Seeing RED on St. Patrick’s Day in Kabala

Posted on March 18, 2012 by vicki
While many were decked out  in green celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, 


in Kabala at our Nazareth House School the children were celebrating another saint – St. Valentine.
In America we are attached to our chronos time, measured time – as on a clock.  “…got to be here by 10, appointment here at 2, meeting at 4, dinner at 6, soccer at 7…”  That’s not how things are in Africa.  Oh, they try to be at work, school or church at a specific scheduled time, but being “on time” is not always the result.   In Africa, they are more “event” oriented, not time oriented.   

When the shipment of Valentines from the Anglican Parish of St. Mark’s, Portland, Oregon was delayed in its journey from Portland to Freetown 


and arrived a month later than expected –  it didn’t matter.   

And the fact that our students were celebrating St. Valentine’s Day on St. Patrick’s Day — well – our student’s didn’t think there was anything odd about it at all.   It was a joyous event regardless of its timing.


What DID matter was that so much love was shared.   
It mattered that people thousands of miles away, across an ocean, all the way to the West side of the America were praying and thinking about children in Kabala, Sierra Leone.  


A church family (children and adults alike) joined together to cut, paste, color, glue, and decorate handmade Valentines with handwritten messages of love to send to children in a foreign country – children they have only met through this blog.   



Not only did they make these messages of love but they sent them, paying and arranging the shipping on their own, in coordination with the NHA headquarters in Taylorsville.  
And in these pictures you see another example of what our mission in Sierra Leone is all about….
and to the Parish of St. Mark’s in Portland we say THANK YOU, we love you and are so grateful for your prayers and love.   
…and to you all – we say THANK YOU for being a part of the Nazareth House Family! 

The unity brought about by such love and care for one’s neighbor is amazing.   
I don’t know how many times as we give to the people in Sierra Leone, 


the provision is shared by someone in another jurisdiction or another denomination that shuns the other.  


They are apart in their daily lives but united in their gift (donation) to Nazareth house expressed in bags of rice for the hungry, medicine for the sick, water  for the thirsty.  


They stand unified in the love for those in need.   
We love you all! 

 

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

And the Journeys continue.

Posted on March 14, 2012 by vicki
Yesterday at St. Simeon Skete, we decided to take a few of the pilgrims on The Rosary Pilgrimage following the journey we take during our Annual Nazareth House Rosary Convocation started in 1996, (this year will be our 16th Annual Convocation). The Rosary Convocation pilgrimage takes place every October on the Saturday nearest to October 7th, the Feast Day of the Rosary.   
It was an unseasonably warm day, almost more like Summer than Spring while technically we are still in the Winter Season.    The Pilgrimage takes us on a journey, praying the Life of Christ along the way.
“The succession of holy words, the telling of beads, the moments of silence, all these form the background upon which the mysteries unfold within our mind, heart and life.”-S+    

We began the Rosary by saying the Introit Prayers at the first stop of the Pilgrimage, overlooking the Ohio River. 

Next we journeyed through country roads and beautiful scenery, arriving at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Leopold, Indiana.  

“The mysteries are ever expanding to cover the wide range of human experience and emotion. These universal mysteries become intensely localized in the Rosary.” -S+

Here we prayed the first set of Mysteries of the Rosary, The Joyful Mysteries.

“The first five (mysteries) concern a woman who gives birth for the salvation of the world…”

Linda & Anna from St. Augustine of Chico, California at St. Augustine, Leopold, Indiana

 From St. Augustine’s Parish we journey on to St. Meinrad, Indiana to St. Joseph’s Shrine

“…the second five (mysteries) concern a man, the son she borne, as the revealing light to a separated world; …” -S+

At St. Joseph’s Shrine, we prayed the second set, the Luminous Mysteries.

 and the journey continued…

 Reaching the Shrine of Our Lady of Monte Cassino, we began the third set, The Sorrowful Mysteries.

“..the third group (of mysteries) concern the man who dies for the salvation of the world;…” -S+ 

This chapel is one of our favorite places to pray.  

After a time of prayer, we took in the beauty and quaintness of the chapel.

and the facilities around us 

It was a simply gorgeous Lenten day…

 The Crucifixion and Resurrection were reflected in the Spring bulbs blooming

 amidst the starkness of the leafless Winter trees.

