"The Spiritual Danger of Doing Good" now translated into Korean...

Peter Greer is the author of a book, "The Spiritual Danger of Doing Good." He is the CEO of Hope International, a network of Christian micro finance and micro enterprise development organizations operating in 15 countries. Also, he is a man of God who loves and serves God and His Kingdom through faithful ministry of serving the poor as called by Jesus.

I have been trying to live a life that is in line with God's calling to do good in my life because it is the purpose of God's creation of us. (Ephesians 2:10) But when I read this book, it has pierced my heart with a challenge to examine myself for the true motive of doing good. There were a lot of hidden and subtle self-motives that need to be examined and cleansed.

This experience and honest confession helped purify my ill-gotten motives over time.

It was too shameful to read and benefit from the book myself. I desired to share the book with many friends of mine who are Koreans. The only way to do it was to translate it into Korean. I have never translated any book into Korean, but with some help, I have decided to do it. With God's grace, this effort has come to fruition and the book has now been published in February.

It is only my prayer that many people benefit from this book. - Jeffrey

The following is the statement that I wrote for the book in Korean:

옮기고 나서

이 책의 저자 피터 그리어 Peter Greer는 철저한 기독교 정신을 바탕으로 15개 국에서 크리스천 마이크로 파이낸스 사역을 하는 호프 인터내셔널 Hope International의 CEO다. Hope는 내가 지난 5년간 CEO로 섬겨온 르완다에 있는 크리스천 마이크로 파이낸스 은행 Urwego Opportunity Bank(UOB)의 대주주 중 하나다. 피터는 UOB의 전신인 마이크로 파이낸스 기관의 책임자를 맡기도 했기에 우리는 개인적으로도 아는 사이이다.

하지만 내가 이 책을 번역하기로 결정한 이유는 이런 조직적 관계나 개인적 친분 때문이 아니다.

이 책을 읽으면서 나름 선한 삶을 살려고 노력해온 나의 모습을 너무도 적나라하게 들여다볼 수 있었기 때문이다.

• 내가 선한 일을 하는 진정한 동기는 무엇인가.
• 겉으로 아름답게 보이기는 하지만 사실 위선의 가면을 쓰고 있지는 않은가.
• 남들의 건설적 비판에 나는 얼마나 내 마음을 열고 받아들였는가.
• 일 때문에 나는 더 소중한 것들을 희생하지는 않았는가.

이런 질문들이 급소를 찌르듯 나를 아프게 했다. 부피는 얇지만 읽고 또 읽을 수 밖에 없었다. 반성하고 회개하기를 여러 번 하면서 조금씩 맑아지는 정신을 체험하게 되었다. 나를 자성하고 돌아보게 하는 책, 혼자만 읽기에 너무 아까웠다.

한국에는 참으로 이 모양 저 모양으로 선한 일을 하는 많은 사람들과 기관들이 있다. 종교적이건 아니건, 많은 모습으로 선한 열매 맺는 삶을 살고 싶어 하는 사람들에게 이 책을 통해 자신을 한 번 돌아보는 계기가 되었으면 하는 바람으로 이 책을 번역하게 되었다.

글쓰는 것이 익숙하지 않아서 실수가 있을 것이다. 하지만 이 책이 독자의 일그러진 작은 모습 하나라도 바르게 할 수 있다면 시간을 쪼개어 번역한 노력이 보람으로 느껴질 것이다.

2014년 2월 6일

아프리카 르완다 키갈리에서

제프리 리Jeffrey Lee     

UOB Leadership Retreat February 2014...

UOB holds a leadership retreat usually in February. In 2014, we held this retreat with almost 50 leaders participating.

This 2-night 3-day leadership retreat focuses on three R's: Rest, Reflection and Renewal.

Rest goes without saying much. Rest is not just doing nothing, but getting away from daily routines and immersing in the beauty of God's creation and fellowship with colleagues, better yet brothers and sisters in Christ. Through praise, prayer and preaching of the Word, we also find rest in God and in Him only. It is, therefore, a physical, mental and spiritual rest.

Reflection is on the reality of the past and the present. The cold reality of the challenges we have faced in our business operations, including but not limited to the decline in loan disbursements and loan client number, the rise in PAR, write-off and frauds, and the deterioration in operating sustainability. Also, we reflected on the upcoming big projects such as T24 R23 model bank migration project and GIZ EnDev program. Reflection gives us a sense of how weak and helpful we are and how much we need to trust and depend on God.

