Newsletter - December, 2018
| December, 2018 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 |
Hi. I’m Becky Vega, and I am a native Honduran. Over the past eighteen years, the Society of the Good Shepherd has given out many interest-free small-business loans. Needless to say, these loans have helped numerous families financially. However, I want to share a bit from the perspective of a Honduran how these loans have impacted families far beyond their finances. To begin with, these loans have had a deep personal impact on families here in Honduras. That’s because they have helped families to finally be able to stand on their own two feet. Because of low wages, most families here in Honduras are not even able to maintain a bank account. Even more discouraging is the fact that if they apply for a small business loan to improve their situation, they are denied over and over again. This causes people to just quit trying.
So what a blessing it is for brothers and sisters to experience hope by just being able to apply for loan—and knowing it won’t automatically be rejected. Of course, it won’t automatically be accepted, either. But at least our brothers and sisters know that there is a realistic possibility! Of course, it’s even more exciting if they get approved. But it’s more than just a loan. Our beneficiaries also learn about taking responsibility for their own finances. They learn how to save, how to budget, how to practice good stewardship, and about faithfulness in paying off their loans.
The social impact is that it enables families to stay together. Fathers no longer set their sights on working in other countries, and women are able to operate home businesses—like pulperias—and thereby help with family finances. Families are able to stand tall and feel good about their accomplishments. Neighbors and friends are able to see how these beneficiaries are working hard and making wiser decisions about their finances than they had before. This often inspires whole neighborhoods. These loans also allow families to eat better and enable them to keep their children in school. They provide families with better access to school supplies, which helps the new generation to go a step forward. Better education helps families feel more secure and excited about their future. When people are able to envision the future, they are able to get excited about it, and they have more motivation to work towards various goals.
This past week, we had a get-together for all the present Society loan beneficiaries here in Siguatepeque. These brothers and sisters asked me to pass on the following words of gratitude: “We, the beneficiaries, are thankful for your prayers and for your help. Thank you for allowing us to provide for our families, and thank you for giving us the opportunity to thrive. Finally, thank you for enabling us to dream, so we in turn can help our children to dream. We are thankful to the Lord for you.”
Becky VegaWe give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit. Col. 1:3-6
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
|
|