What has kept the Society of the Good Shepherd running smoothly over the past 22 years has been our wonderful board of Honduran directors. The microloan ministry is entirely run by the Honduran board. Furthermore, all our construction projects are also lined up by one or more of the Honduran directors. For the past fourteen years, our Honduran board has been made up of three dedicated Christian men: Luis Vega, Dixy Barahona, and Alfredo Lainez. In fact, Luis and Dixy have been on the board since the inception of the Society’s work in Honduras. In this month’s newsletter, we want to introduce you to Alfredo Lainez.
Alfredo began his relationship with the Society over sixteen years ago. But it was as a loan recipient—not as a board member. Alfredo received a microloan from the Society in order to expand his small pet supply store. Among other things, Alfredo sold pet food, antibiotics for animals, and weed eaters. He also gave various shots to dogs. He used his loan wisely, and his store grew rapidly. He paid off his loan in record time, and the Society provided him with a second and a third loan.
The existing board quickly recognized Alfredo as a “star” loan recipient. He was not only faithful to his commitments, but he had an astute business mind. So the Society asked him if he would help mentor other loan recipients, which he agreed to do. One of the original board members, Doña Tina, was elderly and declining in health. So Alfredo was called to board meetings a number of times to substitute for her. When Tina’s health eventually forced her to retire from the board, we asked Alfredo if he would be willing to serve. He stepped up to the plate and has faithfully served on the board ever since.
Alfredo provides a great balance for the team of three directors, since he has experienced the loan ministry from the other side—as a recipient. His business experience has been invaluable in vetting potential loan recipients, enabling the Society to make the best decisions possible for the money we are stewarding. Not that the board never makes a mistake in assessing potential loan recipients, but it tries to learn from each mistake—enabling us to make better decisions in the future.
Alfredo’s Christian ministry is not limited to serving on the Honduran board of the Society of the Good Shepherd. He also serves as the treasurer of his church, as well as the treasurer for the assembly of Baptist churches in Siguatepeque. Alfredo also ministers in his church in various capacities, and he works with another ministry that focuses on advancing medical and educational help for the poor of Siguatepeque.
Alfredo’s wife Mercedes also serves in their church in various capacities. They have three children: Maria (age 26), Alfredo Jose (age 23), and Esther (age 15). Last year, they saw the Lord’s gracious hand over their family as they almost lost their son to Covid complications in June of 2021. However, with the Lord’s help and many prayers, he pulled through.
Under Alfredo’s skillful management, his small pet supply store has now grown into two large stores. One store, named “Animalia,” is exclusively devoted to pets, pet supplies, and dog grooming. Alfredo’s oldest daughter, Maria, and her husband operate this store under Alfredo’s supervision. The other store is a lawn and garden store, featuring weed eaters, pruning equipment, and other lawn and garden tools and machinery.
Alfredo tells us that during his years on the board, he has seen many people enabled to get a head start on their businesses through the microloans. Even when business owners have struggled, Alfredo has seen the Lord helping them through their various situations. After reflecting on his years on the board, Alfredo remarked, “There really is nowhere else where people can obtain interest-free loans—without the fear of being hounded by debt collectors. This is a blessing for so many people.”
Julie Nyhoff de Valladares
The Society of the Good Shepherd, P. O. Box 122, Amberson, PA 17210 • (717) 349-7033
Click on the following link if you would care to make a donation to the work in Honduras: Honduras Donations