I Can't Give...But I Can Pray

I'm a firm believer in some being called to different tasks. Some have been blessed and entrusted with wealth by our Lord, so they are called and expected to give. Others have been blessed with a desire to pray and to offer support through the prayer and intercession. This post is for those who feel called to pray. Prayer is essential.

Let me be candid...I'm intimidated. That's right, I AM INTIMIDATED. I often don't say these words, but yet I find myself in a state of intimidation which is leading me to a greater dependency on our Lord Jesus. When I think about my impending trip to Burkina Faso and the things that I and others will be engaged in...it's easy to get a little intimidated. Sharing Jesus with Muslims and others that follow animism is intimidating. I can handle the travel and the food in other cultures, but when I walk into uncharted waters, I can easily get a little intimidated. So, although I'm brimming with confidence only in part to who I am in Christ and that I bear the "ministry of reconciliation", I am asking you to join with me that my intimidation would be enough to keep me humble and not enough to paralyze me. I hope this makes sense. I'm walking and going to Burkina Faso with tremendous confidence because it's obvious that God is doing something, and I'm simply joining Him.

So, I need you to pray. Giving is great, but I'm really after a collection of people who will intercede for myself and my 2 friends (my brother Jeff and my friend Jeff)that I'll be traveling with. Please pray for the following:

• Pray that we would be courageous as we share the gospel in two different villages, primarily with Muslim friends.
• Pray that many would come to see the JESUS film...and that it would make sense to those that watch it.
• Pray as we seek to lend out more loans to individuals...that these loans would be given in the name and love of Jesus.
• Pray for me and the loan officer (Jean) that I work with...that we would work out the logistics related to the micro-lending. Their is much to be done. I need wisdom in this regard.
• Pray for our business training that we'll be doing in 2 villages with the borrowers. Pray as we share some Christian business principles...that it would guide their individual business efforts.
• Pray for our ministry in and alongside a local Alliance church. I'll be preaching in an Alliance church on the Sunday.
• Pray for my family...that is back in Warren, OH. Pray for Mandy as she maintains our home and cares for the boys.

Thanks for praying...I'm grateful.

A New Work

A new work is always exciting. Everyone loves newness. People love things that are new. I'm experiencing "the new" in micro-lending in Burkina Faso. We started lending in a small village 28 miles outside of the capital city a year ago. It's been so cool to have a front-row seat and watch the power of these small loans in the lives of women who are now empowered with dignity and hope.

I told the Lord that I would stay one step behind Him as He leads. I was determined to go slow, and be willing to wait until I saw success and blessing. Every loan that has been lent has been returned in full. When I travel to Burkina on April 1st, I'll be involved in some training of these ambitious entrepreneurs with the intent of sharing the gospel with them. Through the showing of the JESUS film to these women and their families on this trip (and actually the entire village will be invited) we'll be sharing the hope of Jesus Christ, and not just giving out loans.

The newness comes when we will start lending to another village just a few miles from the village that we currently lend to. Their are people identified and ready to receive loans. So, due to the generous donations of some friends, we're ready to start lending. We'll be doing the screening of these potential borrowers and then training them with the practical things that are necessary to be both ethical and successful in their respective businesses. In this village, our goal is to share the hope of Jesus with EVERY borrower. We want to reach people with Jesus.

You see, it's so much bigger than giving out more loans. It's about the Gospel. It's about offering hope and salvation to many, some of whom have never heard of Jesus. So, pray for this endeavour. Pray that the newness of this new village would not crowd out the urgency to share Jesus with these precious people. Pray that as we loan monies to these new clients...that our actions and our words would be Gospel-oriented, and many would be drawn to the powerful and unconditional love of Jesus Christ. Thanks for praying!!!

When I'm 80, I want to be like the...

When I'm 80, I want to be like the Briscoes. Mandy and I had the privilege of attending a pastors and wives retreat recently. It was so refreshing and it was great to be with each other. The speakers at this retreat was Stuart and Jill Briscoe who are on staff at Elmbrook Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Stuart is 80 and his wife, Jill is 76. Their approach to God's Word and the challenges which were given were not only eye-opening but served as great reminders. At their ages, the Briscoes have a fierce travel schedule which takes them all around the globe teaching God's Word to a variety of groups. When retirement could easily be a logical step, the Briscoes are moving fast for the Kingdom. How challenging!

