After over seven years of working with kids in Serbia, it just keeps getting better and better. Little did we know when this all started in 2016 so many lives could be touched.
Looking back a bit…we started with 4 kids in 2016. The numbers grew to 11, then 32, the 60-something. As of right now we have 171 kids, from 1st grade through university, who have been involved with Propel. Some have graduated. Some have relocated to other parts of Serbia. Sadly some have had to leave school to go to work. But for the 2023-2024 school year, we are looking at about 120 kids being kitted out with textbooks, school supplies, backpacks, glasses, sneakers and more…
Plus, there is another way our sponsors help these kids be part of school with their peers…excursions! Even for first graders, these trips can be 4-day affairs where the kids get a chance to have “school in nature”.
The image below is a copy of the receipts for the 30+ kids who get to join in the fun, and this is only a fraction of those being blessed. For many of them, it is the first time they’ve ever left their village!
Oh…almost forgot. The H.I.K.E. 2023 is ready to go in May. This is our annual fundraiser, and this year the proceeds are to be used to fuel Propel’s next big leap! More info about The H.I.K.E. and the goal for 2023 can be found right here>>>https://propelinitiative.org/thehike2023/
On the personal front…Mary and I are well. Gearing up for our busiest time of year as we get everything together regarding book orders, delivering supplies and such, camps, helping Nexus Church with a VBS (with the help of our great partners at Saratoga Abundant Life Church), and those things I forgot.
A few folks have been asking about my health (Paul). I have had two follow-up visits with my doctors and there is no sign of any cancer reoccurrence. Prayers for this to be a trend appreciated.
Be blessed. Be a blessing.
Paul and Mary