When blessings abound

Un mois, jour pour jour. Sure enough time has passed by in a surreal fashion. These past few days have been reinvigorating in numerous ways, be it talking theology till the wee hours of the morning with my Congolese hall mate or becoming the new soccer star of the Tabacongo district on a warm Saturday afternoon.

Filled with joy and never more at peace in my tranquil monastery, work has taken a sharp turn during the past ten days. An array of thoughts are constantly swarming through my head now that I have been entrusted to a market research and analysis project. Intimidating, vague, you name it. And yet, to my greatest surprise, I have never been more motivated. Who would have thought that I would be plowing through data that has never been compiled before and reading up on those once disregarded statistical methods.

Despite the strenuous office work, I still get to spend l’avant midi bus hoping between neighborhoods to visit solidarity groups. Day after day, I have never been more certain that the Lord is actively present in the midst of microfinance. Hearing a loan officer explain the meaning of wisdom in his own tongue or witnessing the spontaneous sermon of papa Clement on the importance of honesty are once in a lifetime experiences.

Next week, I shift gears into surveying local markets with my spectacular mathematical skills. I use to dread the streets and now I cannot wait to interact with the Congolese youth. The reality of poverty always hurts to witness, but you have to see the opportunity behind the sickness.

Beyond the promising weekend ahead, I look forward to occasionally pulling out the blazer and gathering data on the macro level situation in Lubumbashi, be it at the Congolese Central Bank or the United Nations. I can only begin to describe the economic potential of the Katanga province in constant cohabitation with the indiscreetly corrupt regional jurisdiction. Mining companies are everywhere, commercial banking billboards appear out of nowhere and yet the rich get richer while the poor remain poor. In the meantime, university students have to pay off their teachers to pass their year and business owners have to bribe government officials to obtain their merchandise.

In spite of the backwardness of life, Congolese never stop smiling and laughing. How could I dare slow down half way?

Akiba and the Unspoken Need for Savings

Beyond making witty depictions of my whereabouts, I am actually interning for an incredible organization that is making significant difference in the poverty-stricken world. Microfinance has been caricatured as the anti-Christ of development work for far too long, be it because of its interest rates or required repayments. How could you possibly expect poor people to be good stewards of their money? Does the Bible not say to give out of charity to those in need?

Without a doubt, microfinance has caused much distress to the poor. In its original conception, microfinance was to replace abusive moneylenders but sadly some microfinance agencies only added a formal title to these derogatory schemes. However, I would argue that these nefarious practices are the exception to the rule. Microfinance stands out as one of the few self-sustaining non-profit agencies while impacting more than 100 million people worldwide. People should be far more concerned about traditional banking financially excluding those under the poverty line. Lets not forget that the poor are gifted individuals more than capable of handling an income. Conventional handouts create dependency, microfinance is an opportunity for the destitute to lift themselves out of poverty.

If you suspect the biblical soundness of lending money, I would also encourage you to read Leviticus 25 (as my econ prof would say). Blame-shifting in development is easy but solutions are often scarce. Microfinance responds to specific needs of the disfranchised.

Perhaps none of this is unfamiliar. One characteristic of microfinance seems often neglected though, that is the centrality of savings (or akiba in your Swahili 101 course). Lending and savings are complementary financial tools which empower the individual with an income, inculcate hard work ethics and protect households from emergencies.

HOPE requires that at every new loan cycle each client have 10 percent of their forthcoming credit previously put aside. Consequently, compulsory and voluntary saving become logical habits in the mind of the poor. I was baffled by the solidarity group Mont Monrija that saves more money than it borrows in some cases. One maman confidently told me she had saved over $1,700. She holds a loan of $500. For your enjoyment, bellow is a picture of these courageous women.

Everyone seems disconcerted, but it works! 

It remains hard to infuse a culture of savings to people who often live day by day. Nevertheless, these stellar clients and so many others portray the potential that exists in microfinance. I have heard stories about group members eventually abandoning credit altogether and making a living off of their savings. I am humbled and impressed to hear such testimonies.

Altogether, be an open-minded follower of Christ. Microfinance is far from perfect, but it has revolutionized banking through its intricate relation with savings and simultaneously elevated entire communities out of poverty.

Mzungu, Mzungu!

