Christmastide: Day 11

As usual, the Nazareth House Apostolate supporters, workers, and recipients; both children and adults, do what they do so well – and teamed up to demonstrate what LOVE is all about.  
It is always amazing to watch people come together to make things happen.  
People from one side of a country to another, from one side of an ocean to another, all walks of life, all capabilities… all blended together to hold each other up.   
Its all about love, and when love is truly orchestrating our actions – astonishingly wonderful things can happen. 
At the time that the Sunday School Class in Portland, Oregon was preparing candy canes and greetings for the children in Kabala, 
the Anglican Church Women of St. Augustine’s Anglican Church in Chico, California were sending medications and extra funds for the work of Nazareth House in Kabala. 
And while they were doing that, down South in the Carolinas, The C.S. Lewis Center and St. Theodore’s Anglican Chapel were Fasting for Africa as a fundraiser for the work of NHA.  
 …and all the while individuals and families are donating.  
In Kabala, everything came in at the right time – money, necessities and Christmas Candy Canes.  Once we, in America, ship over to James in Kabala, then its time for them to what they do so well – distribute to those in need. 

And with love and the same abundant zeal that began in USA… the work is done.  
By the time the candy canes had arrived, the NHA School had already closed for the Christmas Vacation – (yes, in Sierra Leone it is still called Christmas Vacation and not Winter Vacation)
 No problem!, James knew exactly what to do.  He thought of the Blind School.  

Candy canes are a gift that do not have to be seen – 
they are a gift for many of the senses -and with someone to help you remove the wrapper its even better.  
 So James packed up the medications from Chico, 
as well as supplies bought from funding from Columbia, South Carolina along with the candy canes from Portland, Oregon 
and headed out to the School for the Blind.   
He was also equipped with the means (from donations) to provide needs depending on their necessity to those at the Blind School.  
And back at the NHA School in Kabala, if you look closely at the little guy holding up the thank you sign for the candy canes, 
you’ll notice it is ROO.   
Another bit of team work accomplished, Roo was critically anemic just last month, however, fast action sending vitamins and IRON from our headquarters in Kentucky has proved effective and we see that energetic smiling Roo once again.
As you can see, 
TEAM NAZARETH has managed to spread the love again.   
So on this eleventh day of Christmas, 

we give you love – lots of it – from all of us at NHA. 
Posted in C.S. Lewis Center, Nazareth house apostolate, Nazareth House Apostolate School, NHA, St Augustine of Canterbury, St Mark's Portland OR | Leave a comment

ON THE 10TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS….

The Children’s Sunday School

Portland, Oregon

NHA Teacher, Lucy distributes candy canes to the students
know the real meaning of Christmas.

Pa Foday helps to distribute candy canes
They provided the candy canes 
and Christmas Cards

 to the students of
 Nazareth House Apostolate School

 in Kabala Sierra Leone.

   
These pictures show it all…
  Merry Christmas!

 Your prayers, support, donations are changing the lives of these children and many others.  Please remember Nazareth House Apostolate in your charity givings during 2012.  

Nazareth House Apostolate
185 Captains Cove Drive
Taylorsville, KY 40071

Posted in kabala sierra leone, Nazareth house kabala school, Parish Of St. Mark's Anglican Church | Leave a comment

ON THE 10TH DAY OF CHRISTMAS….

The Children’s Sunday School

Portland, Oregon

NHA Teacher, Lucy distributes candy canes to the students
know the real meaning of Christmas.

Pa Foday helps to distribute candy canes
They provided the candy canes 
and Christmas Cards

 to the students of
 Nazareth House Apostolate School

 in Kabala Sierra Leone.

   
These pictures show it all…
  Merry Christmas!

 Your prayers, support, donations are changing the lives of these children and many others.  Please remember Nazareth House Apostolate in your charity givings during 2012.  

