Kabala

Friday Smiles

Posted in Freetown, Kabala, labor and delivery Sierra Leone, Nazareth house apostolate, Nazareth House Apostolate School on January 13th, 2012 by vicki – Be the first to comment
(All photos on this post and on this blog are the property of the photographers and Nazareth House Apostolate - All rights reserved.  They cannot be used for any purpose without written permission from Nazareth House)

 

 

It is all smiles for the Mansaray Family.

Papa James is bursting with joy that his youngest daughter has arrived
and is healthy
and that is beloved wife survived the birth
in a country where maternal mortality during delivery is very high,
Having malaria, enduring a long drive from Kabala to Freetown, it is amazing how well Kadijah is doing!  Thank God.

Lucy is back at boarding school, unable to leave the school to be with her family, yet,  delighted that her baby sister and mom are doing well.  Lucy is all the more determined to study harder.   She knows how much we need doctors in Kabala.

….and Roo…

Roo wasn’t sure what to think about all this and was being very quiet…

but now that he met his little sister
well..look at those eyes… they say it all
Baby Vicki has definitely met with his approval
At this post, James is working his way back to Kabala,
he has work to do and we have villages to care for.
In our line of work, there is no “family leave”.
The Needs don’t stop, the work is ongoing.
People like this little “lucky charm” toddler are depending on us.
They depend on you and I to lend them the hand.  If you haven’t already committed to a monthly donation, please consider doing so today.
Through your generosity, NHA has given help to many, but the light of each new day uncovers more that need us.
We can’t fulfill every need, but with your help, we can help many – bit by bit, person by person AND put a smile on their face.
After checking on the latest new villages, James will return this weekend to pick up his family once Kadijah and Vicki are released from the hospital.

Please pray for him as he travels the roads of Sierra Leone, road travel is not safe.  Drivers are wild and the roads bad.
Its all about love….
Nazareth House Apostolate (NHA)
185 Captains Cove Drive
Taylorsville, KY 40071


Note: For those of you in America who have noticed the earrings already in Vicki’s ears.  This is Africa, its a different culture and ears are pierced at a much earlier age than in USA.  This has been part of their culture from the beginning.

This Weeks Full Moon brings a full week for NHA

Posted in Ashley Landess, Freetown, Kabala, Nazareth house apostolate, Sierra Leone, Thomas Hilditch Landess, Tom Landess on January 11th, 2012 by vicki – Be the first to comment
Nazareth has had a full range of emotions this week.
Seraphim especially enjoyed his conversations with Tom
The week began with the passing of Thomas Hilditch Landess, a dear friend to Seraphim and I and to Nazareth House Apostolate.
Lucy in Sierra Leone sending condolences for the family
James and his family in Sierra Leone have not been able to meet Tom Landess or his family, but they know them well and have been friends for years.
Roo especially, since Tom’s wife, Mary Beth has always had a special nitch in her heart filled with Roo.
And Roo loves her.  The bond is there – no need to meet face to face, the heart travels across oceans and bonds the two.
The news that Tom dropped the body this week hit us all hard, including the Mansaray family.  They, too,  share the loss and grieve with the family.
And as one friend passes another one arrives.
In the middle of the night I receive this text that James and family have packed into a car and made the long trip from Kabala to Freetown.  Kadijah ‘s fever is worse and with the baby nearing time for delivery they thought they could find better medical attention in Freetown.
I received word at 4:24 AM this morning that James wife, Kadijah has given birth to a baby girl – her name is Vicki.
We will keep you informed and send pictures as we get them.
God bless you all, Nazareth House Apostolate truly is a family … We love you all.

Hello 2012!

Posted in Kabala, Nazareth house apostolate, NHA, NHA school, St Simeon Skete, Sunday School, The Parish of St. Mark's Anglican Church on January 2nd, 2012 by vicki – 1 Comment

 

The weather here at St. Simeon Skete currently remains unseasonably warm, albeit, the winds are escorting in the first very cold air of the Winter.

The first sunrise of 2012 majestically peeks through the clouds, a new day….a new year.


2011 proved to be a remarkable year for us at Nazareth House Apostolate.


St. Simeon Skete newly acquired, we began 2011 realizing there would be a lot of work to do, but also understanding it was purposeful work and we were excited to get started.


The Nazareth House Apostolate Compound in Kabala Sierra Leone was a pressing necessity and we needed to get the construction contract paid and the cost of the land.


St. Augustine of Canterbury Anglican Church in Chico California organized a Walk-a-thon on New Years Day last year and helped to  jumpstart the funding for this project.

Our director of operations in Sierra Leone, James Mansaray had arrived in America after years of denied visas and was able to participate in the walk.
We are happy to report that we paid off the Contractor and the building is complete (except for the well which we will complete as rainy season ends and weather permits) and the need for a generator.  Individuals, small businesses and churches came together to see the Compound completed.

