OI China PRAYER LETTER February 2014
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." ~ Psalm 139:23-24 (KJV)
Praise God, as the OI China team celebrates Chinese New Year, a thanksgiving dinner was also held last Sunday, marking the Fifth Anniversary of the opening of the first rural microcredit company in Suyu. Throughout the five years OI China impacted 159,033 jobs through the loans to the poor entrepreneurs, rural farmers and various kinds of cottage industries. May His name be praised.
After client Mr Yin Zhenwei built 2 quonset greenhouses to grow celery and tomatoes he was able to sustain the cold winter and keep his 10 workers on payroll. Though he had little savings after 20 years of working on odd jobs in the south his strong will brought him home. As his parents could not afford to keep the whole family living together his 7 siblings all left home at young age.
Praises & Thanksgivings: Thank God for the recognition of government officials about our Christian values and contribution to the local prosperity. While attending the OI China Chinese New Year Eve Party and Suyu Fifth Anniversary Thanksgiving Dinner, the mayor of Suyu thanked the OI China team for our contributions. He said that not only we helped the rural farmers and cottage industries but also allowed many disabled, unskilled, low income households, women, elderly and return migrant workers find employment in their own hometowns. Praise the Lord for the blessings of 2013, regardless of the threat of avian flu outbreak early in the year. OI China finished the year with above break-even results. Total job impact of the year was 48,334 against the original budget of 40,000. Total loans issued reached USD 9,766,439; that is, every USD 202 loan created and/or sustained one job. The micro-insurance business also grew steadily and reached 757 policies issued. During the year we also provided 3,739 persons/sessions and 11k hours of training and coaching.
Prayer Requests: Please continue to pray for the health of our co-workers and their families. Many of our co-workers’ familymembers are in hospital for some reasons recently. Pray that the Lord’s healing hands be upon them. Pray for His guidance and blessings as the project team prepares the IT Core Banking System Project. Pray for the safety of travelers in China as they celebrate the week-long Spring Festival holiday. Pray for health and safety of our clients and co-workers as the Avian Flu re-emerged in China recently. In January alone, 19 deaths and 96 human cases have been reported, according to figures from the Chinese Center for Disease Control. OIC Consolidated Statistics Loans Issued in USD Job Impact (Created / Sustained) Training & Coaching (person / hr) Micro-insurance (policies)
2009
2010
2011
2012
3,729,753 17,817 2,146 / 6,610 n/a
6,369,255 20,982 2,000 / 5,998 n/a
8,165,500 37,013 2,412 / 7,951 n/a
8,848,143 34,887 2,904 / 10,516 442
2013 YTD (31 Dec.) 9,766,439 48,334 3,739 / 11,068 757
PrayerLetter 1402 www.opportunity.org.hk