Newsletter - January, 2019
| January, 2019 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 |
In early 2016, the Society of the Good Shepherd made an interest-free small business loan to Carlos Martinez, a 24-year-old shoemaker. Although the loan was for three years, Carlos paid his loan off in a little over two years.
Since the time when we gave Carlos his first loan, he has grown and matured both as a Christian and as a businessman. He recently shared with us that being a part of the Society is like being part of a family. It was through other brothers in his church that he came to know of the Society. Carlos viewed the loan commitment he made, not one he made with man, but one he made to God.
Carlos told us: “Every first Thursday of the month we (the Society beneficiaries) get together to spend time in prayer. We pray for our businesses, but most importantly for each other. Spending this time in prayer has allowed me to grow spiritually. And as I grow in the Lord, my family grows spiritually as well. God has entrusted me with a family, a job, customers and finances! I enjoy our society meetings because they are great moments to be reminded of what God is doing in all our lives and what he has entrusted us with. “Many people define ministry only by what happens inside a church building. Yet we ourselves are the church, and ministry is so much more. As servants of the Most High God, we are at His disposal. We are here on earth to serve each other. In my case, I make shoes, and I can and have to do that to the best of my ability. Because of that talent, that job is the one I have been entrusted with.”
It is incredible to see Carlos’ growth in just over two years. First, he has grown spiritually, becoming active in more and more ministries in his church. Second, he has managed his business extremely well. He used his first loan to invest in a large number of various shoe molds, so that he could offer his customers a greater variety of shoes. He worked hard, traveling by bus to various nearby communities to provide them with shoes. Before long, he had several employees working for him. Carlos had begun his business by working from his front porch. But after a couple of years, he was able to build a small upper room on the top of his house to use as a work shop. Because of his faithfulness, and because his business has been prospering, the Society approved of a second loan to Carlos after he paid off his original loan. This second loan has helped him to purchase a small used car to drive to surrounding communities. This way he doesn’t have to lug his shoes around on buses.
Microloans are only one part of the ministry to people like Carlos. Budgeting and finance lessons, together with regular prayer meetings, are also a key to growth and to strengthening both businesses and the individuals themselves! Beneficiaries like Carlos are able to build their business better, support their families, grow in the spirit, and create an extended family through prayer, friendship and support.
It is incredible to see how God uses you, the donors, and the resources you share to impact families in need! And how beautiful it is to observe and be a part of not just economic growth, but entire families being enriched through prayer and the Word of God!
Becky Vega
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
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