Baessler Homes 2025

In his book Simple Money, Rich Life, author Bob Lotich encourages his readers to “Save all you can. Earn all you can. Give all you can. And enjoy it all.” It’s good advice and I have the unique privilege in my role to see both our building industry partners, like Baessler Homes, and the people we serve around the world live out those principles in beautiful ways.

We talk a lot about investing in dreams at HOPE, and Margeuritte had always dreamed about being able to be generous. That dream finally came true in her 90s after she joined Urwego, our microfinance institution in Rwanda.

“I wanted capital for my farming,” Margueritte explains. “Learning that Urwego is a Christian bank felt like a calling from God, opening doors for me to grow my business and life. From the time I was born, I never received parental love,” she recalls. “I wasn’t breastfed, and my elder brother had to feed me goat’s milk. Soon after, both my parents died after eating poisoned food at a neighbor’s house. Later, when I married, life was not easy. My husband would bring a new wife almost every week. By the time he died, he had 27 wives and 20 children. I carried so much sadness and even hatred toward men. But when I joined Urwego, I learned about God’s love—how to forgive, let go of the past, and live in peace.”

In 2022, Margueritte joined Urwego Finance as a coffee farmer. At the time, she owned only 150 coffee trees and qualified for a loan of 50,000 Rwf (about $40). The loan was meant for coffee inputs and household needs, but she instead invested wisely in a goat worth 41,000 Rwf.

“Six months later, that goat gave birth to twins. Eight months after that, it gave birth to twins again. I was able to sell two kids to repay my loan on time,” she shares with a smile. “Later, I gave one goat to a boy who was helping me, during his baptism, and another to my brother’s son. I kept one pregnant goat, which is now worth 70,000Rwf.”

For her, the biggest joy was not just in repaying the loan, but in the opportunity to bless others. “I was so happy to finally be able to give to others. I always wanted to, but I didn’t have the means until Urwego gave me this chance.”

Margueritte is deeply grateful for Urwego’s trust. “I thank God and Urwego for lending even to old women like me. Other financial institutions would never give a loan to someone my age, but Urwego believed in me. Today I am among their good customers, paying on time and testifying that my life has truly changed. I can now take care of myself, employ others, and pay for my health insurance.” She supports fellow widows by paying health insurance for them and setting an example of resilience.

It has been a hard year for many in the building industry, but I constantly experience the joy of seeing examples of people saving all they can, earning all they can, and giving all they can while demonstrating unrelenting resilience. Just like Margueritte.

Baessler Homes has been partnering with Homes for HOPE in the fight against global poverty since 2013 and I was so encouraged by the note I received from them this week that accompanied their generous donation.

“We love everything that Homes for Hope stands for.  It is always a joy to review how you are changing lives around the world and empowering people in a way that has such a ripple effect!

We have been experiencing quite a slow market with business here.  God has graciously kept everything going, but for now, not growing.  We are grateful for how he is watching over everything…We are very excited to still be able to give $250,000…We are prayerful that the market turns, and we can share more of what God has entrusted us with.”

Do you hear it? Their desire to earn and give all they can? And the joy they feel while giving sacrificially? Their gift will enable HOPE to serve thousands upon thousands of people like Margueritte this year and will continue to compound and grow over time! We are so grateful for Baessler Homes, and the Baessler family who set such a great example of faith-filled business ownership and whose impact stretches way past just the money they give.

Will you join Baessler Homes and Margueritte in saving all you can, earning all you can, giving all you can, and enjoying it all? If you or someone you know in the building industry might want to talk with us about how to fight global poverty by simply doing what you already do with excellence locally, please don’t hesitate to set up a meeting with one of us at homes-for-hope.org/welcome

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