 After a light picnic lunch, we …

washed up and traveled the final leg of the pilgrimage to St. Meinrad’s Archabbey and Theological Seminary.

 Here we said the Glorious Mysteries.  “…the fourth group (of mysteries) concerns the reunion of the separated in the accomplishment of that salvation.” -S+

 There is a statue at the Archabbey that always makes me smile.

The whimsically posed ‘turned in’ toes as he “walks”,  the swinging arm…

 were made all the more charming today by the addition of the mockingbird on the head.

 
As you drive up to St. Meinrad you instantly feel as though you are in Europe. 

While we were in Indiana, James was in Sierra Leone making his own journey.

 The One Hut Village recovering from losing their huts last year are now preparing

 the bush, clearing it to plant a rice crop and other vegetables.

 NHA will provide the seeds for them

 which will help them provide food and sustenance for the village.

 A hard days work

 with little rest in hot African sun…

 There is a lot more to do, lots of brush to remove.  But the village teams up together, young and old and make it happen.

James, with the villagers at One Hut Village send their love and greetings, wishing you all a good week.   

Posted in Kabala, St Augustine of Canterbury, St Meinrad Archabbey, St Simeon Skete, St. Augustine Leopold Indiana, St. Joseph Shrine | Leave a comment

And the Journeys continue.

Posted on March 14, 2012 by vicki
Yesterday at St. Simeon Skete, we decided to take a few of the pilgrims on The Rosary Pilgrimage following the journey we take during our Annual Nazareth House Rosary Convocation started in 1996, (this year will be our 16th Annual Convocation). The Rosary Convocation pilgrimage takes place every October on the Saturday nearest to October 7th, the Feast Day of the Rosary.   
It was an unseasonably warm day, almost more like Summer than Spring while technically we are still in the Winter Season.    The Pilgrimage takes us on a journey, praying the Life of Christ along the way.
“The succession of holy words, the telling of beads, the moments of silence, all these form the background upon which the mysteries unfold within our mind, heart and life.”-S+    

We began the Rosary by saying the Introit Prayers at the first stop of the Pilgrimage, overlooking the Ohio River. 

Next we journeyed through country roads and beautiful scenery, arriving at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Leopold, Indiana.  

“The mysteries are ever expanding to cover the wide range of human experience and emotion. These universal mysteries become intensely localized in the Rosary.” -S+

Here we prayed the first set of Mysteries of the Rosary, The Joyful Mysteries.

“The first five (mysteries) concern a woman who gives birth for the salvation of the world…”

Linda & Anna from St. Augustine of Chico, California at St. Augustine, Leopold, Indiana

 From St. Augustine’s Parish we journey on to St. Meinrad, Indiana to St. Joseph’s Shrine

“…the second five (mysteries) concern a man, the son she borne, as the revealing light to a separated world; …” -S+

At St. Joseph’s Shrine, we prayed the second set, the Luminous Mysteries.

 and the journey continued…

 Reaching the Shrine of Our Lady of Monte Cassino, we began the third set, The Sorrowful Mysteries.

“..the third group (of mysteries) concern the man who dies for the salvation of the world;…” -S+ 

This chapel is one of our favorite places to pray.  

After a time of prayer, we took in the beauty and quaintness of the chapel.

and the facilities around us 

It was a simply gorgeous Lenten day…

 The Crucifixion and Resurrection were reflected in the Spring bulbs blooming

 amidst the starkness of the leafless Winter trees.

 After a light picnic lunch, we …

washed up and traveled the final leg of the pilgrimage to St. Meinrad’s Archabbey and Theological Seminary.

 Here we said the Glorious Mysteries.  “…the fourth group (of mysteries) concerns the reunion of the separated in the accomplishment of that salvation.” -S+

 There is a statue at the Archabbey that always makes me smile.

The whimsically posed ‘turned in’ toes as he “walks”,  the swinging arm…

 were made all the more charming today by the addition of the mockingbird on the head.

 
As you drive up to St. Meinrad you instantly feel as though you are in Europe. 

While we were in Indiana, James was in Sierra Leone making his own journey.

 The One Hut Village recovering from losing their huts last year are now preparing

 the bush, clearing it to plant a rice crop and other vegetables.

 NHA will provide the seeds for them

 which will help them provide food and sustenance for the village.

 A hard days work

 with little rest in hot African sun…

 There is a lot more to do, lots of brush to remove.  But the village teams up together, young and old and make it happen.

