I have a Name

"Where God also hath highly exalted Him, 

and given Him a Name which above every Name." -Phil. 2:9

During one of Seraphim's first visits to Sierra Leone during the war, he visited Grafton Camp - a displacement camp for those who lost their homes and limbs from the atrocities of war.   The RUF rebels were hacking off arms and legs with machetes in a cruel and inhumane effort to gain control of diamonds and power.  Notice in this photo that even the baby's hand has been hacked off. 

As Seraphim visited with the people in Grafton camp, he delivered food (rice) and clothing with James.  As he got ready to leave the camp they all wanted to know his name.  He told them his name and turned to board the transport only to hear the words that continue to haunt him to this day:

"I have a name." 

He turned and saw that food and clothing, etc; even love were not enough.  There was something called dignity - the recognition that this is a person and not just flesh to be covered and fed!  

A lifetime of repeating the Name of Jesus had suddenly gone super-nova, exploding with the blinding light of understanding.  It was God Himself crying out:  "I have a Name!" 

Rudy and Os lying on a prayer rug studying the Name of Jesus

"I have a name." 

God has a Name

The Mass of Christ-Mass is this Name.  "A Name which is above every Name" 

God has a Name

   

Matthew 1:18-25 
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Health Benefits of a Staple Oil in Sierra Leone

The people of the world know about Sierra Leone because of the recent War - a war filled with atrocities.  A war brought on by greed.  This is because a product (diamonds) of a country, not its people, was the main concern of rebels as well as  political and economic powers.   

Yet, there is a  less known specialty product of Sierra Leone; it is Red Palm Oil.  Considering its health qualities, in my opinion, its more valuable than diamonds.  (Health over Flash) ...But that's just me.  Having witnessed the atrocities in Sierra Leone, diamonds are not this girl's "best friend".

The Red Palm Oil is derived from the fruits of the palm tree; more specifically, it is extracted from the pulp of its fruit. It is called red palm oil because of its natural reddish hue, due to the high amount of carotenes it possesses. Do not confuse palm oil with the oil that comes from the kernel, or seed (called palm kernel oil). 

My favorite dish is Ground Nut Soup or Cassava Leaf - both dishes served over rice are made with this wonderful oil.  At St. Simeon Skete we serve this meal quite often.  Linda has become a pro at preparing it and it is now one of her favorite dishes as well.  

Unlike those in Sierra Leone who must pick the nut and cook out the oil, I am able to purchase Red Palm Oil from West Africa online from Amazon.com -  (Click on Amazon link to purchase) delivered right to our door.

NHA is working with Pa Foday to develop a Red Palm Tree Grove & Farm, hoping to export to support our school and outlying villages.   Right now, most of the exported Red Palm Oil is coming from Ghana. 

The unique distinctive flavor of this oil is one thing, the ability to fry things nicely at high temperatures is another - however, the best reason for using this oil is its health benefits.

All of the essential fatty acids that red palm oil contains are necessary for the proper growth and development of the human body. 

The oil also supplies quite the selection of vitamins, antioxidants, and phytonutrients that are also important for good health. To sum it up, here is a list of all the health benefits that red palm oil provides.

• The red color appears because of the combination of the alpha-carotenes, beta-carotenes, and lycopene.
• Other nutrients that red palm oil contains include: vitamin K, CoQ10, squalene, phytosterols, flavonoids, glycolipids, and phenolic acids.
• Both alpha-carotene and beta-carotene are vitamin A precursors, also known as provitamin A; this means that once the body has these carotenes, it is able to make vitamin A. Red palm oil is one of the richest dietary sources of this essential vitamin. In fact, it contains more than carrots and tomatoes combined. Those who are lacking vitamin A or provitamin A in their diet suffer from blindness or other vision problems, weakened bones, and weakened immune system.
• Red palm oil has plentiful amounts (in fact, the most abundant of any natural dietary source) of vitamin E, which is in the form of tocopherols and tocotrienols.
• The antioxidants (tocopherols, tocotrienols, and carotenes) that red palm oil contains are very potent and help fight off free radicals that can damage cells in the body. The benefits of antioxidants include providing protection against cancer and heart disease, and slowing the aging process.
• Some of the other health benefits that have been researched are:
  • Improved blood circulation.
  • Improved blood sugar control.
  • Improved nutrient absorption by the body.
  • Stronger bones and teeth.
• Red palm oil, when consumed during pregnancy, can improve both the mother’s and the baby’s vitamin A status.
• It is being looked at for the treatment and prevention of malnutrition because it is abundant in many different nutrients.
• More recently, it is being encapsulated and sold as a dietary supplement.
• Many processed foods have palm oil as an ingredient. Just read your food labels and you will start to see how widely it is used.