NHA now owns not only the land the school sits on but also that which the compound is built on and the structures.
We continue to strive for 1000 supporters giving $25 a month to keep the work of Nazareth House in operations both in Sierra Leone and at the skete in the United States.

As of this post, we have 30 supporters giving monthly.


The circumstances requiring our attention in Sierra Leone are overwhelming, yet,


we have been able to make the immediate necessities each month –


such as paying the teachers


at our Kabala school


and caring for those who could not make it without our help.


Some months we were late getting the funding in, but we made it every month – all the while paying down the Compound Fund.
The first year at the skete, has been both rewarding and very challenging.

There is (and remains) much to do in transforming the place into a  skete

as well as maintain the property and the 6 buildings on the grounds.


The manual work is heavy, yet, the daily Mass, the 11 Prayer Offices nor the daily Rosary have been missed, to the contrary they have been deepened.


There have been many that have arrived here as visitors but left as family, feeling a bond through the prayer.

 



As 2011 closed, the Sunday School Students of the parish of St. Mark’s Anglican Church



provided, packed and shipped the Annual Candy Canes (along with personal hand-made Christmas greeting cards)


for the students of Nazareth House Apostolate School.


This is for most of them, their only Christmas gift.


And, as always, you can see by the smiles on their face – its enough, they are not only satisfied but delighted.


We will be featuring this joy with our students this week,


as the final days of Christmas come to a close.

Check this blog often this week for updates.

As the first sunset of 2012 blazes behind the lake at St. Simeon Skete,  and we celebrate this last week of Christmas
we send you our love and thanksgiving.  Thank you for teaming together to be there for others both in prayer and deed.  From Nazareth House Apostolate, its board members, our staff in Sierra Leone, our students, teachers and the people we serve, we thank you for your love and support.  You are held daily  in our hearts and prayers.  God bless you all.

What’s next?

Posted in africa, Kabala, NHA, NHA COMPOUND, Roo, Sierra Leone, St Augustine of Canterbury, St Bartholomews, St Simeon Skete on December 7th, 2011 by vicki – Be the first to comment
On December 1, two of the three packages we sent to Sierra Leone arrived. One box was missing.
Inside the boxes were the medications collected and sent by the Anglican Church Women of St. Augustine of Canterbury Anglican Church in Chico,  California.
When these packages arrived, Roo was beginning to recover from the first batch of distress from this mysterious illness he has been suffering.
We thought we were on the upswing with his illness and things looked brighter.
In the missing box there was a backpack (a free gift from Staples) stuffed with worm medication and hospital strength ibuprofen.
It was disappointing that one box was missing.  For the first time in many years, postal boxes have not been coming through to Freetown.   Later is better than never and the boxes have now arrived.   The photo below is of Lucy sporting the new backpack (sent filled with worm pills).
Recently,  another box has arrived – a critical box filled with the iron tablets that Roo so desperately needs.  It came just as he suffered yet another relapse with high fever.
It breaks my heart to look at Roo in these photos as I see the loss of strength and weight in him.   He looks small for his age compared to the guitar.

But James reports that he is showing signs of improvement and hopefully he’ll bounce back.  I had fear that it was something more serious but it could very well be a severe case of vitamin and mineral deficiency.  We are working to correct that.
 

Nazareth House makes monthly shipments of medication from Taylorsville to Freetown.  We encounter tremendous needs in Sierra Leone, yet we ask that people resist the urge to donate items to this cause unless specifically requested.

It’s actually prohibitively expensive to export goods from the United States to Sierra Leone.  Rather cash donations are preferred and greatly appreciated.
This approach benefits the local economy (local skills, labor & materials) – for example our NHA School uniforms:  when the material is bought in Freetown, the seamstresses are hired to make the uniforms which keeps the Material shop in business and allows the seamstress to provide for her family.  This is a win, win situation because our students get a uniform as well as others benefiting from the process.   If we make the uniforms here in America and send them, they would cost much more per uniform since we’d have to pay shipping …and the Material Shop (local business in Freetown) and the skilled laborer (Seamstress) would have not had the opportunity to actively use their trade.   This allows NHA to concentrate on more immediate needs such as filling hungry bellies and medical assistance.
This is something NHA feels strongly about, it is our goal to provide the tools and opportunities that bring about the change and education for a community to rise above their current status and stand on their own.  NHA doesn’t want, nor does the people they serve want us to constantly be giving humanitarian aid. Our long term goal is to serve a community to the point of no longer being needed.  As the community functions on their own, we can then move on to help another community, knowing the first one is self-sufficient.

