Kingdom News from Around the World

In this issue of Global News, we continue to bring you stories of what God is doing through his people all over the world, as they serve people and communities by doing kingdom business through SMEs and microfinance. If you missed our most recent RCE newsletter, we invite you to have a look and find out more about what the Center has been up to! Thank you for your involvement with us in so many ways.

We trust you'll enjoy reading about what God is doing through Kingdom Business. As always, may it prompt you to praise and pray, and consider how you might join Him in what He is doing around the globe today. Please keep praying for the Center as well: our effectiveness is multiplied by your investment in prayer.

"Global Sisters" Support Ugandan Community

Global Sisters is a unique business not only because of the product they sell, necklaces made with lacquered recycled paper beads, but because of where their proceeds go. With some of the profits, Ellen Willis and Shartsi Mushurere send Ugandan children to school and assist local micro-businesses.

Ellen explains “what has made this process so interesting is that it reflects issues on God the Fathers’ heart. It says in Isaiah that he takes the people with shame and disgrace and makes them into oaks of righteousness. Just like the beads, a piece of throw away paper is rolled into a unique, one-of-a-kind, gorgeous creation. I believe this is what the Father has in mind for Africa as well.”
Full story from Partners Worldwide

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Meeting Automotive and Spiritual Needs in Slovakia

Oil Partner was founded in 2002 in Slovakia by Integra Ventures and Canadian investors. In this country full of aging cars and great spiritual and economic needs, the love and integrity of Jesus Christ are displayed through Oil Partner's business practices. Each station also provides jobs for local residents and troubled youth. This allows Oil Partner to extend a hand to those recovering from drug addictions and other struggles. Employees are mentored in professional matters and spiritual and life issues.

A leading business newspaper in the area wrote, “It was very pleasant to experience the employees' joy and fun while performing their tasks…”. Today, the 3 Oil Partner stations provide financial stability for Integra's ministries in Eastern Europe, and Integra Ventures hopes to expand into other areas of Eastern Europe over the next 3-5 years.

Full story from Integra Ventures

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Hondurans Find Profit in Plantains

Four farmers agreed to work together after receiving agricultural and business training from World Vision. Afterwards, the group formed a cooperative and began growing sweet potatoes, and then more profitable plantains.

Access to credit and the men's productivity has prompted business offers from three companies, and the incresed income has allowed Isidro Cruz (in photo) to make improvements to his home, cover educational expenses for his children, and purchase medicine for his son. The other farmers have enjoyed similar gains.

The four men seek to obtain additional loans to increase the amount of cultivated land, have a stable water supply and grow plantains year-round, thereby meeting local demand.

Full story from World Vision

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Passing Opportunity On to Others

Although for years she had earned money by working with leather at a rehabilitation center, Yanill Espinosa wanted to work from home at her own leather-making business. "I went from bank to bank asking for a loan," Yanill explains. But when they saw she was in a wheelchair, she was told, "We don't lend money to people like you."

Then she attended an Opportunity International Trust Group meeting, where she discussed her business idea with the loan officer. Yanill worried that her disability would disqualify her and was overjoyed when it didn't, and she qualified for a loan. "I now make shoes and supply to a local shoe store." Yanill hopes to open her own shoe shop, too, using another Opportunity loan - employing other disabled persons in her community and giving them the opportunity she was given.

Full story from Opportunity International

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What It Takes to Compete

Food processors from Tajikistan are spreading the word at home about how the fruit and vegetable sector can compete in global markets. MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates) recently hosted the group of more than a dozen owners and managers of small and medium agribusiness firms to increase their exposure to the realities of today's marketplace.

Under the old Soviet system, Tajik agro-processors had the luxury of ready markets and government subsidies. With the shift to a market economy, firms needed to learn to adapt but were hampered by outdated machinery and a lack of information.

Read full article by Alexandra Snelgrove, project leader, Production-Marketing Linkages, or check out Kelly's blog of her experiences as a MEDA intern in Tajikistan

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Events

YWAM’s Business as Mission Resource Team launched the first ever Introduction to Business As Mission (iBAM) Course in Chiang Mai, Thailand earlier this year, and it was a great success. Next year's course will be held January 24 - March 7, 2009. The iBAM course is designed to take men and women with a calling to business and equip them to become cross-cultural entrepreneurs for the Kingdom of God.
Download an application or find out more

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