Catalyst

Catalyst: a person or thing that precipitates an event.

Chemical reactions with gold as a catalyst: "Gold has unexpected properties: It can act as a catalyst and transform carbon monoxide (CO) to carbon dioxide (CO2) when it comes in the form of tiny pieces, called nano-particles. Gold suddenly enhances desired chemical reactions as a catalyst for example in the removal of odors and toxins or to clean automotive exhaust gases.”

Yeah, we’re pretty proud of the cool name of our company. I love when meanings go deeper than you even originally planned. 

Our business. Our #1 reason for moving ourselves to Tanzania. 

We are following this vision and path for the PRIMARY reason, because we firmly believe that God spoke this to us very clearly, and confirmed it many times over and in many different ways. It’s a fully fleshed out vision, with steps and levels and long term plans. I’m so grateful my time in YWAM has taught me to pray and wait for a word from the Lord when you are making any major life decision, because we can always fall back on that word when things get difficult. 

I detailed some of the ways God spoke and steps leading up to this in my post “World Changing; a History” if you’re interested!

Ema- the Man with the Plan

But we also have our own reasons and are very excited about what this could mean. 

Ema has a unique position as a Tanzanian citizen with global experience and perspective, as well as business savvy and connections/reputation. He also has experience in the field in his pre-YWAM days. Just as I mentioned in my first blog, sometimes you have to look at the things that are unique about your life and realize that God has given you gifts and abilities to use according to your own specific position. That's what I've always tried to do--- keep that big picture view when you want to know what to do with your life. 

The Poverty and Charity of it All

In addition, Tanzania still experiences some of the worst poverty in the entire world. 

Part of this is because the outside world has taken advantage in many ways of the very rich natural resources this nation has, and profited off of it, while leaving the Tanzanian people with only a pittance. (I.e.- massive Gold Mine Conglomerates from western nations making billions off of gold and other precious metals and stones.) 

Among other reasons, there are extremely smart, talented and hard working people in this nation with very dire prospects of jobs to support themselves and their families. Many with jobs do backbreaking labor at very low wages. Actually being on the ground in Tanzania further confirms the vision we have to me because I can see the need for jobs, for the means to make a good living. For the people of this nation to benefit from the raw materials that come from their own ground.

One thing I've personally noticed is that everything here is done on survival mode. You don’t pay electricity monthly- you have to prepay units. Prepaid internet too. Which means of course, if you miss a payment there’s immediate consequences. People only buy the food they need that day or the next 2 days. Similar for phone minutes and 3G- day by day. Ema’s brother told me that it’s normal for people to not have any money in their pockets most of the time. (But also that means no money in the bank either). It’s life on the edge. The financial edge. And somehow that’s exactly how we’re living right now too! It’s exhausting, but I guess it’s good for me personally to really see and experience what that’s like. (the bright side?)

Could we break it down and say that poverty = living life on the edge?

All that to say, seeing the need for well paying jobs up close and personal has been humbling and conformational. We’ve had so many people not even knowing anything about what Ema is doing ask him for a job.

What is it that we want to do?

Our dream, and what we feel so strongly is what the Lord called us here to do is to empower local Tanzanians to be business owners and entrepreneurs - starting with giving them safe, dignified jobs in the gold mining industry. We’re opening this business as a mission that serves spiritual needs of the nation, as well as physical and felt needs.

There have been many findings that charity work in Africa is no longer helping Africa's citizens. Instead, studies show that the long- term effects of charity work inside the continent has actually crippled their economies and resulted in monumental closures of local businesses. One of the best ways to help Africans out of poverty now is to empower citizens through job creation and self-sustainability training. Our first step in this dream is opening a gold processing plant here in the Lake Victoria region of Tanzania. What this nation needs are its own people rising up and doing business that will grow their economy. Think of it this way-- 

• In addition to relationship evangelism, and onsite Bible studies, our group of workers are making a steady and fair living, so they can provide for their families. 
• The children will be able to afford to go to good schools. 
• They will be able to afford good housing, availability to safe, clean water, therefore alleviating a multitude of sicknesses. 
• If they do get sick they will be able to afford to see a skilled doctor. 
• The workers will be trained and inspired to do entrepreneurship as well, and our company, once profitable will back their small businesses, and it will be paid forward. 
• Much of the profit of Catalyst Gold will be going back into the economy-- infrastructure, clean water, hospitals and schools. 
• Slowly but surely we hope that other businesses will be attracted to the model of how to do business without corruption, that raises it's employees up instead of cheating or mistreating them. 
• Tanzania is changed from the inside out, and becomes a model for the rest of Sub Saharan Africa!

The Waiting Period

One of the main things that categorizes this “waiting period” is the wait for startup capital that we need so that we can get into full swing.

Currently we still don’t yet have the minimum amount of startup capital to start the business. We’re still chasing down and following up leads on potential investors and partners. 

Meanwhile we are living on the edge ourselves, so we’re looking at ways to use the registered and legal Tanzanian company to bootstrap our way there. Ema and our manager are working their tails off here, and we’ve been running the gambit— general supply, agriculture, green house, buying and selling sheep, potentially buying a pharmacy… the list goes on. Nothing has really worked out yet, but idle hands are the devil’s business right? 

We are though, even as I write this blog, right on the cusp of a business deal that could potentially bring in income! 

If you’re a praying person, pray for us! We can’t wait to get started.

Left is Ben our Manager, and Right is Ema- they're in their Catalyst Gold work shirts!

Excerpts from Psalm 27:

The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?
Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.
One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.
Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me.
My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, Lord, I will seek.
Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger;
    you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior.
Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.
Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.
I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.