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so be filled with the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2).
These are the reasons we ask for funding, rather than items – plus it also assures your tax deductible donations go directly to support needs and projects and reduces administration costs especially shipping. 

We try to limit the items that we send to items necessary for survival – that which are unavailable in Sierra Leone, especially in Kabala.   From time to time, we do accept donations of over the counter medications but please refrain from sending these items to us in Taylorsville without first checking with us.  Contact us via the email listed on our website.

With the completion of the NHA Compound and the building contractor completely paid off we have been asked, “What’s next?”   There are always needs to be met, both in Sierra Leone and at the heart of our operations – St. Simeon Skete.
2012 Projects, Needs, Goals
John 16:24
Matthew 7:7
  1. Kadijah will be delivering her baby in about 6 weeks or less.  The cost for her delivery will be $500 (PAID Yesterday by ACW of St. Augustine: Chico California)
  2. Maintenance.The buildings at St. Simeon Skete (The Chapel, The Kellia and Anna House) are wood and require immediate painting and sealing this Spring. This was the wettest year in history in Kentucky and it certainly did not help the wood at the Skete.  Much of the wood on the decks is warping and beginning to rot.  We have received several estimates, however the best was an estimate for ALL three buildings of $15,000. This includes power washing, the paint, the sealant and repair of deteriorating wood and the labor.  For three considerably sized buildings with a lot of wood, this is an excellent quote.
  3. Lucy, James daughter, plans to become a doctor.  Considering the troubles we experience trying to find a honest qualified doctor, to see her through the schooling is one of the most positive projects NHA can set out to accomplish.  To have our own resident doctor within the NHA team can mean wonders to the betterment of the village we serve.  Our NHA school has not reached the level of education that Lucy already has.  We add levels each year, but Lucy is far beyond that.  We struggled with homeschooling but with the insufficient Internet service in Sierra Leone and no electricity in Kabala, Lucy was being held back and losing the quality of teaching she was receiving before.  After much prayer and investigation we found a Boarding School in Freetown where Lucy can get the accelerated education and tailor her studies to that of becoming a physician.  We have been unsuccessful in convincing American Doctors to come and live in Kabala so far, so the quicker we can get Lucy on the road to becoming a doctor the better.   The cost for her education, room and board runs just at $3,000 per year.  (Payments made so far this year for her school from The Millers, Kirkland, WA;  St. Bartholomew’s Anglican Church: Redmond, WA; L Burwell, Louisville, KY)  We still owe $900
  4. James must travel long hours crammed in unmaintained taxis operated by dangerously careless (many times intoxicated) drivers on treacherous roads to and from Kabala to obtain the post and financial support each month.  Every time he is in this situation, his life is in jeopardy.   We need a car owned by NHA that James can operate and maintain in a safe manner.   We don’t need a large car or an expensive new car – just a safe, maintainable car.   James says he thinks we can find one anywhere $6,000 to $10,000
  5. We are at 300 students at the NHA School today, hundreds more are wanting to attend but we do not have adequate room or teachers to support such an influx of students.  To expand the school, adding more classrooms it will costs just at $17, 500.   We pay the teachers $100 per month, we currently have 8 teachers.   Each month it would be an additional $100 with every teacher we add.
  6. St. Simeon Skete of Nazareth House Apostolate is the heart from which ongoing prayer beats the life into all that we do, especially the work in Sierra Leone.  Without this prayer, there would be nothing accomplished.  Those in residence stand before Our Lord as intercessors for every man, the whole of mankind.   They are not there because they ran away from others, but so they can become closer to others by deepening their relationship with Christ as they serve him.  This is why it is important to pray for vocations for the Skete.   In years past, people counted on those with vocations to hold them up in prayer as they went about the necessary duties of daily life.  In India they believe that the sages that do nothing but sit in prayer, high in the mountains, are the reason the world continues.  Abraham asked if the Lord would spare the cities if fifty righteous people lived there.  The Lord said yes.  Boldly, Abraham kept bargaining down, until God agreed not to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah if even ten righteous people lived there.  God was mercifully willing to spare the cities for the sake of a few righteous people, but none lived there.   Vocations of prayer such as at the skete or at monasteries are dwindling and I believe we see the results of this in the depravity of today’s world.  Being called to be a religious at the Skete involves community, but most importantly revolves around that person’s deepening of their relationship to God.  We consider the Skete “the grand experiment”  - only time will tell if the life of prayer, a deepened relationship with God lived for others will find support. In the Fall of 2010 the skete property became available.  Nazareth House Apostolate had no funding, no credit and no idea how to make this happen.   Nazareth House’s funds are twofold – that designated for Sierra Leone and that for administration & operations of the headquarters, etc. in the States. The bulk of our funding is for Sierra Leone and these funds come in and go straight back out to tend to the needs of the mission work.  We had nothing to show a banker to obtain a mortgage for the Skete.   Nevertheless, we stepped out in faith and applied for a loan.There was one miracle after another miracle in obtaining the skete property and they have not stopped once we are here.  After a week or so, with silence from the bank,  I began to think we would be declined but gave them all that they asked for – highlighting what could be rather that what had been.  I made it clear that donations for Sierra Leone must go to Sierra Leone and could not be counted towards a mortgage payment for the skete. Finally one day, the phone rang and it was the banker.   He told me he wanted to talk with me about the “loan structure”.   I asked “what does that mean?”  He told me that the loan had been approved. (Miracle) I began to cry, because there was no logical reason the loan should have been approved.   The banker said “are you okay?” I replied “I am crying.” “I didn’t expect to be approved”   The banker replied (now keep in mind this is a BANKER) “What Nazareth House Apostolate is doing is a good thing, and we want you to do it Taylorsville”.  This was a declaration that someone in the world believed it is worth the support.  An organizational interest free loan was obtained for $350,000 (miracle) and the mortgage through the bank for $250,000 for a total of $600,000.   So we are asking our readers to pray for another miracle that we can retire the mortgage.
  7. There is no electricity in Kabala provided by the government or any other means.  Therefore, it is necessary for the work of NHA in Kabala to obtain a generator for the NHA Compound.  James has checked out the available generators in Freetown and has concluded that there is one that would do adequately for us.  Its price tag is $4,500.
  8. We are also working to secure internet via satellite to the school and the compound.   There is a little building next to the school that NHA is in the process of buying.  It cost $7,000, we’ve paid $1,000 for it so far.  Once we own the building we’d like to turn it into a small teacher’s study/Internet cafe.  The Cafe would charge reasonable rates for use of the Internet and proceeds would go for the benefit of the school. (Another step in self-sufficiency)   I have made inquiries for donations of satellite equipment and am waiting positive response.


