Craft business goes Big(Dent)!

Jewelry-maker uses hobby to fund loans 

An Oregon homemaker found a way to turn her hobby into a business that has provided nearly $500 in support of two Kenyan entrepreneurs through BigDent.org, CMF’s online microfinance giving site.

Lisa Emerson of Gresham, OR, began making jewelry as a hobby about three years ago while at home caring for her two young daughters. She eventually turned the hobby into a successful business, but something didn’t feel quite right to her.

“I had been praying for more purpose behind my business because it felt shallow and self-centered,” she said. “I felt the Lord wanted to mature my faith so I could be a steward of this gift.”

She happened to catch a TV documentary, “Living on a Dollar a Day,” that highlighted the effects of microfinance programs on extremely impoverished people. When CMF missionaries Keith and Kathy Ham visited her church, Mountainview Christian, Keith mentioned BigDent, and something clicked for Lisa!

Thirty percent

“I knew this was the answer to my prayers,” said Lisa. “I just connected with the idea of people having the opportunity to provide for their families and have hope for their children’s futures.”

Lisa committed to giving 30% of her jewelry sales profits to BigDent clients because she wants to be as generous and effective as possible.

“I now know what it feels like to truly be in God’s will and to be working for the right purpose,” she said. “I was having stress and confusion over the place my business had in my life, but now my heart is really full and my cup is overflowing with joy!”

Sowing with tears in our eyes

Burkina team reaps big returns on Shalom Fields farm

The CMF team in Burkina Fasowas facing a serious crossroads in its ministry: Teammates Andrew and Pulcherie Gordon and their family had to leave Burkina due to medical issues.

Losing teammates is bad enough, but the Gordons were working on a successful farming project with people in a remote village. The 10-acre plot called “Shalom Fields” was designed as a way to combat poverty that would lead to sharing the Gospel. The Gordons’ untimely departure left the team with a big question: Should we continue the farm project?

Let’s do it!

The team members, led by Brian Hauser, decided to step up and learn to farm! Now, a year later, the team is seeing great success from its big decision.

“Although we knew the task was bigger than us, we began with baby steps and a learner’s attitude,” said Brian. “We set up a small but sustainable and reproducible egg-laying project. We focused on the Moringa trees and producing vitamin-rich powder from their leaves. We played to our own strengths and interests by planting more trees and introducing bee-hives. We went out into the community to research felt needs and ask for advice and help.”

The team put the Gordons’ empty house to good use also, turning it into a resource center with a library and training room. And they made it a priority to get out into the community and meet new people.

100 new people

“In this last six-month period, (teammate) Ken Hoch and I made it our goal to meet and engage 100 new people in the village by the end of the year,” said Brian. “Through Bible storying, bee-keeping, meals, bringing in work groups to help us on the farm, and a nutrition workshop for four women from each of the village’s seven neighborhoods, we are up to 86 people. When we follow up with the ladies from the nutrition workshop and get to know their husbands, we’ll go well over the mark.”

God also blessed the endeavor with heavy rainfall this year, which is producing a bumper harvest of millet, sesame, peanuts and beans, Brian reports.

“Most importantly, our number of friends and influence in the village is growing,” he added. “More people are visiting the farm, and we are learning lots about our neighbors and their needs. This last year we had two Bible storying groups. We hope for several more this year among our 100 new friends. We plan to host trainings on bee-keeping, literacy and composting, for starters.”

“We went out sowing with tears in our eyes,” added Brian, “but now we are praising God for an abundant and joyful harvest.”