Originally published during Great Lent 2011
 

May our Gracious God always bless you!

About two weeks ago I sent the attached information on behalf of the Decani Monastery Relief Fund, and am praying that many good souls would take the time to help our fund. Our situation was so destitute that I even received a letter
from the bank stating that we were in the “red!” At this hour, thanks to God, I was able to put some donations into our account that cleared up this matter.

In the meantime, I had a dream on the first day of Great Lent that I met a man from Kosovo.  He told me that without the help of the Decani Monastery Relief Fund he would not be standing where he was at this time, and that his family received a piglet recently, as well as fire wood to keep them warm for the winter! He also indicated he had food to eat which gave him strength, and that our fund helped him come to America to be able to further his education.  During this conversation he was weeping! As he continued talking to me I began to weep as well and when I awoke I had tears in my eyes! I said to myself the first day of Great Lent brings me great sadness because the Decani Fund is struggling!  So, of course I offered further prayer in addition to my morning prayers. 

Everything in Kosovo/Metohija is difficult at this time! If we here in America think that we are struggling at this time we can well imagine what our dear brothers and sisters in Christ are going through. So many families are hungry.  If they are blessed they will eat one meal a day! My goodness, what about the elderly and the children?!  Children who go to school are blessed to receive a meal from the local homeless shelter that is sponsored by the Decani Fund. Hundreds of children are provided with a decent type of meat at lunch time which might be their only or best meal of the day.  In addition to hunger, the nights are still cold and many families are using tree branches for their fire places to keep their homes warm!

“Please!” I say to you dear beloved brothers and sisters in Christ our Lord can you please help our fund wipe away these tears?!  We can do it together, and we have the great opportunity to do it even during Great Lent!

Let us give alms to the Decani Monastery Relief Fund! Let us help wipe away their tears as loving Christians!

May our God reward you and bless you!

Send your donations to the following address:

Decani Monastery Relief Fund
C/O Very Rev. Archimandrite Nektarios Serfes
2618 West Bannock Street
Boise, Idaho 83702
USA

Thank you humbly!

Peace to your soul!

God love and bless you!

Humbly in Christ our Lord,

+ Very Reverend Archimandrite Nektarios Serfes

President of the Decani Monastery Relief Fund Inc. UISA