Or maybe a friend? Have you ever helped out someone in need only to discover that several weeks later they are not any better off? Often, we quickly reach into our wallets to help someone in need. But what if a lack of money is often just a symptom of a bigger disease? What if sending away the financially needy with pockets full of cash is like sending cancer patients away with a couple bottles of pain killers? They feel better for a few days but ultimately the problem continues to get worse. At the Microfinance Site in the Dominican Republic, we approach financial ministry much like a doctor who treats the disease and not just the symptoms. In many ways we function just like a small bank offering savings accounts, small business loans and financial and technical education to the surrounding communities of Jarabacoa. Instead of simply handing someone money, we teach habits and principles that will allow them to care for themselves. However, unlike a bank we desire to meet not only their physical needs but their emotional, and spiritual needs as well. We walk alongside our associates in the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of their lives, desiring to get to know the root of their problems in order to see them live financially free lives. What makes us different from other Microfinance Institutions? While the goal of most Microfinance Institution’s is to simply see a rise in income, our goal is to use financial services to build relationships with each one of our associates in order to share the spectacular work of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.. Sometimes this can be helping a mother clean her house as she pours out her most recent life struggles. Other times it is taking a mother and sick child to the hospital and praying for them, helping small children with homework or taking mother's to a woman's conference. In essence, our desire is to provide great financial services that changes hearts and not just bank accounts. We want to transform lives, not just the size of the house they live in. Our desire is that through financial services, each one of our associates might come to know a lasting hope, an unending love, an incredible redeemer. Our hope is that they would come to know their Creator.
