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Matthew Rohrs

Feb 7 2012

By Matthew Rohrs

 Spiritual Integration Staff / Travels

Think About These Things

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 (ESV)

Greetings from Eastern Europe! In my first post, I explained the purpose of the individual lending Spiritual Integration Summit. I also realized how hard it is to write anything in only 250 words (sorry Marketing). Today, I’d like to talk about how we started the individual lending SI Summit.

To begin, I’ll share a bit of personal confession: My personality is naturally oriented toward noticing the things in life that are incomplete or need to be fixed. This mindset can be helpful and has its place, but I’ve been learning that an overemphasis on problem-solving has a sneaky downside. Sometimes it leads me (and maybe a few others) to forget to praise God for the amazing things He does in our midst. Sometimes it leads us to become discouraged by the brokenness of the world rather than inspired by the goodness and power of our God. Continue Reading…

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Matthew Rohrs

Feb 6 2012

By Matthew Rohrs

 Spiritual Integration Staff / Travels
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2012 Spiritual Integration Summit

Hello everyone.  My name is Matthew Rohrs, and I serve as HOPE International’s Director of Spiritual Integration.  In case you are newer to HOPE, for us spiritual integration refers to our intentional effort to put Christ at the center of everything we do.  This includes client and community outreach, staff discipleship, partnership with the local church, and a deep desire to honor Christ in the way that we offer financial services to the poor.

Over the next few days, I am going to share some thoughts and reflections from the 2012 Spiritual Integration Summit for our individual lending programs.  This is my first ever blogging experience, and as a rookie blogger, I hope to share some worthwhile thoughts with our friends in cyberspace. Continue Reading…

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HOPE Intl

Jan 31 2012

By HOPE Intl

 Microfinance Photos / Media Spiritual Integration Working with the poor

“The difference is Jesus Christ”

In this video interview, Pedro Lacen, director of microfinance at Esperanza International, HOPE’s partner in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, discusses the unique role of Christ-centered microfinance in the Caribbean.

Several months ago, Peter Greer, HOPE’s president, sat down with Pedro to discuss Esperanza’s work in the Caribbean. In this excerpt, Pedro talks about the particular impact Esperanza and HOPE are having as Christian organizations and shares a story of how the God Provides films, shown at community bank meetings through HOPE’s partnership with Crown Financial Ministries, are impacting clients through their simple presentation of key stories from the Bible.

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HOPE Intl

Jan 31 2012

By HOPE Intl

 Stories we love Working with the poor

Printing with Margin

Guerrier Gulma at La Reference

Thirty-six-year-old Guerrier Gulma sounds like he could work for Esperanza International, HOPE’s partner in Haiti, when he says, “Creating employment is always a good thing for the community.” Since he began receiving small business loans and basic business training from Esperanza less than two years ago, Guerrier has already created two jobs through his printing and photocopy shop in Trou-du-Nord, Haiti.

Guerrier’s business, La Reference Multiservice, fills a need in Trou-du-Nord, with the next nearest photocopy shop 30 minutes away in Cap Haitien. His busy shop reflects customers’ gratitude for the availability of this service, and Guerrier’s relations with customers have only grown stronger through the biblically based trainings his loan offer provided on the importance of honesty, integrity, and respect for others in business. Continue Reading…

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HOPE Intl

Jan 31 2012

By HOPE Intl

 Staff / Travels
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5 Reasons You Should Consider an Experience HOPE Trip

Through the Experience HOPE Trips program, participants meet staff and clients of Esperanza International, HOPE’s partner in the Dominican Republic; visit small businesses started with microloans; and return home inspired by the experience. But that’s not all.

Here are five reasons you should experience HOPE Trips.

  1. You don’t have to take our word for it. Have you ever wondered if microfinance is over-hyped or whether a small loan can truly make a big difference? See for yourself when you meet and speak with small business owners in the Dominican Republic.
  2. Discuss the problem of poverty with like-minded travelers. Scripture has a lot to say about poverty but isn’t always clear on how to responsibly apply principles of generosity and good stewardship. Spend time discussing God’s call and our response with others wrestling with the same questions.
  3. Your view on poverty won’t be the same. Think poverty just means lacking money? Expand your perspective as you learn how broadly those who live in poverty define the problem.
  4. You’ll meet those your support has empowered. If you’ve ever prayed for HOPE’s ministry or given to our programs, you’ve impacted our clients. Putting names and faces to HOPE’s clients helps you pray and give with passion.
  5. The D.R. is positively balmy this time of year. Temperatures in the Dominican Republic in January average 75 degrees. Need we say more?

For more information or to register for a HOPE Trip, visit www.hopetrips.org.

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HOPE Intl

Jan 31 2012

By HOPE Intl

 News Working with the poor
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A History of HOPE in Latin America

HOPE’s initial expansion into Latin America came in 2005 when we entered into partnership with Esperanza International to work in the Dominican Republic. Building on the success of this model, HOPE and Esperanza joined forces to begin work in Haiti in 2006. Our Savings and Credit Associations in Peru are our newest program, bringing our country count to 16. Read on for a quick overview of our work in each Latin American country.

Dominican Republic

Background: According to a recent World Bank assessment, 43 percent of Dominicans live in poverty, despite a booming tourism industry; 16 percent of the population lives in extreme poverty. Employment in the Dominican Republic has been unequally divided by gender in the past 20 years, with approximately 63 percent of men but only 29 percent of women employed. According to 2010 data, one in five employed Dominicans remains poor, and one in 20 lives in extreme poverty. Continue Reading…

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