James, with the villagers at One Hut Village send their love and greetings, wishing you all a good week.   

Posted in Kabala, St Augustine of Canterbury, St Meinrad Archabbey, St Simeon Skete, St. Augustine Leopold Indiana, St. Joseph Shrine | Leave a comment

Monday refueling for another week

Posted on March 12, 2012 by vicki

The sun is not yet rising here at St. Simeon Skete.  This morning’s Lauds and Liturgy has ended  and most of the strugglers (pilgrims) have returned to their cells.   It is such a wonderful sight to see the flashlights searching their way in the complete darkness, as the pilgrims make their way to the Chapel at 4:40 AM.  Please pray for those that are here this week as they deepen their relationship and the prayer.  We ask your prayers for them during their stay and as they return to their homes and life in the world, carrying what they have received out into the marketplace. 

St. Simeon Skete grounds       ©2012 NHA, All Rights Reserved 

Today, as everyday, there is much to hold in prayer.  The St. Simeon Skete Wailing Wall is filled with petitions.  Today we carry in prayer this Facebook status from Canon White, a priest working in the midst of turmoil in Baghdad, Iraq. 
“Another bad weekend in the Middle East, Israel is blasted with over 100 rockets saved only by its new “Iron Dome Rocket Defense System’. Innocent and guilty killed in Gaza, as Israel try’s to defend itself. Al Qaida puts out a new threat to kill all Christians in the region. Young people continue to be killed in Iraq by dropping building blocks on their faces and nobody even reports this story. Syria remains a violent mess. In the midst of disaster G-d is still in total control and he said that in the last days it would be like this!” –Canon Andrew White



©2012 NHA, All Rights Reserved 


NHA Sierra Leone Mission update: 
I will be forwarding the $600 we have now raised today for James to begin buying the necessary materials to get the workers on their way to finalizing the project.   Hopefully, by the end of the week will have raised enough to buy the remaining materials.   This is a project that is extremely necessary and one that must be completed quickly while the weather conditions are right for the job to be done.  Thank you to those who have sent in donations and to those who are planning on doing so.  Timing is important in this situation, please share the work of NHA and this particular need with your friends, relatives, co-workers and neighbors – Spread the word, share the love.  Thank you. 


NHA School, Kabala     ©2012 NHA, All Rights Reserved 

Our students at the Nazareth House Apostolate School in Kabala are in the process of testing and report cards are being prepared.  Please pray for those involved in the school, students, teachers and administration as well as their parents.  Education is such a precious gift for all.  
James’ parents Pa Foday and Mama Fatu go to check on students of NHA School.   ©2012 NHA, All Rights Reserved 

As your work week begins, please remember, you are in our prayers.  As you sit in snarled traffic, endure neurotic bosses, take that particularly hard exam, press to make unobtainable deadlines, struggle to find your lost set of keys when you are already late for work, run errands rather than eat during your lunch hour – through out those things that hold our day – remember,  there are those at Nazareth House Apostolate, St. Simeon Skete that are in it all with you, holding you in unceasing prayer and love.  God bless you all.  
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Monday refueling for another week

Posted on March 12, 2012 by vicki

The sun is not yet rising here at St. Simeon Skete.  This morning’s Lauds and Liturgy has ended  and most of the strugglers (pilgrims) have returned to their cells.   It is such a wonderful sight to see the flashlights searching their way in the complete darkness, as the pilgrims make their way to the Chapel at 4:40 AM.  Please pray for those that are here this week as they deepen their relationship and the prayer.  We ask your prayers for them during their stay and as they return to their homes and life in the world, carrying what they have received out into the marketplace. 

St. Simeon Skete grounds       ©2012 NHA, All Rights Reserved 

Today, as everyday, there is much to hold in prayer.  The St. Simeon Skete Wailing Wall is filled with petitions.  Today we carry in prayer this Facebook status from Canon White, a priest working in the midst of turmoil in Baghdad, Iraq. 
“Another bad weekend in the Middle East, Israel is blasted with over 100 rockets saved only by its new “Iron Dome Rocket Defense System’. Innocent and guilty killed in Gaza, as Israel try’s to defend itself. Al Qaida puts out a new threat to kill all Christians in the region. Young people continue to be killed in Iraq by dropping building blocks on their faces and nobody even reports this story. Syria remains a violent mess. In the midst of disaster G-d is still in total control and he said that in the last days it would be like this!” –Canon Andrew White



