Out with the old, in with the new...pigs that is!

Hello everyone,

I wanted to update you all on the progress of how our recently added "Community Investment" opportunity is working out. Our website contains much of what I am sharing with you now, but just to make sure that you understand what we are trying to accomplish I will share a little with you now.

Back in January 2010, Living Among Them Ministries began something new called "Community Investment: Changing a Community One Family at a Time" The idea behind this new ministry approach is to not only help these families spiritually but physically as well. Not every family we know in Teopisca is poor but the majority of families that we work with on a weekly basis definitely belongs in the poor category. Because these families are to poor to begin a business or venture of any kind, our hope is that by working with these families on an individual basis we can help them get the start they need to earn an additional income.

One example of this community investment is being done with a man named Felix and his family. I met Felix about 2 1/2 years ago while walking around central park one night. We have become good friends and I desire to see him be able to better support his family which we hope will be possible through this investment opportunity. This investment also provides another avenue of sharing the love of Christ with him for it keeps me involved in his life on a weekly basis. He has not embraced our dear Savior yet but we continue to pray that this will happen sooner than later.

We purchased 6 pigletts for Felix on February 1, 2010 and he has shown true dedication caring for them. Two weeks ago we butchered the first pig and this week we butchered two more. They each weighed right at 180lbs so we were able to sell a whole bunch of pork!!!!

So far I would have to say that this community investment is off to a good start.

You can see the progress of the pigs in the pics below:

You can also find out more about this investment opportunity and how to get involved yourself by going to the following link on our website:

http://livingamongthem.com/communityprofiles.html (if you want to know more about getting involved yourself, scroll down to the bottom and click on "How To Partner"

First pics of Felix and his pigs taken back at the end of February...

Pics taken in July as we began butchering the first of the 6 pigs we purchased in February...

All grown up now...

This right here is 180lbs of squeeling, squirming, angry pig!!! He knows whats up!!! He's been invited to dinner (know what I'm saying)!!!

Not squeeling anymore now is he!!!!

I told Felix to give his friend a little kiss....

Weighing out the meat to take and sell...

"where is the pig daddy" Joshua kept asking...

So we brought out another pigs head and he was content...he said, "i love you pig"...

Now it is time to start the investment all over again as we purchased 5 more pigletts in June...

Out with the old (on the right) and in with the new (on the left)...

We began a second example of this community investment earlier this year as well. Since January our ministry has purchased 50 sets of chicks for three separate families. In addition we have supplied the money to build the chicken coops, purchase the feeders/waters, purchase the vaccinations/vitamins, and all the chicken feed and corn that is necessary to raise the chickens. We have already sold one batch of chickens at the local market but we still have another month or so before we are ready to sell the second batch. Our next chicken coop will be built at the house of a youth named Esteban. Esteban and I have known each other for about 2 years now and he has shown himself to be a reliable and trustworthy young man. He has not embraced our dear Savior yet but we continue to pray that this will happen sooner than later. I have taught him how to drive and now I think that it is time to help him get a head start in life; financially that is.

More pics of the chicks later...

That's all for now.

Please keep praying for these families,

Lance