Harvesting hope

How small-scale farming can spark large-scale transformation

Did you know that about 30% of TOLI clients work in farming? 

In Egyptian villages, goats are raised on rooftops and then sold for milk and meat. Piggeries in rural Uganda turn a reliable profit. In Kenya, farmers specialize in different poultry products: broilers, layers, and even organic “Kienyegi” chickens.

For most of these clients, farming is not a new skill, but a way of life that’s nearly second nature. But paired with TOLI’s business training and improved agricultural techniques, these chickens, pigs, goats, cows, ducks, rabbits, beans, bananas, or maize are no longer supplementary backyard crops, but become viable, scalable businesses. 

Farmers in our program learn the value of saving and reinvesting, the importance of segregating personal and business expenses, and the value of specialization and marketing. In one community in Kenya, a group of neighboring TOLI clients with goat-keeping projects have recently attracted large wholesale goat milk buyers who wouldn’t normally buy from a single small scale farmer. Now the local goat milk market is expanding and these TOLI farmers are the beneficiaries. 

TOLI farmers also learn improved agricultural techniques from our partners and from each other. Often, simple and inexpensive changes produce massive results. For example, using a $300 TOLI microloan to invest in a well-built cowshed or a mechanized chaff cutter for livestock feed can double, triple, or even quadruple milk production — and therefore profits.

Hellen Muthengi is a volunteer TOLI leader in Kenya who also happens to be an expert in advanced farming techniques, working for the Ministry of Agriculture. Hellen coaches our farming clients on best practices and new technologies, helping them dramatically improve yields.

But Hellen doesn't see TOLI clients as businesses to fix — but as people to love. So along with her advice, she also offers a listening ear, a supportive presence, and a prayerful heart. She praises God when she witnesses clients improving their farms, increasing their profits, providing for their families, sending their kids to school, and becoming leaders in their community who give back, teach others, and share HOPE.

Please join us and Hellen as we pray for these hard working TOLI farmers — as they breed, raise, plant, grow, reap, and sell — that they would see themselves working hand in hand with the Creator, stewarding all that He's given.

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We are hiring!

The US office is expanding. If you know anyone who'd make a great addition to our ministry team here in Colorado Springs, let us know — and help us spread the word!

CURRENT OPENINGS
> Associate for Stewardship and Engagement
> Administrative Coordinator

For complete details go to www.toli.org/careers.

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Meet the newest members of Team TOLI around the world

Our international team has added a lot of new faces lately. Here's a quick introduction!

(right to left/top to bottom:
> Ehab Sobhy is the new Regional Coordinator in Upper Egypt. He has a desire and vision to reach more sites and unite sites together.

> Bonface Muriuki formerly served as a Social Worker for TOLI in Kenya and has now returned to lead the Kenya team as Regional Coordinator.
> Hiwot Soloman is the newest TOLI Social Worker in Ethiopia. She has a heart for teaching and guiding others.
> Peter Kingecha is the new Financial Administrator in Kenya. He has an extensive background in business and management.
> Florence is the newest Social Worker in Uganda. She loves people so well!

We can't wait to see how God will use these people to grow TOLI and to proclaim the Gospel. Please pray for each of them — and the rest of our dedicated field staff — as they serve clients and the Lord.

Good News: 2021 Annual Report

"How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
— ROMANS 10:15

Who doesn't need some GOOD NEWS? With thankful hearts, we are pleased to share with you our 2021 ANNUAL REPORT.

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NEW! Now find us online at www.toli.org

> Check out our fancy new web address! You can now read stories, watch videos, and find more information about TOLI at toli.org. Easy to type, easy to remember, and easy to tell your friends!

> And fancy new (shorter!) staff emails. Please add or update us in your contacts so that emails make it straight to your inbox.

