Each year, Homes for Hope recognizes a client from the HOPE Network who has put their God-given talents and ideas to work in a powerful way – empowering them to realize their potential as providers for their families, leaders in their communities, and followers of Christ.
We are excited to share with you today the story of this year’s winner, Eduviges Cruz, a client of Esperanza International, HOPE’s partner in the Dominican Republic.
Eduviges is a happily married mother of three in Villa Ortega, a small town just outside of Hato Mayor, Dominican Republic.
When she noticed there were few convenience stores in her community, she decided to take action, taking out a series of small loans through Esperanza to go into business for herself. She now owns and operates a small store that provides her neighbors with access to healthy foods such as chicken, herbs, rice, fruits, and vegetables, among other staples of a Dominican’s diet.
As her business grew, Eduviges has been empowered to provide for her family’s needs. She is now a proud homeowner – and recently built a sturdy home to raise her family in, with cement floors and metal roofing.
Most importantly, by attending group meetings with Esperanza, Eduviges was able to hear the Word of God for the first time in her life and has come to know Christ as her Lord and Savior. Since coming to faith in Christ she has led her husband to the Lord as well, and today she is known by her friends as a powerful witness and voice of encouragement to all around her.
She was once quoted saying, “Sometimes you worry, and life is pretty difficult. In those situations when you think you’re not going to be able to [make it]—you have to keep praying, crying out, so that God gives you strength, so that you can keep moving forward.”