Rosary Novena for Peace

Posted on August 6, 2011 by vicki



Motto: “Do whatever He says” -Jn. 2:5

Litany of Non-Violence
God, aware of my own brokenness,
I ask the gift of courage to identify how and where I am
in need of conversation in order to live
in solidarity with all people.
Deliver me from the violence of superiority and disdain.
Grant me the desire, and the humility,
to listen with special care to those whose experiences
and attitudes are different from my own.
Deliver me from the violence of greed and privilege.
Grant me the desire, and the will, to live simply
so others may have their just share of Earth’s resources.
Deliver me from the silence that gives
consent to abuse, war and evil.
Grant me the desire, and the courage, to risk
speaking and acting for the common good.
Deliver me from the violence of irreverence,
exploitation and control.
Grant me the desire, and the strength, to act
responsibly within the cycle of creation.
God of love, mercy and justice,
acknowledging my complicity in those attitudes,
action and words which perpetuate violence,
I beg the grace of a non-violent heart. Amen.

Rosary Novena For Peace
(Using the Nazareth Rosary)
(6th August to 15th August)
“All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus” -Acts 1: 14
A TALE OF TWO CITIES
Nazareth where Mary gave us her peace plan
and
Hiroshima where it was ignored.
NAZARETH
Nazareth is where our Lord spent his hidden life, where “nothing” was coming forth but tables and chairs, where He lived as we must live, where the Son of God was simply the son of Mary and Joseph. The hiddeness and ordinariness of Nazareth is an icon to something beyond self. It is the accepting that people may say of us what others said of Him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (Jn.1:46), i.e. can anything good come out of this life of “ordinariness” and “hiddeness”, strategically placed in areas of need, making a difference by entering into the moment? Praying this Rosary Novena for Peace is our answer “for he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us” (Eph. 2:14); it is our answer because He said “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (Jn.14:27); it is our answer because we’re sent forth with peace, “Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you” (Jn. 20:21).
The Peace Plan for the World is Jesus, who gave us The Commandment (Mk. 12:28-31) to have a right relationship with God and Man. We can realize the Commandment when we follow Mary’s instruction relative to her Son, “Do whatever he says” (Jn.2:5). When we take up the Rosary, we are praying the life of Christ with a determination to do what he says in the Nazareth of our lives, Jesus.
HIROSHIMA
The atomic bomb named “Little Boy” was dropped on Hiroshima by the Enola Gay, a Boeing B-29 bomber at 8:15 in the morning of August 6, 1945. Immediately after the atomic bomb was dropped 70,000 Japanese were instantly killed.
As we experience this Rosary Novena for peace remember not only the destruction of that morning in 1945 but also the bombs that continue to drop. Bombs such as intolerance, hatred, pride, unforgiveness, greed and selfishness. These destructions are being dropped by the planes of commerce, enforcement, body politics and religion where there is no longer any room for He who said, “What you’ve done unto the least of these my brethren you’ve done unto me.” Mt. 25:40
May this Rosary Novena for Peace do what theology cannot: put a human face on suffering and redemption. May we find sacred space in two “conflicting” yet complementary Biblical quotations:
“Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Mt. 5:4) and
“The Lord has given, the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1 :21)
Both thoughts can serve as a response to the two cities: those who mourn will be comforted, and all has happened as part of God’s perfect will and permissive will.
May you take up the Rosary once more, as I have asked many times in the past, and pray it in an Incarnational manner for the “little ones” and for peace in our world.
May priests and religious chart programs of infiltrating areas of greatest need, “broadcasting” and bearing the Mysteries to the ends of the earth (Acts 1 :8). May they introduce and re-introduce this praying of the Rosary into all areas of life: families, cities, neighborhoods, offices, riding buses, walking streets …
May we be aided in all our efforts with the grace and strength of the Lord whose life we contemplate in the Rosary, and may we be accompanied by Our Lady of the Nazareth as we continue work for an entering into all of life with the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6).