Abigail McConnell, Executive Director: abigail@toli.org
Morgan Shabe, Program Associate: morgan@toli.org
Erin Eilmes, Development Associate: erin@toli.org
Audrey Putney, Communications Fellow: audrey@toli.org

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Come pray with us

TOLI TUESDAY PRAYER GATHERING
Tuesday April 12th at 12-1pm MT

Join us via Zoom: Email Audrey for your link or to join the prayer team for regular reminders and prayer updates
Or drop in at the TOLI office: 5785 N. Union, Colorado Springs, CO 80918

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Beauty in the ordinary

Leaves and dirt seem ordinary, but Lucy showed me how to take the ordinary and transform it into something beautiful. 

Once a week, Lucy comes back from the next town with her arms wrapped around a heavy bag of wholesale Kenyan tea. Her arms ache from the load, but she smiles because her kids are at school and her business is growing. When she gets home, she stoops over her workspace and the huge bag of tea, and separates the leaves into custom bags. Then she delivers tea to her loyal customers and sells it in the markets.

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Watch this video to see Lucy at work:

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Before TOLI, Lucy sold tea, but as a single mom, she couldn’t provide for her two kids and save for their future. Her income was unstable, and she lacked loyal customers to buy from her each week. 

When Lucy joined TOLI, completed her business training, and took a microloan worth $200, she felt determined to transform her business. But what she didn’t know was that so many other aspects of her life would change as well. 

In fact, the TOLI Microloan Program is designed to affect four main areas of change. As a result, clients experience holistic transformation, increasing their ability to:

          > Grow their business
          > Support their family
          > Increase Financial Stability
          > Grow Spiritually 

GROWING HER BUSINESS

For Lucy, she learned how to grow her business and her brand. With increased access to capital, Lucy increased her buying power. That means she more than doubled her income, upgraded the quality of her tea leaves, and built a loyal customer base who drink Lucy’s tea every day. 

SUPPORTING HER FAMILY

Lucy now supports her two children in elementary school. She’s saving for their future and wants them to flourish. 

 “My dream is to see my children complete their school, get employed and purchase their own cars,” she said. “I would be very happy to be cared for by my children.”

“My dream is to see my children complete their school, get employed and purchase their own cars. I would be very happy to be cared for by my children.”

INCREASING HER FINANCIAL STABILITY

Lucy now has enough money to support her family, to save for the future, and to pay back her loan installments. 

But what’s even more amazing is that she has money to invest in other projects. She expanded her small farm, where she grows beans, maize, and bananas. And she even expanded her home for her sons with thousands of bricks she made with her own two hands, using dirt and water and the heat of the sun. (Check out the end of the video to see how many bricks she made). 
 

GROWING SPIRITUALLY

Lucy is a tea dealer, farmer, and brick maker. But, most importantly, she’s a child of God.

Lucy knows God took her human brokenness and ordinariness, called her His own, and redeemed her to live in relationship with Him. God made Lucy’s brokenness beautiful.  And because of this, Lucy can turn ordinary things into beautiful things, too. She creates in the shadow of her creator. 

Through Lucy, I learned that leaves can make a warm drink and a beautiful business. Dirt can make a home. A microloan can lead to long-lasting transformation. I learned there’s beauty and change in the ordinary – in the smell of tea, in yellow bags, and in Lucy’s strong arms as she scoops leaves, turns dirt into bricks, and hugs her kids. There’s beauty in the growth of Lucy's business and in her dreams for the future.

And that beauty is far from ordinary.
 

In Christ
Audrey Putney
Communications Fellow

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— Come pray with us —

TOLI TUESDAY PRAYER GATHERING
Tuesday March 8 at 12pm MT

Join us via Zoom: Email Audrey for your link OR
Come to the TOLI office: 5785 N. Union, Colorado Springs, CO 80918

Learning to dream

How TOLI clients teach us the risks — and rewards — of dreaming big

Ah, January. The month of new starts, do-overs, goal setting, and dreaming about the year ahead. I’ve always loved the clean slate a new year brings. But goal-setting? DREAMING? Well, those are things I’ve had to learn. 

And no one’s taught me more about dreaming than TOLI clients. 

