Update from the field!

Learning a whole new culture and how to adapt is still a work in progress. Adam, ServLife's Director, also believes with our two year commitment that we should not make language a priority. Our friends that arrived just after us have already reached proficiency level I in the language and are about to begin their work. I am very excited for them, but I still only speak at a 2 year old's level. Wendy does better than I do, but we both still have a long way to go, and we are hoping to soon be able to put the required time into language learning.

When I first took on this role of HOPE Fund Director, Wendy and I really had no clue what we were getting into. We believed at the time we were coming in to greatly expand on a very successful system. We knew there would be some small changes and tweaks to get the program functioning more efficiently, but as we learn more, not just about the HOPE Fund, but about microfinance in general, we are now starting to see more clearly not only the things that have been done well, but also some significant areas for growth.

Peter

Peter, my new partner and the one who will eventually lead this program, and I are working on some of the changes already and it is getting exciting. Wendy and I are also working very closely together, discovering as much information about microcredit as we can get our hands on - and there is a lot of it available! We are working with another NGO that has been doing similar work for over 30 years in Nepal, as well as researching one of the first microcredit programs in the world, the Grameen Bank. We have learned a lot from both our mistakes and successes and feel very confident that God is guiding us, equipping us and giving us the grace to continue His work with the HOPE Fund, mapping out every procedure starting with village selection and ending with an exit strategy for the HOPE Fund, as the people in the villages rise out of poverty. Our new program will also involve much more teaching about finance, savings, health and sanitation, and nutrition. This is a great deal of work, and learning on our part, but it is rewarding being part of what God is doing and how this program will roll out and save lives.

This next week, I get to go back to Kathmandu and spend time with a team we will have there from the States. I will also be making a trip to Raxaul, India to be able to finally see our massive training center and children's home there. They have built many new buildings and this home will be able to house 100 orphans! I'm very excited to see what God is doing there.

Wendy and I are very passionate about the people of Nepal and hope to be serving them for the foreseeable future, but to do this we are going to need more help from our partners, friends and family. One time donations are more than welcome but we do need to build a strong base of those who would give on a monthly basis. The money we initially raised has dried up, and those who made one year, monthly commitments came to an end about 8 months ago. We invite you to prayerfully consider giving again and help support the work we are doing in Nepal. If you would like to help please visit this page.

Thanks for all of your prayers and support!

Sam