 

ENCOURAGEMENTS
1. Relative to the orientation message and the deaths of Hiroshima, instead of asking why, try to focus on the kind of theology needed to explain these events.
2. Meditate on the following Scriptures: Mt. 25:31-46; Heb. 13:3; John 1:14
3. Vicki Hicks on a trip to Africa organized a team to bear witness of the slaughter of 280 young people who were caught after curfew. She went with her Rosary and prayed on the sight of the tragedy with what she called instead of “air drops”, “prayer drops.” Find a place of great need, go, take your Rosary, and pray.
4.  Be sure to keep track of your daily chaplets with the “Beads or Bombs” chart.  See above.
Remember dear ones, sacrifice, penance and prayer. Don’t miss the great adventure and wonderment of it all.

“Do penance for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” Mt 4:17

“Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you for giving us Mary, Messenger of Peace, to be our Mother. Great warmth fills our hearts as we take refuge in the tenderness of your Mother’s gaze; Grant that we might receive her message of peace by realizing what we have and who we are is enough, as we pray and live Your Way, Life and Name in union with Mary, Messenger of Peace.” Amen.

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Rosary Novena for Peace

Posted on August 6, 2011 by vicki

ROSARY NOVENA FOR PEACE
August 6 thru August 15

Motto: “Do whatever He says” -Jn. 2:5

Sat. 6th: Joyful Mysteries
Sun. 7th: Glorious Mysteries
Mon. 8th: Joyful Mysteries
Tues. 9th: Sorrowful Mysteries
Wed. 10th: Glorious Mysteries
Thur. 11th: Luminous Mysteries
Fri. 12th: Sorrowful Mysteries
Sat. 13th: Joyful Mysteries
Sun. 14th: Glorious Mysteries

Litany of Non-Violence
God, aware of my own brokenness,
 I ask the gift of courage to identify how and where I am
 in need of conversation in order to live
 in solidarity with all people.
Deliver me from the violence of superiority and disdain.
Grant me the desire, and the humility,
to listen with special care to those whose experiences
and attitudes are different from my own.
Deliver me from the violence of greed and privilege.
Grant me the desire, and the will, to live simply
so others may have their just share of Earth’s resources.
Deliver me from the silence that gives
consent to abuse, war and evil.
Grant me the desire, and the courage, to risk
speaking and acting for the common good.
Deliver me from the violence of irreverence,
exploitation and control.
Grant me the desire, and the strength, to act
responsibly within the cycle of creation. 
God of love, mercy and justice,
 acknowledging my complicity in those attitudes,
action and words which perpetuate violence,
I beg the grace of a non-violent heart.   Amen.

 