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“When I think about my dreams, I like to remember Genesis 8:14, ‘Is anything too hard for the Lord?’”
// Yodit, Ethiopia //

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One of the first things participants in TOLI’s Business Basics Course do is write down or draw their dreams. Sometimes it takes a minute for them to warm up, but given a little time, a blank sheet of paper, and lots of encouragement, soon big audacious dreams are flying around the room like fireworks: 

Dreams for their handful of chicks to become a huge poultry farm. 
Dreams for their kids to be the first in their family to go to university. 
Dreams to own land and a home built of stone, not tin.
Dreams for their community to have clean, running water in every home. 
Dreams for their country to experience lasting peace. 

These are bold dreams for anyone to put down on paper. Even bolder for those living in broken systems and environments, where the odds and resources are stacked against them. 

So yes, TOLI clients absolutely school me when it comes to dreaming. 

But why? Why does ‘dreaming big’ not come naturally for me? Me, with relatively easy access to all the resources and connections I’d need to bring so many dreams within reach? 

If I’m honest, maybe the answer is I haven’t been dreaming at all. Maybe I’m too comfortable. Maybe a little too attached to my present to open up to dreams of an unknown future. 

Dreaming — if it’s dreaming at all — should be risky, feel vulnerable, maybe even seem a bit foolish. For most of us, it’s just easier to play it safe.

But for most TOLI clients, life is not safe. Vulnerability is a given. Possessions and pride are not something to cling to. 

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“People discouraged me from following my dreams, but I didn't listen. I looked forward and pressed through the hard. God gave me strength.”
// Isis, Egypt  //

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I am reminded of this prayer by M. K. W. Heicher. When I came across it a few months back, it both sang and stung in my heart:

Disturb me, Lord, when I am too well pleased with myself,
When my dreams have come true because I have dreamed too little,
When I arrived safely because I sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb me, Lord, when with the abundance of things I possess
I have lost my thirst for the waters of life;
Having fallen in love with life, I have ceased to dream of eternity
And in my efforts to build a new earth, I have allowed my vision of the new heaven to dim.

Disturb me, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture on wider seas where storms will show your mastery;
Where losing sight of land, I shall find the stars.
I ask You to push back the horizons of my hopes;
And to push into the future in strength, courage, hope, and love. 

So in this new year, my goal is to practice what I’ve learned about dreaming from TOLI clients. 

To remember that dreaming is less about fantasy and more about faith. To ask God to “push back the horizons of my hopes.” And to find ways to help fulfill the dreams of those he puts in my path.

Want to join me? 

Abigail McConnell
Executive Director, TOLI

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"I have always dreamt of rearing pigs. What was lacking was resources to fulfill the dream but I'm happy TOLI helped me fulfill it."
// Lucyline, Kenya //

"I learned through the program to dream big, and that gave me many ideas, so this helped me overcome many obstacles that overcame me before. This helped me to be a successful woman in my business."
// Angelica , Nicaragua //

“I dream of having more inventory and a store like one in America.”

// Samia, Egypt //

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2021 GIVING STATEMENTS VIA EMAIL

This week you should be receiving your 2021 Year-End Giving Statements from us via email. If you didn't get it, be sure to check your spam or junk folder, or contact Erin Eilmes for assistance. (PS: This is a great time to make sure you've added us to your contacts!)

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More than a success story

If you passed by Evenor’s shop, you might just see an ordinary barber. But Evenor is far from ordinary. 

Evenor cuts a client’s hair at his barbershop.

Raised in an orphanage run by our partner in Central America, Evenor dreamed of one day having his own business and family. As a teenager, Evenor was discipled by leaders in the church. He was coached in business skills by TOLI Social Workers. And he was loved by a community of believers who modeled a life of worship and service. 

In high school, Evenor taught himself to cut hair, practicing on other kids at the orphanage. He graduated from our partner’s discipleship program and set off into adulthood. Then he started with TOLI in 2019, chasing his dream of becoming a small business owner.

Today, Evenor runs a busy barbershop in his town. 

He’s married and has a son of his own. 

He gives back to the orphanage where he was raised, cutting kids’ hair there for free. 

And he serves as a volunteer, pouring himself into the church that poured so much into him.

Evenor’s story is clearly a success story. But it’s so much more than that. It’s a story of relationships, redemption, the body of Christ, and ultimately, the Kingdom of God. 

