Tuesday, November 24, 2009
A little bit of shoes....
Last Summer, Nazareth House Supporters helped One Love Foundation of Summit Hill, PA collect shoes to cover all the bare feet we see running around Salone.
The collection was a huge success and thousands 
of donated shoes 
were packed onto the container 
and the ship set sail 
to Sierra Leone. 
It is now in dock at Freetown 
and we are awaiting processing of the shoes, hoping for their release someday soon.
along with the items on board the container. There is always red-tape involved with customs and things take time. 
We are very excited for the day when we have all the shoes to give out to our students at our school in Kabala and all the children in Freetown that are patiently waiting.BUT! IN THE MEANTIME....
A few shoes didn't make the container and were sent directly to St. Laurence House. We took this opportunity to place them on feet.
It was amazing to see the children helping each other 
to find the best fitting shoe. No-one was greedy, everyone shared. 
If someone's shoe was a little snug, they found a smaller foot to put it on. If someone had too big of a shoe...the found a bigger foot. 
Everyone of those children worked to find the perfect match. Cinderella would have been proud.
As you can see the happy faces on these children,
just think when we are literally giving away shoes to thousands of kids! 
We just can't wait.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Rice, rice, rice
One of the things we enjoy doing while on the ground in Sierra Leone is distributing rice to those we come across as we work our way around the villages & cities.
Its a positive situation all around. We buy the rice from local distributors
- this stimulates the economy, 
helping the the merchants out.
Once we bring the rice home 
and unload it, 
we begin to distribute to those in need. 
Families get a break on their food budget,
some are so poor that they wouldn't have eaten with out it, others have small food and this fills bellies a little better.
We like to surprise a family, 
showing up with Rice when they least expect it. 
Otherwise, if they know we are coming, they will prepare a meal for us 
with what little they have 
and share what could possibly be all they have with us.
Of course, the families that get the rice are always happy to receive it, but its hard to explain unless you've experienced the giving in Sierra Leone. The bag of rice is nice, but the gift of the love and caring from the people who have received it is unbelievable. We always come away as the ones who have received the larger gift than a mere bag of rice.
Its a positive situation all around. We buy the rice from local distributors
- this stimulates the economy, 
helping the the merchants out.
Once we bring the rice home 
and unload it, 
we begin to distribute to those in need. 
Families get a break on their food budget,
some are so poor that they wouldn't have eaten with out it, others have small food and this fills bellies a little better.
We like to surprise a family, 
showing up with Rice when they least expect it. 
Otherwise, if they know we are coming, they will prepare a meal for us 
with what little they have 
and share what could possibly be all they have with us.
Of course, the families that get the rice are always happy to receive it, but its hard to explain unless you've experienced the giving in Sierra Leone. The bag of rice is nice, but the gift of the love and caring from the people who have received it is unbelievable. We always come away as the ones who have received the larger gift than a mere bag of rice.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
First sight of M&M's...
The fun begins for St. Laurence House after packages are fetched from the Post Office. It is always a mystery to see if everything that we sent from America remained in the box.
James will not be alone to investigate the contents.
Soon everyone will gather around around to see what's inside.
Roo knows that Mama Vicki always sends some kind of goodie especially for him, 
so he is patiently waiting for that special morsel.
Roo has found a child's toothbrush for himself and takes it to Fr. Seraphim to open. He likes the toothbrush but he is still looking for something else.
Ah ha! Lollipops....
What joy in his face...
Medicines from St. Charles Anglican Church in Huntsville, Alabama, germ-killing mouthwash, hospital supplies for Kroo Bay. 
Everything that could possibly be stuffed into a box and weigh in under 20 pounds is crammed inside this tiny box.
Now there was this bag of M&M's. An object Roo had never seen before. I give him the bag, he opens it, looks at the M&M's and promptly places the M&M's in his ears!
"No, I say, those are to eat!" "They are not ear plugs!"
But by then Roo has figured out how to plug his ears,
his nose and his mouth. 
I don't think I've ever seen 
anyone have so much fun with M&M's!
James will not be alone to investigate the contents.
Soon everyone will gather around around to see what's inside.
Roo knows that Mama Vicki always sends some kind of goodie especially for him, 
so he is patiently waiting for that special morsel.
Roo has found a child's toothbrush for himself and takes it to Fr. Seraphim to open. He likes the toothbrush but he is still looking for something else.
Ah ha! Lollipops....
What joy in his face...
