UofL Students feed entire village in Kabala

Times have changed, the world is not the same and it seems to be changing faster and faster.  We are dealing with diseases like Ebola that spread from border to border by ever increasing global travel.  The stop gaps of the past to contain within an area are diminished.

Technology has taken a huge place in our lives - from young to old.  Conversations at the dinner table have gave way to individual attention to text messaging conversations on a phone screen.  The person to person contact is limited and distorted.

Some from traditional ways, the old school, tend to be concerned as to what the future holds -- especially for the young people of today.  The baby boomers wonder -will future generations maintain the values of yesteryear?  Will they withdraw into self-centeredness?  Will they completely discard the hopes and dreams of the past generations?  

Haven't we all heard these words "The youth of today, they just don't care"?   I remember hearing my parents say it and I bet you remember hearing it as well.    And there are individual indications and cases in which that statement can ring true.

 Yet, much louder and much clearer are the actions of the students from University of Louisville that quash such an opinion.   These students are the epitome of the younger generation caring and putting that compassion into deed!

In January 2015, Nazareth House Apostolate received a check from a fundraiser by the Students of University of Louisville for aid to Sierra Leone in wake of the Ebola Outbreak.

At that time, the villagers in Kabala were suffering extreme hunger as food supplies and needs were diminishing greatly due to the ongoing Ebola Outbreak.

More people in the villages near Kabala were suffering starvation and other consequences of Ebola than of Ebola itself.

Naked and hungry children.  Sierra Leone. 

The UofL Students raised over $600.

MeNore Lake, Ryan Eid and Dr. Harris of UofL at fundraiser to benefit NHA in Sierra Leone

That amount, together with a special donation from Dr. Muriel Harris and Dr. and Mrs. Baumann, allowed us to give rice out to every family in the entire village.

Not only that, we were also able to ship much needed supplies to our staff in Sierra Leone along with the Annual Candy Cane treats we normally give out each Christmas.  We were late this year because it was difficult to ship to Sierra Leone during the ebola situation, but now we are getting things in.

Children of 1st World Countries are used to tons of expensive gifts under the Christmas tree.  The children in Kabala are not!  However, they are delighted with their simple Christmas gift of a few candy canes.  They wait all year for this special treat.  And its always received with no complaints - it is always the right size and color!

Our hats are off to the Students of University of Louisville and Dr. Harris along with Dr. and Mrs. Baumann ...

 

They have shown to us all that being there for our brothers and sisters in need is important.

...and that it doesn't take billions of dollars and lots of resources - it only takes a few with giant hearts to make it happen.  Thank you students of UofL for this great act of compassion.  You give us hope!

"So what did you do yesterday?"   UofL Student: "I fed an entire village not just for the day but for a few weeks."   How many people can say that?

NHA looks forward to a continuing relationship with these students in hopes of partnering them with our students at the Nazareth House Apostolate School in Kabala.  Their energy and compassion together with the work of NHA can go far in the little town of Kabala.

Journeying Together

Life is a journey, we all have to work our way through it.   And so it is with Nazareth House Apostolate.  

Evidence is indicating that Ebola is on its way out of Sierra Leone.  As for NHA, we will step back and keep an eye on things before making any assessment of the situation.  Hurriedly resuming normal activity before safety is assured can be a fatal mistake to many. Prevention and Protection are the focus of NHA at this time. 

In the meantime, we are proud to announce that five large boxes of supplies have arrived from Taylorsville to Freetown and are presently making their way to Kabala.  We've been giving out rice to keep hungry families fed and providing work to laborers to ensure they can sustain their families with provisions.  NHA is preparing for the reopening of the NHA School once Ebola is completely cleared from the country.

James and Kadijah radiate strength and courage as they go about to do the work of NHA in Kabala.  It is important that we are there for them in prayer and support.  As many of you are digging into your pockets to give what you can to help in this crisis; we encourage you to actively engage others to give for the current and ongoing needs of NHA.  By doing so, you not only help out those we serve but the giver becomes a part of the unity and love within the family of Nazareth House Apostolate.  Remember our goal is to obtain 1000 donors giving $25 per month.  Reaching that target will enable us to do our work in the States at Simeon Skete and overseas in Sierra Leone, tending to each need as it happens.  Currently, with each emergency we must start a fundraiser and while we wait for the money to come in, the situation worsens.  The American population is rather large and 1000 people is not a huge number to involve in an organization.  Many people have 1000 or more friends on Facebook.   

$25 per month is a reasonable amount, some of us spend more than that on Lattes and Fast Food that simply add unhealthy weight to our bodies.  If we arrive at the goal of 1000 giving $25 it will allow us a dependable budget for all avenues of Nazareth House Apostolates work.

    

While we work to bring the Ebola Prevention, Care and Recovery to completion, I’m thinking of the journey.  

A journey made together, walking side by side from both sides of the Atlantic, with parts of NHA dipping their toes in the Pacific.   

There is a bond that transcends the physical yet pronounces the things of the heart and brings about unity.

  

In Nazareth House, together, we’re accomplishing that bond, that unity – a fete that many organizations  cannot lay claim.   

 

When you think of NHA, you think of the Skete and of Africa – namely Sierra Leone, but Nazareth House is made up of people all over the world. 

Fr. Gabriel Harty OP, visiting St. Simeon Skete from Ireland 

Katherine (Chico, CA) made needlepoint Pocket Crosses and sold them to raise money for NHA.
Here she is presenting Vicki with the proceeds. 

We started out by taking baby steps; 

and then we did a little running…

 

Sometimes the path became cold and slippery, 

sometimes the load is heavy.  

Sometimes the load is lighter. 

  

We’ve broken down, 

 

and got back up and started running again,

Awkward loads, rough roads – the journey continues.  

There have been times when we just have to rely on someone else to come and carry us further. 

 

There are narrow paths across water.

  

We’ve released our share of tears, 

but when the road is steep, 

someone always steps up to help shove us to the top.

 

Sometimes it seems we are running in circles 

but there is always  helping hands to reach out 

and keep us going, giving us a strong and  steady pull there

… together the NHA Family climbs the hill.   

And in doing so, we’ve been able to leap over huge obstacles, 

 

even though we’ve scraped our knees, twisted our ankles, 

Together we keep on pushing onward, more importantly we’ve kept on loving.  

 

 NHA will stay on the journey because the path we follow is LOVE 

Pray Love Walk – a – thon:  St. Augustine Anglican Church, Chico CA 

(“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for GOD IS LOVE.” 1 John 4:8)

Please send your tax deductible donations (remember small or large every donation helps) to:

Nazareth House Apostolate

185 Captains Cove Drive

Taylorsville, KY 40071

or through our website www.nazarethhouseap.org 

"Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together." James Cash Penney

rewrite of previous post 2011