A Door Opens in Ukraine: Kingdom Business Energizes Leaders

From October 15 through October 22, an international team of nine business people led by Regent Center for Entrepreneurship (RCE) Director, Dr. John Mulford, traveled to Ukraine to encourage and support Kingdom business through networking, training, consulting, and starting a Center for Entrepreneurship there. Business people were challenged to re-think the way they approach business, to team with like-minded Christian business people, and to start new businesses in their communities.

Seminar participants say they are now “infused with passion” and vision through the practical examples, concrete help, and the application of Christian principles to business. All are excited about the new Center for Entrepreneurship in Ternopil, supported by RCE and run by Ivan Papish. Team member, consultant, and Regent MBA Tom Stansbury is in Ukraine for another month to assist with the start-up of the new Center.

In Ukraine, desire has been awakened to start and grow businesses. There is now renewed hope and confidence that Kingdom business will make an impact in their country.

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Church Bank Improves Lives in Tanzania

On the southern slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, a small bank owned by 330,000 members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania's Northern District is improving the lives of poor Christians and making a profit at the same time. The bank provides financial services at low rates of interest and helps people invest ethically and save wisely. Previously, loans and savings' accounts at commercial banks were not available to the poor.

"Lives are changing," says Arthur Shoo of the All Africa Conference of Churches. "With loans, the people are buying better dairy animals, which they keep for milk... They are also able to send their children to school since they can access loans for education."
Full story from ENI News

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Locally Produced Tiles for Madagascar

The Northern Counties group of Transformational Business Network (TBN) has developed a project that supports a factory for clay tiles in Madagascar. The factory started simply, with one press, but soon have the capacity to produce 100 tiles per day. The new tiles will be the only locally-made tiles available, and are already being ordered for use on newly-built permanent structures, including government buildings and NGO offices.

The owner of the factory was trained in the UK and expects to employ 7-8 individuals once the new factory is operational. Jobs will also be created for installers and retailers of the tiles.

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Coffee Ambassadors: "Our Cup Overflows"

The goal of Coffee Ambassadors is to share Jesus Christ's message of hope and forgiveness to the 25 million coffee farmers of the world through social justice and community development.

Coffee Ambassadors works side by side with coffee farmers from all coffee growing regions of the world. They partner with nationals to develop coffee cooperatives for local farmers where they can bring their crops for processing and then sell to coffee roasters for a premium price. Cooperative land will have a produce farm for coffee growers, as well as schools, clinics, orphanages and churches for the local community.
Watch slide show

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Bread for the Body and Soul

Ivinia started out distributing her freshly baked bread by bicycle. Demand grew, but she didn't have the capital necessary to expand. Then Ivinia heard about MiCredito, sponsored by MEDA, and was excited at their reasonable interest rates. MiCredito gave her a loan and she used the money to buy flour in bulk.

Since she received the loan, Ivinia's business has grown. She and her son work together in the back of their home. Sacks of flour are neatly stacked beside tables of freshly baked rolls. Take one bite of her bread and you'll know why Ivinia's business is doing so well, and the future looks bright!
Full story

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Romanian Firm Furnishes Success

Floare and Dan Boglut are a great example of what a determined family can do. After 20 years of working in a factory, the Bogluts started a furniture manufacturing business in 1995 and made small coffee tables, TV stands, and book shelves. Their high quality, affordable product line has since expanded and now includes kitchen cabinets and furniture for home and office.

The Bogluts started their collaboration with Integra Romania in July 2001 with a $750 micro-loan. They purchased raw materials and doubled their production. They've repaid two loans and have taken out a third. Through training and start-up capital, the Bogluts have developed a better life for themselves, and have employed a young man from a poor family in the village. According to Dan, “Our success is based on hard work and a helping hand from Integra Romania".
Full story

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Farmer-to-Farmer Land Banks Taking Care of One Another

After only two years, Partners Worldwide's farmer-to-farmer land bank program is producing visible transformation. The biggest change is in how people view poverty. God’s love is very evident in the lives of these proud new land owners, who now have resources that they are able to share. They understand stewardship in all areas of life, and have a desire to help others before themselves.

After one community in El Progresso heard that Hurricane Felix had hit part of Nicaragua, they wrote to Acción Medica Cristiana (AMC), asking if they could take up a collection of their produce from their personal farms to have it delivered to their hurting and hungry brothers and sisters on the Atlantic coast.
Full story

By Wendy VanKlinken, Copyright © 2007 Partners Worldwide.

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Water Missions International Meeting Needs Around the World

In our first edition of Global News, we had a story about West Michigan company Extol and their partnership with Water Missions International (WMI). Here is an update on what WMI has been doing in the last few months with the mobile water treatment center developed by Extol.

Recent torrential rains in North Korea caused the worst flooding in over 30 years, destroyed over 240,000 homes and farmland, and more than 600 people were killed. WMI, in cooperation with Samaritan’s Purse, assembled six water treatment systems for immediate deployment. The water systems and relief supplies arrived in Pyongyang on August 31, the first U.S. aid to go into North Korea in 60 years.

WMI was also involved in providing clean water after Hurricane Dean, Hurricane Felix, the cyclone and floods in southern Pakistan, flooding in Uganda, and the earthquake in Peru.

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Opportunities

Planning to start a business? Through Intuit's nationwide "JustStart" campaign, aspiring entrepreneurs are encouraged to get into to business, now. "The best idea could score $40K in cash and over $10K in expert resources. What have you always dreamed of doing?" Contest entries are due by December 15th. See IWillJustStart.com for more information.

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Upcoming Events

Transformational Business Network Conference: This December 8, 2007 event will be an inspirational day of networking and training. Members, past members interested in re-connecting, and any others genuinely interested in becoming actively involved in TBN are invited to attend. Check TBNetwork.org for more details.

BAM Training with YWAM: A 6-week training course on Business as Missions is offered in Chiang Mai, Thailand, January 26 - March 8, 2008. This course is designed to equip YWAMers, missionaries, students and business professionals who want to be launched into Business as Mission. See BusinessAsMission.com for more information.

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