As I consider the Briscoes and their resolve to take the message of Christ all around the world, I feel personally challenged. I can't think of a better way to spend my time and my resources than investing it into ministry. I love ministry. Although ministry can be draining and highly frustrating at times, I desire to do nothing else. I love serving others. I so desire to have the same resolve of the Briscoes---selflessly giving myself to others and Jesus Himself. At times there is a cost and their are pressures. However, to follow God into full-time ministry is so fulfilling.

I hope when I'm 80, I'm serving my King (as the Briscoes are). Whether it's here in the United States, Cambodia or Timbuktu (a small city in Mali), I want to be serving my King and His Kingdom.

The MOST Important Thing

What is "the MOST important thing"? Some would say it's family, others would say it's vacationing. Some would say friends, and many would say there church. There's probably a thousand different answers to that question. But how would God answer this question? What would God way is the MOST important thing?

In Matthew 22:37, Jesus addressed some religious people (his critics) by telling them the greatest commandment---to love God with all of our heart, soul, and mind. Jesus then went on to say that the 2nd greatest commandment is to "love your neighbor as yourself". If the most important thing is to love God with ones entire self, then the second most important thing is to love others selflessly. I fully embrace the greatest commandment and then fleshing it out in practical ways to a lost and hopeless world. I've found that it's so difficult to love others selflessly when we fail to focus on our love for the One, true God.

But what does it really mean to love God with our heart, soul and mind? What does this mean for you? What does this mean for me? To demonstrate a deep love for God not only includes living a life of obedience, living a lifestyle of worship, and honoring others. It also includes telling others about the goodness of God, the plan of God and the love of God. Sharing this message brings pleasure and glory to God. If we keep this message all to ourselves, we become selfish and we fail to tell the Truth to those closest to us.

So, how can we actually say that we love God if we fail to tell anyone about God? Tough question! Let me phrase it another way: How can we say that we've embraced a transforming, life-altering Truth when we're unwilling and unable to share this Truth with others? Can we really claim to be loving and passionate followers of God, if we fail to be passionate Truth-tellers? I say, "no". I'd say to be a passionate follower of God, one must embrace the Truth so much that they're willing to share this Truth in both word and deed.

So, this is why on March 12th, we're training people to share the The MOST Important Thing (a relationship with Jesus Christ). For 3 short hours, I'll be sharing some very practical and simple methods that can help anyone share the hope of Jesus Christ with others. If you've never shared the Gospel with others and you want to, or if you simply want to get a jump-start and get motivated to share with others, then come out on March 12th @ 9:00am for The MOST Important Thing.

See you on March 12th @ 9am as we learn to share the MOST Important Thing. More questions...email me at lendingtothepoor@gmail.com.

Burkina Bound!!!

So, today I booked the tickets. A friend of mine, my brother and myself will board a plane and travel to Burkina Faso in April. The purpose of this trip is to spend some time developing the micro-lending process and then visit some of the clients who have been recipients of loans. It will be a great experience to meet those that the loans were designed for.

We'll spend a lot of our time in the village that we've targeted with our loans. I want to see how the loans have helped the borrowers and their families. I want to see what they're doing with their loans. We'll also do some business training with those that are currently in the loan pipeline. I'll be spending a considerable amount of time with Jean, the loan officer that I work with. My goal is to put more definition and parameters around the work that we're doing.

I have lots to do to prepare. In addition to preparing for other facets of the trip, there are some things that I'm trusting God to provide. Here are some things that I'm asking God to provide:

• A digital camera. Our loan officer needs a camera to take pictures and videos of all the clients and the products that they in turn produce with their loans.
• A laptop. It doesn't have to be elaborate, and I'm OK with a used laptop. If you know of a laptop that could be used for our loan officer in the micro-credit ministry...please let me know. Currently, the loan officer uses cyber cafes, and it's getting to the point that he needs a competent computer that he's able to rely on.
• A loan could be as small as $20. It's that simple. If you want to join in, let me know. It only takes a little to make a large difference. We have a lot. They have a little. We've got to step up and make a difference. Let me know if you feel led to contribute. I'd be grateful to partner with you.

