Postal Tide continues to flow in and out

When James first arrived home from America to his country, Sierra Leone, 

he encountered a sick Roo.  


So after spending time waiting in and out of airports on his way home, once home, 

James found himself waiting in a doctors office. 

Luckily it was a rebound case of malaria that was not too destructive and Roo was back feeling well again in a few days. 

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Remember the boxes that James and I prepared 

at St. Simeon Skete from the medications and supplies sent from several of our supporters? 

Taylorsville, Kentucky USA Post Office

(Click here to see previous blog post about this shipment) 



All four of those boxes arrived in Sierra Leone at the same time James arrived.  

Freetown Salone Post Office,  Freetown Sierra Leone

Perfect timing!!!! 



As usual, Roo jumped right in to unpack the boxes.   



The girls, Lucy and Ann Marie 

were excited to receive some text books 

for schooling from Kathy Webb.  

The girls couldn't wait to investigate the new learning tools. 

Medications all around them (from Jim & Glenda Krapf of Breeding, KY.; St Augustine of Canterbury Anglican Parish of Chico, California; Debbie King & St. Alban's Parish in Arizona; Kathy Nagy of Louisville, KY; Kathy Webb of Carmichael, CA; Esther Criscuola de Laix of Oakland, CA; and Liz Holt of Augusta, GA),

Kadijah quickly plans the next distribution trip.  

They are all anxious to get out and help those in need.  

We are so thankful for the love and support of NHA Team both in Sierra Leone and in USA. 

  The tide of giving continues to flow out and in, in and out.   

God bless you all.  

Today is Ann Marie's birthday

To learn more about Ann Marie: click on this link 

Click here for previous blog link giving the story of Ann Marie

Happy Birthday, Ann Marie.  

We love you and 

...and we are very proud of you!

Bye America, Hello Sierra Leone. Fun as it was, It is good to be home.

James Mansaray, our director in Sierra Leone recently returned to his country

 after a visit to America.  

He learned a lot,

James has first swim in a pool

traveled a lot, 

experienced a lot.

So many of the NHA Supporters, James already knew 

and loved through your acts of compassion

in supporting the work in Sierra Leone.  

But finally he was able to meet several of you in person.

 As much as we wanted to meet with everyone, 

time limited us.  

so it was like a whirlwind, meeting people...

 going here, going there

seeing this, 

doing that, 

a time full of many "firsts",

new experiences...

so we tried to fit it all in before

he had to leave for Sierra Leone.   

Dinner at Fr. Ben & Sharon Brown 

James hung onto every moment,  

experiencing all this new land had to offer -especially all the food.  He was amazed that there is always some kind of food available in our homes and "if you go to bed, you wake up and there is still food!"  Its not like that in Sierra Leone.   Most people are lucky to find one meal a day.

 He actually gained 11 pounds during his visit.  In fact, the day James left to go home, as he was loading his bags in the car to go to the airport, he turned back, took a final look into the refrigerator and said "Good bye, food"

______________________

He learned about various forms 

of transportation...

He negotiated ice...

He realized how the Nazareth House circle of friends ripples out into the world.....

He met up with old friends from Kabala now living in the States.

He went back home, eager to be with his family, yet he was full of memories and fondness for those he left behind in America.  He has always been aware of the impact the supporters of NHA have on his people in Sierra Leone. He has seen lives changed for the better.  However, he now knows, first handedly,  the selfless giving and compassion.  He understands that all Americans are not swimming in an excess of money and that NHA people are hard working people, with struggles of their own, yet sharing what they can to help out friends in need. 

NHA sent James home with bags full of medication, supplies, gifts and provision for the work.  His first order of business, once on Freetown soil, was to get to the Landlord and pay the rent on the St. Laurence House in Freetown.   

We have been granted a stay until May 14th.  

Please understand, there are NO more extensions to be given, we have exhausted all delays.  We must vacate on May 14th and move into the Compound that we are in the process of building in Kabala. 

The landlord at St. Laurence House in Freetown, asked for $2,200 and an additional $800 to repair any damage to the building.  James negotiated that this would not be necessary.  Only thing needed to do at St. Laurence House is paint, as we have always kept the place up spotless and in the best of condition.    Paint and labor will not cost $800! ..besides James and the family can handle doing this on their own - saving us the extra money.  

The following is a brief report of what has been spent so far this year.  This does not include the expenses of James visit which include the supplies, medications, equipment, etc he brought home with him.   

January 2011:

• $5,000 includes $2,200 for rent of current St. Laurence House in Freetown; plus monthly support  $2,200 for teacher salaries, rice & supplies, school supplies, utilities for St. Laurence House); remaining used to catch up needs in James absence

February 2011:

• $2,200 monthly support (includes teacher salaries, rice & supplies, school supplies, utilities St. Laurence House)
• $3,000 for contractor, applied towards Kabala Compound
• $2,000 for contractor, applied towards Kabala Compound

Our average receipts per month are at $2,500.   This does not provide for a quick end to the NHA debt of building the Compound in Kabala. The monthly expenses of keeping people alive, paying the school teachers, upkeep and utilities of St. Laurence House, medications, shipping, etc is $2,200.    We need your help.  If you are already making regular contributions to NHA, please spread the word of this work that is being done - after all this is YOUR work through Nazareth House. Tell your friends, relatives, neighbors, co-workers - maybe even the company  you work for would want to be a part of this beautiful team of people.  And..  if you have not yet committed to regular monthly donations yourself, won't you please consider doing so today?