Written by Leia Darett
There is a popular proverb that goes like this: “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Though many are uncertain of the author, it is widely believed to be the Chinese Taoist Philosopher, Lao Tzu. How fitting that this is the basis of Grace for Asia’s very first provision financing project in China.
You may recall the concept of Grace for Asia’s “provision financing”. It is a modification of the more widely known micro-financing programs. There are two significant differences:
1) We work through local churches. In addition to teaching effective business practices, budgeting and savings, we teach them to tithe. This builds the local church and assures enhanced evangelism.
2) We offer our loans at zero percent. Our investors are investing for eternity. (No investor with Grace for Asia will do so for financial gain).
3) Grace for Asia’s provision-financing projects enable the beneficiaries to sustain their own source of livelihood. So, in essence, the investment will work over and over again.
The remote mountains of Gansu, China is the location of Grace for Asia’s inaugural project for this vast country. The area is so indigent that families will occupy a rudimentary dirt cave as their home. Its location is so remote that Grace for Asia’s visitors were the first Westerners to ever set foot on the land. The core of the project is a 51 acre licorice farm. 17 local preachers and their families will be provided the resources to grow/farm and, subsequently, sell the produce from their farms in order to have a source of sustenance. They will also be taught to tithe in order to build the local church.
The miracle in all this is what God has done already in this remote area as a result of the activities surrounding the tilling and planting. Many of the local residents were curious of the events going on in their normally quiet mountain village. Most all of them were laying eyes on “Westerners” for the very first time. 40 to 50 local residents, most who were hired as laborers in the licorice fields, have already come to a profession of faith in Christ! We praise God for using this project as a way to bring locals to Christ!