Although there are other needs, these are 2 primary needs. If you're able to help or even contribute to these 3 practical needs, please let me know. Send me an email at lendingtothepoor@gmail.com.

I'll keep you posted on the developments and some other things we'll be doing on our April trip to Burkina. Stay tuned. Pray with me. God's doing some cool things...it's such a cool thing to stay behind Jesus and His plan for my life.

He is able (don't forget it!)

I Think I Can Fix This!

People love to fix things. Some are better fixers than others. If you're like me, fixing is not a forte. I mean, I can change a light bulb and clean my gutters, but let's leave it right their. Projects around the house that require a little more than a Phillips screwdriver or hunk of duct tape are beyond me. Fixing is not for me.

The same applies to the human heart. I can't change it. You can't change it. Only God can change a heart (and He does it so masterfully). We try to fix ourselves up for God, but He vomits at our self-improvement efforts. We need Him way more than He needs us. Brennan Manning said it like this: "Our huffing and puffing to impress God, our scrambling for brownie points, our thrashing about trying to fix ourselves while hiding our pettiness and wallowing in guilt are nauseating to God and are a flat denial of the gospel of grace. Our approach to the Christian life is as absurd as the enthusiastic young man who had just received his plumber's license and was taken to see Niagara Falls. He studied it for a minute and then said, "I think I can fix this".

God is an expert at fixing things. He loves to take things that are broken and fragmented and fix it. He loves to take a person who has exhausted all options of change and do for them what they are unable to do for themselves. I love to hear stories of people who know the true fixer and than trust in Him alone to do the fixing. I love when someone is convinced that God is still faithful and they become personally responsible for a spiritually lost friend, neighbor or relative.

At my church, our junior high students have been working through a series, The Greatest Cause. Students have been challenged to embrace the Greatest Cause in the world---taking the person and message of Jesus to their friends and family. We've been teaching our students some simple ways how they can share Jesus...and then motivating them to be bold and take a risk and to actually share with their friends.

I received a phone call this past Thursday from an adult that works with our junior high students. She took personally the challenge to share Jesus with a friend. She called up her friend and told her that there was something that she needed to talk with her about. She then took the step and made her way over to her friend's house. And then this junior high leader told me that after she explained who Jesus was and what the Cross is all about, her friend wanted to accept Jesus Christ into her life. YES! That's right...as I listened to this story on the phone, I couldn't help but get excited. The idea of a dead person finding true, eternal life gets me excited. You see, the One that did the fixing was God. It wasn't this faithful junior high leader who shared nor was it this friend who recognized her need for God. The One who does the fixing and the renovating---is God.

Make no mistake about it. God is really good at fixing people. Who are you trusting Him to fix? Who are you asking Him to fix? If He has fixed and changed your heart...pass it on. Share the light. Spread the life. Don't keep this change all to yourself. Be bold and start pursuing those who need to be fixed. You'll be surprised what God may do---if you simply step out and follow Him.

Try it today. Go take a risk!

Loans + Opportunity = Hope

Loans + Opportunity = Hope.

When a loan is given to someone in poverty and they take the opportunity to be responsible, hardworking and diligent, they are in turn given hope. People in poverty have little hope. The purpose of micro-lending is to come alongside some the poorest people and give them a loan when typical banks typically don't give them a chance. The purpose of these loans is to give dignity to the poor, and ultimately lift a person from the nasty grip of poverty. That's what I've been doing the last 6 months...loaning money to people in a village 28 miles outside of the capital city of Burkina Faso in West Africa. Friends and family have joined me in helping empower the poor so that poverty no longer has a hold on their lives.

Recently, more monies were wired to our loan officer who once again loaned these monies out to women who had sustainable business plans. The women are working hard to repay their loans as they've formed solidarity groups which provide mutual support for each other. One of the solidarity groups had a business plan. The plan was to purchase a machine that shells the peanuts that they grow and then sell these peanuts at local markets. So, they purchased the peanut machine. You can see the pic to the top left of this post. As this machine is utilized, women will be able to be more efficient and ultimately produce more and in turn, make more money. This is the power of micro-credit...giving small loans which in turn empower the poor.