Evenor, with his wife and son.

TOLI exists not only to invest in individuals, but to invest in local ministries that are bringing healing, building leaders, and living out this very good news: that Jesus is who he said he was, that he can be trusted, and that in him is where true ‘success stories’ are made complete.    

For our clients and for our ministry partners, TOLI’s microloan program is just one short chapter in their stories of seeking, finding, and sharing Jesus’ love. 

For TOLI, we’re grateful for how the 2021 chapter of our own story has grown, as we:

> opened a new TOLI branch in Uganda
> added a new site in Egypt 
> expanded our field staff to 29 
> granted over 30% more microloans compared to 2020 
> added a full-time Program Associate to the US office ... and more.

And you can be part of this unfolding story, too. 

If you’re praying about where to direct your year-end giving, please consider TOLI — or perhaps even consider giving directly to one of our trusted ministry partners, which you can learn more about here. Either way, your gift will be an investment that brings purpose and dignity to the lives of men and women like Evenor — and through them, the lasting hope of Christ. 

With gratitude and joy, 

Abigail McConnell
Executive Director

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Filled with Thankfulness

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!

1 CHRONICLES 16:8

How we are TOLI Thankful

From our US office staff in Colorado Springs, to field staff and volunteers at our partner ministries, to clients in neighborhoods around the world ... the TOLI family is counting its blessings. And top on all of our lists is YOU!
From our family to yours — Happy Thanksgiving!

What is a cycle of hope?

New to TOLI? Or need a refresher? Watch this quick video to see how TOLI’s simple but powerful program breaks the cycle of poverty and starts a cycle of hope in poor communities around the world.

Aregash (above), is from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. She’s one of more than 1,100 currently in the TOLI Microloan Program. Through the program she has:

• received small business training

• developed a business that provides reliable income

• increased her monthly earnings

• started saving money for the first time

• provided for her kids

• connected to the local church

• received steady support from Life Center, TOLI’s partner ministry

• received her own Bible

Aregash is nearly finished paying off her $200 microloan. Even during the challenges of COVID and political unrest in Ethiopia, she’s stayed on time and faithful to her commitment of repaying back to the program. The best part? That $200 will soon be recycled to another needy entrepreneur in the same community.

That’s that most powerful recycling program we know. That’s TOLI’s cycle of hope.

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A note of thanks

It’s worth saying again — THANK YOU to all who supported last month’s “Taste & See” event in Colorado Springs. More than 300 of you showed up, walked in the shoes of a TOLI client, and experienced the impact of the TOLI program firsthand. Together, you helped TOLI raise more than $111,000 to expand our reach and invest in the dreams of more families.

We are so grateful for your generosity, trust, and investment in what God is doing through TOLI and our ministry partners around the world.

If you missed it, here’s a quick clip of this extraordinary day:

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new addition to the us office

Help us welcome this year’s Communications Fellow, Audrey Putney, who joins us through the First Pres Fellows Program in Colorado Springs. The Fellows Initiative is a nationwide leadership and discipleship program for recent college graduates. Participants take part in graduate courses, a paid internship, mentoring and community service opportunities, to develop and apply their gifts, while learning to integrate a Christian worldview into all areas of life.

Audrey is a recent Baylor University graduate where she studied English and Business Administration. She brings with her experience in nonprofits, publications, and ministry, as well as a passion for other cultures. Her role at TOLI focuses on building our social media presence, mining monthly database for inspiring client stories, coordinating our Prayer Team and monthly Prayer Gatherings, and more. Audrey, we are so grateful to have you on the TeamTOLI!

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A heartfelt thank you

On September 23, 2021, more than 300 of you joined us in Colorado Springs to 'taste and see' the power of hope in unexpected places. At this special event, guests walked through a replica of a typical TOLI community, coming face to face with the realities of life in the hard places we work — but also the beauty, creativity, resilience, and joy found there, too. Together we learned stories of restoration, transformation, and the power of investing in just ONE.