Rosary Novena For Peace
(Using the Nazareth Rosary)
(6th August to 15th August)
“All these with one accord devoted themselves to prayer with Mary, the Mother of Jesus” -Acts 1: 14
A TALE OF TWO CITIES
Nazareth where Mary gave us her peace plan
and 
Hiroshima where it was ignored.
NAZARETH
Nazareth is where our Lord spent his hidden life, where “nothing” was coming forth but tables and chairs, where He lived as we must live, where the Son of God was simply the son of Mary and Joseph.    The hiddeness and ordinariness of Nazareth is an icon to something beyond self.  It is the accepting that people may say of us what others said of Him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (Jn.1:46), i.e. can anything good come out of this life of “ordinariness” and “hiddeness”, strategically placed in areas of need, making a difference by entering into the moment? Praying this Rosary Novena for Peace is our answer “for he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us” (Eph. 2:14); it is our answer because He said “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (Jn.14:27); it is our answer because we’re sent forth with peace, “Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you” (Jn. 20:21).
The Peace Plan for the World is Jesus, who gave us The Commandment (Mk. 12:28-31) to have a right relationship with God and Man.  We can realize the Commandment when we follow Mary’s instruction relative to her Son, “Do whatever he says” (Jn.2:5).  When we take up the Rosary, we are praying the life of Christ with a determination to do what he says in the Nazareth of our lives, Jesus.
HIROSHIMA
The atomic bomb named “Little Boy” was dropped on Hiroshima by the Enola Gay, a Boeing B-29 bomber at 8:15 in the morning of August 6, 1945. Immediately after the atomic bomb was dropped 70,000 Japanese were instantly killed.
As we experience this Rosary Novena for peace remember not only the destruction of that morning in 1945 but also the bombs that continue to drop. Bombs such as intolerance, hatred, pride, unforgiveness, greed and selfishness. These destructions are being dropped by the planes of commerce, enforcement, body politics and religion where there is no longer any room for He who said, “What you’ve done unto the least of these my brethren you’ve done unto me.” Mt. 25:40
May this Rosary Novena for Peace do what theology cannot: put a human face on suffering and redemption. May we find sacred space in two “conflicting” yet complementary Biblical quotations:
“Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Mt. 5:4) and
“The Lord has given, the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1 :21)
Both thoughts can serve as a response to the two cities: those who mourn will be comforted, and all has happened as part of God’s perfect will and permissive will.
May you take up the Rosary once more, as I have asked many times in the past, and pray it in an Incarnational manner for the “little ones” and for peace in our world.
May priests and religious chart programs of infiltrating areas of greatest need, “broadcasting” and bearing the Mysteries to the ends of the earth (Acts 1 :8). May they introduce and re-introduce this praying of the Rosary into all areas of life: families, cities, neighborhoods, offices, riding buses, walking streets …
May we be aided in all our efforts with the grace and strength of the Lord whose life we contemplate in the Rosary, and may we be accompanied by Our Lady of the Nazareth as we continue work for an entering into all of life with the Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6).

 ENCOURAGEMENTS
1. Relative to the orientation message and the deaths of Hiroshima, instead of asking why, try to focus on the kind of theology needed to explain these events.
2. Meditate on the following Scriptures: Mt. 25:31-46; Heb. 13:3; John 1:14
3. Vicki Hicks on a trip to Africa organized a team to bear witness of the slaughter of 280 young people who were caught after curfew. She went with her Rosary and prayed on the sight of the tragedy with what she called instead of “air drops”, “prayer drops.” Find a place of great need, go,  take your Rosary, and pray.
 
4.  Be sure to keep track of your daily chaplets with the “Beads or Bombs” chart.  See above.
Remember dear ones, sacrifice, penance and prayer. Don’t miss the great adventure and wonderment of it all.

“Do penance for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” Mt 4:17

  “Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you for giving us Mary, Messenger of Peace, to be our Mother.  Great warmth fills our hearts as we take refuge in the tenderness of your Mother’s gaze;  Grant that we might receive her message of peace by realizing what we have and who we are is enough, as we pray and live Your Way, Life and Name in union with Mary, Messenger of Peace.”  Amen.

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Dressed for Success

Posted on July 11, 2011 by vicki
After Easter this year, Wanda Karen Thompson of Athens, Georgia began collecting materials and sewing Pillowslip Dresses for the girls at our NHA School in Kabala. 
Wanda and friends in Athens meet together to pack dresses for Sierra Leone on Chloe’s birthday.  
She organized the Facebook Page  Granny Pearl’s Trunk to spread awareness of the needs in Sierra Leone through Nazareth House. 

Bit by bit, the dresses were sewn, donated and packed.
Dress sewn by Misty Willis and donated by Courtney Closet, Athens, Georgia.
Three of these dresses were in the shipment. Two are size 10 and one is size 8.

Pillowcase donated by the Lathe-Shaffer family, Stone Mountain, Georgia.
 Dress was sewn by Wanda Karen Thompson, Athens, Georgia.
Pillowcase donated by the Burns family, Hoschton, Georgia.
 Dress was sewn by Wanda Karen Thompson, Athens, Georgia.

Pillowcase donated by the Meka family, Athens, Georgia. 
Dress was sewn by Wanda Karen Thompson, owner-operator of Karen’s Clothesline, Athens, Georgia
Dress sewn by Misty Willis and donated by Courtney Closet, Athens, Georgia.
This dresses will be in the May shipment. Size 2.

