God Turns Adversity to Good (Mark)

Sometimes we hate adversity until the light comes on in our heads and we realize that God is pushing us to a new way of doing things.

Last month, I learned that Barclay’s Bank in Uganda had mistakenly closed our bank account for the discipleship/loan program. Frustrated by inability to get things straightened out from overseas, I was sure I could get things done when we arrived in Uganda. Wrong. The bank was particularly unhelpful and could not even tell me why the account was closed or what I needed to do to open it again.

As I fretted and fought anger, I began to think maybe we should open an account at another bank. It occurred to me we might be able to work out a business partnership with a bank to provide preferred financing to men who complete our business training and Doing Business God’s Way courses. I called some key contacts (both nationally known and respected men in Uganda) who both thought the idea was great and suggested a business-friendly bank which is 60 percent owned by the British government.

Tuesday I had a great meeting with the bank and I have another meeting on Friday with their director of corporate lending, who also is leading an initiative to win more church accounts at the bank. We are discussing how we can refer men trained through our organization, The Rock Kingdom Capital Outreach, to the bank. The bank would give them preferred consideration as we would partner with them in the training and business proposal process.

If we are able to complete this arrangement, it would address two major challenges we have. First, it would increase the total number of men we could serve by making more money available. Also, it would allow us to work with men as their businesses grow and their needs extend beyond the amount of funds The Rock is able to provide.

So now I’m praising God for my problems at Barclay’s Bank. It may be the solution He is providing will take our business discipleship efforts to a whole new level.