©2012 NHA, All Rights Reserved 


NHA Sierra Leone Mission update: 
I will be forwarding the $600 we have now raised today for James to begin buying the necessary materials to get the workers on their way to finalizing the project.   Hopefully, by the end of the week will have raised enough to buy the remaining materials.   This is a project that is extremely necessary and one that must be completed quickly while the weather conditions are right for the job to be done.  Thank you to those who have sent in donations and to those who are planning on doing so.  Timing is important in this situation, please share the work of NHA and this particular need with your friends, relatives, co-workers and neighbors – Spread the word, share the love.  Thank you. 


NHA School, Kabala     ©2012 NHA, All Rights Reserved 

Our students at the Nazareth House Apostolate School in Kabala are in the process of testing and report cards are being prepared.  Please pray for those involved in the school, students, teachers and administration as well as their parents.  Education is such a precious gift for all.  
James’ parents Pa Foday and Mama Fatu go to check on students of NHA School.   ©2012 NHA, All Rights Reserved 

As your work week begins, please remember, you are in our prayers.  As you sit in snarled traffic, endure neurotic bosses, take that particularly hard exam, press to make unobtainable deadlines, struggle to find your lost set of keys when you are already late for work, run errands rather than eat during your lunch hour – through out those things that hold our day – remember,  there are those at Nazareth House Apostolate, St. Simeon Skete that are in it all with you, holding you in unceasing prayer and love.  God bless you all.  
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Report: Completion of the Well at the Compound: What it is going to take to get the job done.

Posted on March 10, 2012 by vicki

A March 10th email to Mama Vicki from James Mansaray:

The Mansaray Family a few weeks ago in Freetown.   


Dear Mama Vicki,
Good morning and thanks for the phone call yesterday. I had been keeping busy as usual even though donations and post deliveries are a bit slow but we are doing what we can.  

NHA School Kids send their greetings & love to you!  (©2012 NHA all rights reserved)

The kids are on exams so that makes all of us to be very involved with activities. The teachers are doing extremely well and happy. 


Did you ever send the report cards? We are indeed in need of them asap. Sad that post is very slow these days. 

Sorry for keeping you waiting on the well report due to reasons beyond my control. Yesterday I finally got the men to check it up again. Here is the estimate we came up with and it contains the materials we need to bring it to a finish. It might take us till April ending but it will be good if we start now before the Rainy Season begins. 

They say Cholera is on the outbreak in some part of Salone making it scary for lot of people but we are ok here for now.

Materials to Complete the Well:

1.       Forty six bags of cement needed to cover up lining walls, Centre for culvert,head walls and Apron A bag of cement is Le. 45,000 (forty five thousand leones ) bringing us to a total of Le. 1, 980,000 ( one million nine hundred and eighty thousand leones).
2.       One trip sand and one trip granite stone Le. 600,000 ( Six hundred thousand leones)
3.       Sixty pieces of 1length iron rod at Le. 15,000 (fifteen thousand leones each) bring us to a total of Le. 900,000( Nine hundred thousand leones).
4.        2 role Binding wire ( One hundred thousand leones)
5.       Still cover for the top  (One hundred thousand  leones
6.       Hand pump ( Three million leones) The need for it is to let other people like the area neighbors, the school to fetch water without having to walk to the stream. Water from the well will run straight to the tank which we will build at the back of the compound.
7.       Mole rental for concrete work ( Four hundred thousand leones) but I might borrow it to some people here in Kabala.
8.       Adding it up all, we will get a grand total of Seven million and eighty thousand Leones. The workers  were already paid their labor by Anthony (the general contractor)  so we owe them nothing! and there is already a tank in store. We just have to prepare food everyday as the work is going on. Sorry it looks a bit more than what we expect but this is it. I hope this help. March till April ending will be ok so let’s see what we can do.
Thanks for all.

—-James 


Note: Please don’t panic, 7,800,000 leones is equivalent to 

$1,775 in USDollar.   
We have $500 already in for this project 
which leaves us $1275 to raise 
as soon as possible.

The faster we can raise the money, the quicker we can get the project started and provide water for the NHA Compound, School and area neighbors.   

We have already paid the workers for their labor through the funds we paid 
the general contractor last year when the NHA Compound was being built.  The expenditures to complete the well are all material costs except for the daily feeding of the workers.   