Dresses sewn by Misty Willis and donated by Courtney Closet, Athens, Georgia.
Three of these dresses will be in the May shipment. They are in sizes 4, 5 and 10.

Wanda’s son and daughter-in-law with their daughter completed the packing and off the dresses go via USPS Flat Rate Priority.   

Shannon, Laura and  little Soleil Thompson 


The Athens NHA Team added in a few medicines and food supplies to round out the shipment. 


It took about 15 days but the boxes arrived, just as James and his family were moving to Kabala to the new NHA Compound.  


Once James and family arrived, the next morning, they wasted no time in distributing the first  batch of dresses.    


One by one the dresses were sized up 


and placed on an excited little girl.  

. 

After putting on their new dresses, the girls hurried over to show their friends at the NHA School.

This is what NHA is all about, helping each other.  Let’s continue it by finishing the Compound.  We are  still in need of paying off the Contractor debt so we can move on to concentrate on the personal needs of the people of Kabala and surrounding villages.   If you haven’t committed to a monthly donation, please consider doing so today.   Our goal is to have 1000 people giving $25 per month.   Seeing your work in action, the care and love that you give through NHA – I’m sure you will want to be a part of something that visibly makes a difference in the lives of others?   Join us today.

 As you can see, these girls are very happy and show it with a Thumbs Up!  Thank you Athens NHA Team!  

Note from Wanda (& NHA): Thanks to David & Misty Willis at Courtney’s Closet in Athens, GA for donating dresses to the children in Sierra Leone. I appreciate Carol Strickland Williams for being our photographer today. And last but not least, thanks to the Akridges for sharing Nazareth House Apostolate‘s story with me.   (Photographs of the dresses once received in Sierra Leone were taken by James Mansaray – all rights reserved.) 

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Dressed for Success

Posted on July 11, 2011 by vicki
After Easter this year, Wanda Karen Thompson of Athens, Georgia began collecting materials and sewing Pillowslip Dresses for the girls at our NHA School in Kabala. 
Wanda and friends in Athens meet together to pack dresses for Sierra Leone on Chloe’s birthday.  
She organized the Facebook Page  Granny Pearl’s Trunk to spread awareness of the needs in Sierra Leone through Nazareth House. 

Bit by bit, the dresses were sewn, donated and packed.
Dress sewn by Misty Willis and donated by Courtney Closet, Athens, Georgia.
Three of these dresses were in the shipment. Two are size 10 and one is size 8.

Pillowcase donated by the Lathe-Shaffer family, Stone Mountain, Georgia.
 Dress was sewn by Wanda Karen Thompson, Athens, Georgia.
Pillowcase donated by the Burns family, Hoschton, Georgia.
 Dress was sewn by Wanda Karen Thompson, Athens, Georgia.

Pillowcase donated by the Meka family, Athens, Georgia. 
Dress was sewn by Wanda Karen Thompson, owner-operator of Karen’s Clothesline, Athens, Georgia
Dress sewn by Misty Willis and donated by Courtney Closet, Athens, Georgia.
This dresses will be in the May shipment. Size 2.

Dresses sewn by Misty Willis and donated by Courtney Closet, Athens, Georgia.
Three of these dresses will be in the May shipment. They are in sizes 4, 5 and 10.

Wanda’s son and daughter-in-law with their daughter completed the packing and off the dresses go via USPS Flat Rate Priority.   

Shannon, Laura and  little Soleil Thompson 


The Athens NHA Team added in a few medicines and food supplies to round out the shipment. 


It took about 15 days but the boxes arrived, just as James and his family were moving to Kabala to the new NHA Compound.  


Once James and family arrived, the next morning, they wasted no time in distributing the first  batch of dresses.    


One by one the dresses were sized up 


and placed on an excited little girl.  

. 

After putting on their new dresses, the girls hurried over to show their friends at the NHA School.