Millions and Millions of dollars in donations are asked for everyday by many organizations.  Our goals are modest compared to many of these requests, however, the impact of their fruition is beyond measure.



“Where there is no vision, the people perish (Proverbs 9:18)”.


As NHA strives to fulfill the needs listed above, we continue to meet the regular monthly requirements to sustain both the life of prayer at St. Simeon Skete and the life of those struggling without food, medical care, proper sanitation, running water in Sierra Leone.  Each month we pay our teachers and provide rice and medical assistance for an ever-growing number of families.

We cannot stress enough that Nazareth House Apostolate relies totally on God as he expresses Himself through our supporters’ prayers, compassion and generosity.  This allows us to work together as a team, a family (The NHA Family) to reach thousands of lives by the act of prayer, love and touch.

“Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”

 


“Come and see.”
John 1:46

NHA School, Ismaia Road, Kabala

Posted in africa, Kabala, NHA school, school uniform, Sierra Leone, St Simeon Skete on November 4th, 2011 by vicki – Be the first to comment
Last year when James visited St. Simeon Skete in Taylorsville, Kentucky he was presented with a large sign for the Nazareth House Apostolate School in Kabala. 
During the Summer Break the school building was painted and the sign was framed and placed prominently for all to see.  
There is much to do to keep the school in Kabala and the Skete in Taylorsville  up to date, both administratively and in the way of building maintenance.  The weather presents harsh extremes on a building and we must tend to them accordingly. We count on your donations and support to do this. 

We have nearly 300 students in need of uniforms.  Unlike most schools in Sierra Leone, we provide our students with uniforms without charging their parents.

 This enables parents to send their children for an education without placing a financial hardship on the family.  We do not want a child kept from school because of lack of money or clothing.   The Children pictured above on the NHA School porch represent those uniforms we’ve been able to afford to have made so far.

We have a long way to go to fit them all in new uniforms.  Some of the children continue to make do with the old uniforms, although most are beginning to show much wear.

It costs NHA $25 to provide two (2) uniforms per student.  For  many students this is their only complete outfit they have to wear.   If you would like to provide a set of uniforms for a student (or more) you may do so by sending your donation of $25 to NHA, 185 Captains Cove Dr, Taylorsville, KY 40071 or via the Paypal donation link on our website.  And with the Holiday Season coming up, giving a new uniform triples the gift as it enables the proprietor that sells us the material to keep his Material Shop operating (stimulating the local economy), it allows the seamstress to make some money to buy her family a meal or two with every uniform she sews and a student receives new school clothing.  What a great gift!

This year we hope that you consider Nazareth House Apostolate for your Christmas Gift giving.  For the person who has everything, rather than buying more of what they don’t need, make a real difference in the life of someone in need by donating in the name of that person.  NHA will acknowledge your gift to them in a nice card along with a follow up and photo of how that gift was used.