Nazareth House Apostolate
185 Captains Cove Drive
Taylorsville, KY 40071

Posted in kabala sierra leone, Nazareth house kabala school, Parish Of St. Mark's Anglican Church | Leave a comment

Hello 2012!

 

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.

Posted in Kabala, Nazareth house apostolate, NHA, NHA school, St Simeon Skete, Sunday School, The Parish of St. Mark's Anglican Church | Leave a 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.

Posted in Kabala, Nazareth house apostolate, NHA, NHA school, St Simeon Skete, Sunday School, The Parish of St. Mark's Anglican Church | Leave a comment

President Koroma greets 2012 in prayer at Kabala

President Ernest Bai Koroma has arrived in Kabala and James was there to meet him, camera in hand.   
©2012 NHA Media, James B Mansaray, photographer

President Koroma is in Kabala to celebrate the New Year.  

©2012 NHA Media, James B Mansaray, photographer

He didn’t greet 2012 with a lavish party and champaign filled glasses,

©2012 NHA Media, James B Mansaray, photographer

instead he welcomes the New Year surrounded by the people of the country in which he serves

©2012 NHA Media, James B Mansaray, photographer

and he began it in prayer.

©2012 NHA Media, James B Mansaray, photographer

Joining with those who had gathered to meet the New Year worshipping at the Holy Martyrs of Uganda Catholic Church in Kabala,

©2012 NHA Media, James B Mansaray, photographer

He opened the year,

©2012 NHA Media, James B Mansaray, photographer

 in prayer for the remaining hurdles Sierra Leone continues to face and

©2012 NHA Media, James B Mansaray, photographer

  in thanksgiving for the progresses made

©2012 NHA Media, James B Mansaray, photographer

 What a wonderful way for a Head of State to start a New Year.  Many blessings to you, President Koroma, to Sierra Leone and to all involved in Nazareth House Apostolate.   God bless you all.

Posted in Holy Martyrs of Uganda Church, james mansaray, Nazareth house apostolate, Nazareth house kabala school, NHA, Prayer, President Ernest Bai Koroma | Leave a comment

President Koroma greets 2012 in prayer at Kabala

President Ernest Bai Koroma has arrived in Kabala and James was there to meet him, camera in hand.   
©2012 NHA Media, James B Mansaray, photographer

President Koroma is in Kabala to celebrate the New Year.  

©2012 NHA Media, James B Mansaray, photographer

He didn’t greet 2012 with a lavish party and champaign filled glasses,

©2012 NHA Media, James B Mansaray, photographer

instead he welcomes the New Year surrounded by the people of the country in which he serves

©2012 NHA Media, James B Mansaray, photographer

and he began it in prayer.

©2012 NHA Media, James B Mansaray, photographer

Joining with those who had gathered to meet the New Year worshipping at the Holy Martyrs of Uganda Catholic Church in Kabala,

©2012 NHA Media, James B Mansaray, photographer

He opened the year,

©2012 NHA Media, James B Mansaray, photographer

 in prayer for the remaining hurdles Sierra Leone continues to face and

©2012 NHA Media, James B Mansaray, photographer

  in thanksgiving for the progresses made

©2012 NHA Media, James B Mansaray, photographer

 What a wonderful way for a Head of State to start a New Year.  Many blessings to you, President Koroma, to Sierra Leone and to all involved in Nazareth House Apostolate.   God bless you all.

Posted in Holy Martyrs of Uganda Church, james mansaray, Nazareth house apostolate, Nazareth house kabala school, NHA, Prayer, President Ernest Bai Koroma | Leave a comment

The Heavens Declare the Glory of God

I took the following photographs tonight at St. Simeon Skete in Taylorsville, Kentucky.  The sun was dropping behind the clouds, slipping into position to set for the night.  It was time for Vespers.  Consistently, evening after evening, here at the skete, the setting sun and rising moon manage to amaze us with a spectacular view.  

The heavens declare the glory of God;
   the skies proclaim the work of his hands


Day after day they pour forth speech;
   night after night they reveal knowledge.

