"Dan Tanaka" recently returned from a visit to "Maltistan" where he was overseeing the training and rollout of a test-version of new loan-tracking software for "MicroDevCo" a micro-enterprise development organization that's the platform for the gospel into the country. 

MicroDevCo provides business training, business planning and microenterprise loan distributions, helping locals - primarily believers - to develop and operate small businesses. The U.S.-headquartered company has branch operations in several countries, many of them predominantly Muslim nations.

Access Partners has been working on loan-tracking software that should make the MicroDevCo branches track loans much more efficiently and accurately. It would standardize the company's loan procedure and reporting systems. Currently, each branch location has its own method for tracking loans: from paper ledger to volunteer-designed spreadsheets to commercial packages that would only work in one country.

"It's different from other projects in that the business is already set up, and we're helping a micro-enterprise development organization," said Dan.  "At the same time, it is the same as our other projects in the core of what we're doing: trying to use business and technology to help in the mission to get the gospel to the ends of the earth."

"We're helping a specific missionary team to operate their business better, which helps to free them up for more gospel work," Dan said. Missionaries, he explained, have a variety of duties besides running a business -- which is itself challenging -- including planting churches and learning the language.  "Overall, what we're trying to do is to free them up to run the business more efficiently, allowing them to stay clearly engaged in delivering the gospel effectively," he said. "We can help to carry some of their load."

Fresh back from his trip to roll out the software in Maltistan, Dan is enthusiastic and encouraged.   He said that the training went very well and that people were asking great questions.  Dan was also able to make on-the-spot software customizations based on needs that arose.  Dan said the feedback from the MicroDevCo was encouraging. "Even though we were working through a translator, I could clearly see that the local staff understood the training.  They were eager to take ownership of the software and use it to improve their loan management and reporting," Dan said.  He added, "The local staff kept telling us, 'This is exactly what we needed!'."

"Overall, the trip went really well and we were very pleased, particularly as it coincided with the business training that MicroDevCo's US director came to give to the local director and staff," Dan said.  "It was great to observe their training.  They make sure the seminars are gospel-centered. While talking about business principles, the gospel is built into the presentation." The program is focused on discipling local believers, incorporating the gospel into the curriculum.

"It was also exciting to see gospel-based communities, interactions and relationships between the Director, the local directors, the local staff, and Access Partners. It was wonderful to see such strong Christian bonds across the cultures," Dan said. "It exalted Jesus' name!" "It was encouraging to see that the work was filled with prayer, and that it is not just a business project distributing loans."

He said another positive encouragement was being able to take along a Christian brother specializing in computer technology. "He was able to help with software training, customization, and data entry.  At the same time, we were able to help him see how he could use his technical skills for the advance of the Gospel," said Dan.

Currently, Access Partners is making final software customizations based on feedback from the training.  In July, they are hoping to re-launch the software and embark on a five- to six-month trial run of the software in Maltistan to work out any remaining software issues. The next phase will be a rollout to one other MicroDevCo location in 2008, with others likely to follow.