The Face of Ebola

On November 11 this video was aired in the UK. At the same time NHA is desperately trying to get as many hospital beds as possible to Sierra Leone.  The inventory of surplus hospital beds is here, right before our eyes, waiting for us to send, we only need to pay $25,000.  This is an excellent price for the over $700,000 worth of equipment we expect to ship.  We've raised $8,000 already and are pushing ahead.  We need your help to meet our goal and get these urgently needed beds to Sierra Leone.

Kathy Webb remarks of the video "A very sobering video to watch. A women writhes in the dirt as she dies of Ebola in the hot sun. No bed. No wet washcloth to cool her brow. No touch to make her feel less alone. In a warehouse in Louisville there are a hundred beds. Nazareth House Apostolate will get those beds and other desperately needed medical supplies to this stricken country with our help. Also in the video: A man is sick; an ambulance has been called but they know it will never come. The man faces the same fate as the woman who lay dying in the dirt. His wife looks on, I'm sure wondering if she is next."

On Monday night, I couldn't sleep.  Its one of those things that happens frequently to us at the skete.  Up all night praying and many times - weeping.  This night I was so concerned with the overwhelming crisis in Sierra Leone and the abundance we have here that is sitting in a warehouse waiting to be used.  Surplus to Need.

Earlier that day, James had attended the opening of the Ebola Holding Center just 20 minutes from our NHA School where we have 300 students enrolled.  

The school is closed these days - ebola.  The students are with their families dispersed out in the villages.  Ebola is spreading fast in the district and the authorities expect it to reach the center of the Koinudugu District, Kabala Town very soon.

As the Ebola Holding Center opens, James informs me  via Whatsapp that there are only 7 beds and no supplies at the new center.  There is not even a box of gloves.   We have the beds, we have the gloves, masks, we have it all -  we simply must raise the money to pay for them.

Early on in the Summer, NHA began to plan this shipment and we've made all the proper preparations.  We've been in contact with the Sierra Leone Government and the Ministers of Health and Sanitations have granted it a Duty-Free Waiver.  We've applied through USAid for free shipping and have other back up arrangements to get this flown over.  We have the doctors at the Kabala Hospital ready and waiting to accept the supplies at the hospital and holding center.  James is set to receive and help the doctors sort and distribute.  Colonel Brima and the S L Army are ready to accept and transport.  We've done the necessary leg work and security measures.  Yet, the beds sit in Louisville, stacked up at a warehouse waiting for their journey.  For information on how to give to this project click here.   For more information about this project  click here 

As the needs become more critical and more and more lives in danger, especially that of our staff, students and loved ones in Kabala, I look at Lucy sitting in my living room.  We brought her here in June with her father, James, so that she can meet with the board and we can prepare the necessary sponsorship for her Medical Schooling.  She's going to be a doctor in her country, Sierra Leone.

One month after arriving on American soil, she has received unexpected heart surgery in Louisville, Kentucky

and within another month her father makes the return trip back to Sierra Leone (straight into the midst of Ebola) without her.   Lucy came here to prepare for Medical School in Sierra Leone.  She thought she was returning home with her father.  Her life goal is to save lives.  She didn't know that she'd be working on this end to raise money to save the lives of her people in Kabala.  She didn't know that Ebola would invade her country like it has.  And now her dad and mom are in the midst of it.

James was given every opportunity to stay in America but he chose to be with his wife and Lucy's small siblings and to be there through the crisis for his country.

James doesn't flee from danger.

He didn't during the war and he's not doing it now.  He stays and does what he always does - helps others.

Nazareth House Apostolate's work in Sierra Leone is simple - we run and operate a school for over 300 students, we feed people, we provide seed to grow crops, we fix roofs, we provide jobs for people, we are family - a part of the community.

We don't go to Sierra Leone to change culture or practices for anyone, we simply go to love.  Through that love we help one another.

James is on the ground in Kabala trying to save lives by preparing the acceptance of this shipment of beds.  Lucy is here in Kentucky trying to raise money to get the beds and supplies to her father so that the lives of her family and friends have a chance to survive the Ebola creeping their way.

The night before last, I had my "meltdown".  The needs are so great and overwhelming.  This is a huge task for us at Nazareth House Apostolate - trying to raise $25,000 in such a short amount of time is daunting.  But not doing it, knowing the beds are right here and available while doctors beg for them in Sierra Leone is unthinkable.

