Due to an emergency in their family, Ramel & Liezel had to take out a large loan from a loan shark who was charging 20% interest per month. Every day the man would come to collect. It was a struggle for the family to come up with the Php 400 ($8.00) to pay the guy, and this only covered the interest. After several months of this, they were a lot poorer and still owed the full amount of the debt.

Ramel owned a motorcycle so he used it as a “habol-habol” driver (a motorcycle taxi) to provide as best as he could for the family. Liezel was running a “sari-sari” store (a small store attached to the house selling small quantities of basic household items). With three children with one in college, they were struggling to make ends meet but they were working hard and doing the best they could.

Hope Eternal Asia provided the funds of Php 20,000 (approximately $400) to pay off the loan shark. Instead of loan repayments of Php 400 a day seven days a week, they now had loan repayments to Hope Eternal Asia of Php 200 a day five days a week. And instead of an interest rate of 20% a month, they now had an interest rate of 1.5% a month. And they will have their loan paid off in 5 months.

The extra Php 200 every day that they now have is being used for two purposes. Php 100 is used to help provide the funds needed to repurchase items for the sari-sari store and to grow the business and to keep the motorcycle maintenance-free. The other Php 100 is being used to help with their family expenses.

The family had been praying for a way out of their financial difficulties. How it turned out, God answered through Hope Eternal Asia. They are so grateful for the help extended to them. As a result, they have hope for a better future.

Some of the family members have a personal relationship with Christ. The college-age son is on the worship team at New Life Community Church, and Liezel is attending church again. We are hoping to start a Bible study in their relocation site in the near future.