Dear Friends in Christ:

As we end the end of the school year, I am reviewing the status of the number of scholarships each of our schools has obtained. It is now apparent that several Episcopal Schools in the DR will be facing a serious financial problem, unless we obtain additional sponsors.

This year our scholarship committee approved 820 students for scholarships, down 100 from 2008-9. We cut the number of scholarships because nearly 75 students didn't receive assistance. Though my assessment isn't complete, I am estimating that over 150 students will not receive financial help this year.

Several friends of the diocese serve as our scholarship representatives in United States churches. In the past, they have been able to obtain scholarships for all students assigned to them. For the last two years, they have found it difficult to find a sufficient number of sponsors.

Based on the last two years, I believe we need to restructure the program. We are open to any suggestions you might have on how we can improve the program and retain sponsors year after year. However, we face an immediate financial crisis.

Some of you sent scholarship support which was not designated for a particular school and have not received information on your students. Last year's experience taught me to hold these funds until the end of the year, and then disperse them to those schools with the most serious financial problems. I failed, however, to indicate what my intentions were, and I apologize for this oversight.

My friends, some of our schools are in financial crisis that could seriously impact their programs. They need help from those who are able. Please pray about contributing one or more scholarships by no later than early June. Here is a status report based on the information I have as of now.

Schools with all students having scholarships: San Marcos, San Matías, Ovejitas de Epifanía, San Esteban, San Andres, Monte de Transfiguration

Schools where the diocese is unsure of status, awaiting final financial support information: San Jose, Todos Los Santos, Encarnación, Jesus Nazareno, La Transfiguración, Cristo Salvador, San Antonio de Pascua

Schools without a sufficient number of sponsors (red indicates less than half have scholarships): Santa Cruz, San Gabriel, Angelitos de Dios, Nido de Amor, Sagrada Familia, Santiago de Apóstol, Jesus Peregrino, La Transfiguración, Nino Jesus, La Anunciación, San Bernabé.

My friends, any help you can provide will be appreciated. You can designate the school from the group immediately above, but undesignated scholarships are extremely helpful. Scholarships are $250 to $300, but we will accept any contribution, no matter what the size.

If everyone on this mail list would provide one scholarship, our financial crisis would come to end. This is not reasonable. However, I know there will be those who hear the Lord's call to help.

If you are willing to help, please let me know by sending me an e-mail with the amount you will be contributing. This will allow me to immediately designate students to receive these funds. I can then loan the school funds, until the check arrives.

Please don't forget to give me your mail address, so I can information about your students. If you want five or less students, I can send them to you by e-mail.

May God Bless you as he has blessed us.

Bob Snow

Serving Christ in the DR - MAIL ADDRESS - DR: Rev. Bob & Ellen Snow c/o Agape Flights, DMG 13388, 100 Airport Avenue, Venice. FL 34285-3901 TELEPHONE - Home:(809)476-0421; Office - (809 )686-7493 SNOW MISSION CONTRIBUTIONS: Episcopal Diocese of Nebraska, Snow Mission, 109 No. 18th St., Omaha, Nebraska 68102 - Diocese & Mission Web Page,