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.

ST. LAURENCE HOUSE IN FREETOWN MISSES THEIR BELOVED FRIEND, FR. ROBERT HAUX

FUNERAL DETAILS FOR FATHER ROBERT M. HAUX:
Visitation, Thursday, November 20, 4-7 PM at
Hunter-Allen-Myhand Funeral Home
506 Hill Street
LaGrange, GA 30241

Funeral, Friday, November 21 at 11 AM at
St. Andrew's Church
204 Beallwood Drive
West Point, GA 30240


(CLICK ON ANY PHOTO TO ENLARGE)

 

 

WORDS DIRECTLY FROM JAMES BOMBOLIA MANSARAY: (photos follow)

If ever there had been a loss for St. Laurence House, N.H.A school in Kabala and for me especially, the death of Fr. Bob Haux is one with no match. The news of his sudden death made us all sick in the heart for he departed when we needed him most.

Fr. Haux as Ialways call him grew to love us out of nothing. Together with his lovely Miss Su, he fell in love with us from a far and had done extremely much for us the past years that we can't make count of. What is making it so hard for us is that, we never got the chance to meet this great man in real life. This was my dream for he meant a lot to me. It would be very difficult for us to count what he has done for St. Laurence house the past years down to the last days of his life. Looking at his recent pictures when Mama Vicki and Father Hicks visited him, you could see how curious he was to get words about us here in Africa. He always has that tender love and smiles that make us to love him more. Fr. Haux has been sending tons of medications and rosary for kids here in Sierra Leone. He was always around to make sure that we are comfortable no matter what happens. Fr. Haux had taken good care of my ulcer illness sending all sort of medication for me to be well. He recently sent a whole album full of video and music cds to keep life going even in the midst of our troubles. I hope you wouldn't mind to hear that he had been my only condom supplier ever since he learnt that my wife and I are waiting on having the next baby till we have a compound and room. And I will make this promise today that if I ever have a baby boy again, I will name him Bob Haux Mansaray.

As I write this one, it is all coming from the heart and I am still feeling the pinch of his absence. Bob has been in the fore front for us to secure a compound here in Freetown for the continuation of our work here and I believe this is what he wanted us all to do. He has one big heart of gold and we will miss him so much. He is all around us at St. Laurence house and will always be part of us.

I bring words of comfort to his dear wife the lovely Su and the rest of his family at St. Andrews Parish for all of us here. We have been getting lots of visitors at St. Laurence House from all our neighbours and friends who one way or the other had been blessed either physically or spiritually by this late man. We all will miss him.

N.H.A. school will miss him so much and for this reason, Friday has been declared a holiday for all the school kids in memory of this great man who contributed greatly in the completion of that school project. His deeds will never fade in their minds.

As I close this one, I am presently listening to a soft music cd titled 'Faith Of Our Fathers' and it is a gift from the late man. Cant stop the tears at all for this my lost but not forgotten Hero.This is very heavy on us and it is hard to forget the one you love, but this few words from the heart would at least mellow our sorrow and then begin the process of healing.

I WILL MISS YOU MY GOOD FRIEND.

In Christ,

James and all at St. Laurence House.


James and the rest of our family in St. Laurence House, Freetown, Sierra Leone expressed their sadness over the loss of Fr. Bob.

 

Each member of St. Laurence House wrote their feelings on a sign

 

 

 

 

 

Little Roo expressed his love for Fr. Bob in his own creative manner

 

Notice that Roo went so far as to express himself all up his leg... see the trail of ink?

 

Fr. Bob sent over many supplies, many items to St. Laurence House. James said it broke his heart more as he looked around St. Laurence House and "Fr. Bob is all around us".

 

Above show the dining Table at St. Laurence House

The Refrigerator in St. Laurence House Kitchen

 

 

Fr. Bob took the time to send DVD's of all the old fashioned, wholesome movies from the past like "Going my Way" so that our family in St. Laurence House could watch good family oriented shows. Fr. Bob sent rosaries (thousands) for St. Laurence House to distribute and special ones for each member of the family residing there. Together with Ms Su, he sent tons of items especially to the school in Kabala. (Medicine, candy necklaces, toys, tooth brushes, etc. etc.)

 

Our School, Fr. Bob's School, Nazareth House Kabala School, in which Fr. Bob was so proud; he loved each student, will be closed on Friday, in honor of Fr. Bob Haux and to honor his funeral. St. Laurence House and the Kabala School are officially in a mourning state.

 

New Photos of potential Compound for NHA

NOTE: There is no official word on the details of Fr. Bob Haux's funeral arrangements. I will post it on this blog as soon as it is available; check back often.

