From our Executive Director
Let me introduce you to a friend. I first met Esther last fall at her home—two small rooms divided by hanging sheets. There she lives with her children, her siblings and her siblings' children—eight of them all together. That day, Esther proudly showed me pictures of her kids, talked about her dreams, and prayed with our team as we stood shoulder to shoulder in that dimly lit room.
This month, Esther became a TOLI client—and a small business owner.
And she has been preparing. She's spent months taking part in a women's savings group, attending TOLI business training, and working with our social worker to create a business plan.
Esther (left) sorts her new clothing inventory with TOLI staffer Lucy (right).
“I hope to have my own home with my family, educate my kids and raise our standard of living.” — Esther, 29
Now, Esther is a saleswoman of women's undergarments and clothes. She bought her inventory with a TOLI microloan of about $200, which she'll pay back in monthly installments over one year. Even though Esther only has a fourth grade education, she knows how to work hard, and how to serve. Esther volunteers her time to help clean her local church.
It may seem like the odds are against a 29-year-old single mother of eight in rural Kenya. And it's true Esther has a long road ahead. But she won't be alone. Our TOLI staffer Lucy, who's from Esther's very same community, will support her as she builds this brand new life, cheering her on, helping her stay brave, and pointing her to Jesus every step of the way. I feel so honored to know them both.
I'll let you in on a little secret, if you can't already tell: Esther is one of my favorite clients. For some reason I find myself rooting for her extra hard.
Will you root for her too? Will you pray for her?
After all, isn't that what praying for each other really is—brothers and sisters rooting for each other before God? You and Esther and I, we're bound together as God's family. So we pull for each other and we root for each other—and in doing so we discover hope and dignity when we realize that God himself is rooting for us too.
With gratitude and joy,
Abigail McConnell
Executive Director
PS: Scroll down to see how you can LITERALLY JOIN US in prayer next month...
Come pray with us — in our new office space
Big things happen when people pray. That's why we're inviting you to come pray with us—in person—for our clients, just like Esther, and for what God is doing through TOLI. Here's the best part: we have a new office space where we can gather together to pray! We're so excited to share it with you.
With specific and up-to-the-minute prayer requests submitted directly from our field staff, we will lift up clients by name, social workers, our ministry partners in different countries, and the entire TOLI family of supporters. Please join us!
#TOLITuesday Prayer Gathering // 2nd Tuesday of each month
When: August 14, 12pm-1pm
Where: 5785 N. Union Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
We want this to be a tangible way for you to engage with TOLI. No gift is more powerful or more vital than the gift of prayer.
If you have questions, or would prefer to join us by phone to pray, please email Linda Hood, our TOLI Prayer Coordinator.