Business As Mission: On the Ground in Bolivia

While we were recently in Bolivia for two weeks, Dana & I spent the week of October 29 – November 5 with a group of business people from the U.S.  As a group, we focused on two separate projects: a sports ministry and a carpentry shop.  This was an exciting opportunity for us to witness firsthand the type of business assistance needed.

The first hurdle I had to get over in my mind was simply understanding why a missionary would be involved in either of these projects.  I had visited with Dan Collins (missionary in Bolivia) several times about these projects, and I had started to wonder if a lack of focus wasn’t taking away from the overall effectiveness of their efforts.  Dan had shared the overall mission of his efforts to “Be, Make, Mobilize: Disciples of Christ.”  Sounds like a great mission for a missionary!  But what about a carpentry shop?

Dana lends a hand sanding a chair destined for an orphanage.

“Following the Master Carpenter” is a catchy name for a missions-based carpentry business, but what exactly was the tie-in?  It turns out that the original objective of the carpentry shop was to build furniture for local orphanages, providing them with much needed bunk-beds, chairs, and desks.  Certainly a noble purpose, and one that caught on with donors back in the States.  But when the entire business plan is built around donating end product, that endeavor is entirely dependent upon those donations.  What happens when the economic engine that is U.S. donations slows down or comes to a complete stop?  I hope the answer to that is fairly obvious!

On the other hand, what if a sustainable business model can be developed that provides ongoing revenues, leveraging those donations into something that can have a positive impact even without the ongoing oversight and donations provided by the U.S. missionary community?  It’s a bit like the difference between giving a man a fish, and teaching him to fish.

Alex, the Bolivian in charge of the carpentry shop.

And what about making sure this project is consistent with overall mission to “Be, Make, Mobilize?”  This shop has recently transitioned from being managed and run by a U.S. missionary, to being run by a local Bolivian man who has several years of Bible classes.  Now, he is not only making furniture, but is working with men in a drug rehab center to provide “occupational therapy” that includes them learning a trade, as well as studying the Bible together, right there in the carpentry shop. 

The future of this carpentry shop still has some questions to be answered, and further opportunities have come up even in the three weeks since we undertook to help make this a sustainable business opportunity.  But seeing the potential outcomes, and helping make this possible, is exactly what “Business As Mission” is all about.  It’s something I’m excited about, and I hope it makes sense to you too. 

I have several other topics to address in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, if you have questions or want clarification on anything, please don’t hesitate to comment below, or e-mail me directly.  I look forward to hearing from you!