Maria Update #2

In December, another contribution was made to the Maria Fund. With these funds, we were able to purchase a used gas grill. Maria began using the grill to prepare hotdogs on a stick to sell in her neighborhood. With this addition to her business, she was able to begin sustaining herself and her children.

On January 13, Steve Hooley from LaGrange, Indiana, helped me construct an overhang over the door of Maria's house so that she would be able to prepare hotdogs on her grill even on rainy days. Steve also wired a light socket above her door so she could do business after dark.

Today, when I stopped by to see how Maria was doing, she was very discouraged. She said that she hasn't been selling many hotdogs lately, because someone else also began selling them in her neighborhood. It appears that this person is trying to put Maria out of business by selling his hotdogs at cost.

I encouraged her to not give up, but rather to help me think of how we can overcome this problem. Before I left, I prayed with her, asking God to bless her and her family and to grant us wisdom.

We will need to look at a different marketing strategy like perhaps selling a hotdog/fruit juice/cake combo meal. Pray for us as we continue to work with Maria and her children.