Every Face has a Story...more short stories from Micro-lending

Some borrowers holding their products at the market

Some borrowers selling millet at the market

God Works in some Crazy Ways

Some people have asked me how I was put in touch with Jean, the loan officer that I work with in Burkina Faso. It really is a miracle. It all started on a Thursday night in May of 2008. A student from our youth group brought a college student to our youth group. I introduced myself to this college student and realized that his necklace were the colors of Burkina Faso. I asked this student if he was from Burkina Faso, and after he looked at me and shocked that I had even heard of Burkina, I came to realize that he was, indeed from Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso. We struck up a friendship and introduced my new African friend to Mandy and my children on another occasion. His name was Dieudonne.

Our family fell in love with Dieudonne. His college was only 30 minutes from our home, so frequently we'd pick him up and bring him back to the house. Our boys loved him and he loved the boys. I'd pick him up on the occasional Sunday and he'd come to church with us and then spend the day with us. On one occasion, I had shared with Dieudonne my dream of helping the poor through micro-lending. He listened intently as I shared how I felt God was calling me to do something for the poor in Burkina Faso (Dieudonne's home country).

Dieudonne put me in touch with a friend of his who loved Jesus and had a heart for people. Dieudonne had a strong inclination that his friend, Jean would be interested in dialoguing with me about my dreams. So, I decided to email this man, Jean. However, before I emailed Jean, God started stirring His heart. It was just a few days before I emailed Jean that God allowed Jean to have a dream one night. His dream was about an American contacting him about the whole idea of helping the poor. In Jean's dream, this American would be involved in sending money over for ministry purposes that would target the poor. Jean was so unsure of this dream, that he never shared it with his fiance, Monica. He kept the dream to himself.

And then, I contacted Jean. I told him my vision and my heart to help the poor. Everything started to fall into place. God had already prepared Jean and stirred up his heart. Since that time (in early 2010), God has allowed Jean and I to partner with each other in helping bring dignity and the hope of Christ to women and children in 2 villages in Burkina Faso. Through Jean's faithful ministry, and the generous contributions, we've been able to give loans to over 135 women. Jean and I have a dream to watch God expand this work in other parts of Burkina Faso. Of course, in God's time and in God's way. God is doing this. But it all started with God bringing an unsuspecting African student to our youth group from Hiram College.

God is the Master at orchestrating circumstances. He's the best at taking unsuspecting people and using their little influence to accomplish big things. God has done this. I have no other explanation than the hand of God. I hope you've seen it as clearly as I have.
Jean and Monica's home in Ouagadougou

Some Micro-lending Stories

Borrowers receiving training in a village

It's been just over a week since I returned from my recent trip to Burkina Faso. It was a wonderful trip as I was able to see clearly all of the micro-lending work that I've been pursuing the last eighteen months. God is doing a really cool thing. Through the micro-lending ministry, God is giving us access into the lives of many people so that we're able to share the gospel. Let me share a few stories from my recent trip at the beginning of April:

• It was a Tuesday morning and we got in our vehicle and made our way to the village of Kokolohgo where we have been pursuing the micro-lending. Many have already received loans, and many have repaid their loan amounts. As we entered the village, we were met with singing and dancing by the women and children (many of the women were borrowers). It was a humbling experience. Their was a sense of jubilation. I opened up the car door and as I looked at the many women who were welcoming us, I started to weep. I was weeping because God was showing me something. He was working through a bunch of women in a remote African village to show me once again that "the least of these" matter. All people matter to God regardless of race or social class. Time stopped right then. I realized that I was thousands of miles from home and in an extremely remote village, listening to complete strangers sing and dance and welcome us. It was a humbling experience as I came face to face with a new brand of gratitude. These were women who have very little. These were women who live on less than $1 a day. These were women who were so filled with gratitude and hope that they couldn't contain it. They were thankful. They were overflowing with gratitude. The Lord reminded me that I need to live like this. I want to be a grateful man, regardless of my circumstances.
  


• On the Thursday morning, we made our way into the local village to the market. Every Thursday, people come from all over the village to buy and sell every imaginable crop you can think of. Corn, watermelon, tomatoes, onions, millet, Shea nuts, and cabbage are just some of the countless things that people buy and sell at the market. We took the time to visit some of the borrowers at the market who had received loans. This was a real highlight as I got to see the very loans that were given now be put to use. Products were being sold by the borrowers. These very products were either grown or purchased with the loan that they received through the ministry. Hundreds of people were in this market area. It was an electric atmosphere. Our borrowers were so excited to be there and be selling things which would ultimately give them the money to feed their families and give their children an education. The market reminded me of why I'm doing what I'm doing. The market showed me the power of these simple $40 or even $80 loans. These women were fully empowered to work in their respective businesses so that they can one day escape the nasty grip of poverty. By having access to capital through a micro-loan, they are given a chance which will ultimately give them a sense of hope and dignity. I could see the excitement in their eyes.


• On one of the evenings, we made our way into the very village where we have done some lending. Through the micro-lending ministry, we've been able to give out more than 130 loans to individuals in two separate villages. The goal is not to simply give a loan, rather the loan is a means to an end. The goal is to share the gospel of Jesus. So, on one of the nights, we invited the entire village to watch the JESUS film with us. Through a generator, and the JESUS film in the Moore language, we were able to offer salvation to many people, some of whom have never clearly heard the gospel before. It was incredible. Following the movie, we invited people to respond. Many did. Young and old, most of which were women. They came forward and wanted to be prayed for. A local pastor that we're partnering with was there to follow-up and encourage some steps that these new believers ought to make. It was a real highlight to watch these people in this remote village hear the uncompromising love and message of Jesus, and then respond and receive eternal life. What a gift! This is why we loan monies. This is why we go into remote villages plagued with poverty and malnutrition. We go because they need loans, but more than this...they need Jesus and eternal hope.

Their are so many stories. So many things God is doing through these small loans. Women are being empowered. Children are now being cared for because the family now has an income. God is doing this. The credit goes to Him and Him alone. I'm simply asking Him to keep doing what He's doing.

Stay tuned for more stories. Keep praying as we discern what villages to move into. If God leads you to give, I want to invite you to do so. I'd be grateful to partner with you. You can contact me at lendingtothepoor@gmail.com. Join with me as we care for the poor in Burkina Faso.