Philippines (MNN) — For the past 40 years, God has provided a way out of poverty for families in the Philippines through the ministry of FARMS International.
Tim Landis with FARMS points back to Joe and Pat Richter, missionaries in the Philippines. The revolving loan model they began developing in 1984 is the “heartbeat” of FARMS in more than a dozen countries today.
“The revolving loan program is small, interest-free loans given to people as capital to be able to start businesses,” Landis says. “Once that loan is paid off within the program, then it gets revolved into a new loan.”
A report came in recently from a pastor named Jicky and his wife. This family has launched a T-shirt printing shop and renovated a building as a rental property.
“They’re able to provide a home and shelter for somebody while making income to help feed their families, clothe themselves and give back to local missions and local church as well,” Landis says.
(Farmer in the Philippines Courtesy of FARMS International)
“When it comes down to it, when people are receiving loans [and] creating a business plan, they are creative in the ways they want to to earn a living and alleviate their poverty.”
Landis explains that the loans have terms to them — sometimes two, sometimes four years.
“We have grace there too and understanding in each individual situation that there is going to be things that might deter that from happening,” he says. “You [might] have a two-year [loan] that it might take a little bit longer [to repay] because of certain circumstances.”
Praise God with FARMS for around seven revolving loan programs in the Philippines to people like Jicky.
“Forty years is, in the grand scheme, a short time. But when you think about it, it’s a testament to God’s provision in the Philippines,” he says.
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“FARMS is in need of new people to come alongside us, so we can create even more revolving loans like [in] the Philippines,” Landis says.
“[We need] people to know what we do and to see the impact that it has — the longevity that it can create in affecting lives, generations, families, communities, to get out of poverty and be able to be self-sustaining. If God is laying it on people’s hearts to help support FARMS, then come aboard!”
Partner with FARMS at their website.
Header photo courtesy of women and children in the Philippines courtesy of Zeyn Afuang via Unsplash.