In response, you gave more than $105,000 to support TOLI's work around the world. Your generosity, trust, and prayers are an overwhelming encouragement to TOLI's staff and ministry partners. THANK YOU for your support. We are so grateful.

Here are a few scenes from the big day!

A glimpse of the TOLI walk-through experience at Taste & See:

Thank you again for investing in the dreams of others through TOLI. What an honor to partner with all of you in ministry.

With gratitude and joy,

Abigail McConnell
Executive Director, TOLI

PS: One more thing. I just can't go without telling you about one of the small miracles of "Taste & See." After planning for more than 10 months for this event on September 23, we woke up that day to a sweet reminder that God was with us. The verse of the day on the Bible app — used by more than 400 million worldwide, mind you — was none other than Psalm 34:8, "Taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him."

Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.
— P S A L M 3 4 : 3

Growing businesses — and believers

What does a microloan program have to do with Jesus? For TOLI, pretty much everything.

“I want to say something," said Amara,* as she raised her hand in the middle of class. "I want to receive Jesus as my personal savior.”

Amara had just heard a volunteer read scripture to kick off a recent session of TOLI's Business Basics Course — a free class designed for microloan clients in vulnerable communities and based on Biblical principles.

A TOLI client prays to receive Jesus Christ in a business training class.

"Prayers work!" said Hailu, TOLI Social Worker in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as he retold Amara's story to us. Amara, a widow and mom of two young kids, had joined the class earlier this summer. She had hoped to start her own business. What she started first was new life in Christ.

Amara is a perfect reminder of TOLI's most fundamental why: To introduce others to Jesus. And our how — as unlikely as it may seem — is through microloans. That's because the foundations of TOLI's microloan program are firmly built on Gospel witness. Here's how:

> Mission-aligned partnerships. We work with Christ-centered Partner Ministries whose mission aligns with ours. We are yoked together, committed to praying for each others’ leaders and kingdom callings. (ie, "Prayers work!")
> Spiritually mature staff. From social workers to board members, TOLI team members at every level are mature Christ-followers, activated for ministry.
> Relationship-building. The ongoing relationships between our Social Workers and our clients are fertile ground for meaningful spiritual growth, filled with opportunities for conversation and questions at a deeper level.
> Connecting with the local church. The local church is the most powerful tool available for spiritual growth. Our Social Workers help connect clients to the local church for important resources, activities, spiritual support, and worship services whenever they can.

Bible distribution is just one way TOLI shares the good news of Jesus Christ.

TOLI clients experience spiritual growth through our program in different ways.

Some clients, like Amara, accept Jesus in a pronounced, dramatic way. Others slowly learn to lean on him through prayer, or take small steps of faith, or return to the church after wandering. Others simply learn to trust a Christian for the first time. But in every case, TOLI clients are given access to the Word of God with a copy of their own Bible, along with the ongoing support and unconditional love of our field staff.

So, yes, we believe business growth is the best solution to poverty. But we also believe true poverty can't be cured without a relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray with us that every client, just like Amara, would raise her hand before him too. *names have been changed for privacy.

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COME PRAY WITH US.

This Tuesday, we'll be joined by Maged Metyas, Egypt Country Director, for September's prayer gathering on Zoom. You'll hear the latest updates and prayer requests from TOLI's largest and fastest-growing program. And as always, we'll share prayer needs from all around the TOLI family. Email Audrey Putney for your Zoom link.

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JUST A FEW SEATS LEFT...

Come experience the power of hope in unexpected places at our Fall event, Taste & See. Just a few seats remain, so reserve your spot today. Tickets are $50 (Lunch only — dinner is sold out.)

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THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS EVENT SPONSORS:

Update from the field

What's happening around the TOLI family? LOTS.

Here's a cheat sheet on the latest news from all our partners.

