Current Events and Updates of the Ministry

Well, finally a blog entry just of good stuff. So how rare is that!!

On August 22^nd I mentioned the new business venture that we helped our friend Marina set up. Last evening Theresa and I had a blast. We drove over to pick her up – with her profits – and drove down town to the market area to introduce her to the local places where she can buy the supplies which she needs to make her own product. Unfortunately, it being Tuesday evening, most of the stores that we needed to go to were closed early – but no worries. We bought what we could, and decided to give her our own supplies to continue for the next jag.

With the apples purchased, we returned to our kitchen to work since it is better lit than her little mud shack.

We washed apples, covered them with tamarindo paste and spices, poked them with sticks, and bagged them. The women then put little fancy ties on them, and they are ready. Nineteen more to sell!

Marina’s profits on the first sales, before purchases, was $335.00 pesos – just under $30.00. This may not sound too great until you remember that a days wage for a ten hour day is only around $100.00 pesos. Sure, the income map is skewed since Theresa and I have been giving her the start-up supplies. Nonetheless, she has caught the fire, and is ready, and excited to go.

We dropped her off at her little shack at about 11:30 last night after spending a fun evening with her. Before heading home we gathered around her little kitchen and prayed a prayer of blessing over her family, as well as her new financial venture. I have every reason to believe that she will make a good success of the venture.

All evening Theresa and Marina were dreaming up new ideas of things that she can sell, and new marketing ways that she can do so. Remember Marina in your prayers, and the many poor that she represents.

The second “praise report” is that it looks like the door has opened to us for the land site which I described in my last entry. It appears as if God has finally given us a green light to move forward. A down payment has been made and agreed upon. The land will be legally transferred over into the name of the new non-profit when that paperwork is completed. We anticipate a December or January date for this. The owner is willing to wait for the remainder of the money.

Wow – finally!

Theresa and I are looking at heading north in one week. We plan to pull out on the first of September.

We will remain in touch.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 25th, 2010 at 10:32 pm and is filed under VitW Blog.