They come for hope.

Hope of change.

Fifteen years ago, Lori and I sat in a clean but tiny house gathered with five women. We had something we wanted to share with them. We wanted them to know we believed in them after spending two summers working together. They presented their business plans to us and signed the agreement to repay their loans without interest. We left a hope with them that they could earn money to care for their families and carried hope with us that this might be the beginning of a good thing.

Hope is a never ending gift. God fills and refills us as life does its best to keep us empty. 

Our first focus scripture became Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

When we realize God wants to give us hope and a future, our perspective of living this life changes. It is such a treasured gift that we can’t keep it tucked away, hidden for ourselves. We won’t quit living life and hoard this gift. It oozes out of every conversation, every action and every intention. We share. 

Mi Esperanza is an amazing model of this ministry.

We have celebrated a lot of life with our women. We have attended weddings, welcomed babies, mourned at funerals, rejoiced with our graduates who face a brighter future and are ecstatic as the second generation of women in our graduates families are now enrolling in our classes. Nearly 1500 women have come through our program. It leaves me in awe of how God has brought us together. 

Sharing the hope God has given us with these women who pass through our doors has given me hope as well. We hope to continue the change and bringing the hope of a brighter future for their families.

We thank everyone who has walked this journey with us even when it was just a dream, since we began fifteen years ago. Many of you have joined us along the way and we welcome newcomers to join us as we look forward to the next fifteen years. It is with great excitement we look ahead to the future God has in store for the Mi Esperanza family.

Our current focus scripture has been Proverbs 31:7-8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. 

Every one of us has the ability to defend the poor and needy. Every face is unique, but the heart and soul inside share the same need for hope. It is a universal quest God placed deep inside each of us.

May each of us contribute to sharing this hope with the world - the hope of change that happens when we invest in the lives of those around us. 

Janet