For more than a year, Grace has been slowly building a partnership relationship with Esperanza International, an organization whose mission is to free children and their families from poverty through initiatives that generate income, education and health, restoring self-worth and dignity to those who have lost hope.

The church has already taken several groups on mission trips to the Dominican with Esperanza, focusing on education, relationship building, construction, and — coming this fall —medical work. We have now chosen to make a substantial financial partnership with this exciting and effective ministry.

Here is an excerpt from a letter Pastor Mike sent this week to those who have given financially to global missions at Grace:

“A huge portion of Esperanza’s ministry in the Dominican Republic is microcredit — the extending of small loans (average $150) to empower the working poor with self-employment so they can invest in their businesses, use their profits to improve nutrition and living conditions, and send their children to school.

Last month, Grace gave $25,000 of our global missions funds to Esperanza International to assist the funding of 10 ‘banks.’ At the end of September, we will give $25,000 more. These banks in turn will provide up to 400 families with microloans to lift themselves out of poverty. Grace also donated $10,000 to support vocational training for the working poor. Later this fall, you’ll be able to log on to mygraceorlando.com and see names of the families and the actual businesses they have started through your gifts.”

Esperanza’s founder, former Seattle Mariners catcher David Valle, will be at Grace Orlando on Sunday, September 18th to share the vision and mission of Esperanza. Services at 9:30 or 11am at the Edgewater High School auditorium.