Today is the Feast Day of St. Charles Borromeo.  
(After the death of his uncle, Pius IV (1566), Borromeo contributed materially to suppressing the cabals of the conclave. Subsequently he devoted himself wholly to the reformation of his diocese. It had deteriorated in practice owing to the 80-year absence of previous archbishops.  Borromeo made numerous pastoral visits, and restored dignity to divine service.  Turning his priests and people towards deeper and deeper prayer.

In conformity with the decrees of the Council of Trent, which suggested simplifying church interiors, Borromeo cleared the cathedral of ornate tombs, rich ornaments, banners, and arms. He did not even spare the monuments of his own relatives. 
He extended his reforms to the collegiate churches, monasteries and even to the Confraternities of Penitents, particularly that of St. John the Baptist. This group was to attend to prisoners and those condemned to death, to give them help and support.
Borromeo believed that abuses in the church arose from clergy ignorance. Among his most important actions, he established seminaries, colleges and communities for the education of candidates for holy orders. His emphasis on Catholic learning greatly increased the preparation of men for priesthood and benefited their congregations.
In addition, Borromeo founded the fraternity of Oblates of St. Ambrose, a society of secular men who did not take orders, but devoted themselves to the church and followed a discipline of monastic prayers and study. They provided assistance to parishes where ordered by the church.
n 1576, when Milan suffered an epidemic of the bubonic plague, Borromeo led efforts to accommodate the sick and bury the dead. He avoided no danger and spared no expense. He visited all the parishes where the contagion raged, distributing money, providing accommodation for the sick, and punishing those, especially the clergy, who were remiss in discharging their duties.
Borromeo met with much opposition to his reforms. The governor of the province, and many of the senators, addressed complaints to the courts of Rome and Madrid. They were apprehensive that the cardinal’s ordinances would encroach upon the civil jurisdiction.
Borromeo also faced staunch opposition of several religious orders, particularly that of the Humiliati (Brothers of Humility). Some members of that society formed a conspiracy against his life, and a shot was fired at him in the archiepiscopal chapel. His survival was considered miraculous. (Brothers of Humility tried to have him murdered – how humble of them…wow)
He successfully attacked his Jesuit confessor, Giovanni Battista Ribera who, with other members of the college of Milan, was found to be guilty of unnatural offenses. This action increased Borromeo’s enemies within the church.
Borromeo’s manifold labors and austerities appear to have shortened his life. He was seized with an intermittent fever, and died at Milan on 3 November 1584. He was canonized in 1610, and his feast is celebrated on 4 November each year in the Roman Catholic Rite.)

NHA Student receives snakebite

Posted in africa, cobra, ismaia road, james mansaray, Kabala, NHA, NHA school, Sierra Leone, snakebite, St Simeon Skete on October 26th, 2011 by vicki – Be the first to comment
A 7 year old girl, living in Africa, has had a good day at school, enjoyed running and being around her friends.  
As night falls, she helps prepare the family meal by boiling potatoes.  There is no electricity, she can barely see by the light of the fire under the cooking pot.  She takes a step and her bare foot lands on an angry snake – a cobra.  The snake reacts and she is bitten.  Did I tell you that she is only 7 years old?  
She is rushed to a hospital –  isn’t that what you are supposed to do when you are injured or sick? Arriving at the hospital she finds no medical personnel.  They have left for the night, leaving their patients to fend for themselves, not one doctor anywhere to be found.  As if that isn’t turmoil enough, the storage area that contains the venom antiserum is locked with only one man to have access to it.   
Sounds like a horror story or a movie but this is exactly how Fatu spent her evening last night.  

Scared and in pain, she lies on a hospital a damp plastic bed – no sheets.  The headboard is dirty, the paint is cracked and chipped. 
A make-shift tourniquet is placed around her leg, her toe has been bitten.  The swelling is beginning to take place.
James makes contact with the one and only man who has access to the Antiserum, the man asks if James has any money.  James pays and the antiserum is made available.  
As there is only one man with access to the antiserum in the whole village, it turns out there is only one antiserum pack – for all of the village.  It has been used on Fatu, the next snake bite victim is out of luck. 
After the pain reliever and the antiserum, Fatu seems much better.  The night will tell whether she continues to improve or not.  
Such is the case for villagers in and around Kabala, medication and medical help is extremely limited. 
This is why they depend on NHA to help them out.  
NHA has just purchased ($319.00) and is sending Vermox (generic form) for worms – internal parasites – along with antibiotics, etc.  Its not nearly enough, but one child saved, one life made better makes the difference.    It cost us $3.00 per pill and it takes 6 pills to cure someone with worms invading their bodies.  It is your donations that provide these pills. 
We will be looking for ways to make sure snake anti-venom serum is provided.  It is these needs, these situations that beg your compassion and generosity.  Help NHA help those in need.  Give today, give someone in Sierra Leone a chance. 
Nazareth House Apostolate
185 Captains Cove Dr.
Taylorsville, KY 40071
or through the website 
by using the paypal donation link.   

