Prairie View Adventist School in the Panhandle of Nebraska has only two students this year. But that did not stop them from accepting the challenge of raising money to assist Adventist schools who did not have insurance and suffered damages in recent hurricanes and floods.

The amount of the check they mailed this week to the North American Division for the education fundraiser was $2,003.52. Raising that much money was not an easy task for such a small school. Carlene Lang, teacher at Prairie View School, and her students hosted a soup supper before the Chadron church’s business meeting. They also approached businesses in Chadron seeking additional funds.

“We were short less than $100 of the $2,000 mark when a member ‘got wind’ of how much we were short and called  telling me he had some work for the boys to do at his place and he would donate another $100,” Lang.

 “We did over three hours of very physical work and I worked along beside the boys to encourage them, even teaching them how to use a shovel,” Lang reported. She added that it was rewarding for her to see the students developing a good work ethic, along with compassion and the desire to help others.
“This has been such an amazing journey with God and the boys see His hand in it and we continue to give Him the praise and glory for blessing our efforts beyond our imagination!” Lang said. She also expressed appreciation for the Valentine and Chadron church members who supported the project.

“I find it incredible that these two boys with their teacher raised over $2,000 for the NAD education fundraiser,” said LouAnn Howard, director of education for the Mid-America Union Conference. According to Gary Kruger, director of education for the Kansas-Nebraska Conference, the funds will be used to repair Adventist educational institutions impacted by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.

Elder Larry Blackmer, director of education for the NAD, has challenged all schools in North America to participate in this fundraiser. Additionally, Howard reported that over $6,000 was received in offerings on Sabbath during the NAD Year End meetings, with pledges for another $5,000.

Photo: The Cutting Edge enewsletter