My first reaction after hearing of the passing of our beloved friend, Fr. Robert Haux, was to delay posting for awhile in respect of the situation. However, one of the last conversations I had with Fr. Bob was about the importance of NHA obtaining a compound. He firmly believed it beneficial for people (especially college students)to have the opportunity to experience life in a 3rd world country; that they should see for themselves what our pictures only hint at. "It will change their lives", he said. He lamented that "if my health was better" he'd go there with us in a New York minute. What Fr. Bob must not have realized is that with every DVD Movie he sent to St. Laurence House, with every rosary he sent(he sent thousands), with every tee-shirt in which he made iron-on decals, with every contribution- Fr. Bob was rendered present. He is at St. Laurence House in every way.

Fr. Bob understood the need for NHA staff to be housed. "They are running themselves ragged caring for the poor and the sick. How can we not provide a house for them?"

He wanted the dying to have a place to meet their final rest with dignity and comfort, not alone on the side of a road. He and I talked about the future of Nazareth House meeting the needs of the poor...and how that depended on us obtaining the compound - A center of operations and so much more- a place on the ground- in the area in which we serve. Neither Fr. Bob or I came up with any answers as to how to make it happen, how to raise the money...we just know that it must be done. He and I agreed to make it a project we would work on together. I know Bob's+ still working on it with me; therefore I can only push ahead to bring it to fruition, knowing I have him in the arena (cloud of witnesses) cheering me on.

Finding proper facilities is getting more difficult as more and more property in Sierra Leone is being sold to foreigners hoping to promote tourism and make big profits.

One of the first things that attracted Nazareth House to this particular compound is that it contains several built-in safety factors. The photo below shows the Barbed Wired Concrete Wall around the compound. Our staff, the terminally ill patients of Lazarus House, and the guests we bring over to experience, first hand, life on the mission field MOST be protected.


The full view of the compound shows the iron gate and wall of security. The bottom floor contains a adequate storage area for medical & pharmaceutical supplies, food (rice) for distribution, various humanitarian needs as well as a separate garage for a vehicle.



Travel up these stairs to the living quarters for the staff, the guests from overseas, and for the terminally ill. This second floor entrance allows extra security and exempts us from flooding during the annual heavy rains.


James stands on the porch which offers a view over the city and the ocean in the distance. Notice the beautiful tile floor (a signature of Sierra Leone where the tile is made). The compound is located in the midst of the city, in the midst of poverty and as an added bonus it is across from a small elementary school.


The kitchen is adequate and can accommodate the large amount of cooking we can do to fill hungry mouths.


One hallway contains three bathrooms, one after another - this is helpful especially during a full house.


There is also a hallway of bedrooms.


Each bedroom can accommodate two twins or a double bed.


The community room and dining area. (Note: the current residence have exceptionally nice furniture for the area, unfortunately, it doesn't come with the house)

I noticed air conditioners throughout the house, I assume they would stay, however, I can't see them being used - only when we have guests from overseas (if then). James and Kadijah tend to put on fir-lined parkas and their teeth begin to chatter when the temperature drops to below 85 degrees. There is a water tower built onto the house which is a big plus. The owner is asking $250,000. We are accepting all donations no matter how small or large. March 1, 2009, our current lease ends and we must vacate the premises of the present St. Laurence House.

What about Bob+? A NHA tribute to a great friend & priest to all!

Click on any photo to enlarge


The details of Fr. Bob Haux's passing are yet to be learned, however, the details of his life are quite clear. He is a man of many talents and he wears many hats. Yet, most of all he is a priest, an old school priest, one full of dedication and honesty: A shepherd who loves his flock. He has an expanded flock, some in the pews, some at the restaurant, some in his socializing, some within his brother policemen, everywhere and at all times, Bob+ shepherds his many flocks.

Last Sunday (November 9) , Fr. Seraphim and I joined Fr. Bob at his parish in West Point, Georgia.



Through Fr. Bob+, St. Andrew's parish has jumped in full force to support Nazareth House Apostolate in its work in Sierra Leone. They own the mission, it is THEIR mission, their work. They are a part of Nazareth House and Nazareth House is a part of them. Photos of the Parish Hall and Kitchen "Bulletin Boards" at St. Andrews:



Fr. Bob loved James and Kadijah in Sierra Leone and they loved him. Though they never personally met, they knew each other well. St. Laurence House is officially shut down in mourning for the next 3 days in honor of their beloved friend. The last Sunday we were in Freetown, Fr. Seraphim preached the Sermon that Fr. Bob had prepared so that he could feed his people from afar. It was that Sermon that led 3 people to Baptism into Christianity after hearing it! James has much to say about Fr. Bob and I will let him speak in his own post later. Without any flash, quietly hidden, Fr. Bob became a hero in Sierra Leone. .

As we left last Sunday, Fr. Bob loaded us up with music he had put on a cd for us so that we'd have it to listen while traveling. He gave us an icon that he had written (painted) at age 17 and a folder full of his writings, etc for us to look over. We will cherish these items for ever.


Pictures say a 1000 words, the ones on this blog post today show the love Fr. Bob gives and the love we all have for him. You cannot think about Bob+, without thinking of love. He gives so much. .





He is always a friend... always has your back.... always a priest...always ready to love....always ready with a helping hand..