Delivered to your door

Posted in africa, amazon, delivery, Kabala, skete, St Simeon Skete, United Parcel Service, UPS on September 23rd, 2011 by vicki – Be the first to comment
In this age of Internet Purchasing, many of us have found Amazon to be a real pleasure.  You can buy what you need while remaining in the comfort of your home and see it delivered within a few days.  AND on many occasions or with a specific membership your order arrives at your door in two days free from shipping costs.  
Living out away from the city and with gasoline being so highly priced lately, Amazon has been a very cost effective way to bring supplies into St. Simeon Skete.  
The border collie at the Skete, Chase, will someday be helping us to herd chickens into the Chicken Coop at night –  when we get one in place; however, until then Chase believes his duty is to greet delivery trucks.  
He waits daily at the door, looking for deliveries.  Chase is especially fond of our regular UPS Driver (Border Collies have high intelligence – he is discerning about who he likes). 
When James, our director from Sierra Leone, was in America he was delighted
 by the ability to buy something and have it delivered to you 
without having to ever leave your house.    Rain, sleet or snow, excessive heat…your packages are delivered. 
We agree with James – we like home delivery at the Kellia at St. Simeon Skete, too.  However, the ultimate home delivery is right under James’ nose.  America may have access to many material goods, but compared to Africa they lack in the human to human, daily contact and fellowship.  While in our hurried lives we zip through the grocery self check-out without ever making eye contact – in Sierra Leone, its not like that. 
As Kadijah sits on the porch of the NHA Compound in Kabala, the neighbors approach her with the vegetables they have for sell.   Fresh picked and delicious brought right to the door. 
Kadijah, the ever prudent buyer, takes a  taste before she buys.
She makes her selection, pays for the groceries and the transaction is complete.  But so much more has happened, personal relations are formed and bonds of friendships grow.    
After the nice visit, the neighbors are on their way to the next house, to bring not only their goods but also their fellowship.  
Yes, Amazon gets our goods to us quick and packaged well at that, but you just can’t match the personalization and love in the way home delivery is done in Kabala.  
In our fast pace world, the Kabala “Home Delivery Service” reminds us that there is nothing like human contact. 
As it is in Kabala at the Nazareth House Compound, so it is at St. Simeon Skete. Our regular delivery drivers (the humanity of the internet transaction) have become part of our lives, like family.    And even Chase is not left out of the interaction.  Chase gets a treat at every delivery.  
And like our staff in Kabala, we always offer anyone that comes to the doors at the Skete something to eat and/or drink and that especially goes for delivery drivers who have been hauling boxes in the heat or cold all day.  Hospitality is part of what we are about.  Its a win win situation all around – but best of all and most importantly we enjoy the fellowship.
The Internet, used properly, can be a helpful and effective.  We are social beings and nothing can replace human contact.  Taking time to get to know one another has a profound effect on our well being.  Sure we can rack up friends on Facebook but our grandparents can tell you there is nothing like person to person interaction.   The Fuller Brush man, the milkman, the iceman and other delivery workers were our grandparent’s friends and source of neighorhood news.   They knew if they were having a bad day or a good day just by looking at their face as they walked to the door.    This is what Nazareth House Apostolate is striving to do, to keep the personalization in all we do, the touch, the smile, the love.   Join us today.  

Nazareth House Syntactic Tree

Posted in Humanitarian Africa, James B Mansaray, Kabala, Love, Nazareth house apostolate, NHA, NHA school, Sierra Leone, vicki hicks on September 9th, 2011 by vicki – Be the first to comment
There is so much to be done and so many depending on us.  As we continue to pay down the construction costs  of the NHA Compound (balance due $6,000) in Kabala, we must also keep up with our other responsibilities.  We continue to pray for compassionate folks who will commit to monthly support of Nazareth House.  For as little as $25 per month you can make a huge difference in many lives and enable the work of NHA to continue and grow.   Please consider doing so today.   



The first twenty people that sign up to be a NHA Monthly Sustainer -giving regular monthly donations to provide for the work of NHA, will receive this tote bag.  


 St. Simeon Skete (prayer) is the heart of Nazareth House Apostolate from which all that we do begins, circulates and is pumped out.  


Nazareth House Kabala is our field house in which the mission work is accomplished.  Together the two exemplify the teamwork we have in our supporters and the beneficiaries – working together with great love,  to do the work of Nazareth House.   


The teamwork of Nazareth House is amazing. 


