Written Friday April 13th: 

I just got back from Stations of the cross.  There were children there today, something a little different at the Skete.  

Stations of the Cross at St. Simeon Skete 

People tend to tense up at the thought of children at this service.  They are worried about noises and distractions. 

Os (His Baptism is on Sunday)

But somehow I’m sure that there were plenty of noises and distractions at the first Journey of Crucifixion.  And so it was today -  but nothing outrageous, just normal blurts and squawks of children with the added joy of a little girl sweetly singing the Stabat Mater.   

The Millers at St. Simeon Skete

We try to pretty up the Stations of the Cross, make it antiseptic: Gorgeous paintings that show very little pain.  But the Cross wasn’t pretty.  Neither is humanity - it blares loudly - the good, the bad, and the ugly - the things that we are all made of.  

We try so hard to clean up what goes on at the cross, so we don’t have to think about it.  “Keep the kids quiet”,   “Silence”  When Jesus says take up thy cross and follow me - we want that cross to be light as a feather and sparkling clean like a diamond.  Its not.  We’re not.  

Newton Miller with brother Rudy

Today at the Stations, I was carrying Newt.  He’s a young lad with autism.  I know autism has its complications in his life and his parents lives - but I see it as a different form of reality.  We all have our cross to bear and Newt and his family carry theirs with great care and dignity, getting back up and moving forward if they fall.

Newton Miller 

As I carried Newt from Station to Station, he was quiet but then at one point, he grabbed my face and forced my face in closer towards his face.  Instinctively, I wanted to turn away to look at the plaque of the station we were on  - the fifth station, Simon helps Jesus carry his cross.  But Newt held my face tight and said “Open your eyes”  My eyes were opened but I was looking down.  Again he said “Open your eyes” and as I looked up and my eyes met Newt’s, he was staring deep into my eyes, a penetrating gaze.   They say that he has difficulty communicating, that’s the nature of Autism.

Newton Miller

Jesus is trying to reach out, communicate in everyone, in every circumstance and most of the time He is ignored.  In Newt’s eyes I could see Jesus, quite clearly ...clearer than in the bronze plaques on the wall and Newt had no trouble communicating to me without words, the Jesus Life Prayer of the Nazareth Rosary: “Jesus your life is living in me” 

  

John 14:17
the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.

Romans 8:9
You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

Romans 8:11
And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.

1 Corinthians 3:16
Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?

Ephesians 2:22
And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

2 Timothy 1:14
Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

1 John 3:24
Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

Going Deep

Today on this Easter Monday, the staff and communities of NHA are enjoying Sham El Nessim or Emmaus Day.  We will go on a journey and take along some food for an outdoor picnic - "sniffing the breeze. "   As we do so, we hold you all in our prayers. 

In Sierra Leone the work has stopped until the Holidays are over.  

Tomorrow the workers will return to the well.  Thanks for all of the support we have paid for the completion of this project. 

  

As the workers in Sierra Leone go deeper  into the earth, 

back at St. Simeon Skete we continue to deepen the prayer.  

  

We are still waiting some of our regular monthly funding to make the monthly expenses for our March commitment to those suffering in Sierra Leone.  

Donations have been delayed due to tax time pressures and Christmas credit arriving for some, we understand - bills must be paid.   We went through the same "delay" last year.  I have explained things to the teachers and they are doing okay, they know we will come through, they trust God to provide.  We are hoping to be able to make our obligations this week.

Last week, there was a flurry of work being done at the well.  Maundy Thursday's heavy rains helped give things a test.   We are making a tremendous effort to finish this properly and efficiently.  This well is not only for our compound, but for the NHA School and neighbors. 

  

 The men have worked very hard.  They showed up on Good Friday to work but James dismissed them explaining they must not work on Holy Days.   

They will return to work on Tuesday.  

Please keep them in your prayers.  

Its a difficult job with many dangers and they do not have modern equipment.   

In your charity, if you are able to send in an extra donation at this time, we would appreciate your kindness.  I don't want to keep the teachers waiting for their salary much longer nor do I want those who depend on us to be without food or necessities.   Thank you.  

Nazareth House Apostolate

185 Captains Cove Drive

Taylorsville, KY 40071 

or donations can be made using your credit card through Paypal using the donation link on our website.  www.nazarethhouseap.org 

Greetings from James and some of the NHA Students in Kabala:   ©2012 NHA, All Rights Reserved

A friend shared a photo with some African children sitting in a circle, feet touching, the description of the photo read: 

An anthropologist proposed a game to African tribe kids. He put a basket full of fruit near a tree and told them that whoever got there first won the sweet fruits. When he told them to run they all took each others hands and ran together, then sat together enjoying their treats. When he asked them why they had run like that as one could have had all the fruits for himself they said: UBUNTU, how can one of us be happy if all the other ones are sad?  