Oh the joys of being a white boy in Africa! Similar to the gringo interpellation found in most of Latin America or the ricain stereotype often heard in France, mzungu has become my designated name in the lushois communities (the wavy blond hair probably doesn’t help). Clearly, my transition is well on its way, be it swallowing daily anti-malaria pills or decrypting multi-consonant Swahili words. Taxi buses have been an experience in themselves. It is queer that freedom can be found in the simplest things such as cramming into a half-functioning vehicle at 7:30 am while the sun still warms the chilly air.

During the avant-midi, I typically accompany and observe Loan Officers in their respective groups. No wonder they are so apprehensive, they probably think monsieur Roger is grading them. More seriously, my main discovery has been the complex structure of a microfinance organization. The more I learn, the more I realize the array of methodologies that exist both inside and outside of the HOPE network. One repeated example has been the institutional differences between FINCA and HOPE RDC. I have heard many stories about FINCA using credit to seize the homes of their indebted clients. HOPE clearly approaches the problem of delinquency from an opposite perspective as the group is empowered to lead their brother or sister in Christ to a conscious realization of his or her mistake. To this regard, I have been deeply impressed by the amount of decision-making entrusted to the solidarity groups, particularly Group Leadership. Many clients have proven to be faithful entrepreneurs and exhibit a true desire to see their families and communities prosper.

Afternoons are ever-changing as I could be double checking new loan cycle dossiers or witnessing the first training session of a promising group of clients. Regardless of my location, I am eventually granted a lunch break which I half-heartedly accept with gratitude. Culturally, most Congolese seem to not eat lunch even in the HOPE office. Guilt tends to invade me at times, however, I have found a small trendy commerçant down the street that sells the best beignets in the world. Papa Chambui is the sweetest man around and I can’t help but smile when I walk in and see his face light up. A few hundred Congolese francs (less than two dollars) for a bottle of D’jino (the local pop), a half-dozen African pastries and some politically animated conversations? Why not.

At dusk, my workaholic superiors are usually still carefully counting the daily reimbursements. As I am graciously driven back halfway across town, night is always quick to fall upon us. Driving has become the prime time to dialogue about life though, be it politics, microfinance, poverty, family or faith. I have been bluffed by the wealth of knowledge held by the general population, which can range from classic debates around Western insurgency to deeply theological questions about injustice in the world.

Being in the bush, I cannot hide anymore from the hard questions I use to philosophize in my college dorm. Being a white boy in Africa, I cannot circumvent the everyday kid that asks me, “Why do you white people have everything and us nègres nothing?”

Microfinance is one of the few sustainable tools in poverty alleviation. However, a loan will never reconcile a nation of divided people. Dialogue and forgiveness are the first steps toward any true form of development, be it for the mzungu or negro.

The good news is not that HOPE RDC has an outstanding loan portfolio, in fact, it doesn't. The greater truth is that empowerment coupled to solidarity liberate the individual from poverty, and that reality keeps me smiling.

Support Update: Moja!

After a while, you may find me harassing with my discoveries here in the third world and to a certain extent I am, but my hope is that you see these posts as opportunities to learn more. Is the ability to discern not one of the determining factors that make us image bearers of God?

Beyond guilt-trapping you into reading more, I wanted to update those who have graciously and faithfully prayed for me despite my ever-changing address. In order to make these dollar taxi rides, Lebanese street sandwiches and 36h flight possible, I committed to raise a budget of nearly $5,000. The number still scares me in all honesty.

For those of you who know me well, I have a hard time even buying myself a shirt when dragged along into a shopping mall. Moreover, exiting the peace and calm of my modest abode into the overcrowded clay trails of quartier Tabacongo has been compelling.

Nevertheless, during these tranquil moments that I have been longing to experience, the Lord has appeased my heart with a passage in particular. Proverbs 30:7-9 reads accordingly: “Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, “Who is the Lord?” or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.”

It sounded better in the French Version Thompson. More seriously, I have truly been blown away by the reality of resting daily on God's provision. I do not believe I have been called to sell everything I own and live as a vagabond; to the contrary, I am beginning to find peace of mind through servanthood and abandonment (still working hard on that second one).

HOPE informed me that I have reached $1,070. Praise the Lord! This figure represents approximately 20 percent of my budget and I have only been in the DR Congo for a few days. I am tremendously grateful for these generous contributions and continue to pray that more will be compelled to give to this tangible Christ-led project in Lubumbashi.

