Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,
Many of you know that I am a board member of the Decani
Monastery Relief Fund. The suffering Serbian Christian population is near
and dear to my heart.
Please take time to read this update from our dear brother in
Christ, Fr. Nektarios Serfes, President of the DMRF.
Thank you & Blessed Holy Advent,
Presbytera Candace
26 November 2017
Beloved
Benefactors & Friends of the Decani Monastery Relief Fund,
May
our gracious and loving Lord God always bless you!
While
preparing to write to you, three phrases kept repeating in my mind,
• KEEP LOOKING UP
• FOCUS ON THE GOOD
• BE A BLESSING
Whenever
I make a humanitarian trip to Kosovo (my tenth trip to the region), I remind
myself to KEEP LOOKING UP. Why? Because it is God who is working to sustain the
Christian people who live in impoverished conditions there. They are not lazy;
they suffer oppression by political enemies. They would love to change their
circumstances for the better. However, for now, it appears that God is allowing
things to be as they have been for some years running.
The
needs remain the same, albeit amplified. Even so, the Christian people continue
to look up to God Who is their sustainer and upholder day by
day.
On the Decani Monastery
Grounds
How
is it that the Christians remain steadfast when their political and spiritual
enemies prefer they be uprooted from their homeland? Because they look up to
God. They pray. They live with the expectation of God’s goodness, mercy, and
care where little exists they can do to improve their situation. And, God sends
them assistance. He moves the hearts of others with compassion and
generosity over their plight. Then, there is relief and joy!
This
is why the DMRF exists. This is why we partner with you to bring relief and
sustenance to the oppressed Serbians of Kosovo. People continue to live in
vibrant Christian faith because you help make it possible.
I
cannot tell you how many people asked me to give thanks to the supporters of
the DMRF during my recent visit to Kosovo. Such gratitude expressed—it humbled
me to receive it. I replied, “It is not me who provides, it is all those who
are benefactors of the DMRF!” With sincerity I pass on their message to you,
HEARTFELT THANK YOU’s from the faithful Orthodox people of Kosovo!
Four
women’s monasteries comprised of holy strugglers asked me to especially thank
the benefactors of the DMRF for the blessings they’d received from the Fund. In
some cases, this meant not only food and fuel, but also appliances—a cook
stove, a refrigerator, a washing machine. Monasteries and individual families
receive new appliances according to need.
We
take so many things for granted here in the West. Essential home devices mean
so much for those who’ve lived without them. The Decani Fund gladly provides
efficient home tools so life can be less harsh and more efficient. Someone
wrote, “We live in deprivation, but with the hope of expectation.” This is very
much how it is in Kosovo today.
Let
me now FOCUS ON THE GOOD from my recent trip that I hope will inspire you as it
has me:
During
one of my meetings with Fr. Sava, Abbot of the Decani Monastery, I learned
something new. Six students from Kosovo seek to serve the Church and
enter the seminary in Prizren. What a blessing for the Church! Even with
a population under spiritual and physical oppression, God is raising up young
men in Kosovo to serve His Church. Glory to God!
These
seminarians have financial needs anywhere from $250-$360 per month to undertake
their continuing education. If anyone would be willing to support a
seminarian on a monthly basis, please contact me, and I will supply details.
Fr. Nektarios and
seminarians
Up
until recently, there were six soup kitchens supported by the DMRF routinely
serving the impoverished of the area. Now, I can report there are SEVEN soup
kitchens, the most recent one opened in Prekovce. It serves approximately 800
men, women & children daily. More people fed; more needs met. Thank
God for this provision! Thank God for all the people who keep the soup kitchens
up and running, day after day!
Soup Kitchen in Kosovo
Most
recently, Serbian TV (outside Kosovo) began giving focus to the humanitarian
work offered through the Kosovo soup kitchens. As a result, awareness has
heightened, and another source of support is cultivated. How this will manifest
long term is yet unknown. I can say we are hopeful for the future. Wherever God
is, wherever compassion is, the makings of miracles exist.
