We've become "Loaners!"

Both of us have been reflecting on Pastor Loren's message in church today about reaching out and helping others. Today, Jason and I decided to become "loaners!" We watched a show on PBS months ago about "KIVA." We were both very intrigued by KIVA's premise. KIVA enables people to help entrepeneurs in a developing country by loaning them money so that they can either start a new business or expand their current business. By doing so, these people are able to improve their lives, and in many cases, their community as well. So many poor people living around the world do not have the resources it would take to change their lives, but they are very capable, active, highly motivated, and intelligent people. Given the opportunity, they could really make a difference! Banks and other institutions in their area can charge ridiculously high interest rates. People in the U.S. complain about 7%- in some developing countries, interest rates on loans can climb well above 25%! Entrepeneurs who receive loans through KIVA are not charged interest. They simply receive the resources they need to do what they need to do, and then they repay the loan. It'll take some time, but we are excited to see what will happen in these people's lives: Juana, Comfort, Siakou, & Kossi Mathieu. Isn't this such a unique way to "reach out and help others?"