Newsletter - July, 2006
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July, 2006 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 |
You Have Helped to Establish
When people learn about our ministry in Honduras, one of the first questions they invariably ask us is: “What sort of small businesses do you help to establish?” The answer is: we help to establish all kinds of businesses—from neighborhood mini-marts to pet food stores. It all depends upon the resources and abilities of the loan recipient. We try to have no more than forty businesses under loan at any one time, so that the work load doesn’t become too overwhelming for our Honduras directors.
Perhaps it would be helpful if we introduce you to some of our family in Christ whose small businesses you have helped to establish (or expand). This will give you an idea of the range of businesses we work with. All of these brothers and sisters have a strong testimony of their devotion to Christ.
Nelly Lainez: Secretary. Nelly was the very first person to whom we made a loan. She is a skilled secretary, and we loaned her the funds to purchase a new computer and other office equipment. Unfortunately, a few months after we made the loan, someone broke into her house and stole the computer and other equipment. Since there was no practical way for Nelly to pay back the loan, the Society simply canceled the loan. We told Nelly that we would make her another loan for a computer and equipment, so long as she and her husband made some modifications to her home office to make it more burglar-proof. Nelly eventually had the modifications made and took out a replacement loan. 
Jacinto Ramirez: Auto Paint Store. Like many of the persons to whom we make loans, Jacinto is a pastor. His auto paint store is his “tent-making” tool to maintain himself and his family in the ministry. Jacinto sells auto paint both to individuals and to automobile body shops. He has a lovely family, and his wife assists him in their paint store. 
Dominga: Seamstress. Dominga is a single sister, who is very committed to the Lord. Her brother pastors the church next to their house, and Dominga is very active in the Awana program that ministers to children and youths. Dominga supports herself by making clothes, at which she is quite skilled. She used her loan from the Society to purchase an additional sewing machine and a supply of fabric. Dominga has been a model participant in our program, and she repaid her loan to the Society last year. 
Nelson Zavala: Doctor. Most doctors are not in need of our services, but Dr. Nelson Zavala is an exception. That’s because he is a doctor to the poor. In his clinic, he charges his patients only what they can afford to pay. Many times, he gets paid nothing for his work. Our loan helped him to set up his medical clinic. 
Samuel Escoto: Carpenter. Samuel Escoto is a pastor, who helps to support his family by working as a carpenter. The Society had made Samuel a loan several years ago, which he used to purchase lumber to make furniture. He experienced some financial setbacks, but last year he was able to completely pay off his loan. We have since made a second loan to him to purchase more lumber for his carpentry business. 
David Guerrero: Music Teacher. As a boy, David was enrolled in the children’s program at Bethel Church in Siguatepeque that the Society of the Good Shepherd helps to support. Through this program, he came to surrender his life to Christ. David learned to play a musical instrument from one of the brothers at church, and David went on to study music at the local Bible College. He now supports his family and himself by giving music lessons. 
Zayda Baires: Vendor of Used Clothing. Other than in the remote mountain villages, most Hondurans wear used clothes from the U. S. that they purchase in like-new condition. Tons and tons of quality used clothes are exported from the U.S. to Honduras, and vendors like Zayda purchase these clothes in bulk and then re-sell them in their stores. Zayda has a booth at the local market in Siguatepeque, where she sells her clothes. Her business has been so successful that her husband now works with her in it. 
Jose Lainez: Pet Food Store. Jose has been a real success story. He used his initial loan to purchase additional inventory for his pet food store. His business has prospered quite well, and Jose paid off his Society loan last year. Jose has offered to give business counseling to others in our program, and we have really appreciated his assistance. Jose has recently taken out a second loan from the Society and has expanded his inventory to include items such as weed-eaters. 
Isbela : Neighborhood Mini-Mart. Probably the most common business in Honduras is the neighborhood pulperia. A pulperia is the Honduran equivalent of a mini-mart, except that a pulperia does not sell gasoline. A pulperia is operated out of the owner’s home, so it is an ideal business for a mother with small children. Isbela operates a pulperia that we helped her set up. She sells milk, snacks, school supplies, soft drinks, food staples, and items like matches and aspirin. |
100% of all donations go to our work in Honduras. All overhead and travel expenses are paid through other means.
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