Around the world, 3.5 billion people live without access to the Good News of Jesus. And 98% of them live in an area of the world known as the 10/40 window—a region stretching across northern Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and East Asia.
Sharing the Gospel is at the heart of our mission here at HOPE International and among our partners. That’s why we offer Christ-centered savings groups in nine countries within the 10/40 window and prioritize equipping the local church to share the Good News.
Of the nine countries we serve in this region, seven are in Asia, including Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and four others in South Asia.* In Africa, we work in Benin, as well as with partners in Ethiopia and Sierra Leone. In each of these countries, we’re seeing local believers empowered and encouraged by the ministry—some partners are even seeing savings groups turn into house churches! Through this savings group model, doors are opening, hearts are changing, dignity is being restored, and the Kingdom of God is growing.
Beyond savings groups, the HOPE network also uses microfinance to serve communities in the 10/40 window. After 28 years of seeing microfinance institutions (MFIs) change lives with Christ-centered lending, we developed the Microfinance Accelerator Program (MAP). This program allows HOPE to share what we’ve learned with smaller, mission-aligned MFIs so they are equipped with the knowledge and resources to better engage their communities. One MAP member in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is currently using microfinance as a tool to engage Muslim communities and they’re in the early stages of launching this tool in other parts of their ministry work.
Learning about God’s love in South Asia
In one small village of a South Asian country where nearly 99% of the population is spiritually unreached (Joshua Project), a field coordinator (volunteer savings group leader) oversees three youth savings groups. Through these groups, dozens of girls between the ages of 15 – 18 are coming to know the love of God through worship and community as they save for future dreams. As one teen shared, “We learned about the love of God. Before we used to quarrel; Now we are more like friends.”
When I was searching for the true God, I wasn’t an educated person, I didn’t know how to read. I tried to find a Bible, and I found one. Somehow, God gave me power to read it, I don’t know how.
Yasmin, savings group member, South Asia*
Savings groups for refugees in Malawi
Even outside the 10/40 window, we work in several Muslim-majority communities, including with refugees like Paul in Malawi. Growing up in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Paul questioned his family’s Muslim faith. “I would just pray for the sake of praying, without knowing to whom my prayers were addressed,” he shares. Conflict forced Paul to flee to the Dzaleka refugee camp in Malawi in 2012. While he was grateful to live with his aunt and uncle in the camp, his refugee status barred him from formal work. He felt the weight of these struggles without a Savior to turn to for help.
In 2021, everything changed. Dieudonne, one of Paul’s good friends and a trained savings group facilitator, believed in his potential to find hope and purpose. Dieudonne helped Paul find odd jobs and invited him to join his savings group. Paul shared, “When I joined the saving group, I got inspired with its teachings and realized that no one can save [themselves], instead only Christ redeems.”
Paul was baptized as a Christian that year, and he found support through the savings group. However, Paul’s newfound faith led his Muslim family to reject him, leaving him homeless.
Dieudonne didn’t hesitate to open his home to feed, clothe, and house Paul until he got back on his feet. Paul began earning and saving money, eventually making his dream of building a home a reality. He also started taking English and Bible classes. Now, Paul dreams of becoming an international evangelist to share his hope in Christ, just as Dieudonne shared his hope with him.
At HOPE, we’re fervent believers that prayer is the most important part of our work. Pray with us as we work to serve even more unreached families in the 10/40 window and beyond! Sign up to receive our monthly prayer updates here.
Pictured in header image: “Happiness” savings group, South Asia*
*Name changed and location withheld for security
