A Word: CUDA at GMC 2011
Alfredo, Kyle, and I arrived yesterday after our stateside promotional tour. It was a whirlwind trip. We arrived in Dallas and began setup for the Global Missions Conference, where we had an informational booth and a scheduled presentation. Our number-one goal for the trip was to get the word out about CUDA. That is a hard goal to measure, but I think we had success.
CUDA View: Fundraising
June 2008. That’s the last time I can remember us, as a team, having to purposefully raise funds for our mission work. I do not share this to boast or brag as we have many friends who have struggled to raise funds for the work they have been called to do all over the world. No, I share with you only in thanks for what the Lord has done for our team by setting us on firm ground financially.
CUDA View: Global Missions Conference 2011
If you have been on our website (icduperu.org) recently you may have seen an ad about (and seeking help funding) an upcoming trip for ICDU in October. The Global Missions Conference is a CoC conference held every three years where missionaries and missions interested Christians gather to share ideas and network. Thanks to some connections Greg has we were able to secure an interest group meeting slot for ICDU so we can share about our holistic ministry here in Arequipa—specifically our micro-loan program. Greg and I are excited about the opportunity we have to be at the conference, see some familiar faces, and make new connections in the missional community.
CUDA View: June 2011
We often struggle with keeping the message of ICDU balanced. Seeking out physical needs to meet and new projects to implement can at times take our focus off the driving force behind our presence and work here: Jesus. So we seek balance. Borrower meetings are coupled with prayer time and at times bible study. New applicants hear about our desire to minister to them spiritually, and Greg has prepared a series of lessons on business ethics from a Christian perspective that all borrowers attend.
CUDA View: Naranjal Developing
We’ve reported before about the ongoing latrine project at Naranjal. How it’s going, how long it’s taking to complete the first 7 latrines, how big of a help this will be for the people of that community. You’ve heard it all before and we see and experience these feelings/thoughts (and more) each and every Sunday when we visit Naranjal. However this past Sunday I was struck again with the importance of what we are doing during a conversation I had with the leaders of the group. We were discussing when to have more materials delivered so we could complete the next latrine and one of the directors (one who I’ve never heard make any comment be- fore) started talking about how important this project is, and how we need to not let the momentum that we’ve gained die out.
CUDA View: Pre-funding - Why We Do It
I’ve written recently about the changes taking place in our loan program. A number of those changes have been implemented since the writing of that article. I now have a growing stack of applications from potential borrowers waiting for approval, the new website is entering the planning phase and our first borrowers’ group meeting took place last Friday. One new development that I forgot to include in the list was our decision to begin pre-funding loans.
CUDA View: ACDU
ICDU View: First Steps
Last month I reported about the new trio of ICDU coordinators - Alfredo, Paty, and Abraham. Three weeks ago we began a weekly meeting between all of us so that they could start shaping/influencing ICDU’s ministry. It has been a really neat and humbling experience as each one of them brings a different viewpoint to the table. Our first order of business was bringing them up to date on current programs and sharing our plans for the future. In that first meeting I new God had brought together a good group of people because we talked for hours and didn’t get past our first three programs. Ideas and dreams flowed...it was awesome.
ICDU View: A Little Help
From the beginning we had big plans for ICDU. These plans weren’t very clearly laid out in our minds but they were big. One thing we have always known is that while we might be able to get ICDU started, and we might be able to launch a project or two, and these few projects might be successful, ICDU would only be a lasting presence in Arequipa with the help of Peruvians committed to the work. For years we have been praying for contacts to be made and friendships to spring up between us and Peruvians with a heart for development work. Let me tell you how God has answered that prayer.