And now as I look at my phone this morning I see a text from Lucy.   She is talking about the beds, a sweet reassuring encouragement from a very courageous young lady.

So I say with Lucy.  "Let's do this thing, okay?"   Give to Nazareth House Apostolate today.

Surplus to Need

 Click here to donate

As I sit before this computer to write this blog, my heart is racing.  My adrenaline is up and  I feel the  extreme urgency to move our Surplus to Need project quickly to completion.

All morning I have been chatting with Medical Doctors in Kabala via whatsapp to find out their exact needs to prepare for Ebola and maintain health care in the district.

In Kabala, these sacrificial doctors are trying to brace for approaching Ebola and they have very very little to work with.  I am calling on each and everyone of you to stand in the gap where there is no separation and do what you can to give these doctors the tools they so desperately need.  In life there are those moments when we can make a huge difference in the lives of others and in order to do so we put away our petty prejudices, dissolve divisions and become one - this crisis is one of those moments.  What a beautiful way to help each other and forget our differences by an outpouring of love.

Yesterday while reviewing the process for shipping at Supplies Over Seas in Louisville, Kentucky, I investigated the Protection Suits we plan to send.

I was nonchalantly fiddling with the hood and gloves, when Melissa Mershon of SOS showed me the boots that must be worn.  The boot was heavy.  As I held this heavy boot, I stopped fiddling with the equipment as my heart sunk and my eyes welled up with tears.  I pictured the medical workers in the scorching heat and drenching humidity of Sierra Leone trying to save lives in this sauna suit of shiny plastic.  I can't imagine.  

Nazareth House Apostolate is preparing through Supplies Over Seas to ship up to 100 hospital beds,

The beds that are available for shipping once we raise the funding

Lucy and Melissa Mershon of SOS with the mattresses for the beds to be shipped. 

Ebola specific treatment and preventative equipment and dress,

Melissa Mershon of SOS with Ebola Suit Hood

and much needed health care supplies to the Kabala Government Hospital in Kabala, Sierra Leone. 

The 300 students, their parents, our teachers and our staff living in our compound, namely James and Kadijah and family, are the responsibility of NHA.   It is up to us to provide them with the protection and means to survive.   The Government of Sierra Leone is doing all they can to combat this Ebola Outbreak but they need our help.

There are other groups waiting to raise the money like us in order to send these supplies to Liberia.  The situation is, whoever raises the money first sends the available supplies faster.  More supplies will come available, but I'm hoping to be in the first run before supplies run out.   There is no competition,  of course, the need is great everywhere.  Sadly the fact of the matter is --  it is the funding that is holding back the surplus we have access to here in Kentucky and keeping it from meeting the need they have in Kabala.  With Liberia in the news,  shipments are arriving.   There have been many shipments to Freetown and also Kailahun District in Sierra Leone.  But Kabala is late in registering Ebola cases and nothing has been sent their way.  We are the first responders, so to speak.  We need $25,000 to send this shipment on and we are on very limited time.

We ask you to give and give generously.  Lives are at stake.  Your financial donation may be made to us through this link: http://www.nazarethhouseap.org/donations/ or directly to Supplies Over Seas at this link: http://www.suppliesoverseas.org/donate/money/  --make sure to indicate NHA EBOLA - Sierra Leone on your donation.

The enemy Ebola is an adversary to all humankind.  It makes no distinctions of race, creed, sex, social status, Nationalities, or economies.  To combat this enemy we must unite not divide ourselves.  Stopping Ebola in its tracks in West Africa prevents the spread globally.  This is an opportunity where the people rise to the occasion to make a difference   ...and the difference is life and death.

It is our duty as humankind to help those in need.  Your response to this plea gives way to a blessing.

Deuteronomy 15:10
Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.

The much repeated verse:  "God helps those who help themselves" is nowhere in the Bible.  Besides, there is nothing available after the terrible war fueled by former Liberian President Charles Taylor for Sierra Leone to use to "help themselves". Instead the Bible says in 1John 3:17

New International Version
If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?
New Living Translation
If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion--how can God's love be in that person?
English Standard Version
But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?
New American Standard Bible 
But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?
King James Bible
But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

Thank you!  

