Due to some unfortunate family circumstances that were unable to be reconciled and due to cultural village politics, one young man was forced to leave his village and seek out a life far from his relatives and home. We were sad to see H go, as he had been a hard worker and had become a friend to our family. More than that, he had shown some interest and openness in talking about spiritual things with us. Several months after he moved away to the capital, leaving his young wife and baby behind, we realized we had been given an opportunity to provide a job for him that would allow him to live closer to his relatives and even have his wife and baby back in his life. We called him to see what he thought about the offer and he jumped on the opportunity. He quit the tiresome truck driving job he was working and left his rented room and moved up to be our property manager where the new warehouse dry mill is located. We’ve been able to build him a home, provide him with what he would call “luxuries,” such as a hot water heater and a refrigerator and gas stove, and reunite him with his wife and son. His mom and dad who are leaders in the village have expressed great gratitude of how we’ve cared for their son in the midst of the family difficulties.

Another young man, M, who just got married last month was given the opportunity to come with his new bride to work at the dry mill for the post-harvest milling season. He was so grateful to have this opportunity to have a steady income and still be with his wife, as it’s very common for husbands to seek jobs in other cities, and it is the cultural norm to leave your wife back home with her in-laws. M’s face lit up when we told him we could provide work for both him and his wife if it wouldn’t leave his parents in a bind. He assured us that they would be as thrilled as he was for the chance to have a steady job for the season and made plans to come as soon as we need him.

T is a young man from the same village as the other two families who had gone down to the capital searching for work. He ended up working at a clothing factory for six months, until he could no longer stand it. The tiresome hours of standing in one place ironing material day after long day was taking a toll on him. Although he still needed work, he realized this was not worth it and moved back to the village unemployed. When we offered him a position on our dry-mill team, he eagerly accepted and seems to have a new bounce to his step and brightness in his eyes grateful for the opportunity he’s been given.

We’re trusting that working side by side, day in and day out with these families will provide opportunities to deepen our relationship with these dear people. We are asking Father that He would do great things in their lives and hearts and we thank Him for the people He’s brought to be on our team. We’re grateful for our business allowing us to continue to be here and providing opportunities for these families and others. May He do great things!