St. Simeon Skete, Taylorsville Kentucky USA

With St. Simeon, the God receiver, as our patron, the skete seeks to practice the ideals found in our Rule, The Thousand Day Nazareth. In simplicity and poverty, the skete embraces the struggle of inner life through the practice of the Prayer Rope.

See our website at www.nazarethhouseap.org

Donations should be addressed to: Nazareth House Apostolate, 185 Captains Cove Drive, Taylorsville, Kentucky 40071.

Important Notice: All writings, posts, graphics & photographs in this blog are the copyrighted property of (unless otherwise indicated) Nazareth House Media, a division of Nazareth House Apostolate and cannot be copied, printed or used without written permission from NHA Media, Taylorsville, KY.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

NHA Family has increased by a village


Greetings from yet another new village that James has placed under the care of Nazareth House Apostolate.  


It is a good distance away from the NHA Compound in Kabala and very difficult to bring supplies by foot or motorbike.



 Nevertheless, James makes his way to the hidden villages



where those in the furtherest places out seek the minimal substance that will enable them to survive.



This is one of the many reasons we must provide a Vehicle for James.  James' entrance into their community is the first sign of hope to them.


Nazareth House has been begging for assistance in getting this transportation situation handled.



Its not easy raising the money when the economy is strained, politicians are doing their own fundraising and disasters require our attention.



However, its not easy for the people that James presents to us for help.  Its not easy on James, either.  He hikes into these villages, witnessing poverty at utmost extremes.... and he knows it depends entirely on God as He expresses His generosity through us...  that is, when we hear Him and heed his call.  




Despite this weakened economy, many of us have enough to grab an extra latte' or eat out several times a week - and with gas prices increasing weekly, we still manage to drive from one place to the next with little cutbacks.  Some of us are suffering, others have had to cutback but are still in a position to help those who are struggling to survive. 



When the cupboard is bare, how many of us have had to resort to roasting a snake to feed our family?



...and how many of us would have such a satisfied smile for the provision?




I don't know how to share with you how very great the need is other than to tell you that it is huge and show you in these pictures that James sends from these villages.  



There is no government assistance for these people.  They are not lazy, they work hard all day long, men women and children.



The resources are simply not there for them.  They haven't asked for our help, they voice no complaints for their living conditions.



 In fact, they daily, frequently throughout the day,


 give thanks to God for what they have.  

It is James who bears witness to the poor and brings it to us.  It is up to us to have compassion and in turn offer a hand or we can look away, ignore.



By next week, the politicians will end their campaigns and your phones will stop ringing and your email inboxes won't be filled up with campaign requests for money and votes.  Win or lose, the politicians will survive and maybe we and they can return to normal lives.  Campaigns ending, maybe unity can begin to be considered.

 Adjusters and Insurance will do their best for the people in the Northeast. Unfortunately, those poor people will be besieged with contractors - some legit, some not. It is our prayer that those who have suffered the horrendous storm damage will begin to see a glimmer of hope, in the kindness and generosity of those who place "helping thy neighbor" in to action.  Some lost their lives, others lost their possessions.  It won't be a quick fix for those who survived the hurricane, it will take time, patience and steadfastness.  Please keep them in your prayers and be ready to lend a hand.



Neither will there be a quick fix for these villages in Sierra Leone.  It takes many of us working together, not forsaking one human tragedy for the next.  Seraphim's father always said "son, be nice to everybody, because everyone is having a rough time"  That was good advice then and it remains good advice now.  There is no insurance or government aid coming to the villagers rescue, their glimmer of hope is totally dependent on your love, support and compassion. 


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Nazareth House Apostolate
185 Captains Cove Drive
Taylorsville, KY 40071