HOPE International

What’s one thing savings groups do before they save a cent together? Pray and worship. One group member says, “because within the group every meeting starts and ends with praying, I have adopted this culture. Every morning and every time I go to work, I start with a prayer.” Our weekly and daily rhythms shape our lives, and what better practice to grow in than prayer? What role does prayer play in your life? Pictured: the “climbing with the Lord” savings group, Peru

We learn so much from @jeffrutt1, HOPE’s founder, about dedication to God’s Kingdom and faithfully stewarding what God has given us. In this in-depth profile with National Christian Foundation, the Rutt family shares how they live out their commitment to faithful, God-honoring generosity with their children and grandchildren—including on a recent trip with HOPE to visit savings groups in Zambia and Zimbabwe! Read how in NCF’s article: https://lnkd.in/gt4RyNZ8

When Mary Chimudenda needed money to provide for her three children after her husband passed away unexpectedly, she turned to her savings group in Zambia—not a loan shark—for support. “From the time my husband died, people have seen me doing fine through the savings ministry,” Mary says. “My children are fed, they dress well, and they go to school.” Praise God!

Get to know HOPE Benin's country director: Yvette Missainhoun! Yvette brings a wealth of experience in leadership and economic development. Since she joined us last November, she’s gathered a powerful team, built relationships with local church leaders, and positioned church partners to start savings groups. Read our Q&A with her on the blog: https://lnkd.in/gCEV3k8w

Great news: we have officially begun partnerships with our first two church denominations in Benin: the Assemblies of God Church and the Union of Baptist Churches!🎉We're excited for these churches to begin savings groups in the communities they already serve. God continues to use His Church in Benin to tackle material and spiritual poverty🙌

Did you know that today is World Listening Day? Today, we celebrate the value of listening more and talking less. 👂 At HOPE, we learn so much from the people we serve. If we’re truly seeking to honor Christ and love the families we walk with, listening must be a key part of our practice. We strive to be a listening-first organization—committed to hearing from the men and women we serve, and then evaluating and integrating their feedback into our work. Pictured: An Urwego Finance staff member talks with Patrick Rukundo, an entrepreneur we serve in Rwanda

Our 24th annual golf tournament fundraiser to help drive out global #poverty will be on September 13 and we'd love to see you there! ⛳ We invite you to join us as a sponsor or golfer to help us raise $1,400,000 to invest in the dreams of families around the world through discipleship, biblically based training, providing them a safe place to save money, and accessibility to loans. Enjoy time on the green on one of three beautiful #golf courses across Pennsylvania and Maryland—Iron Valley Golf Club, Wyncote Golf Club, and The Woodlands Golf Course. Explore sponsorship opportunities and learn more at https://hopeint.cc/golf

Would you pray with us? Burundi’s fuel shortage presses on, making it difficult for loan officers to visit the people we serve and for entrepreneurs to conduct their businesses as usual. Join us in asking the Lord for provision, safe travels, and creative solutions for staff, entrepreneurs, and savings group members during this time.🙏

A key to alleviating #poverty, to breaking generations-long cycles, lies in relationships. “In the garden of Eden, deep communion with God and others laid the foundation for work,” says Brian Fikkert, founder of The Chalmers Center at Covenant College for Economic Development. Read more in this article from National Christian Foundation on why relationships are so vital to empowering underserved families: https://lnkd.in/evnDqWQR