Newsletter - September, 2015
| September, 2015 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 |
One thing I always particularly enjoy when we are in Honduras is visiting some of the small businesses that we have helped in years past. Often these businesses have grown way beyond the initial boost that we were able to give them through an interest-free loan. One such business that has grown exponentially is that of Glenda Funes. Glenda’s husband is a local pastor in the small town of La Paz. Glenda’s business is something that she does to help supplement the family income. 
Glenda started out simply making piñatas. She made the piñatas in one of the church’s Sunday school classrooms when the rooms weren’t being used. Glenda didn’t have a store in which to display and sell her piñatas. Nevertheless, she was able to sell them by word of mouth and through temporary displays in public places.
Through a loan from the Society, Glenda was able to expand her business to include various craft and souvenir items, in addition to the piñatas. She was selling these craft items out of a small shed behind her house. This small souvenir business proved to be profitable—even though it was in an out-of-the-way location. On one of our visits to La Paz, I suggested to Glenda that she might be able to expand her business if she could rent a storefront in the downtown market area of La Paz.
Having paid back her first loan, Glenda then took out a second loan from the Society and set up a shop downtown. On our last visit to Honduras, she told us that the shop is doing very well. Deborah and I and others who were with us, drove over to her shop to take a look for ourselves. I couldn’t believe how her business had grown! The shop is stocked to the brim—from floor to ceiling—with various kinds of merchandise. Among other things, she has added hammocks, baskets, paintings, and Honduran embroidered dresses to the other craft items she was already selling. And, yes, she still sells piñatas as well!
We’re delighted to see how the Lord has blessed Glenda’s business, and we’re eager to see what Glenda’s business will look like five years from now!
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: Donations
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