In fact it is more than amazing…


it is  TREEmendous! 


Last week as we ended the day at the Chapel at St. Simeon Skete with the service of Compline, we noticed the branches had formed together a syntactic structure in strings of leaves to spell out the letters:  N.  H.  for Nazareth House.


We had been considering cutting the tree down as it seemed to be dying.


As we got a closer look, we noticed that the letters were made up of new growth in the midst of the dying leaves and branches.   






Part of the Rule of Nazareth House is that you must daily do manual labor, this is carried out at the Skete in Kentucky, USA


 and also in Sierra Leone.  

The NHA School was in severe need of protective paint as is the buildings at St. Simeon Skete.  Even though we haven’t paid the Compound Construction work off, we were able to squeeze a little money to paint the school

and we hope to raise the money for St. Simeon Skete very soon as the buildings are wood and must be sealed and protected before Winter sets in.  The wood is a past due a treatment and we don’t want further deterioration to set in. 

In the meantime, in Kabala, the school is being prepared for the new year…

 ”He must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.”-  Ephesians 4:28

“There is no substitute for hard work.”- Thomas A. Edison 

“For the people worked with all their heart.”  Nehemiah 4:6

“We work to become, not to acquire.” - Elbert Hubbard 

“May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us– yes, establish the work of our hands.” - Psalm 90:17

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. ” - Thomas A. Edison 

“There is joy in work. There is no happiness except in the realization that we have accomplished something.” - Henry Ford 

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.” 
-  2 Chronicles 15:7
Our enrollment is growing and we have ran out of room at the NHA School.  This year we are adding room dividers in the old classrooms to generate additional classrooms. 

“Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy.” - Khalil Gibran 

“Whatever you do, work at it with all of your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”
 - Colossians 3:23 (see Colossians 3:22- 4:1)


“Work is not man’s punishment. It is his reward and his strength and his pleasure.” - George Sand 


It’s all about love…
       Come join us.

Nazareth House Apostolate
185 Captains Cove Drive
Taylorsville, KY 40071

www.nazarethhouseap.org

Posted in Education in Kabala, Kabala, Nazareth house apostolate, NHA, rainy season, Sierra Leone on August 11th, 2011 by vicki – Be the first to comment
A month ago, Nazareth House Apostolate pleaded for funding to finish the building of the Nazareth House Compound in Kabala, Sierra Leone.  At that time we were still owing $12,304 (as of July 6, 2011).   We are very grateful to those of you who sacrificed to give whatever you could, despite the economic climate in America, to come to the aid of those in need in Sierra Leone.   We are not yet debt free, but we are making progress thanks to those who put their compassion into action.  Today, we owe $6,408!

James Mansaray and our staff, his family have made the move to Kabala from Freetown and are now living in the new NHA Compound, despite it incompleteness.

James shared with me that life is more free of distraction in Kabala.  He likened it to the Nazareth House move into St. Simeon Skete – from Louisville to Taylorsville, Kentucky.  Whereas the Skete, in its quiet simple setting allows NHA to dive deeper and deeper into prayer; the NHA Compound in Kabala allows our work in Sierra Leone to be offered deeper and deeper into the villagers that have been overlooked, left hidden in the cracks.   NHA’s presence at St. Simeon Skete and our presence in Kabala marry the two spiritualities of the Saints, Mary and Martha, strengthening the work from both sides of the Atlantic.

We are still in need of your help.   The rainy season is in full swing in Kabala.

This is a good thing as we still do not have water from well flowing to the NHA Compound.   Our staff, thrifty as always, is taking advantage of the rains to fetch water for bathing, cooking, etc.

The family and friends living around our staff have been very good to bring water and help our staff, however, with Kadijah’s pregnancy and all, we really need to get this water situation working.  There has been troubles and the work has become difficult and more expensive to get the well pumping to the house.  We have hit water but not yet able to bring it into the house – we need more money to make this a reality.

Your donations are more important than ever.  There is so much to do and until the NHA Compound is complete we cannot move on to meet the growing needs in the surrounding villages.   More and more people are depending on us as we continue to meet are already established responsibilities – paying our teachers each month, providing rice for families, doing our work.  

It is exciting that there has been such a rallying behind us to keep NHA at work!   Remember, every bag of rice given is received in the name of our supporters.  NHA exists as a family, a group of people working together to love each other.  

Last month not only did we bring the NHA Compound debt down by almost half, we were also able to provide the materials to build a 5 bedroom mud brick house complete with zinc roof for the One Hut family.  

The NHA Staff: James, Kadijah & Lucy & Roo visit One Hut Village: February 2011

This family has suffered one catastrophe after another,

In April 2011, Fire destroyed the One Hut Thatch Roofed hut

 leaving them without shelter.  

