"Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."- Luke 2:14 NIV

In spite of all the economic challenges of 2010, we have certainly experienced the "favor" of God here in the USA.  But economic prosperity isn't the kind of "favor" referred to here is it?  In dire economic circumstances, our Pakistani Brothers & Sisters have also experienced the "favor" of that same Savior heralded by the angels long ago.  They are expressing His love to their oppressors, offering real peace in a place where peace is hard to find.  Your partnership with HFC is making this possible and making a difference in the Kingdom of God!  See what a difference your investment of just $50/mo. for one year makes in the life of an impoverished Christian entrepreneur in Pakistan ($600 is our average size loan.)!  Please read the story below and see what I mean.

May you experience the peace of Christ as you serve the Him in the New Year!  Merry Christmas!

Dave Karstens

The Kingdom of God in Pakistan is growing through Harvest Field Corner's MicroEnterprise endeavors.

"Midian so impoverished the Israelites that they cried out to the Lord for help."  - Judges 6:6

As in Gideon's time, Pakistani Christians have been driven into impoverishment by the majority Muslim community because of their faith.  Christian families, Pastors, and churches exist in impoverishment and are crying out to Lord for help.

"Salamgee"  (Pakistani greeting pronounced "Saa-lam-zee")  My name is Shahbaz,  I am a Pakistani Christian.  I live with my wife Romilla, our seven children, both of our parents, my two younger brothers as well as my youngest brother's wife.

Three years ago we had nothing.  Some days I found work to do, but most of the time we were hungry.  Our clothes were falling apart.  My second youngest child, my precious daughter, Naomi, was very sick and we could not afford the medicine for her.  When she died we had no money to bury her, but the neighbors in our Christian Community helped.

One day everyone in our church congregation was very excited.  Our Pastor came and told us a Brother Reuben was coming to our church with a USA Christian named Brother Jerry.  They are going to hold a seminar telling us how we can start our own business to support our families.

I had been praying about using my welding experience to start a welding shop, but I   didn't have the money to buy a welder. I attended the seminar and learned that God desires to bless and provide for His Children who live in Biblical obedience.  Reuben gave us a training manual and spent several hours explaining Biblical Stewardship, this is the very first time we had heard this teaching. Our Pastor embraced this training.  Brother Reuben explained the principle of tithing, how to tithe on the money we take from our business to live on. Reuben explained how to apply for a business start up loan. He explained that Harvest Field Corners would only loan money for business income generation purposes. I completed the form they called a Business Plan and was one of the eight families in our church selected for a loan to start my welding shop.

My business has done well.  My family and relatives now have enough food to eat and clothes to wear. After a few months my business had grown so I hired two men from our church. My family rejoices, as now we can help others in need. I am able to tithe every single week. Praise be to God, all of my children (including my daughters) are now going to a Christian School, as we now have money to pay tuition and buy their supplies.

Brother Reuben also gave business start up loans to several other families in our church congregation.

Pastor Taj is very happy because church attendance and offerings are still increasing. Our church has added a room to Pastor's home, as his family is growing. Our church also started a Christian School for our children to attend.  Even Muslim children in the neighborhood are attending. We almost have the money saved to purchase Pastor a motorbike.  Pastor needs this as he recently started a house church in another section of our city.

As I have paid back my loan, others are using this same money to start their businesses. Sometimes my Muslim customers ask me about Jesus Christ. I see God working in their life.

My youngest brother and his wife are expecting a baby soon. This precious child will not have to know hunger because recently Brother Reuben told my younger brother that his application to start a sewing shop has been approved. This is another answer to our prayers.

Since this training Brother Reuben called Biblical Stewardship, our congregation has been extremely blessed and those following this teaching have a better lifestyle. With the increased tithe from those who have received business loans, our church is now planning to support a young brother who is going to his family's home village to tell the people the truth about Jesus Christ and hopes to start a church. This village of 800 families, over 5,000 people, has 11 Mosques but not one church.  God has been very gracious and merciful to my family.  Thank you for giving this money that started all of this.

Friends, Shahbaz and his family are representative of true stories happening through Harvest Field Corners MicroEnterprise ministry.  HFC builds up Pakistan's national church by blending Biblical Stewardship Training with microenterprise strategies. HFC accomplishes this thru a Pastor Partnership program. Presently HFC has a waiting list of Pastors who want us to present this program to their church congregation.

Just $6000 will start 8 new businesses within one of these impoverished church communities.  Income-generation Businesses operated by Christian entrepreneurs include food markets, bicycle shops, sewing shops, etc.  Within nine months, enough money will be repaid to start a ninth business within the church community without any additional monetary gifts.  Over a five year period, this original $5000 investment provides the resources for about twenty four Christian-operated businesses to be started. The repayment ratio is 99%.  Dollars given today will uplift impoverished Pakistani believers for many years to come.  Through stewardship training, along with meeting the practical needs of economically persecuted believers, evangelism doors are opened, children are educated, and the needy are cared for.

Through this unique microenterprise program, Pakistan's persecuted church is now growing.  You too can provide a perpetual blessing to persecuted believers in Pakistan by investing in Harvest Field Corners' microenterprise loan fund.

PRAISES & PRAYERS

PRAISE - 1.5 ACRES OF LAND in Pakistan purchase finalized in November for future HFC HQ.

PRAISE - HFC will be distributing nearly $30,000 for FLOOD RELIEF providing food, blankets, medical clinics and 120 water purifiers distributed by Christians to Christian and Muslim communities alike.

PRAISE - $25,000+ contributed from Church at Briargate, Colorado Springs to HFC MicroEnterprise Loan Fund for Community Investment Partnership in Pakistan. Changing Lives ... Building God's Kingdom!

PRAY - VISA application approval by Pakistan embassy for DAVE KARSTENS (Feb) and JERRY TUTTLE (Mar) 2011 TRIP TO PAKISTAN.

PRAY- Continued growth in MICROENTERPRISE LOAN FUND in 2011, core ministry growth vehicle for HFC ministry in PK.  100% of donated funds have been used in PK mission!