microfinanzas.

So I still have much to learn about micro-finance, and the micro-finance site at SI (mine for the next few weeks). But here's a few things I've learned about micro-finance with Students International:

at its basic level

-Micro-finance is providing small loans ($100-$1000) for people to invest into business ventures, so that they can better provide for their families and grow their businesses

-Micro-finance is providing lending services to those who would otherwise be considered "unbankable," those (most Guatemalans, but especially the poor in these communities) who would not meet the requirements from banks or lending services for loans

-Micro-finance is providing people with the resources to build up savings accounts, so that in the event that something happens to a family member, the business doesn't have to suffer (savings accounts are very rare, and the idea of putting away money for future use is nearly unheard of, however, the benefit of having one can be huge for a family)

-Micro-finance is weekly or bi-weekly required Bible studies/accountability groups, and simple lessons about finances

-Micro-finance is offering loans at a much lower interest rate than any bank around will offer (the loans from SI this year have interest rates at 1%, loans from banks or lending services start at 4% and quickly go up from there)

-Micro-finance is creating relationships and using finances to express the love of Christ in order to see growth in people's lives

....but sometimes...

-Sometimes micro-finance is buying office supplies and rubber gloves in Antigua

-Sometimes micro-finance is helping your site leader with her English lessons, and remembering how hard it was to learn a second language at first (Once again, thank the good Lord I didn't have to learn English as a second language)

-Sometimes micro-finance is organizing the office supplies bought in Antigua in the office at the community center in El Gorrión

-Sometimes micro-finance is making sure the site's monthly budget is all in order

-Sometimes micro-finance is vaccinating chickens at no expense to the prestatario (person who's received a loan from SI)

-Sometimes micro-finance is going to sell electronics in the Magda market with a prestatario, but actually just selling a few toys to an SI site leader, and then leaving because there weren't that many people who wanted to buy electronics

-Sometimes micro-finance is visiting a prestatario to see how much paint we'll need to paint her store-front with a group

-Sometimes micro-finance is advising a woman on what she could sell to the groups who come, or how she can make her stuff better, so that she doesn't have to always go door to door to sell the products she makes

-Sometimes micro-finance is visiting a prestatario and simply listening to their story, and praying for their struggles

Always.

-Micro-finance is always about relationships. About listening and caring. About sharing life and love. And living out love. And hoping that through our acts love, others will come to know The Love. It is about money and finances and loans and savings and businesses. But it is 100% more about relationships. And love.




I don't have any pictures of the site or the prestatarios yet... but here's a picture of a happy chucho for your viewing pleasure...

guate.

Back.

It's hard to believe that two years ago (almost to the day) I was meeting up with my parents (and new puppy!) back in Chicago after having spent four months living and working in Guatemala. Now I'm back. It all feels very familiar, and I have a hard time believing that so much time has past. A few thoughts to share from these past few days:

-The woman next to me on my flight out of O'hare was originally from Guate, but now lives in Chicago, and was going to visit...someone...in Mexico. I missed who it was, sue me. It was early. She noticed my braided hair, asked if I'd done it myself, and then asked if I'd braid hers. So I did. Yeah, I thought it was odd too... I don't even know her name.

-The man next to me on my flight from Mexico City is from Chile and was going to spend some time in Guatemala visiting friends. We chatted, he corrected my grammar (kindly), and gave me a business card with his email address written on the back. You know, in case I'm ever in Chile and want to stay with his family.

-In Mexico City they changed the gate my flight left from at the last minute, and for some reason I knew to check the departure board because some random kid looked at it and then left. I'm thankful for that random kid.

-I found great comfort in finding Antigua familiar after all this time. We did a scavenger hunt through the city yesterday, and it felt like I had just been there.

-I have already locked the key to our room inside the room once, but our host mom just laughed, said it happens all the time, and showed us where we could leave our key in the future outside of the room, so that it would always be available.

-Walmart in Guatemala is pretty much just like Walmart in the states.

-I could never drive down here. I would be so stressed all the time. I am thankful for others who will drive us through the chaos.

-It feels a little strange being back, but in a really good way. Looking forward to the rest of this trip! First group of short term teams comes this week, and then we'll really be kicking it into high gear. We (the summer interns) will be starting at ministry sites on Monday, and then the group will join us Tuesday. Excited to see what God has in store, and hoping my Spanish comes quickly back!

Here we go!

Hello dear friends and family!

A new adventure calls for a new blog. I'll be posting periodically here what's happening with my internship as I serve with Students International in Guatemala this summer. I'm so looking forward to this new journey! Feel free to follow along and keep up with what's happening!

In 2012 I had the opportunity to travel to Guatemala for a semester abroad program through Bethel University and Students International. During those four months I was challenged, stretched, and changed, and because of this time I saw growth in many areas of my life. Since graduating last May, I have been searching for the next step to take in my life. I believe that God has directed me to that next step, in returning to Guatemala for two months this summer to intern with Students International. I will be in a staff position, acting as an intermediary between the full time missionaries working for SI and the short term groups that come to serve. I will be serving at SI's microfinance site, something I know very little about, but am excited to be learning more! In serving at this site I will be acting as an interpreter, and aiding the full time missionary with her work, as well as working directly with the short term groups who have come to serve with Students International. I am hopeful that having interpreting experience will help guide me into a career when I return to the U.S. I am looking forward to serving with Students International again as they minister to the physical and spiritual needs of a community that now holds a dear place in my heart. I am also looking forward to seeing how God will develop the skills I will need for a future career here in the U.S. 

I am incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support that has already come for this venture. This would 100% not have been possible without the prayers and support you all have poured on me. Thank you for your gifts, your prayers, and your friendship. I am blessed.