Debating on topics

Voting for the best business improvement ideas

Renewal is of the strength, the hope and dedication. We can find the true north and draw strength from the true north, Jesus Christ. This renewed strength is of Christ, by Christ and for Christ. Drawing this strength from Christ gives us a hope in that only Christ can give. The hope that eventually He will achieve what is good in His eyes. Thus, we can renew our dedication to loving Him, to responding to His calling and serving His purpose.

Group discussion for business ideas

Explaining the rules of the votes

This was the last leadership retreat for me and it was my prayer that the good and faithful Lord equip and empower them in what they do for serving the underprivileged people of Rwanda through UOB. - Jeffrey

First Truck Loan to Dukundamatungo Cooperative ...

UOB is a micro finance bank. So its primary lending activities center around micro business loans to micro entrepreneurs to help develop micro enterprises. Trust group loans are a prevalent form of lending. There are some variations to trust group loans for experienced borrowers. Also there are loans that are for those who want to graduate from trust group loans, such as new solidarity group loans and micro business loans.

Over the past few years, UOB has taken innovative approaches in loan products by introducing education finance products, agricultural finance products and energy loan products. These have been introduced in the past.

UOB has made its first truck loan to a cooperative, named Dukundamatungo Cooperative. The truck cost was Rwf19 million of which Rwf16 million was financed with UOB's loan. This cooperative is for dairy farmers. This cooperative has 170 farmers. They all raise cows for milk production. The farmers need to transport the milk that their cows produce twice a day, but they have been lacking transportation vehicles to timely send the milk to milk collection centers or MCCs and further to the buyer or milk processing centers. This 4.5-ton truck will be used effectively to make this transportation process fast and smooth.

UOB has been working with Kiva.org to create a community loan product that is designed to help not one borrower but multiple people through a loan to a community organization, such as cooperatives, like Dukundamatungo. If this works well, we can scale up to other dairy cooperatives for this type of purpose.

May we continue our efforts to advancing the benefits we can provide for many farmers and micro entrepreneurs, Lord! - Jeffrey  

MoU signed with Kirehe District...

Rwanda has 30 districts as municipal governments. They are decentralized and self-governing municipalities under five governors who are appointed by the central government. Districts are governed by Mayors who are elected by the citizens.

Among them is Kerihe District that is located at the far south eastern corner of Rwanda under the governor of Eastern Province. UOB has been exploring various ways to work together with Kirehe District from three years ago.

Finally, UOB and Kirehe District has signed a Memorandum of Understanding on February 21st, 2014 to expand collaboration between two organizations.

This MoU has been signed after UOB was able to provide agricultural production loans for more than 7,000 farmers in the last months of 2013 in a short notice. These farmers grow maize and rice, primarily.

Kirehe District is among top districts for growing maize, rice and beans all of which are strategic agricultural crops for UOB's agricultural financing program. Moreover, Kirehe District's Mayor has been well known for his proactive leadership and innovative approaches to excellence. For the past five years, he has made tremendous progress in several fronts, including agricultural farming and Umurenge SACCOs. Umurenge means sector and Kirehe District has 12 sectors.

UOB will explore additional possibilities to help out the farmers in Kirehe District for the purpose of expanding financial inclusion in this district. The first item on the agenda is to sign up 12 Umurenge SACCOs in Kirehe District as mHose agents. If this materialzes, citizens in Kirehe District will have much easier access to formal financial services through mobile and agent banking scheme.

May the Lord bless us with this endeavor! - Jeffrey

Shalom Bible Study (SBS)...

Seonjun, Yeongsup, Jaejoon, Jonghak, Bin, Jihyun, Kristin, Jungwha

Shalom Bible Study (SBS) started five years ago with three KOICA volunteers. KOICA stands for Korea Internal Cooperation Agency, Korean government agency for international cooperation and volunteers.

SBS was not a shepherding ministry but a disciple-making ministry. SBS has focused on strengthening, equipping and empowering Jesus-followers to be effective in loving and serving Jesus, particularly through godly lives that reflect the true light, Jesus Christ.