I'm not doing this because I have a lot of money. I'm not doing this because I want to make money. I personally don't make a dime. The reason why I lend money to the poor is because God has compelled me. I lend money to the poor, because I believe that Jesus Christ can change lives. I believe that His power and His Word has the ability to transform lives. When we give loans, we share Jesus. We tell our clients that true hope and true peace can only come from a friendship with God...through Jesus Christ. This is why I lend money.

Most of our loans are $25-$100...

Will you join me?

If so, contact me for more info at lendingtothepoor@gmail.com

Soap, Millet and Peanuts...Giving Hope to the Poor!

Time really does fly. It was less than 6 months ago that I did my first micro-lending project. I kind of thought of it like an experiment. I was willing to lose any of the monies that my wife and I and a friend had sent over to help some poor women in a village just outside of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. I was holding this experiment loosely, although I was hoping and praying that these ones who had received the loans would pay them back...and that they did. It only took 3 months for 29 different borrowers to repay the loans. Every penny of every dollar was returned ahead of the scheduled re-payment plan. Our borrowers used it for different things from farming peanuts and millet seed, to making soap to buying fabric and then re-selling it at local markets.

When I first started this, I told God that I'd only move as fast as He moved. I was willing to learn while at the same time lose. But I know that I had to try. I had to give it a shot. I mean, poor people are worth it. They have value. They are loved by the same God that loves me. And this God has called me (and all Christ-followers) to care for those who are poor, forgotten and disadvantaged.

When I received all of the applications back, I noticed that each of the women who applied had a dream. They each had a dream to work, to make money and to provide food and life's necessities to there immediate family. This was why I did what I did. I wanted to lend money to the poor in Africa, because I realized that these precious people had every tool to be a success except the simple access to capital. They are bright, intelligent, innovative and have a great work ethic. They simply lack the necessary capital to fund their business ideas and dreams. This is the beauty of micro-credit. It gives people a chance...and eventually a hope.

So, I've been praying, "Lord, where do I go from here?" As I've prayed and waited, I sensed the Lord telling me to "keep lending money". So, that's what I plan on doing. The Lord has provided. God has led people to help to be a part of this. More money will be sent shortly to be lent out to those individuals who have a business plan that's sustainable and have a realistic plan to repay their loan. God is drawing people to be a part of this. People are inquiring, asking the questions and now giving to the crucial work of giving dignity and hope to the poor in Burkina Faso.

I have some practical needs for this ministry. First, I need to raise some monies for a laptop for the loan officer that I work with. If you would like to contribute to helping meet this need, let me know. Email me at (parmitage@northmarchurch.com). Currently, he doesn't have a computer and is trying to be resourceful by using friends' computers. However, this is not ideal. As the ministry grows, more work and contact has to be done via a computer, which will increase our efficiency. If you have an old laptop that you're willing to part with that is in good condition, let me know. I can ensure that it would be put to good use. You'll be making an impact not only in the life of a loan officer, but in those that receive loans in Burkina Faso.

Their is one other need. Some of the women who received loans are requesting monies for there peanut business. They would like to purchase a cart and a machine. The cart hauls the peanuts while the machine more or less shells the peanuts which increases productivity for the ladies and eventually helps their profit. The cost for the cart and the machine which shells the peanuts is just under $250.00. If you have a desire to partner and help contribute so that these women can receive a loan to help purchase their equipment, please let me know.

Their are other needs...transportation, gas, and communication but right now we're trying real hard to keep our overhead down so that we can get as much money into the hands of those people that need loans. Remember, we're taking this one step at a time...waiting and trusting our loving God to provide, to help and to direct the ministry of caring for the poor.

If you're reading this...and you have any questions, please email me at parmitage@northmarchurch.com. If you have a desire to help give the poor dignity and hope through a loan, I invite you to partner with me. If God leads you to reach out and give financially, please send me an email. Thanks for reading...may God empower you and direct you as you care for others and show love to the poor.