This is what NHA is all about, helping each other.  Let’s continue it by finishing the Compound.  We are  still in need of paying off the Contractor debt so we can move on to concentrate on the personal needs of the people of Kabala and surrounding villages.   If you haven’t committed to a monthly donation, please consider doing so today.   Our goal is to have 1000 people giving $25 per month.   Seeing your work in action, the care and love that you give through NHA – I’m sure you will want to be a part of something that visibly makes a difference in the lives of others?   Join us today.

 As you can see, these girls are very happy and show it with a Thumbs Up!  Thank you Athens NHA Team!  

Note from Wanda (& NHA): Thanks to David & Misty Willis at Courtney’s Closet in Athens, GA for donating dresses to the children in Sierra Leone. I appreciate Carol Strickland Williams for being our photographer today. And last but not least, thanks to the Akridges for sharing Nazareth House Apostolate‘s story with me.   (Photographs of the dresses once received in Sierra Leone were taken by James Mansaray – all rights reserved.) 

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NHA School News

Posted on July 7, 2011 by vicki
Mako Mansaray has from time to time given us a report on our NHA School and he has decided to introduce us to the life of individual students.   Today we meet Kumba Zeneme




By Mako Mansaray:


Education always plays a major role in the lives of children. The 11years long civil conflict in Sierra Leone contributed to holistic devastation of both the social and educational structure of the country which in turn made its children vulnerable, and jeopardizes the future of these children debarring them from their basic rights of formal education and psychological development.

There are still some communities where children do not have proper school infrastructure which and is preventing the delivery of quality education.






At Nazareth House Apostolate school in Kabala, there is a girl student by the name of Kumba Zeneme.  Born to a family were her late father had three wives and her mother’s only source of livelihood is through a back yard garden to support and take care of her  children.





  Mother Yaneh, as she is called, has four children three boys, and Kumba is the only girl child.

In Kabala most of the girl children are not allowed to go to school, only boys are allowed to go to school.
Other girls including Kumba stay in the house doing domestic work. Now, things have changed for  Kumba and her three brothers, for three years now, they are attending NHA School in Kabala free of cost with Uniforms, shoes, and other learning materials provided for them through your donations and supports.



She is very much happy now in school with her friends.





For us at NHA School, we believed that Education is the best gift you can give a child.








If we give more support and helping hands to the work of NHA out here in Kabala, more children can benefit form our education programme, as education is the key to success for every child.  Educating our youth also builds the future of an entire community.

Thanks to our supporters, and the good work of NHA.


Blessings,
Mako 

Posted in back yard garden, education, education in Africa, Education in Kabala, kumba, Mako Mansaray, Nazareth house apostolate, NHA | Leave a comment

NHA School News

Posted on July 7, 2011 by vicki
Mako Mansaray has from time to time given us a report on our NHA School and he has decided to introduce us to the life of individual students.   Today we meet Kumba Zeneme




By Mako Mansaray:


Education always plays a major role in the lives of children. The 11years long civil conflict in Sierra Leone contributed to holistic devastation of both the social and educational structure of the country which in turn made its children vulnerable, and jeopardizes the future of these children debarring them from their basic rights of formal education and psychological development.

There are still some communities where children do not have proper school infrastructure which and is preventing the delivery of quality education.






At Nazareth House Apostolate school in Kabala, there is a girl student by the name of Kumba Zeneme.  Born to a family were her late father had three wives and her mother’s only source of livelihood is through a back yard garden to support and take care of her  children.





  Mother Yaneh, as she is called, has four children three boys, and Kumba is the only girl child.

In Kabala most of the girl children are not allowed to go to school, only boys are allowed to go to school.
Other girls including Kumba stay in the house doing domestic work. Now, things have changed for  Kumba and her three brothers, for three years now, they are attending NHA School in Kabala free of cost with Uniforms, shoes, and other learning materials provided for them through your donations and supports.



She is very much happy now in school with her friends.





For us at NHA School, we believed that Education is the best gift you can give a child.








If we give more support and helping hands to the work of NHA out here in Kabala, more children can benefit form our education programme, as education is the key to success for every child.  Educating our youth also builds the future of an entire community.