IT IS IMPERATIVE that we complete this project by the end of April.  This means we need to buy the materials ASAP (NOW)  in order to finish before the rains set in. 

We’d appreciate your financial assistance in providing water for NHA Compound which in turn provides water for the community and our school.  Thank you. 

Kadijah & Baby Vicki.   Notice those big cheeks on that baby girl! 


NOTE TO JAMES:  Baby Vicki looks so much like your mother, Mama Fatu!  

Posted in NHA, NHA Kabala school, water at the well, well | Leave a comment

Report: Completion of the Well at the Compound: What it is going to take to get the job done.

Posted on March 10, 2012 by vicki

A March 10th email to Mama Vicki from James Mansaray:

The Mansaray Family a few weeks ago in Freetown.   


Dear Mama Vicki,
Good morning and thanks for the phone call yesterday. I had been keeping busy as usual even though donations and post deliveries are a bit slow but we are doing what we can.  

NHA School Kids send their greetings & love to you!  (©2012 NHA all rights reserved)

The kids are on exams so that makes all of us to be very involved with activities. The teachers are doing extremely well and happy. 


Did you ever send the report cards? We are indeed in need of them asap. Sad that post is very slow these days. 

Sorry for keeping you waiting on the well report due to reasons beyond my control. Yesterday I finally got the men to check it up again. Here is the estimate we came up with and it contains the materials we need to bring it to a finish. It might take us till April ending but it will be good if we start now before the Rainy Season begins. 

They say Cholera is on the outbreak in some part of Salone making it scary for lot of people but we are ok here for now.

Materials to Complete the Well:

1.       Forty six bags of cement needed to cover up lining walls, Centre for culvert,head walls and Apron A bag of cement is Le. 45,000 (forty five thousand leones ) bringing us to a total of Le. 1, 980,000 ( one million nine hundred and eighty thousand leones).
2.       One trip sand and one trip granite stone Le. 600,000 ( Six hundred thousand leones)
3.       Sixty pieces of 1length iron rod at Le. 15,000 (fifteen thousand leones each) bring us to a total of Le. 900,000( Nine hundred thousand leones).
4.        2 role Binding wire ( One hundred thousand leones)
5.       Still cover for the top  (One hundred thousand  leones
6.       Hand pump ( Three million leones) The need for it is to let other people like the area neighbors, the school to fetch water without having to walk to the stream. Water from the well will run straight to the tank which we will build at the back of the compound.
7.       Mole rental for concrete work ( Four hundred thousand leones) but I might borrow it to some people here in Kabala.
8.       Adding it up all, we will get a grand total of Seven million and eighty thousand Leones. The workers  were already paid their labor by Anthony (the general contractor)  so we owe them nothing! and there is already a tank in store. We just have to prepare food everyday as the work is going on. Sorry it looks a bit more than what we expect but this is it. I hope this help. March till April ending will be ok so let’s see what we can do.
Thanks for all.

—-James 


Note: Please don’t panic, 7,800,000 leones is equivalent to 

$1,775 in USDollar.   
We have $500 already in for this project 
which leaves us $1275 to raise 
as soon as possible.

The faster we can raise the money, the quicker we can get the project started and provide water for the NHA Compound, School and area neighbors.   

We have already paid the workers for their labor through the funds we paid 
the general contractor last year when the NHA Compound was being built.  The expenditures to complete the well are all material costs except for the daily feeding of the workers.   

IT IS IMPERATIVE that we complete this project by the end of April.  This means we need to buy the materials ASAP (NOW)  in order to finish before the rains set in. 

We’d appreciate your financial assistance in providing water for NHA Compound which in turn provides water for the community and our school.  Thank you. 

Kadijah & Baby Vicki.   Notice those big cheeks on that baby girl! 


NOTE TO JAMES:  Baby Vicki looks so much like your mother, Mama Fatu!  

Posted in NHA, NHA Kabala school, water at the well, well | Leave a comment

Full Moon and Solar Flares

Posted on March 8, 2012 by vicki

I’m not so sure as to what to expect today, giving the activity from the sun combined with a full moon.  
I’ve been told that satellites and some radio waves will be interrupted due the strong solar flare but nothing more than that – except the aurora borealis should be more interested for those in the Northern Hemisphere. 
Tucked away here in Taylorsville, its not likely we will see any of the Northern Lights – but I’ll keep an eye out tonight, just the same.  