A Unity Circle of the NHA Students, Kabala Sierra Leone  ©2012 NHA, All rights reserved 

James sent a photo of the NHA students poised in the same position, an unbroken circle.  What the anthropologist came to realize is what we at NHA have seen happen over and over many a time in Sierra Leone.  

Like the beads on a rosary, the students side by side, bead by bead make an unbroken chain, a circle of love

The incident that comes to to mind and fills my heart is one that happened several years ago.  It was in the early stages of NHA development.  We only had enough money for a few bags of rice so we called the students together to distribute a few cups (enough for a meal or so for each family).    As the children filed through the line, receiving their rice, to my horror I began to realize there was more children than rice.   There was not going to be enough.  As the last bit of rice was being poured into the last cups, the first children - the ones who had already received rice - without thinking, without blinking an eye, without any coaxing by any adult - automatically turned back around and began to divide into the empty cups a portion of what they had in their cups so that no-one was without.  Everybody went home with rice.   See details of this story from previous blog Click here for blog on Sacred Heart & Empty Cups

Together its easier to share the brunt of being without, represented by the bare feet.   ©2012 NHA

The circle - unbroken - harmony, unity!  looking at these children - no one at the head, no one at the end but side by side as one, together as a whole -  its the picture of love.    A circle with no beginning, no end - endless love - the rosary! 

It is also more joyous to share the times when there is enough, represented in the shoes.  ©2012 NHA

This is what NHA seeks - love, peace and unity for everyone - no in-groups, no out-groups -  but for everyone ...... and why praying the life of Christ in the rosary is so important to us.  

Still connected, hand in hand, the children make their way to their homes.   ©2012 NHA

Nazareth House Apostolate

185 Captains Cove Drive

Taylorsville, KY 40071 

www.nazarethhouseap.org 

All in Bloom

As we await another storm in Taylorsville - heading our way this afternoon, we are enjoying the beauty of Spring in Full Bloom.   

Some of the plants and trees that usually wait for late April or May to show their glory have already blossomed.  It is quite a gorgeous array of color.   

St. Simeon Skete weathered the March 2nd storm relatively well compared to many in the area, however, our buildings did take a good beating.   The roofs on all three buildings have hail damage and need replacing.  The siding, especially on Anna House looks like a machine gun splattered holes into it. 

...and today we wait for another “severe thunderstorm capable of damaging winds and large hail”.   We are under a severe weather watch until 8PM.   It seems Spring 2012 is here with a fury.

Our Nazareth House Apostolate Board Members met this weekend for the NHA Annual Meeting.  It was a productive meeting and we are eagerly looking forward to things to come.  Nazareth House Apostolate is extremely pleased to welcome its newest Board Member: Matthew Drake of San Francisco.  

Thank you to those who rallied together to help buy the additional materials for the well to furnish water the NHA Compound in Sierra Leone and provide water for the school and area neighbors in Kabala.  We have now raised enough money for the project to be completed.   James will be buying the materials this week.   

We are running a bit behind on the March regular monthly provision for those we serve in Sierra Leone (paying the NHA teachers, providing rice, etc.) but hopefully we’ll receive the donations soon to get caught up and pay our teachers who are eager to buy food for their families.

Today is James’ birthday and he is celebrating with his family in Freetown.  We wish a very happy birthday to him and thank him for his tireless work for NHA. 

St. Simeon Skete has had several pilgrims visit recently.  Those that come to the skete are seeking a deepening of the spiritual life.   We rise to begin the day in private prayer at 3:00 AM and then meeting together at the chapel at 4:40 AM for Lauds and The Liturgy.   

As Seraphim wrote in his journal about St. Simeon Skete “We don’t want a place where “hesychasts” are strutting around acting spiritual for the admiration of visitors, we don’t want the modern concept of “retreat” that entails the expectation of spiritual enjoyment, rest and relaxation.  Rather may it be a place, as stated, of prayer and penance, of embracing the Rule.  We’re not offering a spiritual vacation but a spiritual explanation.”  

We are in prayer, and those who arrive step into the ongoing stream of that prayer, they are here for that purpose - that is why they come.  If you are preparing to apply for a visit at the Skete make sure that you first understand what it is about.   You will not return home, rested and revitalized, but most likely quite the opposite.  You will be tired and worn-out, but in a productive,  purposeful & meaningful manner - bringing back with you what you have revealed from your time at the Skete seeking God, to be implemented in your daily life.  