EGYPT // New hope, new locations
> 673 CLIENTS currently in the program. 
> WHAT'S NEW? Two new TOLI locations have launched this year — in Taha Al Amidah and Atlidem, both in Upper Egypt. We've added staff and structure to our head office in Cairo, which is accelerating program growth throughout the country and beyond, even launching a new program in Uganda in May. 
> COVID UPDATE. After a spring spike in cases, things are opening up again and the outlook is hopeful. We're especially encouraged that groups are allowed to gather again for business training for the first time in 18 months.  
> HOW YOU CAN PRAY. For our field staff: Social Workers (14 and counting); Maged Metyas, Egypt Country Director, Evette Shoukry, Program Assistant; and Bassem Gad, Financial Assistant; and for Pastor Sameh Anwar, Missions Pastor at Heliopolis Church, our Strategic Partner. For clients' courage and boldness to restart business projects after setbacks or interruptions. 

KENYA // Growing the TOLI family — and the church
> 183 CLIENTS currently in the program. 
> WHAT'S NEW? We're thrilled to add Thika Town Church (PCEA) to the TOLI network, which will spearhead our outreach in the slum of Kiandutu, north of Nairobi. We even joined forces on a special project to build a new church in Kiandutu (which was just completed and dedicated August 1!) We're growing our field staff too, adding four new social workers so far this year, bringing the team to six.
> COVID UPDATE. After a spring spike and an accompanying lockdown, cases of Covid fell in early summer. However recent data shows an uptick in cases again. 
> HOW YOU CAN PRAY. The pandemic has taken its toll on youth and education. Schools closing meant a spike in teen pregnancies, female genital mutilation (FGM), and forced marriage. Pray for students as they head back to school this month. Pray for the new church in Kiandutu. Pray for wisdom for our partners as they discern God's plan for TOLI in Kenya. Pray for clients whose businesses were set back by the pandemic. Pray for our Social Workers Nicholas, Mary, Olive, Casperin, Hellen, and Judy; pray for Partner Ministries Kenya Connection Ministries, and Comet House.

CENTRAL AMERICA // New staff helps continue the recovery
> 73 CLIENTS currently in the program 
> WHAT'S NEW? We welcomed new Social Workers — Orlando and Miguel — who are helping expand TOLI in Puerto Cabezas. Our Business Basics Course is attracting more and more participants; recently we celebrated 17 graduates.
> COVID UPDATE. The spread of the coronavirus seems to have slowed. However, the rainy season has driven up cases of dengue fever, malaria, and other respiratory illnesses, especially in kids. 
> HOW YOU CAN PRAY. The pandemic plus two catastrophic hurricanes in late 2020 caused incredible hardship. Many clients lost homes, businesses, and support systems. Pray for hope, determination, and courage for them and wisdom for our partners and field staff for how to best serve them. Pray for Social Workers Junior, Orlando, and Miguel. Pray for Partner Ministry.

 ETHIOPIA // Ray of hope in a season of conflict
> 38 CLIENTS currently in the program 
> WHAT'S NEW? Our partner Life Center Ethiopia began a fruitful collaboration with The Unique 7,000 Church in Addis Ababa, and it's yielding powerful results. Client reach has doubled in the first half of this year and we're on track to hit our target of providing 60 microloans to widows in 2021.
> COVID UPDATE. Cases spiked severely in the spring, but have decreased again. Markets are open and businesses are on the mend. 
> HOW YOU CAN PRAY. Ethiopia itself has had a horrific year. War in the Tigray region has meant civil unrest, inflation, and insecurity throughout the country, and recent reports indicate the conflict is spreading to other areas. Please pray for PEACE. Pray for Hailu, our Social Worker, and for our Partner Ministry, Life Center. 

UGANDA // COVID creates big hurdles for new program
> 10 CLIENTS currently in the program 
> WHAT'S NEW? Everything! Uganda is our newest location, so it is still in the incubation stages. 
> COVID UPDATE. Infection rates are falling after a lockdown imposed in June. Restrictions recently have been eased, but schools, churches, mosques, seasonal markets remain closed. 
> HOW YOU CAN PRAY. Pray for our 10 fledging clients. The COVID spike has made for a rough start. Pray for our Social Worker Christine, as she learns and leads the TOLI program in Luwero. Pray for COVID to decrease and the lockdown to lift. Pray for our Egypt team to be able to visit to help continue establishing this TOLI location. Pray for Partner Ministry Goshen Gospel Church.