Most of us are abundantly aware that finances have the power to hijack our lives, particularly our spiritual lives. This point has be poignantly made to many this past year in the face of a worldwide economic crisis. Financial education and empowerment play critical roles in aiding God's people to become good stewards and givers. Recently, at Karen Vineyard Church's annual retreat, Sue co-taught a financial seminar. During the course, she shared her own story as well as ours together and we reflected afterward how incredibly and consistently faithful God has been with our finances.
Our efforts to assist others with their finances extends beyond the Karen Vineyard. We continue to work on building infrastructure for the proposed Financial Empowerment program for the Vineyard churches throughout Kenya. You might recall this is a program that will provide business training accompanied by micro loans.
Our pilot program conducted in the Ngong Vineyard was attended by 25 people, 15 of whom completed the course by writing their own business plan. Part of the course asked the students to write their stories. One student had to have the assistance of another student to write her story. A portion of her story read like this - "My name is Naipanoi. I am 34 years old and am a widow with seven children. Though I am not educated I've been trying to live my life positively, but most of my time is swallowed up by struggling to maintain. I find life very difficult. But I can make a difference if given a chance to learn. Right now I am trying to make beads and start a business. God bless you."
If we gave Naipanoi a handout, she would be back next week and the week after looking for assistance. African and Western sociologists and anthropologists have noted that much of the African attitude towards finances is one of survival mentality. Rarely is long term planning, building or investing considered. One theory is that the agricultural mentality of planting and reaping within a season lasting but a few months is still the prevailing approach for many in rural Africa. Regrettably, Kenya's recent financial history illustrates this point. After several years of drought, Kenya is finally getting rains. However, the lack of long term planning or preparation for such a hardship has cost the country millions in lost revenue not to mention people dying of starvation.
God has called us to help the least of these. So we put our hand to the plow with our African brothers and sisters seeking to empower people to live lives of abundance and not merely of survival.
Your care, concern, and contribution to this little part of God's Kingdom is deeply felt and appreciated.
serving God and His people,
Doug and Sue