SBS has since then received and graduated approximately 35 people. Most of them were KOICA volunteers. They came and left SBS as they completed their two-year assignments. Some were residents in Rwanda, including a couple of missionaries. Also there were interns to UOB and several visitors.

What has been encouraging us is that a few of them started SBS Seoul after they went back to Korea using the same material that we have been using in Rwanda.

SBS has studied several topics, including Ephesians, Colossians, Romans, God's Names, Full Armor of God, Acts, Beatitudes, Kingdom of God, Good Steward's Financial Management and Hebrews.

The last study was on the book of Hebrews and the last and 26th session was held on Friday, February 21st, 2014. It also was the last off-line session for SBS because we have decided to go on line as we take a sabbatical leave in 2014.

Jooheum, Jihun and Sangmin, First members

We started with Jooheum, Jihun and Sangmin five years ago and ended with the attendance of Jihyun, Junghwa, Yeongsup, Jonghak, Seonjoon, Bin and Jaejoon. In between there were many others.

SBS has been a tremendous blessing to me and Kristin. The time of fellowship has been edifying and it has helped me greatly grow in the Scriptures through thorough preparation time for the study.

On the last day, SBS members gave us unbelievably precious gifts: contemporary Korean traditional clothes. We could not meet the request to put them on, but I have included their photos here. They are invaluable gifts and we will treasure them dearly. Thank you all!

I have put some photos of SBS history, including the first group, Christmas dinner, special song at St. Etienne Christmas Carol Concert, special song at Agape Church etc. What lovely and unforgettable moments for us! Thank you, Lord, for the blessing we have received through SBS! I pray that all SBS alumni will receive your favor in living their lives as godly as you wanted them to be to be the light of the world reflecting your true light in the dark world! - Jeffrey

Special Song at Agape Church 2012

Hayan Lee Send-off Nov 2013

SBS After finishing Ephesians March 2010

SBS after split into two groups in 2011

Christmas dinner in 2012

SBS July 2013

After the last session in 2012

Christmas Carol at St. Etienne Cathedral Carol Concert

SBS members who were Interns to UOB

Vietnamese wrap dinner Feb 2013

College Tuition Loans...

Grace Uwantege

UOB has launched many special purpose loan and deposit products. One strategic area is education finance or EduFinance in short.

Under UOB's EduFinance program, UOB has launched school fee loans to provide funding for parents to pay the school tuition for their children or loved ones to be paid over a school term. UOB has financed almost 1,000 parents or 12,00 students.

UOB has also launched school improvement loans designed to help small private school entrepreneurs who provide quality schooling for children nearby. These loans are used to build additional classrooms, establish computer labs, install fences or buy land for expansion in the future. This product was pilot-tested in 2013 and is being scaled up in 2014. To date, we have provided these loans to 15 schools.

UOB has also launched college tuition loans that are designed to help students or parents finance college education costs. This product has been struggling mainly because of the uncertainty related to the job insecurity after the schooling. But we have had some success with vocational students.

Here is one story that exhibits how the college tuition loan has helped this young lady, called Grace Uwantege. .

Grace's father learned about an American institute, Akila Institute for Women, which focuses on providing first class academic training for girls about the hospitality industry. The school's tuition is expensive, but the school arranges scholarship for all students for the most of  the tuition fee. Naturally, the selection process is rigorous. Grace passed the admission test.

Although Grace passed the admission test, she still had to secure a funding for the balance of the tuition fee because Grace's family income was approximately $224 per month, which was not enough to pay for Grace's tuition, plus living expenses for seven members of her family. 

Grace also learned about UOB's college tuition loan program and received the loan to cover all tuition costs until graduation. 

Grace completed her education, earned a good score and has been hired by Marriott Hotel as an intern to be trained in Dubai for a year. She is expected to be one of the starting staff for Marriott Hotel under construction in Kigali, Rwanda. This Marriott Hotel is the first Marriott branch in the Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Here is Grace's statement:

“To me this was a wonderful experience as I learned to live in a country far away from my parents. My internship was successfully done and I am in Rwanda as MARRIOTT STAFF waiting for new appointment in Rwanda, as one of the supervisors. I am really grateful to UOB RWANDA that decided to support young students through this kind of tuition fee loan. It just opened the new door of opportunity for me and I know I am not the only one.”

