Relationship

The focus of Nazareth House Apostolate is on relationship.  Relationship with God and relationship with each other.

The purpose of St. Simeon Skete is the deepening of prayer - the deepening of relationship with God in ongoing prayer.  The work of the outreach of Nazareth House Apostolate in Sierra Leone is the deepening of the relationship to our brothers and sisters as outlined in Matthew 25: 35-46.  But it's not a one way street.  Its family.  Its being there for one another - borders, oceans, nationalities make no difference.

Along with the distinctiveness of St. Simeon Skete and the extraordinary outreach in Sierra Leone there are many facets of Nazareth House Apostolate that make it unique.  The personalization of actions between the supporters and the recipients in Kabala is one of the most endearing characteristics of this organization.

Deirdre Miller of Kirkland, Washington describes NHA in this way: 

"Being good stewards of the blessings that our Lord have given us, include returning a portion back to His use. We want to be sure that the money is used efficiently and wisely. Due to NHA being a small charity, the majority of donations are spent on humanitarian aid; also they're fully transparent with their financial statements, so it's easy to see how donations are spent. NHA has a small, cottage-industry appeal to it and because of that, donors become family to all who are served in Sierra Leone."

It is this family bonding that lights up with encouragement in situations of concern or need.

Recently, Cindy Peterson has had some serious health issues in the midst of her ongoing battle with cancer.  At the first diagnosis the children in Kabala sent messages of encouragement to Cindy.  

January 2013

These children are very aware of adversity and what it is like to be in the midst of it.

January 2013

Last November, 2012, Pa Foday (our administrator of the NHA School) became very ill and messages from America were sent to him. 

Seraphim, Brent Peterson (Cindy's husband), Denny and Joan Markwell (Cindy's Mom) - Nov. 2012

Prayers for Pa Foday (Nov. 2012)

Pa Foday in hospital  (Nov. 2012)

The Miller family sending prayers and messages to Pa Foday (Nov. 2012)

Willis Family sending wishes to Pa Foday.  (Nov. 2012)

Cindy and her family sending get well wishes to Pa Foday.  November 2012 

Today, Cindy is in ICU in a Lexington Hospital with some complications to manage, a few more hurdles to jump.  She had emergency surgery on Tuesday night. 

Children in Kabala at NHA Compound, July 17, 2013

 Immediately, the children of Kabala sent messages to her: 

Its relationship... its all about relationship.....

Its not a matter of simply sending some funding or some supplies (which is extremely important, however), there is so much more to it. Its about getting to know each other, loving each other, praying for each other and standing by each other.  That's Nazareth... 

...that's real love...

We promised to post the photos of each child receiving their report card at the end of the 2013 NHA School Year.  Here are three more of the children, we'll add more next blog post.  It was important to each one of them that you see how well they are doing in the school that you provided for them.  Please keep them and their families, the teachers and administrators in your prayers.  Thank you. 

Thank you for your continued prayers and support.   We love you all!  

Report Card Day: NHA School - Kabala

Another year has come to a close at NHA School Kabala.  

And again the teachers, students, helpers and Administrators: James and Pa Foday have excelled beyond our expectation.    

James and NHA School teachers and staff 

James began sending individual photographs of the students as they received their report cards so that we could all see the proud students.  

There are upwards of 255 students and I emailed James back to tell him that I had enough photos of students with report cards and to send other pictures of the Year End School Festivities.  

James replied, "Mama, every student is anxious for those who make their school possible to see them get their Report Cards.  They all want you to know, I couldn't leave anyone out!" 

So today's blog will show some of the Students at the Nazareth House Apostolate School getting their report cards. 

 AND from now until I have posted all of them there will be a child featured in every blog posts until everyone has been shown.  

Each one of these children never fail to give thanks for their education 

and they are especially thankful that you cared enough to see that they have a school and the opportunity to learn.  

I hope that as you view each child you remember to say a special prayer for them, their teachers, James and Pa Foday.  

We thank you for your continued support.  You are giving these dear children the gift of education that lasts a lifetime.  Thank you. 

Donations can be made through the NHA Website at 

www.nazarethhouseap.org 

by using the Paypal Donation Button 

on the right side of the website 

or 

you can mail donations to 

Nazareth House Apostolate

185 Captains Cove Drive

Taylorsville, KY 40071 

United States of America 

FAITH in action

The purpose of this NHA Blog is to keep you informed of the work and the needs both in Kentucky and in Sierra Leone.  It is important to us that you can see and track the gifts (donations) that you give.   Sometimes it takes time for everything to fall into place and the internet to cooperate in Sierra Leone but eventually you'll be able to see your contribution to NHA in action.   And so today I show you what the Faith Family has done.  This post details the activity of the Faith Family Yard Sale.   Its fitting that their name is Faith because it was in faith that this family trusted that whatever they gave would be enough to do something helpful.  

It pleases us that Cassie was surprised that a whole village could be supplied with dishes for $60.  (see yesterday's blog post: ) It is the way of NHA to be extremely careful with money - at the skete and in our overseas outreach.  James and our staff in Sierra Leone are exceedingly thrifty.  They know that the funds they receive come from your hard earned dollars.  They do not take this lightly and in their appreciation every thing they purchase is done so in the utmost frugal manner.  This is the practice of NHA in Sierra Leone and at the skete. This is why you see Seraphim constantly turning lights off behind others, we do not heat or air condition the chapel except on Sundays, grow as much of the food as we can and rarely hire out work. James is a master at squeezing everything he can out of every penny he receives.  In that vein, let us show you how the $200 from the Faith Family Yard Sale was spent:

At the end of every NHA School year in Kabala, the Teachers, Parents and Students are rewarded with a "End of Year Party".  James and the teachers work hard to prepare for this celebration.  This year, because of the Faith Family, we were able to provide a super party for the NHA School.  We provided food, 

(lots of food) and a good time for everyone - students, teachers and parents!  

$60 feeds one family one meal in Disney Land (and I suspect that was with the Faith Family being very economical).  But through NHA,  

only $140 more feeds 300 students, teachers and parents one meal and a party in Kabala!  - thanks to the careful planning and preparing of all of those involved in the school.

and as the pictures show, everyone received an American sized huge portion.

And thanks to Erik, Spencer and Owen - we now have two footballs for the Physical Education at the NHA School.  

Its fun to see the students having such fun.  Many of you will recognize the familiar faces of the students and notice how fast they are growing up.  Soon we will have students that have went through every grade and graduated from our school.  

The Year End Festivities took place on three different days last week at the NHA School.  We are anxious to share all of these events with you.  Tomorrow our blog will be on "Receiving Report Cards".  Please check back to see these students.  We cannot tell you how proud we are of them, the teachers, Pa Foday and James for all they have accomplished this year.  And most especially our supporters who are making it all happen.  

We depend on our supporters who give monthly that enable us to pay our teachers, provide food for many families, keep the skete and NHA Compound in good maintenance, provide for our staff and enable us to remain in prayer for others.  We are grateful for their support and for the extras that come in from time to time like this Yard Sale Money that enable us to surprise our brothers and sisters in Sierra Leone with additional good things.