In the last couple of months we have been able to start a few new loans. One of them I blogged about in September, her name is Angeline. She has started her micro-loan and already made her first payment. I was standing near her waiting in line to be able to purchase my items and, in the 10 minutes I was there, heard 3 people tell her they were so glad that she was back and would she continue to be at the market from now on. It was so exciting to see her and to know that she could succeed again.
A very long time ago, I blogged about the "Rock Thrower". The kids are in school, they are getting fed daily, and now we have had the chance to start the mom, Emable, with a micro-loan business to sell children's clothes. A mom and her 12 year old daughter came to visit us for one week. I had asked them if they could collect gently used clothing to give to Emable to sell in the market. The hope is that we can teach her how to beign to supply some of the needs of her family for herself. A month ago, I was able to visit her, with our short-term visitors, and deliver the clothes to her.
A little side note, I have known this woman for two years. She is, as far as I was concerned, unwilling to do any work to take care of her family. Anytime I would ask her what kind of business she would want to do, she would look to the ground and say nothing. I would ask her if she had any dreams, nothing. Basically when I would talk to her, she would not respond. It was even hard to tell if she was grateful that her kids were going to school?! To be honest. I was done with her. But God has not let me be done. The organization, T12, that is paying for her kids to go to school are friends of mine. I asked one of the Haitian men that work for them to talk to Emable, ask her what kind of business she would like to have. And she answered! I was shocked but she siad that she would like to sell girls clothes. Finally I had something to work with!
So we delivered the clothing. I wish you could have seen it. She smiled. A real smile. And the smile was one of hope.
I realized something in that little tiny tarp home. I realized that it wasn't that she was a 'welfare momma' just looking for a hand out. She couldn't answer me because she hadn't had the chance to dream for so long that she had forgotten how to. It was a lack of hope that shut her down. I am so grateful that God is so patient...with me and with her. And that He always brings hope.