Roni Zelaya is a young man from the remote, rural state of Olancho in Honduras, where there is a lot of dairy farming. Roni has been a committed Christian for many years, and his dedication to Christ led him to begin preparing for the ministry. With the blessings of his local church, his first step was to find a conservative Bible seminary. It so happens that there is such a seminary in Siguatepeque, and so Roni moved to Siguatepeque and enrolled in it. He has been studying there for three years and is set to graduate in December.
In order to support himself and to pay for his studies in Siguatepeque, Roni started a side business of importing and selling fresh cheese and cream from his home state of Olancho. He works with five different dairy farmers from Olancho. Roni sells a mozzarella type of cheese (called quesillo), three different types of Honduran dry cheese, and crema mantiquilla. This latter is similar to sour cream, but it is sweet, with a hint of saltiness. Hondurans use crema mantiquilla on all types of traditional foods—especially baleadas, plantains, tortillas, and refried beans.
Roni’s cheese and crema business took off extremely well, and he soon found that he needed to buy a chest freezer to store some of the cheese until it was needed. He also required more funds to be able to increase his inventory. Yet, he did not know how he could possibly obtain the additional funds he needed. At that point, through his local church, he heard about the Society of the Good Shepherd.
In March, the Society provided Roni with an interest-free loan, which he used to enlarge his inventory and to purchase a large chest freezer. He already had a commercial refrigerator, but he needed more storage. The timing of the loan was particularly providential, as the freezer and additional funds enabled Roni to enter into a contract with a large restaurant chain in Siguatepeque. Every week, Roni delivers 100 lbs. of crema mantiquilla and 50 lbs. of his various cheeses to this one large restaurant client. He also services eight or nine other small businesses every week, along with a few individuals. Roni delivers the smaller orders on his motorbike. A friend from church allows Roni to rent a storage space, where Roni keeps his freezer and stores his inventory. He also packs his orders there.
Because he is a full-time seminary student, Roni does not presently want to expand his business any larger. However, he sees that there could be much more opportunity when he is finished with seminary. Once his studies are completed, he hopes to marry the Christian sister he has been dating for the past three years, and to start a family. He feels that his business will eventually be able to support his family in the ministry.
Roni has proved himself to be both a capable businessman and a man of integrity. In just a few months, he has already paid back nearly a quarter of his loan—considerably ahead of schedule. He sells a popular, high-quality product, and he demonstrates both a keen business mind and a heart for the Lord. He senses that God is blessing his business and his studies, and Roni delights in serving God. Thank you for helping to support God’s servants like Roni in their efforts both to serve the Lord and to earn a livelihood for their families.
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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