There are three houses to the right of Ruslan’s home—and all of them are empty.
Leaving his hometown in Moldova was a real possibility for him too. While Ruslan hoped to work locally as a ploughman to support his family, opportunities were limited.
In Moldova, economic challenges and historically high inflation, exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine, have meant few businesses and few jobs in Ruslan’s community. “Those who have nowhere to work go abroad,” he explains. In 2020, more than a quarter of Moldovans lived and worked in another country, according to the United Nations.
Digging in roots
The same might have happened to Ruslan, had it not been for Invest Credit, HOPE’s microfinance partner in Moldova. He has taken out seven loans with Invest Credit and shares, “Invest Credit helped me grow.”
With their first loan, Ruslan and his wife, Estera, purchased a plow to grow crops more efficiently. As the farm flourished, he invested in beekeeping and livestock, expanding their business. He bought a tractor to keep up with their farming needs, and most recently, he purchased a walnut farm. “Every time I had an idea for development, I turned to Invest Credit,” Ruslan says. 
The couple’s farming provides employment for their neighbors, including three workers in the planting season and 20 in the harvest season. And, as his business flourishes, Ruslan is showing generosity in his community by supporting children from vulnerable families, offering food or money or partnering with local charity events.
Bearing fruit for others
In a place where economic opportunities are scarce, Ruslan and Estera’s decision to stay provides hope. “I feel fulfilled that I can help others in my village,” he says. “My relationship with Invest Credit convinced me many times that God is always there when I need His involvement.” Through the challenges, Ruslan trusted that God would sustain him, and he continues prayerfully seeking the Lord as he looks to his family’s future.
We give thanks for the ways Invest Credit is nurturing hope in Moldovan communities like Ruslan’s. Join us in praying for the many families impacted by the war in Ukraine and for families across the HOPE network by signing up for our monthly prayer update.