Thanks to our supporters, and the good work of NHA.


Blessings,
Mako 

Posted in back yard garden, education, education in Africa, Education in Kabala, kumba, Mako Mansaray, Nazareth house apostolate, NHA | Leave a comment

The move continues

Posted on July 5, 2011 by vicki
James is running back and forth taking bit by bit to begin the move into the new NHA Compound.   There is so much left to be done to put it into proper “live in” condition.  With the latest news that Kadijah is pregnant, the need to finish the Compound is more urgent.

Congratulations to the Mansaray Family, new life, new joy.

  Kadijah works very hard to give aid to those around her, fixing many meals for those in need, distributing medication, generally taking care of the sick.

I think Kadijah loves to wear this shirt.  We see her in it all the time.

With the added stress of pregnancy (she is suffering severe morning sickness),  we just can’t allow her to walk the great distance to the stream to bathe, wash clothes and carry water back to the Compound for cooking, etc.

We have so much to do, the students need new uniforms the next school season, the school building needs painting…

people are  hungry, people are sick.


  It is imperative that we build up our team, adding new members to the NHA family.  With an enlarged support base we can get closer to the goal of 1000 people giving monthly.

Please help us pay the debt ($12,302 in total) on the NHA Compound and move forward, working to change more lives, providing new opportunities for a healthier life.

This past week, James was in Kabala unloading furniture when a Government Hospital nurse approached about giving Worm Medicines to the NHA students at our school.

This is the first I’ve ever heard of anyone but NHA giving out worm pills

and to think that they considered our students AND brought the medicines to our School.

This is amazing and we are so thankful!

We are not alone in our work, its a team effort.

Lucy was in Kabala with James and was able to help the nurse distribute the tablets and measure and weigh the children.

Education is such an important measure in providing a better life for these children.  Please consider helping Nazareth House Apostolate make a difference in their lives which ultimately changes the lives of those who give as well.  

Thank you!


Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The move continues

Posted on July 5, 2011 by vicki
James is running back and forth taking bit by bit to begin the move into the new NHA Compound.   There is so much left to be done to put it into proper “live in” condition.  With the latest news that Kadijah is pregnant, the need to finish the Compound is more urgent.

Congratulations to the Mansaray Family, new life, new joy.

  Kadijah works very hard to give aid to those around her, fixing many meals for those in need, distributing medication, generally taking care of the sick.

I think Kadijah loves to wear this shirt.  We see her in it all the time.

With the added stress of pregnancy (she is suffering severe morning sickness),  we just can’t allow her to walk the great distance to the stream to bathe, wash clothes and carry water back to the Compound for cooking, etc.

We have so much to do, the students need new uniforms the next school season, the school building needs painting…

people are  hungry, people are sick.


  It is imperative that we build up our team, adding new members to the NHA family.  With an enlarged support base we can get closer to the goal of 1000 people giving monthly.

Please help us pay the debt ($12,302 in total) on the NHA Compound and move forward, working to change more lives, providing new opportunities for a healthier life.

This past week, James was in Kabala unloading furniture when a Government Hospital nurse approached about giving Worm Medicines to the NHA students at our school.

This is the first I’ve ever heard of anyone but NHA giving out worm pills

and to think that they considered our students AND brought the medicines to our School.

This is amazing and we are so thankful!

We are not alone in our work, its a team effort.

Lucy was in Kabala with James and was able to help the nurse distribute the tablets and measure and weigh the children.

Education is such an important measure in providing a better life for these children.  Please consider helping Nazareth House Apostolate make a difference in their lives which ultimately changes the lives of those who give as well.  

Thank you!


Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Sacred Heart and Empty Cups

Posted on July 3, 2011 by vicki

Nazareth House Apostolate
The Feast of The Sacred Heart of Jesus
July 1, 2011
Dear Friends,
I have told this story before but it bears repeating.   It should be pondered with an exposed heart much like Jesus, as represented in the “Sacred Heart of Jesus” artwork. 
 
