by Phil Smith, senior development ambassador

For the last decade that I’ve spent serving with HOPE International, I’ve been struck by the breadth of transformation that takes place among savings group members. I expected to see increased financial stability and economic opportunity as members built up emergency savings and accessed loans from the group. But again and again, I found something else within these groups that I wasn’t looking for: relational renewal, familial bonds with former strangers, and unwavering solidarity. It was community on a level I had only longed for—and it was drawing the lonely in, including one Rwandan woman named Pascasie. Continue Reading…

by Jesse Casler, Chief Operations Officer

December and Christmas are usually when we think of generosity in charitable giving. In this season, we’re encouraged to turn our attention toward others and share the blessings we’ve received that year. For many, end-of-year giving to nonprofits is also incentivized by tax planning, which can mean incredible sums of money donated in the last few days of the year.

In this conflicting storm of consumerism and altruism, we’re inundated with so many messages, all vying for our attention and, ultimately, our money. So, at the start of the year, the last thing we want to think about is spending more or giving away anything. But, if we want to be good stewards of what God has given us, if we’re seeking to use our resources for maximum Kingdom impact, we have to talk about generosity before and after December. Continue Reading…