To finish, you can keep me in your prayers in three ways this upcoming week:
- that the Lord may place encouraging people on my path, open to genuine conversations and friendship
- that I may let the Holy Spirit use me in any way He deems useful (appropriate since we're celebrating Pentecost right?)
- that the Father continue to appoint followers with a heart of generosity willing to support my work, both financially and spiritually

Djambo Saana!

Nothing like wrestling out from under a mosquito net at the crack of dawn only to be welcomed by a fully cloaked Congolese monk. Shirtless and perplex, I thanked Père Jean-Piere for waking me up nonetheless and moved toward the cold shower that awaited. Despite the surprising luxuries of unlimited internet and almost constant electricity, I have initially been baffled by the gap that separates the US from Africa. French has saved me dozens of times already, but an ever-changing dialect of Swahili remains the norm while I perpetually stand out wherever I go. However, I have begun to bond with my HOPE International colleagues and Congolese hospitality is rubbing off on me already.

Another blessing has been the tremendous amount of faith in Christ that emanates from HOPE DRC. I do not believe it was by chance that my first day of work coincided with the once a week time of staff prayer and worship. How refreshing it was to sing cantiques again and learn new melodies such as Dieu va sauvé l’Afrique. Humbling.

I quickly am understanding that much is decided day to day though. After an hour delay at the mechanics, a group of us finally took off into the chaotic streets of Lubumbashi toward the distant suburb of Kipushi. Some 30 kilometers later, the periodically paved road led us to another Catholic school, which continue to endorse the responsibility of education ever since the mismanagement years of Mobutu. The first baco, or group of borrowers, had actually come to receive the liquidities for a new loan cycle. On the other hand, the second group was seeking to begin the 5 week training process. Exciting moments for everyone. Indeed, it was fascinating to see both ends of the spectrum with evident anxieties on each sides, such as maintaing strong business for the habitués and gathering enough clients to create a group for the novices.

An iced bottle of water brought me back to my sense as Arcene and I were able to discuss some of the underlying struggles in microfinace. The managing director was first to observe that part of the recent decrease in repayments was due to the controversial reelection of president Kabila. In correlation to politics, the economy of the town experienced a severe downturn in consumption with the temporary closure of Gécamines, the only state-owned mining business (which is another topic of quarrel in itself). Jean-Jaques, one of the two loan officers who accompanied us, further explained that the rainy season also caused problems for these small street vendors. To make a long story short, I was unsurprised but intrigued by the amount of external factors involved in the sustainability of microfinance.

Anyhow, after nearly 10h of wondering in the glorious savannah, I better go rinse out the thin layer of red dust still residing in my hair and call it a night.

Roger

Sporadic First Thoughts from Leadership Summit

6 hour drive, 1 flight, 2 trains and a few days late, here I am in Lancaster for the HOPE International Leadership Summit. Despite the late hour, I quickly met other interns with amazing stories ranging from Bolivian roots (coincidently the same country my girl friend is from) to a moving Rwandan background (and already a few words in Kiswahili, specifically hujambo which means hello).

Saturday was packed with worship, devotions and meetings. First, we drilled Jessy, one of the vice-presidents, about the HOPE microfinance model before hearing more about the origins of the Christ-centered organization from Jeff, one of the two original founders, and finally interacting with a panel of country directors including Manny, who serves in Brazzaville right over the Congo river near Kinshasa the capital of the DRC (african geography 101 for you beginners). Fascinating topics and questions throughout the day with several eye-opening quotes which I attempted to retransmit in part to those of you enjoying the weekend via Twitter. The evening was more relaxed as we partook in smore making and several entertaining theological discussions.

Sunday was a well-deserved day of rest. Most of the staff was recommended/chose to attend Calvary, which was a memorable experience in itself due to the very large size of the congregation. Soccer resonated with several of us during the afternoon before we had dinner with our passion prayer groups. I was also blessed to meet Modeste, the finance director for the DRC, later in the evening as well as have a lovely conversation with Catherine, who served and lived in Lubumbashi for nearly 7 years. After another very encouraging time of worship and praise, I sadly failed to beat one of the big guys in ping pong (maybe next time).

Voila, these are obviously some very down to earth reactions which I plan to revamp once I am actually experiencing joys and hardships in the DRC. Feel free to leave notes of encouragement, recommendations and especially questions. I would love to hear your opinions throughout the summer. In the meantime, may the Lord fill you with joy this next week.

Roger