Jesus’ heart is not hidden or protected, its right out front, exposed, vulnerable so that it can absorb our pain, our sorrows.  It is that kind of heart that will hear this story and understand.
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. 
For sixteen months now we have been attempting to raise the funds to complete the compound and move NHA to Kabala.  The city of Kabala and the surrounding villages are in great need.  There is much to be done to assist the people.  In order to dive into  meeting those needs we must first finish the construction of the NHA Compound.  We still need $12,380 to pay off the contractor.  Then we will never have to pay housing again, nor rent!  Goal accomplished.
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. 
Our plan to accomplish this goal is to enlist 1000 people (family units) giving at least $25 per month.  This would enable us to continue and enlarge our humanitarian aid work, better equip and expand the NHA School as well as feed, clothe and shelter those who have yet to be reached in the villages.  If you are not already part of the monthly donation for Nazareth House, please consider doing so today.  Whatever you decide, whatever the amount – we are in great need of your help today.
If you are already 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 help complete the NHA Compound while Nazareth House  continues to provide the humanitarian aid, pay teachers salaries, open doors through education and spread a little love to our brothers and sisters in Sierra Leone.  Thank you for your prayers and support.
May God bless you, always.
Being absorbed into His mercy,
Vicki Hicks
 Mail checks to:
Nazareth House Apostolate
185 Captains Cove Drive
Taylorsville, KY 40071 
or
make  a donation with your credit card
through the PayPal link on our website
Monthly donations can be made through your online banking “BillPay:.  Simply sign NHA up as one of your automatic monthly deductions.   You only need our name and address, your bank does the rest including mailing the check and paying the postage!   
Posted in donations, empty cups, Jesus Prayer, kabala sierra leone, Lazarus Sierra Leone Nazareth house death freetown salone Outreach, Paypal, rice, Sacred Heart of Jesus | Leave a comment

The Sacred Heart and Empty Cups

Posted on July 2, 2011 by vicki

Nazareth House Apostolate
The Feast of The Sacred Heart of Jesus
July 1, 2011
Dear Friends,
I have told this story before but it bears repeating.   It should be pondered with an exposed heart much like Jesus, as represented in the “Sacred Heart of Jesus” artwork. 
 
Jesus’ heart is not hidden or protected, its right out front, exposed, vulnerable so that it can absorb our pain, our sorrows.  It is that kind of heart that will hear this story and understand.
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. 
For sixteen months now we have been attempting to raise the funds to complete the compound and move NHA to Kabala.  The city of Kabala and the surrounding villages are in great need.  There is much to be done to assist the people.  In order to dive into  meeting those needs we must first finish the construction of the NHA Compound.  We still need $12,380 to pay off the contractor.  Then we will never have to pay housing again, nor rent!  Goal accomplished.
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. 
Our plan to accomplish this goal is to enlist 1000 people (family units) giving at least $25 per month.  This would enable us to continue and enlarge our humanitarian aid work, better equip and expand the NHA School as well as feed, clothe and shelter those who have yet to be reached in the villages.  If you are not already part of the monthly donation for Nazareth House, please consider doing so today.  Whatever you decide, whatever the amount – we are in great need of your help today.
If you are already 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 help complete the NHA Compound while Nazareth House  continues to provide the humanitarian aid, pay teachers salaries, open doors through education and spread a little love to our brothers and sisters in Sierra Leone.  Thank you for your prayers and support.
May God bless you, always.
Being absorbed into His mercy,
Vicki Hicks
 Mail checks to:
Nazareth House Apostolate
185 Captains Cove Drive
Taylorsville, KY 40071 
or
make  a donation with your credit card
through the PayPal link on our website
Monthly donations can be made through your online banking “BillPay:.  Simply sign NHA up as one of your automatic monthly deductions.   You only need our name and address, your bank does the rest including mailing the check and paying the postage!   
Posted in donations, empty cups, Jesus Prayer, kabala sierra leone, Lazarus Sierra Leone Nazareth house death freetown salone Outreach, Paypal, rice, Sacred Heart of Jesus | Leave a comment