Cafe Funding

Ever wondered how one "funds" a small business, that cannot be called a "ministry" for the sake of one's own life, while knowing that the "business" will most likely not ever be very lucrative or able to be sold in a "bad time?" How does one entice "investors" to participate in something that is full of risk, far away and that cannot be publicized lest the business owner's life be jeopardized?

That is the dilemma that Lee and Stefi had while serving in a dark place while trying to be a light bearer. A cafe was the vision that God gave these dear saints in order to reach out to the needy, lonely, seeking ones in a dark city. Equipment was purchased, space was rented and renovated, and the Oasis was up and running. Unfortunately, constant danger and threats required the closing and relocation of the Oasis. Potential profits turned into losses. Items purchased on faith, on credit, were not able to be sold to repay the initial investment.

Starting over in a new place was expensive, yet promising. A nice locale, great ideas, helpful partners made the venue seem like a real possibility, until life and war intervened. A hard choice had to be made. Sell for profit and pay off the small business loan, or practically give the business away, in hopes that it would bring some seekers to Glory one day. The choice to err on the side of eternity was made, and Lee carries the business costs with him from country to country.
A less faithful servant would have not risked their own welfare for others, not chosen the less lucrative buyer, not honored the debt from nation to nation. This servant reports to the King, so bit by bit, step by step, the cost of serving others was carried by one family.

If you would like to help fund an ongoing ministry, with great potential to bring light in the darkness in a way that other means would not work, you can help pay back the loan incurred for the start up of two cafes beyond our borders. How? Future posts will tell you where and how you can give. You can give one time, you can give monthly, you can give later........but you can still give.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could know that we each had a small part in starting something amazing, in a very far away and very scary place, that just might bring someone to our eternal family reunion? I can't think of a better investment....can you?