Dear friends of Our Serbs,
“Our mission includes bettering the lives of the less fortunate and providing help, hope & guidance for a better future.”
As we read this mission statement, the first thing that comes to mind is our people in Kosovo and Metohija.
This description “less fortunate...providing help...hope” not only affects people it also affects holy places where our people look for strength and support.
Our Serbs did it...They do it...And they will continue to do it...They live the mission...
Let’s go back a year...
In June of 2017, a group of Our Serbs supporters and board members, along with its president Mrs. Kathy Fanslow went on an annual humanitarian aid trip to Kosovo and Metohija. The usual itinerary includes visits to Serbian enclaves, visits to completed or in-process projects and visits to our churches and monasteries.
That June, upon completion of the work-related issues, the group stopped at the Monastery Gracanica before heading back to Beograd.
The group was welcomed by the secretary of Bishop Teodosije, Father Savo Smigic.
The visit was intended to be short. Mati Teodora, the nun in the monastery was very sick and just came back from the hospital. According to Father Savo she did not come out of her room to greet visitors for a few months.
That day she did; by surprise of everyone at the monastery.
At one point, during the conversation, Mrs. Fanslow asked if the organization could help the monastery somehow. Mati Teodora crossed her hands on her chest and said that before she dies, she would love to see the piece of land, with the well of water, to be the property of the monastery. That piece of land was for sale and had been worked by the monastery for 20 years. The owner had just decided that they wanted to sell.
It is not uncommon in the Monasteries in Kosovo & Metohija that water gets shut off for many various reasons. As an alternative, the nun’s use this well. Very often that is the only source of water. Mrs. Fanslow, President of Our Serbs organization acted instantly.
Her action left everyone speechless. She found a donor who recognized the problem. In the next few weeks, an official agreement was made between Bishop Teodosije and the Monastery Gracanica and the seller.
The agreement included that the organization pays the first half (about 45000$) by December 2017, and the second half by the end of December 2018 (another 45000$).
“Our mission includes bettering the lives of the less fortunate and providing help, hope & guidance for a better future.”
Mati Teodora is still alive; in and out from the hospital and waiting for final signatures. May God grant her many more years...God willing, this week we will be paying of the final installment.
What a joy; giving before Christmas and where it is needed the most.
What makes this organization even more meaningful is that other humanitarian organizations and individuals started following our steps!!!
Glad to see that!!!
In 1321 King Milutin built the Monastery Graçanica; in 2018 humanitarian organization Our Serbs made history too; smaller…but history.
“Šta god da tkaš, vezuj konce za nebo”- Sveti Nikolaj Velimirovic
This piece was written by Mira Gusic, a Board Member who volunteers and lives in Belgrade. We refer to her and her husband, Zoran as "our loving eyes and ears in Serbia." With their help, we learn of where our help and support are most needed.
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