We try to maintain an atmosphere of prayer at the Skete at all time, however sometimes others don't consider this.  We ask that those visiting for a short time (an hour or day) remember that others are in prayer and respect this.  Please do not drive through, revving up the car engine or talk loudly.  This especially means NO PETS on the property at any time. We understand those coming to visit on pilgrimage would not bring a pet, especially while staying at Anna House, but this is also the rule for brief visits as well. 

Messages from our students in Kabala

One of the Nazareth House Apostolate board members, Claudio Lopez, underwent a series of surgeries in December.   

The students in our Nazareth House Apostolate School in Kabala were very worried about him.   

I received these pictures yesterday.  

They were thinking of Claudio and wondering how he is doing.   

NHA is truly a family!  

of course, our students do not understand that Claudio doesn't own the UPS plane he flies....

....its all about love....

We've been received photo messages from our students and those we serve in Sierra Leone.  Keep checking out this blog... more messages are coming....

Idioms & Phrases:“hard nut to crack”

Also, “tough nut to crack.” -  A difficult problem; also, an individual who is difficult to deal with. For example, This assignment is a hard nut to crack, or It won't be easy getting her approval; she's a tough nut to crack. This metaphoric expression alludes to hard-shelled nuts like walnuts. [Early 1700s]

As James was returning to Kabala from picking up the supplies to begin the task of finishing the well at the NHA Compound, he stopped by a village on his way home.  

No one was around at first, except this little boy named Lansana.  He is 18 months old and one of a set of twins.  His mom was out fishing in the stream for their supper and dad was at work on their farm.  Grandma was inside the hut tending to the other children.

Regular daily meals and snacks are not a routine part of his day, fending for himself and hunger is.  Lansana has no toys, no games, not much of anything.  Yet, he is satisfied, happy.  No complaints of the past, no worries for the future he takes in life moment by moment. 

Ribs showing, protruding belly full of worms, he has found a single nut.  

At this early age he is determined and resourceful.  He attempts to break the nut with a rock.

After several tries he is successful and he eats the fruit from within. 

As this child found the nut hard to crack, poverty itself is a “hard nut to crack” - a difficult problem to fix.  The Bible tells us that poverty will always be with us.  Matthew 26:11, John 12:8  and then there is Deuteronomy 15:11 which says “There will always be poor people in the land.  Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.”   

So we must look at what is presented to us with reality.  We can’t be puffed up and think we can fix it all - God tells we aren’t able to do this on our own.  But he makes a point of telling us that it is something He wants us to try to do - (with open hands) help out.  And so we must.  Please join us, eyes wide opened, knowing we can’t make it go away but also knowing we can and will help out - loving one person at a time.  

Give today

NHA

185 Captains Cove Drive

Taylorsville, KY 40071 

Seeing RED on St. Patrick's Day in Kabala

While many were decked out  in green celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, 

in Kabala at our Nazareth House School the children were celebrating another saint - St. Valentine.

In America we are attached to our chronos time, measured time - as on a clock.  “...got to be here by 10, appointment here at 2, meeting at 4, dinner at 6, soccer at 7...”  That’s not how things are in Africa.  Oh, they try to be at work, school or church at a specific scheduled time, but being “on time” is not always the result.   In Africa, they are more “event” oriented, not time oriented.   

When the shipment of Valentines from the Anglican Parish of St. Mark’s, Portland, Oregon was delayed in its journey from Portland to Freetown 

and arrived a month later than expected -  it didn’t matter.   

And the fact that our students were celebrating St. Valentine’s Day on St. Patrick’s Day -- well - our student’s didn’t think there was anything odd about it at all.   It was a joyous event regardless of its timing.

What DID matter was that so much love was shared.   

It mattered that people thousands of miles away, across an ocean, all the way to the West side of the America were praying and thinking about children in Kabala, Sierra Leone.  

A church family (children and adults alike) joined together to cut, paste, color, glue, and decorate handmade Valentines with handwritten messages of love to send to children in a foreign country - children they have only met through this blog.   

Not only did they make these messages of love but they sent them, paying and arranging the shipping on their own, in coordination with the NHA headquarters in Taylorsville.  

And in these pictures you see another example of what our mission in Sierra Leone is all about....

and to the Parish of St. Mark’s in Portland we say THANK YOU, we love you and are so grateful for your prayers and love.   

...and to you all - we say THANK YOU for being a part of the Nazareth House Family! 

The unity brought about by such love and care for one’s neighbor is amazing.   

I don’t know how many times as we give to the people in Sierra Leone, 

the provision is shared by someone in another jurisdiction or another denomination that shuns the other.  

They are apart in their daily lives but united in their gift (donation) to Nazareth house expressed in bags of rice for the hungry, medicine for the sick, water  for the thirsty.  

They stand unified in the love for those in need.   

We love you all!