Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these
My brethren, you did it to Me." Matt. 25:40
Published by the Society of the Good Shepherd, P. O. Box 122, Amberson, PA 17210. (717) 349-7033
Saúl Marín, the Shoemaker
Saúl Marín has been a member of a local church in Siguatepeque for about eight years. He and his wife are actively working in the Lord’s ministry and recently, Saúl got his bachelor’s degree in theology.
Saúl with a roll of shoe leather
Saúl is one of the most recent loan recipients of the Society of the Good Shepherd in Siguatepeque. He applied for a loan to make a few improvements to his shoe shop, and so I visited him to see his business in operation. I was very glad to get to know him a little better and talk about his plans for his business and his life. Now I want to share with you what we talked about so you can get to know Saúl too.
Saúl learned shoemaking 20 years ago. About four years ago, he decided to open his own shop, which was going very well. In fact, he had employed six helpers and had enough equipment and tools. Nevertheless, right when his business was going full steam, Saúl decided to devote more of his life to the Lord’s work. To do this, he and his wife agreed it would be good for Saúl to obtain more training by studying at a Bible college.
One of Saúl’s helpers attaches soles to the shoes
When he decided to study at the Bible college, he had to move there for two years and make some financial sacrifices. One of them was leaving his shop in hands of somebody else. Unfortunately, business in the shop declined, and Saúl later had to close the shop entirely for a short while.
Saúl has now finished his studies, and has found them to have been a great help and blessing to him in being able to do more in the Lord’s service. At the same time, he has needed to restart his shoe shop in order to provide for his wife and their two children.
Another helper cuts leather
God has provided Saúl with customers, and his business is doing well. However, in restarting his business, Saúl lacked various materials and tools. The Society of the Good Shepherd saw his need and his devotion to the Lord, and it granted him the loan to help get his business back to where it had once been.
A few weeks after the loan was granted , I visited his shop and was able to see the materials and tools Saúl bought, as well as some samples of the shoes he makes. Saúl has now also hired three helpers in his shop. As a result, three other families are being blessed through his business and the Society’s loan!
The finished product!
We ask that you pray for Saúl’s family, business and ministry. May God bless you and multiply what you have done for many people in Honduras. Your prayers and donations are of great blessing to many! Nancy Barahona