Red palm oil has been an international cooking favorite for centuries. In Sierra Leone, red palm oil is a staple in both the household and in cooking. It is good to use for cooking because it is more heat stable than other cooking oils, meaning it can withstand higher temperatures and still retain its form and nutritious properties; it is useful in both baked goods and cooking.

In addition to getting palm oil in through dietary sources, it has other conventional uses that may interest you.

• Because it is packed with certain fatty acids (myristic and lauric), it is useful in the manufacturing of soaps, washing powders, and personal care products. Lauric acid is very important in soap making because it allows for a quick lathering when the product is being used.
• It is used for biodiesel fuel purposes.

So when many are looking to Sierra Leone for diamonds and gold - that do nothing for your health, I suggest you check out some Red Palm Oil for your health.   

My only warning about Red Palm Oil is that it stains....and it really stains!   Precautions (dark colored aprons) as you prepare meals with this oil can prevent any catastrophe.   If you do get it on your clothing, simply treat immediately with prewash and scrub brush.  Its worth the inconvenience.  

Health statistics for red palm oil were researched through ihealthdirectory.com 

Nazareth House Kabala School in session today, Closed Tomorrow in memory and respect of Fr. Robert M. Haux

Today the students at Nazareth House Apostolate School in Kabala, Sierra Leone will attend school as usual
They will make the long walk up the steep hill, through the morning mist to their beloved school. A school made possible through generous hearts who made their education a reality...one such heart will be buried tomorrow, but cherished in memory with love forever.


As Pa Foday rings the bell, the students rush to enter the building, a school building that a little over a year ago was only a dream.

As the desks and benches fill up...

...the straggling students arrive and another school day begins. Thanks to you, education is a HUGE reality in Kabala...

(note: all students now have uniforms completed and are in use, these pictures were taken a few weeks back)

Back in the capital city of Sierra Leone, Freetown. More and more lives that have been touched by Fr. Bob's love assemble with signs to pay their respects. Pa Sorie and Sanu (manager of the internet cafe) at the Internet cafe that James uses most to bring updates and news to us in America.

Mangoes & Rice: A Report from James in Freetown

Imported rice from Thailand namely Parboiled, Triple AAA and Bella Rosa to name but these three has taken a toll in the markets making it very difficult for the ordinary man to meet a whole bag, instead some go for the half bag which is 25 kg and majority do with the one cup service which is meeting what you can afford for a day and then leave the following day to fend for itself.

For some, especially up in the provinces, a mixture of rice and Bulgur (some kind of brown wheat also imported) which is usually being used to feed pigs, is being blended together to make a perfect family dinner.

The other day, i sat together with a group of fellow photographers at the Sun Colour Photo Studio down Sanders Street and I noticed several push carts carrying bags of rice, old and young men sweating and forcing more rice with their wheelbarrows. Printed on one of the rice bags was USAID,followed by a small writing at the bottom - A GIFT FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. These lines throw lots of question to us and we started debating about it. The argument was, was this sent to us as a gift when people we are paying for it? This remained unanswered.

Let's say, where man fails to come to our rescue, God is always there to help. The months April and May has been good indeed bringing forth more mangoes to help combat the hungry homes. It was said years back that people in Freetown only eat mangoes to balance their diets but my pictures are saying the opposite. More homes are making better use of it including St. Laurence House forgetting this diet balance thing and using mango as a way to ward off hunger.

In Kabala, it is very difficult to tell whether mangoes should be eaten at a certain time because people sleep, wake and dine with it twenty four hours a day.

My fear is what will people do when all this mango season celebration will be done in a months' time and the rice prices still the same or worst?

Rice Price Gauging in Freetown?????

It is being reported that the business owners in Freetown are sending their workers out to buy large quantities of bags of rice. They, in turn, sell it to the population of Freetown at a higher price than they, themselves paid. Whether this is indeed the case or not, the above photos are evidence of the "hoarding" of rice. The people in Freetown, unable afford to purchase rice (their main food source) by the bag, now are buying it by the cup - enough to get through the day - and if they are lucky to have enough money - enough to get through a week.

It is interesting to note the US AID written on the bag of rice in the above pictures. It was my understanding that Humanitarian AID rice was provided to countries in need - free of charge, yet these bags will be sold to the people in Sierra Leone for a profit.

We welcome your comments on this issue, click on the "comments" link below, just to the right of the posting time. Thank You.