 After investigation we are finding some damage from Friday’s storms at the Skete.  All are extremely minor considering those who lost lives and homes.  Nevertheless, we must attend to the damage.  Anna House, in particular, suffered hail damage to the siding on the South side of the building. I guess, when hail falls the size of baseballs – it will do damage and we are most fortunate that this is as minor as it is.  

It was quite a shock to have been blanketed with snow within two days of threatening tornado producing weather.  

March is a busy here at the skete with several pilgrims arriving throughout the month.  Please pray for those coming to deepen the prayer in their lives and for those coming to test their vocations.  
James in Sierra Leone reports the desperate need for water at the compound.  We paid the contractor and the building was completed, however those that were contracted to finish the well did not finish the work the contractor paid them to do. 
Granted, the rains came early and hindered them but the job was not finished and payment was made.  However, those that began the work are no longer in Kabala.  James is actively getting estimates as we have been told that if we do not get started and finish the work on the Well that we will have to wait to begin again in a year – leaving the compound without water for another year.   

March is the dry weather and conditions for well digging and water levels are perfect now and won’t be in another few more weeks.  We will have to pay the new workers as the others were paid by the original contractor and they have vanished. 

This is Africa.  You take a few steps forward and then a step backward.  All in all, we have made tremendous progress with the completion of the Compound.  I have not been given a figure for the amount we need on the well, that should be coming soon.  In the meantime, if you can help us financially get this project started, it would be very much appreciated.  
Every time I turn on my faucet at the kitchen sink – I think of Kadijah washing dishes in a bucket of water hauled from a nearby stream.  
Rain water collected to fill buckets 
Every time I flush my toilet, I think of James hauling buckets from that same stream to empty them into the toilet in order to flush it.  When I turn the knob and water comes out of my shower … I remember and I pray that we can get this well completed as soon as possible.   Let’s partner in this project to bring water from the well flowing into the compound.  Please give today.  Thank you. 
Nazareth House Apostolate
185 Captains Cove Drive
Taylorsville, KY 40071 
or thru paypal on our website www.nazarethhouseap.org
Posted in St Simeon Skete | Leave a comment

Full Moon and Solar Flares

Posted on March 8, 2012 by vicki

I’m not so sure as to what to expect today, giving the activity from the sun combined with a full moon.  
I’ve been told that satellites and some radio waves will be interrupted due the strong solar flare but nothing more than that – except the aurora borealis should be more interested for those in the Northern Hemisphere. 
Tucked away here in Taylorsville, its not likely we will see any of the Northern Lights – but I’ll keep an eye out tonight, just the same.  

 After investigation we are finding some damage from Friday’s storms at the Skete.  All are extremely minor considering those who lost lives and homes.  Nevertheless, we must attend to the damage.  Anna House, in particular, suffered hail damage to the siding on the South side of the building. I guess, when hail falls the size of baseballs – it will do damage and we are most fortunate that this is as minor as it is.  

It was quite a shock to have been blanketed with snow within two days of threatening tornado producing weather.  

March is a busy here at the skete with several pilgrims arriving throughout the month.  Please pray for those coming to deepen the prayer in their lives and for those coming to test their vocations.  
James in Sierra Leone reports the desperate need for water at the compound.  We paid the contractor and the building was completed, however those that were contracted to finish the well did not finish the work the contractor paid them to do. 
Granted, the rains came early and hindered them but the job was not finished and payment was made.  However, those that began the work are no longer in Kabala.  James is actively getting estimates as we have been told that if we do not get started and finish the work on the Well that we will have to wait to begin again in a year – leaving the compound without water for another year.   

March is the dry weather and conditions for well digging and water levels are perfect now and won’t be in another few more weeks.  We will have to pay the new workers as the others were paid by the original contractor and they have vanished. 

