Two weeks ago, James traveled from Kabala to Freetown, the Capital City of Sierra Leone, to pick up supplies and check the Post Office. The entire family went along. Kadijah needed to have a prenatal checkup, Roo was having strange fever and Lucy didn't want to stay behind in Kabala - so everyone piled into a transport and went with him. Upon arrival, Roo's symptoms worsened, Kadijah couldn't get in to see the doctor as fast as she hoped and the Postal Workers were on strike. Oh Freetown, you never change too much.
The Post had called James and informed him that he had a few boxes, but because of the strike he had to wait. Roo's illness became worse, which prompted them to stay put in Freetown and see what was going on with him. Turns out Roo had strep throat and if the doctor gave him REAL Amoxicillin, he should be fine in a few days. ...and finally James was able to receive the packages from the Post.
In the boxes were some medication from our headquarters in Taylorsville, Kentucky and from our Chapter in Athens, Georgia (through Granny Pearl's Trunk) there were two boxes filled with dresses for some our students at Nazareth House Apostolate School.
James needed to return to Kabala to check on the School, Kadijah decided to stay in Freetown until Roo was healthy enough to travel. Sanu agreed to accompany James back to Kabala. On the return trip, James and Sanu noticed some children walking the highway. They had no real clothes and what clothing was on them was tattered.
As they drove towards Kabala, boxes of dresses in tow, here were children without dresses. "Put 'em together and what have you got ... bibbidi-bobbidi-boo" The two guys, without saying a word, stopped the car and tended to the moment. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to put two and two together and know what to do.
bibbidi-bobbidi-boo ...and two little girls are transformed into nice clothing and their mother's smile tells it all. Fairy Godmother? - unreality! Supporters of NHA changing people's lives? - total reality!
As the journey continued, James and Sanu kept their eyes open for more opportunities to surprise a little girl with a dress. This is one of my favorite things to do when I am in Africa, traveling along the roads, meeting people and giving them supplies and filling needs as we travel.
Where there is a grass hut,
there will be people - so you make your way to them, box in hand.
The chances are good
that most of the children you find in the village, will not be wearing much clothing
and if they have clothes on, they are tattered and ragged.
More villagers, more dresses. Slip on a dress and ....
bibbidi-bobbidi-boo
repeat the process
a red polka dot dress and a sweet little girl
put them together and what do you got?
You have smile after
smile after smile....
Having clothed this village in dresses, its time for James and Sanu to move on to the next.
but the villagers would not hear of sending them on without some good ole village hospitality.
So with whatever small amount of food they have, they offer it to their guests.
It is the way of the village, hospitality is extremely important.
And so it is with Nazareth House Apostolate; it is thepractice at St. Simeon Skete. Always offer hospitality -
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As they leave, behind them are smiles and
a very thankful village!
To be continued... more villages stops along the way back to Kabala
check out this blog often for more reports.
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