Medicines from St. Charles Anglican Church in Huntsville, Alabama, germ-killing mouthwash, hospital supplies for Kroo Bay. 
Everything that could possibly be stuffed into a box and weigh in under 20 pounds is crammed inside this tiny box.------------------------
Now there was this bag of M&M's. An object Roo had never seen before. I give him the bag, he opens it, looks at the M&M's and promptly places the M&M's in his ears!
"No, I say, those are to eat!" "They are not ear plugs!"
But by then Roo has figured out how to plug his ears,
his nose and his mouth. 
I don't think I've ever seen 
anyone have so much fun with M&M's!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Checking out SalonePost
We were thrilled to be in Sierra Leone when some of the packages 
that I had sent from America arrived.
We were especially excited to get them in time for our medical drop to Kroo Bay Clinic. So, after receiving word that the packages were in, 
we began our trek through the city to SalonePost.
I examined the boxes well.
I was puzzled and didn't recognize the first boxes. 
Only to find out that a couple of them were ones we counted lost from months before. Yippee, not lost after all!
I congratulated the postal workers on the recent efficient job they were doing and asked them to keep up the good work.
One of the workers helped us carry the packages to our car. 
We placed the boxes in the car and decided to go to the Central Mosque 
to look for Pa Barrie's widow, Marianna.
The women were still gathered there, hoping to receive charity.
We asked about Marianna, who cleans at the Mosque. 
While we waited for them to find Marianna,
Kadijah tried to fit my hair into some of the hats that were for sale out front of the mosque.
Soon Marianna came running towards Fr. Seraphim
It was very emotional seeing her as she saw Fr. Seraphim. This was the first time they have met since Pa Barrie dropped the body. 
Knowing the bond between the two men, she could only think of her late husband as she saw Fr. Seraphim. 
She began to weep.
We made plans to see Marianna later when she was not at work and headed back 
towards St. Laurence House to examine the packages we have received.
Note: To enlarge photos for better viewing simply click on the photo you wish to enlarge.
that I had sent from America arrived.
We were especially excited to get them in time for our medical drop to Kroo Bay Clinic. So, after receiving word that the packages were in, 
we began our trek through the city to SalonePost.
I examined the boxes well.
I was puzzled and didn't recognize the first boxes. 
Only to find out that a couple of them were ones we counted lost from months before. Yippee, not lost after all!
I congratulated the postal workers on the recent efficient job they were doing and asked them to keep up the good work.
One of the workers helped us carry the packages to our car. 
We placed the boxes in the car and decided to go to the Central Mosque 
to look for Pa Barrie's widow, Marianna.
The women were still gathered there, hoping to receive charity.
We asked about Marianna, who cleans at the Mosque. 
While we waited for them to find Marianna,
Kadijah tried to fit my hair into some of the hats that were for sale out front of the mosque.
Soon Marianna came running towards Fr. Seraphim
It was very emotional seeing her as she saw Fr. Seraphim. This was the first time they have met since Pa Barrie dropped the body. 
Knowing the bond between the two men, she could only think of her late husband as she saw Fr. Seraphim. 
She began to weep.
We made plans to see Marianna later when she was not at work and headed back 
towards St. Laurence House to examine the packages we have received.
Note: To enlarge photos for better viewing simply click on the photo you wish to enlarge.
Prayer Request
Sia, standing on porch of St. Laurence HouseWe ask your prayers for little Sia, Kadijah's niece, who is suffering vomiting and very high fever.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Welcoming Baby Bangura at St. Laurence House in Freetown
One of my many favorite times at St. Laurence House during this recent trip was to see Salu and Kadiatu at our gate 
..with both of their daughters. After all the troubles they've been through (losing Isha, losing the baby girl last year at birth) here they were a happy family of four.
It was wonderful to see all the smiles 
and to enjoy the sweet baby girl 
and play with dear little Salma.
Salma has grown and is a very happy child...
We were honored to be able to provide them with a some new baby clothes, rice and support for their needs. 
This family has weathered a lot of heart-ache and struggles and 
we are happy to see them through as times look better and better for them.
The newest edition to the Bangura family "has my face" as Salu so proudly inform us. 
Fr. Seraphim and Salu discussed 
the common ground in which Islam and Christianity can meet.
We all made sure that we took our turn holding 
the sweet baby girl
... and playing with Salma. 
What a great day 
it was fun for all of us!
Contented to have met everyone, someone is ready for her nap....
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