Earlier
this month, I had the pleasure of meeting students while making a stop to
distribute cold weather wear. Over 300 scarves, hats & gloves were
given out—the result of our early autumn scarf drive. How generous and
kind you were, dear benefactors! About 80% of the clothing fit children
and 20% fit adults.
I’ll
say this--it would’ve cost a bundle to buy all these items new. Instead,
you gathered, laundered and mailed me beautiful pieces to bring over. It
was your loving effort which made this possible. I was glad to deliver
many ready to wear items in such fantastic shape! Again, THANK YOU!
See this cold weather gear
video captured at a school in the village of Osojane:
Food
& heating fuel (firewood) is essential for the cold weather months. That is
our Fund’s primary focus this season. During the week of November 13, the DMRF
transferred just over $5,100 to Kosovo to help cover these needs. Wire
transfers are always met with thanksgiving to God by the fathers of the Decani
Monastery! It allows them to provide practical assistance while demonstrating
God’s consistent care for His people.
Right
now, the DMRF is actively securing firewood to keep homes, schools &
monasteries supplied with winter fuel. Doing so is essential to keep people
healthy, warm and nourished. The Fund recently provided one village with
firewood. A second village then asked for the same. In faith, I said yes, we
would certainly help. Some people came to me and asked, “Fr., will there be
pork roasts for us again for the Nativity Feast?” In faith, I replied, “Yes.”
Can
I make this happen? No. Rather, I have faith in the generosity and love of
many people who have given before. I’ve seen loving hands unfold with gifts
that say, “Here, Fr., let’s bless the brethren. Let us do for them what they
cannot do for themselves. It is Christ’s way. Why should we be
disproportionately blessed?”
Kosovo kids happy to receive firewood!
Indeed.
Why should we with more resources be disproportionately blessed?
II Corinthians 9:7 states that God loves a cheerful giver. The word in Greek
for cheerful is hilarós. It describes spontaneous, non-reluctant giving.
Someone asks, and you respond because you are already inclined to give without
reluctance. And, why not? God makes all things possible. Especially for the
non-reluctant, spontaneous giver. The giver already knows that he or she
follows God’s way and that blessings will ensue. Such is part and parcel of a
faithful Christian life.
At
this point, I ask those who can and are willing to BE A BLESSING to one or more
of 200 families who hope and pray to have meat on their table for the Feast of
the Holy Nativity on January 7. These are families who have meat on their table
just twice a year. A pork roast that will feed a family of four for one week
costs USD 100. Would you be willing and able to provide one or more Christmas
roasts for Serbian Christians in Kosovo this season?
These
dear people will never be able to repay you monetarily, and you will likely not
meet them in this life. Be assured they will thank God heartily for their
benefactor(s) and ask God’s blessing on you. What more can we hope for? To
bless and be blessed in return? To rejoice the heart of God? To have the good
done in faith and love eternally rewarded? To experience genuine joy within?
All these things, yes, are available to the person who participates with
compassionate love. Is that person you? Will you help us spread the
warmth and peace of true Christian love in Kosovo this season?
A Serbian Nativity Feast
Remembrance
·
GOAL: To put a pork roast (whole pig) on the
tables of 200 families in Kosovo for the Nativity Feast.
·
PURCHASE PRICE: USD 100. per
roast.
·
PLEASE CONSIDER FEEDING ONE OR MORE FAMILIES
FOR THE NATIVITY FEAST IN KOSOVO (JANUARY 7).
·
WE ASK THAT YOU SEND YOUR GIFT BEFORE
DECEMBER 31, 2017.
Here’s
how to partner with us this season:
Donate via Paypal
OR
Send a check payable to:
Decani Monastery Relief
Fund
2618 West Bannock Street
Boise, ID 83702-4705
The
Decani Monastery Relief Fund is a 501c3 tax-exempt charity and issues receipts
for donations made. Please send your gift no later than December 31 to
receive a tax receipt for this year.
God
love and bless you! Peace to you and peace to your soul!
Humbly
in our Lord Jesus Christ,
+Very
Reverend Archimandrite Nektarios Serfes
President
of the Decani Monastery Relief Fund
