Day #1 and a new media. What's on my mind? A young missionary in Peru, Jennifer Harris, who is doing a spectacular job in the Amazon basin of Peru with very little but an abiding faith in God. She lives in Pucallpa on the east side of the Andes and ministers to a growing flock. A Stanford graduate, she has devoted herself to bringing the people of this region to new life in Christ - body, soul and spirit. She ministers to the whole person and I will let her tell her own story of one of her many ministries.
Micro Enterprise on the Go
As in the United States, countless families in our city are struggling with escalating unemployment. Most parents do not have any savings or extra food. Fathers spend days (or weeks) searching for construction jobs, waiting in lines at the lumber yard, interviewing to work for an oil company, and more…all to no avail. Meanwhile, mothers at home are trying to pacify their two-year olds who are crying from hunger.
So how can we help parents provide for their children’s food and education?
We can create jobs! In the last three months, we have helped finance 25 micro enterprise projects, according to people’s desires and experience, as well as local demand. Examples of these projects include: starting a tree nursery (see photo); selling cheese and fruits from home; selling fish at the outdoor marketplace (see photo); making lingerie; selling fabric and thread to village seamstresses; raising chickens; and selling first aid supplies and medicines in a remote village. (see photo)
We spent a total of $1,800 on these 25 projects, $200 of which was given to participants as a donation (due to extreme economic need) and $1,600 of which was given in the form of loans. Three recipients have already paid back their loans, another is paying off his loan at $1.60 per day for 20 days, and others have begun (or will begin) to pay back with products from their businesses, such as seedlings, jungle fruits, indigenous crafts, underwear, and cows.
I have the privilege of visiting the project sites to hear success stories, answer questions, and help with budget dilemmas. Participants have been sincerely appreciative of the opportunity to earn an income, thereby providing food and education for their children. Thank you for your support! Jennifer
If you would like to help support this dynamic ministry, or contact Jennifer for more information, here is her contact information:
All donations are tax-deductible. Please make checks out to World Outreach Ministries and write “Jennifer Harris” in the memo line of the check. Send to:
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