It is my prayer that there will be more students like Grace who can complete their college training to become contributing citizens of Rwanda. - Jeffrey

Central Bank's Monetary Policy Statement...

Vice Governor, Governor and Chief Economist

National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) is Rwanda's central bank. It holds a conference to update on the monetary policy and financial stability twice a year.

On February 12th, BNR held its semiannual conference on the topic as of December 31st 2013.

Despite the macro economic challenges Rwanda faced in 2013, Rwanda continued its growth with an estimated 6.5% growth in GDP. That is a tremendous progress in light of the significant challenges many people and institutions suffered last year. Meanwhile, Rwanda's inflation remained well tame at 3.5% in December 2013.

Rwanda's currency devalued a little faster than before mainly because the foreign currency supply was disrupted while the demand remained stable. It devalued approximately 6% against USD, 8% against GBP and 10% against EURO. But Rwanda registered a healthy growth in exports while keeping the imports low, thus improving the import coverage to 25%. Including the informal trade primarily with Burundi and DR Congo, this ratio improves even further.

Due to sluggish economy, BNR loosened up its monetary policy by lowering the key repo rate to 7% from 7.5%, thus easing the money supply. Bank credits increased 15%, a healthy gain, despite the sluggish economy, although bank credits centered around hospitality industry and tourism.

Meanwhile, ATMs, branches, agents continued to increase in 2013, thus expanding the delivery channel.

Participants

Rwanda continues the cruising and praise the Lord!

People enjoy attending this conference. Almost everyone who is interested in Rwandan economy and monetary policy attends. This time the attendance was the record high. Even government ministers and parliamentary members attend, in addition to news media and those who are working in the financial services industry.

2014 is expected to see a better performance overall. It is my wish to see the country to continue developing and improving until it shines like a star among developing countries and until it is recognized by the world for what the country has done over a few decades after the tragic genocide. - Jeffrey  

Pico Hydraulic Power Plant...

This is the pico hydraulic power plant

Rwanda is short of electricity. It is a developing country and the demand for the power has been rapidly increasing. But the supply of the power has not increased as rapidly despite the government's efforts to diversifying the sources of power, including methane gas extraction, hydraulic power plants, charcoal power plants.

In addition to these on-grid power generation and supply, the government has encouraged developers to establish off-grid village power plants. The most popular type is pico hydraulic power plants. It is called pico because of its micro size of the capacity to generate the power. Typically, this pico type includes any micro hydraulic power plants up to 50 kw.

Water channel to collect water

UOB received approval from GIZ EnDev program to be the financial institution to manage up to Euro 4 million to support project developers of these pico hydraulic power plants  and suppliers of solar lighting. GIZ is the German government's implementing organization of various international development projects. EnDev stands for Energizing Development covering all aspects of development projects that may help and enhance the livelihood of the target countries. The funding organization is Department for International Development, the United Kingdom's agency for international development. DFID has six pilot projects to support the energy development around the world and two of them are in Rwanda: village grids and solar lighting.

Pico hydraulic power plan works this way. The operator detours water through a channel and collect the water at a pool at least 20 meters of height. From this pool, the water is dropped through a pipe unto a turbine to produce energy to generate the power.

Field visit team

It is a great honor that they chose to work with UOB, but this area is a new field for UOB. So we took a field visit to see how the pico hydraulic power plant works on February 13th. The team comprised myself, UOB's chief operating officer, loan underwriting team leader, Dr. Lee who is specialized in electrical engineering, along with three people from GIZ.

We visited one in Nyamagabe District in a deep village. This particular plant's capacity is 12 kw and is barely serving the needs of 28 users. Specialists found that the wiring was poorly done, resulting in voltage drop during transmission, and the turbine may not be functioning properly because it was not installed properly. These represented an opportunity for the village to benefit from this EnDev program. The executive secretary of the sector was excited to hear that they may improve their power generation and supply for the village.

We have come back with a hope that this project could benefit many people in the village with the electricity. May the Lord bless us in the design and implementation phases of this program. - Jeffrey

Ministry Updates - January 2014...

Kristin with Yaramba Nursery children

It was like yesterday that the new year 2014 began. But the first month has already passed by. I realize that we should be better prepared to live each day to make the most out of it.

