kiva.org

I have been seeking guidance from the Holy Spirit about how to use the $25 that the church passed out in May. I have carried it around in my purse, hoping I would stumble across a person in need like the Good Samaritan did. I consciously kept my ears open as I went about my normal activities. When I got my oil changed, I thought maybe someone in the car place might need money to help pay a surprise bill. No such person appeared. When I went to the library and Wal-Mart I kept my eyes open. But I couldn’t find anyone. I thought about donating it to some on-going ministry of the church, but that didn’t feel right to me for this money. So, I’ve been stumped.

During the last few weeks however, I have been inspired by Dr. Bob’s sermons. I have been learning to use both Twitter and Facebook; and I have had a great time doing it. Yesterday as I was playing around with Twitter, I came across something that was truly exciting and new to me. I found a link to a “Leadership Summit” that is currently happening in New Jersey. The Leadership Summit is being hosted by Bill Hybels of the Willow Creek Church. (I have been using a book by Bill Hybels to teach the “Praying With Power Class”). At the Leadership Summit, the audience is tweeting as they listen. They summarize what the speakers are saying and make pithy little comments about what is happening. So, I have been following the Summit with Twitter!

Yesterday one of the presenters was a young woman named Jessica Jackley. She wowed the crowd by telling them about an organization named Kiva. Kiva uses the internet to make loans that change lives. It links people in need with people who can help. So, I looked at the website today, and decided to make a loan to a vegetable trader who works in an open-air market in Thika, Kenya. I chose Kenya because of our church’s special interest there and I chose a vegetable trader because I love going to the Winter Park Farmer’s Market every week. He was asking for a total of $625 to increase his stock of vegetables, and others had already donated most of the amount before me. Only $25 more is needed to reach Paul’s goal. One of the best things I like about Kiva is the fact that Paul will repay me the loan in about a year. When that happens, I can loan the money to someone else.

The Holy Spirit took a while to lead me to Kiva.org . He used Dr. Bob’s sermons, the Leadership Summit, and Twitter to get me there. I’m hoping that someone reading this blog will also check out kiva.org and make a loan that will change someone’s life.

Holly Boardman