They have no speech, they use no words;
   no sound is heard from them.

Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
   their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.

It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
 
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

It rises at one end of the heavens
   and makes its circuit to the other;
   nothing is deprived of its warmth.  -Psalm 19:1-6


Revelation 4:1 
After this I lookedand, behold, a door was opened in heaven




Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them!  Therefore, rejoice,
heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice!  

 Selah His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth.  His brilliant
splendor fills the heavens, and the earth is filled with his praise.  

Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD from the heavens, praise him in the heights

above.  Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens 

He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all
the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe  

The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars
another; and star differs from star in splendor.  

Photographs by Vicki Hicks 
©2011 VHicks; NHA 
Posted in Nazareth house apostolate, St Simeon Skete, Taylorsville Kentucky | Leave a comment

The Heavens Declare the Glory of God

I took the following photographs tonight at St. Simeon Skete in Taylorsville, Kentucky.  The sun was dropping behind the clouds, slipping into position to set for the night.  It was time for Vespers.  Consistently, evening after evening, here at the skete, the setting sun and rising moon manage to amaze us with a spectacular view.  

The heavens declare the glory of God;
   the skies proclaim the work of his hands


Day after day they pour forth speech;
   night after night they reveal knowledge.

They have no speech, they use no words;
   no sound is heard from them.

Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
   their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.

It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
 
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

It rises at one end of the heavens
   and makes its circuit to the other;
   nothing is deprived of its warmth.  -Psalm 19:1-6


Revelation 4:1 
After this I lookedand, behold, a door was opened in heaven




Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them!  Therefore, rejoice,
heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice!  

 Selah His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth.  His brilliant
splendor fills the heavens, and the earth is filled with his praise.  

Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD from the heavens, praise him in the heights

above.  Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens 

He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all
the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe  

The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars
another; and star differs from star in splendor.  

Photographs by Vicki Hicks 
©2011 VHicks; NHA 
Posted in Nazareth house apostolate, St Simeon Skete, Taylorsville Kentucky | Leave a comment

James’ Christmas Message to me….

Warning, the photos below are graphic.  Use discretion in allowing young children to view.

We all look forward to receiving our messages from loved ones on Christmas morning.  We expect to hear excitement, joy … but that’s not the case, especially in Sierra Leone.  Tragedy doesn’t discriminate between Holy Days or any other day.  On Christmas morning, James and I were having difficulty connecting – phone lines in Sierra Leone were overloaded, Internet server intermittent – typical frustrations of working together separated by an ocean.   Still and all,  we did make connection and enjoyed a Christmas Phone Conversation.  However, just prior to our telephone call, James managed to fire off the following quick email to me with photos. 



As many people were opening an over abundance of gifts under the tree, these words opened my Christmas morning…


“Hello Mama Hicks,

the pic of the old man was an accident. he was returning from the BO hospital to visit his sick wife together with his son and grand children. On their way home late at night to raise remaining money to pay his wife hospital bill, he was pushing his old bicycle when an Okada rider riding a motor bike with no head lights hit this poor man. I was in a car with some friends visiting his village (to bring Christmas cheer from NHA) so we help rush with him to the hospital, he lost so much blood and with no urgent help, nor ambulance to bring him to Freetown, he died this morning. So so sad.

MERRY CHRISTMAS.”


This is how James’ spent his Christmas Eve, 



struggling to save a man’s life, 







fighting against all odds to make a wrong into right.  





James begs for medical attention for this man……there is none available…


And as we close another year,  James tells me…. “mama, we still need so much here, it is so different from America, it no easy” 


And since the goal of NHA is to make a village self-sufficient, not in need of our help….. we have a lot of work to do.  Join NHA today, become a regular monthly contributor.  We can’t change it all, some things are so battered and messed up we can only bear witness to it and bring awareness to the need.  But we can give love, person to person, bit by bit and that will seed the change.









Posted in Nazareth house apostolate, NHA, Sierra Leone | Leave a comment