St. Philip the Deacon’s Capital Appeals have always intentionally supported ministries and missions outside of the four walls of the church. In the last few appeals, for example, we have partnered with international ministries in Madagascar, Tanzania and India.
When we planned our current Capital Appeal – “Called and Sent,” which runs through 2014 – we wanted to continue this tradition of supporting the work of international mission partners, but we also wanted to find a partner a bit closer to home. Our goal was to make it relatively easy for a delegation from St. Philip the Deacon to actually visit this partner so our members would have a chance to see first-hand how our support is making a difference in people’s lives.
This February, that goal will be realized when a group of nine people from St. Philip the Deacon, led by Pastor Tim Westermeyer, travel to Colombia to see how our partnership with Opportunity International is transforming the lives of people in that country.
Opportunity International has been in Colombia—one of the most impoverished countries in Latin America—since 1975. Today, O.I. serves more than 22,000 microfinance clients in different regions of the country. These individuals use Opportunity International's financial services to work their way out of poverty. Despite O.I.’s progress, however, microfinance programs today reach only about 2.5% of the total population of Colombia—where eight million people live on less than $2 per day.
St. Philip the Deacon’s partnership with Opportunity International is helping it to expand its presence in Colombia, allowing thousands of additional people to open their first savings accounts and increase savings levels while supporting entrepreneurship and building up stronger communities. Currently, Opportunity International is building a bank in Colombia to serve the millions of displaced persons in the country who struggle to support their families.
The group from St. Philip the Deacon will be in Colombia from February 12 through February 18, and will visit Opportunity International sites in both Bogota and Cartagena. The group will take part in Trust Group meetings, hear about the struggles and successes of O.I. clients, and see first-hand how loans, savings, insurance and training have a transformational impact on families and communities.
Please keep this group in your prayers as they travel, and expect to hear more from them about their experiences after they return. And, most importantly, thank you for making a difference in the lives of people in Colombia through your gifts to the Called and Sent Capital Appeal.
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Norma Herera has partnered with Opportunity International in Colombia to borrow capital to start her small business, which recycles plastic bags. St. Philip the Deacon’s partnership with Opportunity International is helping the organization expand its presence there—allowing thousands of people to open their first savings accounts and increase savings levels while supporting entrepreneurship and building up stronger communities.
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