The following were highlights of what has been done in January 2014:

1. UOB Day was held on the second Saturday. We have selected this year's spiritual and management theme for UOB to be SHINE based on Matthew 5:14-16. To learn more about UOB Day, click here. 

Apophie, Recipient of Holistic T-Award

2. One of the highlights on UOB Day was recognizing four clients who received UOB Transformation Awards. They each received Economic, Social, Spiritual and Holistic T-Awards. Their stories are fascinating and we were so blessed by what Christian micro finance can do to the poor people. To read their stories, please click here. 

3. I visited two groups of UOB clients in Gicumbi. The first client is one of UOB's micro business loan (MBL) clients, who runs a chicken farm. The second group was four groups of clients in a village whose population is predominantly Muslims. We have been serving these clients for the past five years and we have been bearing many fruits. It was a blessing. To read about this story, please click here.

Clementine, UOB client who raises 7,000 chlckens

4. We submitted a proposal to GIZ, the German development agency, to be the financial institution to implement its Energizing Development (EnDev) program for village grids and solar lighting lamps. Among four pre-selected institutions, UOB has been accepted. We still have to iron out many details, but UOB will be able to manage up to EURO4 million for these projects. Another blog will be posted on this. Praise the Lord!

5. Most of UOB staff performance evaluation was done in January and MoUs with business units have been worked out to deliver the goals and objectives established for the bank.

6. Opportunity International Germany has received approval on its proposal to finance UOB's agricultural programs starting from the second half of 2014. Details need to be worked out, but we indeed experience God's continuing provision of the resources we need. Thank you, Lord!

7. January was another month of receiving several visitor groups. Among them were OI Global CEO Vicki Escarra and several women business executives and donors and Tom Phillips, a long time supporter of UOB and 10 students who are involved in Service over Self (SOS) in Memphis, TN,  Transformation always works both for clients and donors. They all should learn and be challenged by the needs in the field.

Vicki Escarra, OI Global CEO

8. Yaramba Nursery (Gicumbi) was formally open and 61 students who have registered. Kristin is traveling to Yaramba once a week to teach the young children English songs. We are blessed by the progress being made.

9. Jeffrey continued serving God's people through teaching at Shalom Bible Study and preaching at UOB and Agape Church Rwanda. We both participated in the Korean Missionary Fellowship prayer meeting. We are equipped and edified through these ministries.

10. We both met four students whom we have been supporting for the past three years. One has graduated To learn more about Rwanda's education system and these four students, click here.

With four students we have been supporting

from the secondary school and three are continuing their study at secondary schools. They have grown quite a bit and more mature than before. We were grateful for the opportunity of serving them.

11. We have prayer requests. Please remember to pray with us for the following subjects:

• The search process for the next UOB CEO continues. Please pray that we may be diligent in searching the CEO whom God has bestowed upon UOB so that he or she may arrive in time for timely handover in April.
• Please pray that SHINE theme may be shared and implemented among all UOB staff to be an effective light spiritually which shines according to God's will and also to focus on eight management themes to be effective in serving the clients we have been called to serve.
• Please pray that UOB may continue progressing T24 R12 model bank migration project that has been progressing smoothly to date. We honor our Lord for His grace upon this project.
• Please pray that mHose and client service point strategy will be expanded further to relieve our lending staff from handling by at least 90% by the year-end.
• Please pray that UOB will develop capacity to manage grant programs effectively as God provides more resources. This program management involves effective implementation, accurate monitoring and evaluation, and timely reporting. 
• Please pray that Kristin and I may be able to discern God's will for our next ministry opportunities. 
• Jeffrey has been involved in translating a book, titled "The Spiritual Danger of Doing Good" into Korean. The first draft for publishing has been finished and please pray that the final editing process will go smoothly. It is scheduled for publishing in February 2014. Also pray that this book may help many who are involved in the ministry of "doing good."
• Please pray for our children who are in transition. Amanda and James are in transition through training for a new aircraft that James will be flying. Joyce will finish her Peace Corps volunteer service in May and will be looking for the next opportunities. May God be with them in their transitions. 

Thank you very much for your standing with us in these ministries. You are invaluable to us in these ministries.

Gratefully in His services,

Jeffrey and Kristin Lee in Kigali, RWANDA