This is Africa.  You take a few steps forward and then a step backward.  All in all, we have made tremendous progress with the completion of the Compound.  I have not been given a figure for the amount we need on the well, that should be coming soon.  In the meantime, if you can help us financially get this project started, it would be very much appreciated.  
Every time I turn on my faucet at the kitchen sink – I think of Kadijah washing dishes in a bucket of water hauled from a nearby stream.  
Rain water collected to fill buckets 
Every time I flush my toilet, I think of James hauling buckets from that same stream to empty them into the toilet in order to flush it.  When I turn the knob and water comes out of my shower … I remember and I pray that we can get this well completed as soon as possible.   Let’s partner in this project to bring water from the well flowing into the compound.  Please give today.  Thank you. 
Nazareth House Apostolate
185 Captains Cove Drive
Taylorsville, KY 40071 
or thru paypal on our website www.nazarethhouseap.org
Posted in St Simeon Skete | Leave a comment

Clouds, Puddles and Denominations

Posted on March 3, 2012 by vicki
Yesterday, many areas of the Eastern United States experienced severe and dangerous storms.
Wall Cloud, St. Simeon Skete   ©2012 NHA, All Rights Reserved


There were those who lost their homes and things …and those who lost their lives.



Wall Cloud, St. Simeon Skete   ©2012 NHA, All Rights Reserved


Wall Cloud, St. Simeon Skete   ©2012 NHA, All Rights Reserved

At St. Simeon Skete in Taylorsville, Kentucky a *wall cloud approached from the South.  The Warning Sirens began to sound.




As the bellowing cloud crossed Taylorsville Lake it gently swirled into the form of a funnel cloud that stayed in the sky and crossed directly over the Holy Trinity Kellia.

Large hail pelted the roof, sounding like artillery fire as it hit.  Within minutes the threat had passed.

Our border collie is terribly afraid of storms and had been shaking in the basement most of the morning as the storms came through, one bout after another.


The Warning Sirens ceased and I ran the dog outside to do his business as the sun began to peek out of the clouds and brighten the sky.

Looking to the East, I noticed a rainbow.

As my dog ran around finding and gobbling up the remaining unthawed hail left on the ground,


I noticed the rain puddles and I remembered Seraphim’s thoughts on seeing rain puddles, some years ago.


I asked him to share those thoughts again.

“One day after a large thunderstorm in Louisville, I walked out towards the pond and noticed there were rain puddles all over the ground.  It seemed as if most of the ground was one small lake.



As I walked around I noticed each puddle reflected a different part of the sky.  One revealed a sky with two clouds, one with only one cloud and yet another contained a glimpse of the sun passing through the clouds – but they were all reflecting the same sky.



I thought of our different denominations, each saying that this is the sky (this is God), but forgetting that they are reflecting part of the sky, not the whole sky.

As the ground began to dry up, the more separation there was between the rain puddles.   The distance between the puddles and the dry land was great.  Like the land between the puddles, denominations become territorial, the more there are – the further the distance between us.  Finally, there was just a few tiny pools of water, here and there.
God will send a “rain” on earth and blend all the “rain puddles” and we’ll be one body of “water”.  But for now God unites us in our hearts.”  – Seraphim+ -recalling thoughts after a rainstorm
“Throughout his life he (Lev Gillet) continued to display a fixed aversion for all forms of ecclesiastical aggression and polemics.  He did not believe that reunion could be achieved through theological confrontation through controversy and formal discussion.” -“The Jesus Prayer” by A Monk of The Eastern Church. pg. 8,.
“The Monk of the Eastern church concluded that the “Communion of Saints” transcended confessional and institutional barriers and that a genuine and intense spiritual life is the shortest and safest way towards reunion.” – pg 277 of T”he Biography of Lev Gillet”, by Behr-Sigel
“If I can unite  in myself the thought and the devotion of Eastern and Western Christendom, the Greek and the Latin Fathers, The Russians with the Spanish mystics, I can prepare in myself the reunion of divided Christians.  From that secret and unspoken unity in myself can eventually come a visible and manifest unity of all Christians.  If we want to bring together what is divided, we can not do so by imposing one division upon the other or absorbing one division into the other.  But if we do this, the union is not Christian.  It is political, and doomed to further conflict.   We must contain all divided worlds in ourselves and transcend them in Christ. – Thomas Merton: Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander, pg 21.

 

Sunset at the Skete, 2 March after a day of threatening weather.  ©2012 NHA, All Rights Reserved

*A wall cloud (or pedestal cloud) is a large, lowering, and rotating base of a cumulonimbus cloud that potentially forms tornadoes. It is typically beneath the rain-free base (RFB) portion of a deep cumulus cloud (normally cumulonimbus but on rare occasion cumulus congestus), and indicates the area of primary and strongest updraft which condenses into cloud at altitudes lower than that of the ambient cloud base. Most strong tornadoes form from wall clouds.

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