic stops, to check on our bald tires, to stretch our legs, have lunch and allow Fr. Seraphim his prayer time.
It is lunch time and the road conditions will soon be getting worse, at this point they are only beginning to show what is up ahead. Only a few scattered potholes are present, but we know a few miles down the road; that will not be the case.We find a shaded spot to pull off and enjoy our lunch. There doesn’t seem to be any villages around and we have a little time to ourselves before we reach Kabala and meet with all the school children. As we finish our lunch and begin to clean up,
Fr. Seraphim finds a space to do his Prayer Office, as Kadijah and I decide to find a private area in the weeds to go to the bathroom. Fr. Seraphim tells us that beyond the trail there is a small stream through the woods, so we head that way – only to meet a man on a bicycle coming out of nowhere. Apparently his village is way up beyond the stream. It is amazing, every time I believe I have total privacy in a thicket or jungle grove, out pops someone from thin air.

The man goes on ahead of us and Kadijah and I do our business and meet up with him at the car. As we talk with him, soon women appear (again from out of nowhere). are there 2 or 3? No there are more…Kadijah and I were just by the stream, and we didn’t see anyone, no evidence of someone approaching, but sure enough here they come. I love it, I love Salone.
We’ve been granted yet another opportunity to meet new friends. We chat for a bit and then we must be on our way. There are many other stops to make before we reach our destination in Kabala.
Before we leave our new friends, I make sure to slip them a few leones as a gift to buy whatever supplies they may need. Everyone can always use a little extra.Just as we drive off, I look back and see the man on the bicycle has pulled out a cell phone from his pocket. He is calling his relatives to tell about our meeting. Another phenomenon, most people don’t have enough food or necessary items to sustain themselves, but nearly all have cell phones. And they have service even in the midst of a jungle. My daughter in America told me that I came through clearer calling from Sierra Leone than when I am right next door to her. Remote villagers having cell phones puzzles people in the West, but not me. Cell towers are everywhere and this is a good thing. When you are stuck out in a village devoid of emergency medical facilities, etc. in the jungle, it is a blessing to be able to connect with someone and share your troubles.

Although it is a long drive and not an easy one at all, I love traveling to Kabala meeting the villagers as we go along. If we ever had the time, I would turn the trip into a three day journey stopping at every village along the way just to meet everyone. ………………Who knows, maybe next year, I’ll do this.

The Elves that reside at St. Laurence House, Freetown, Sierra Leone are working hard to bring a little better Christmas to those around them. Help them out, give to Nazareth House Apostolate this Christmas.

The Elves that reside at St. Laurence House, Freetown, Sierra Leone are working hard to bring a little better Christmas to those around them. Help them out, give to Nazareth House Apostolate this Christmas.

The Elves that reside at St. Laurence House, Freetown, Sierra Leone are working hard to bring a little better Christmas to those around them. Help them out, give to Nazareth House Apostolate this Christmas.