The Towel

The Towel: The Newsletter of Nazareth House Apostolate

A note from Vicki Hicks about the upcoming mission trip to Sierra Leone:

Some years back while Fr. Seraphim and I were in Kabala, Sierra Leone we had purchased rice to give each child a cup or so to take home to supplement their families food supply.  The children were lined up to receive their allotment of rice.  A child was given a cup of rice and then moved on as the next one received theirs.  As the line grew and the supply of rice began to shrink, the unthinkable became reality.  We ran out of rice—and there stood 20 or 30 children with empty cups in hand.  These kids were hungry and there is nothing sadder than the faces of hungry and sick children being told there is no more rice.   Standing there we looked on in horror.  We didn’t have the resources to buy more rice, there was nothing we could do.  I began to cry.   I thought, “How could this be?”  and I thought “God never runs out”, and then I thought again, “at a certain level, God does run out when he runs out of:

  • Our Generosity
  • Our Sacrifice
  • Our Trust and faith

And when this happens, then God becomes the hungry and sick child who runs out of rice.  (Matthew 25:35…) and He is also at the same time, the rescuer in us, because at the moment I was feeling such pain for these hungry children with no rice, something beautiful happened.  Without any adult prompting, the children who had already received their rice turned back and began sharing their rice with the children who had empty cups.  They, without any thought, just instinctively began dividing what they had with those without.

I tell you this story because in just a few short weeks, Fr. Seraphim and I will return to Sierra Leone and once again we will be providing needs for those we happen upon as we travel through Sierra Leone.

We now require the funds to perform these acts of humanity,  namely the on-the-ground helps as we meet the people who are suffering.  I am aware that with such great need, there will never be enough to come to the aid of everyone we meet.  However, I pray that your heart will be opened to generously give so that we are not facing empty cups but instead sharing what we have with those who have not.

There are so many needs in Sierra Leone, however, we are happy to report that through your kindness we have met one.   Last week on the blog, website and Facebook we asked for the funds so that we can continue the very important education of Ann Marie, Lucy and Roo Mansaray.  These are the children of our director, James Mansaray in Freetown, Sierra Leone.  James and his family are doing the on-the-ground, day in, day out work for Nazareth House.  Because of his photography skills we are able to see the work of Nazareth House just as if we were there with James as he goes about caring for those in need.  We see our ministry in action.

A year’s school fees for the three children of St. Laurence House runs right at $9,000. As of this week, we have paid $3,500 of that for the 2009-2010 school year.  This is an outrageously high fee given the abject poverty of the city they live and the inability of its dwellers to pay such cost.  Because of the extreme sacrifices made by James and his family (subjecting themselves to disease, dangers, etc) to perform the work of Nazareth House, it is the least we can do to guarantee his children are properly educated.  All three are attending International schools and all three are excelling, top in their classes.   There is no government funding of schools in Sierra Leone, the school fees pay for the buildings, the teacher salaries, the books and the supplies—even the janitorial costs—everything to operate the school come from these fees.

This is one reason our school in Kabala, Sierra Leone is so special.  Through your donations, especially those who make regular monthly contributions, we are able to provide free education for the children in Kabala.  It is your compassion played out through your generosity  that provides the supplies, the teachers salaries, the building maintenance—everything to operate the school.  This allows the Kabala parents to concentrate on providing for their family without sacrificing their children’s education.   So far, even during this economy we have been able to continue providing the school needs (sometimes we are a few days late) yet we have not missed a month’s provision.  I pray that this will continue.

We are in need of extra funds now, immediately, for the on-the-ground needs.  This is over and above the regular monthly gifts we are receiving now.  Our goal is a minimum of $7,500.   When we are asked “Did you feed Me, did you clothe Me, did you visit me?….”  We (You, me, Nazareth House) want the answer to be “yes”.   Lets work together so that there are no empty cups this mission trip.

Our goals for Nazareth House are to purchase a compound of our own where we will expand our operations and safely provide guest lodging to those we bring from other countries to  experience hands on, the life in the country that we serve. This compound will provide adequate and secure storage for the medications, Lazarus House (a home for terminally ill so that they are not left to die, alone on the street), housing for our staff and be a distribution center for food and supplies.  We are doing this now in a very small rented house.  Each year the rent is raised higher and higher making it cost prohibitive as well as disabling to the full potential of our ministry.  In March are lease is up and we’ve been told to vacate this house.  Its in God’s hands as he works through your prayers and generosity.

One plan to accomplish this goal is to enlist 1000 people (family units) giving at least $25 per month.  This would enable us to purchase the compound within 4-5 months, continue and enlarge are humanitarian aid work, build more schools and add neighborhood medical clinics down the road.  If you are not already part of the monthly donation for Nazareth House, please consider doing so today.  An enrollment card is enclosed.  Whatever you decide, whatever the amount we are in great need of your help today.

If you are pledging and contributing monthly support, thank you very much. We ask that you see your way clear to give a little extra this month to fill empty cups during our October Mission Trip.  An envelope is enclosed for your donation.  Thank you for your prayers and support.

May God bless you, always.

Being absorbed into His mercy,

Vicki Hicks