September 6: An important day for NHA

Not intentionally, the NHA Blog seems to have been on Summer Vacation. Though the NHA blog has been inactive - Nazareth House Apostolate has been extremely busy.

Today is the feast of Mary, Messenger of Peace.  Her statue resides in our chapel, the Sanctuary of the Holy Name.   The details about Mary, Messenger of Peace can be found on a previous post at this link: NHA Blog Post Messenger of Peace   This link also include the Litany of Mary, Messenger of Peace.

This special Feast Day is the perfect guide as we step quietly into the Autumn Season.  At St. Simeon Skete we begin the Novena of the Seven Sorrows of Mary today.  For Nine days we will say the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows through the 14th of September which is the Feast of the Holy Cross. September 15th is the Feast of Mary of Seven Sorrow.  September is pregnant with spiritual devotions and learning.

As we edge towards a new season, falling leaves and changing weather,  I am forced to stop and take a look at the events of this Summer.   Among many events,  the arrival of James Mansaray, our head of operations in Sierra Leone and his daughter, Lucy are the highlight of the activities.

Lucy has never been out of Sierra Leone and this was a considerable undertaking.  I remember the first time she looked into the sky and wondered what the airplane vapor trail was.  There are no airplanes crossing the sky in Sierra Leone.

As I type this post, I can hear Lucy in the kitchen singing. Its hard to believe that on Monday it will be two months since she had heart surgery in Louisville.  What an event in her life, in our life and that of all Nazareth House Apostolate.  Can you imagine coming to a foreign country, passing out at Eucharist and finding out that you need heart surgery?

Lucy has handled it all beautifully, choosing to take advantage of the situation as a learning tool.

Dr. Mandrola with Lucy and James 

Every nurse and Doctor she met, Lucy asked questions and the wonderful staff at Baptist were more than happy to help her out.

During the past few months at the skete we've had an incredible amount of guests from all over the world.

 

Plus all of the Nazareth House Board of Directors came for our Annual Meeting.

And we've also made visits to our friends and supporters in other areas of the country.

Through it all, The Prayer Offices continue.    This is what sustains us, feeds us and keeps us going.

Too quickly, the time for James to return to Sierra Leone came.  Afraid of blood clotting after surgery,  Lucy has stayed behind.  Sending James back to Sierra Leone is always difficult, but sending him this time, knowing of the prevalent Ebola Outbreak in his country tore at our hearts like never before.

Seraphim giving a blessing to James as he travels

This brave man smiled and waved at us from the airport security checkpoint and armed with a suitcase full of rubber gloves, he made the journey to his homeland where Ebola is wreaking havoc.

He was anxious to be with his beloved wife, Kadijah and children, Roo and Vicki.

Roo and Vicki (August 2014)

As Headmaster of the NHA School, he is excited to prepare for the school reopening.  And he wants to return to be there for those who are without.  Especially the children, he loves the children of Sierra Leone so much and wants to in some small way better their future.

Food and jobs have always been scarce around Sierra Leone, but these days with closing of schools, shops and such because of Ebola; people are suffering more and more each day.

Kabala Children (Septermber 2014) 

Because of the regular  monthly donations NHA was able to continue to provide for those in Sierra Leone.  Our teachers are getting paid, even while school is not in session due to the Ebola.  We are doing our best to keep the economy stimulated by buying paint and supplies from local shops in order to paint and prepare the NHA School in Kabala for the opening of a new school year.  We've hired workers to help us get this job completed.   James also hired some workers to cut the overgrown brush from around the contract.  NHA is providing work where there is not.  This helps people to provide for their families and helps us get our work done.   Though travel from area to area is forbidden and curfews issued, James is able to get funding to Freetown to the people we take care of there.  We cannot ship items at this time but we can purchase supplies there if we have the money. Ebola is pressing hard, but NHA continues to do our work one way or another.

Child of Kabala (September 2014)

The reality is that, things will get worse before they get better.  This means more and more people will have to do without.  They have very little to begin with.    Please in your charity, consider lending a hand to those without.  God bless you all

Child drinking  well water from dirty water bottle.  Kabala, 9/2014

Donations can be mailed to:

Nazareth House Apostolate

185 Captains Cove Drive

Taylorsville, KY 40071

or made through our paypal donation link at http://www.nazarethhouseap.org