James mixes concrete for floor & walls of new One Hut Compound

As of today, because of your contributions – the One Hut family is withstanding this current rainy season sheltered  by a zinc roof over their heads.

More concrete for the new One Hut Compound, seen in the background

  Let’s keep the momentum going…. making differences, changing not only the lives of others but ours as well – for the better.

Please share the word about this good work, invite others to be a part of it.   Be a NHA Sustainer, become a regular monthly donor to NHA.  

donations can be mailed to:
           NHA
           185 Captains Cove Drive
           Taylorsville, KY 40071

or through the paypal link on our website

           www.nazarethhouseap.org

What a week for NHA.

Posted in Kabala, Nazareth house apostolate, NHA, Prayer Beads, Sierra Leone, St Simeon Skete, sufi saint, The Jesus Prayer on July 1st, 2011 by vicki – Be the first to comment
There is much going on with NHA right now, the Compound is beginning to look finished from the outside
and some of the rooms inside
are becoming more and more livable.
The well still is not done so fetching water is going to be a chore and baths will need to be taken in the stream.
The well is a slow work, especially with no money to hire equipment, it is being done by hand.   There is much to be done yet to finish the compound.
NHA has just this week sent the monthly teachers salaries and other needs money for July,  but we still have that last $12,000 to finish the Compound.
Please share this with all that you know, encourage them to be a part of this great work and ask them for a donation.
James is traveling back and forth the long day drive to and from Kabala, unloading and loading furniture in the small truck that he must use to move.
As he jokingly said to me, this is my Uhaul!   James remembers the Uhaul that we used to move items from Louisville to Taylorsville when he was here to help us.   Unfortunately, he has no such service as that in Sierra Leone.
While in Kabala, James is helping the construction workers in any manner he can to assist in completion of the project.   We can help James and the workers by providing the funding so that they can finish faster by purchasing equipment.
Otherwise, its being worked on by back breaking labor and torn hands.   Let’s help them out, let’s try our best to raise the money they need.
Back home at St. Simeon Skete, the Taylorsville Zoning Commission approved our permit to build Kellis – which are individual cells (like hermitages) centered around the Chapel.
This is the Kelli (cell, hermitage) that will be built on the grounds of St. Simeon Skete
It was a pleasure to meet the board members of the  Zoning Commission and we are thankful for their approval.
Seraphim is enduring another bout of malaria, not quite as severe as the near fatal attack last year, but this one is intense.
Even so, he continues all of the Offices & Liturgies at the Skete daily, including the full Nazareth House Rosary as he walks the grounds.
The way that the NHA Family works together, here in America
and in Sierra Leone,
wherever they are is amazing.
Anywhere  you look, someone is doing something
to help out Nazareth House.
Thank you all, what a wonderful team we make – together – holding one another up – loving.
Jesus your life of poverty is living in me:


Ps. 140:12. I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and justice for the poor.


Is. 25:4. For You have been a defense for the helpless, a defense for the needy in his distress.




Ps. 10:14. The unfortunate commits himself to You; You have been the helper of the orphan… O LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will incline Your ear to vindicate the orphan and the oppressed.




Is 41:17. The afflicted and needy are seeking water, but there is none, and their tongue is parched with thirst. I, the LORD, will answer them Myself, as the God of Israel I will not forsake them.






Luke 6:20-21. Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.






 

James 2:5. Did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?







Deut. 15:7. If there is a poor man among you, one of your brothers, in any of the towns of the land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand to your poor brother; but you shall freely open your hand to him, and generously lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks.


 

Deut. 26:12. When you have finished paying the complete tithe of your increase in the third year, the year of tithing, then you shall give it to the Levite, to the stranger, to the orphan and the widow, that they may eat in your towns, and be satisfied.






Lev. 19:19ff. Now when you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field, neither shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. Nor shall you glean your vineyard, nor shall you gather the fallen fruit of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the needy and for the stranger. I am the LORD your God.




Prov. 31:8ff. [Commandment to kings.] Open your mouth for the dumb, for the rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.






Is. 58:66ff. Is this not the fast which I choose, to loosen the bonds of wickedness, to undo the bands of the yoke, and to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke? Is it not to divide your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into the house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?






Jer. 22:3. Do justice and righteousness, and deliver the one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor. Also do not mistreat or do violence to the stranger, the orphan, or the widow; and do not shed innocent blood in this place.




Luke 12:33. “Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves purses which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near, nor moth destroys.”






Luke 3:11. And [John the Baptist] would answer and say to them, “Let the man with two tunics share with him who has none, and let him who has food do likewise.”



 

Mt. 5:42. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.

 

Nazareth House Apostolate
www.nazarethhouseap.org
185  Captains Cove Drive
Taylorsville, KY 40071
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