Starting our days with a cup of coffee is something many of us do without a second thought. But for one of our mission workers, it’s an incredible opportunity to build relationships and share the hope of Jesus with every customer at their coffee shop…
There’s a bigger purpose that lies behind our day-to-day at the coffee shop.
Because of our faith, we want to practise some of the things that Jesus embodied, most notably, his love and concern for the marginalised. The upside-down values of God’s kingdom stand in stark contrast to the values we often hold – concern for money, status and power.
And so our grand experiment continues: is it possible to create a profitable business that blesses many others? We’re certainly working towards that goal!
One unanticipated result of opening a customer-facing business has been the new friendships that have begun to form; people we may not have met otherwise and who certainly have different backgrounds and life-experiences.
Bibek* walked casually into the coffee shop during early building work back in August. Uncharacteristically tall for a local at over six feet, with wild hair and a firm handshake, Bibek introduced himself as a local coffee enthusiast. Since that time, initial scepticism has given way to absolute admiration; Bibek now comes in most mornings and shares his love for coffee with us, all the while giving us barista hints and tips.
Anaya* works in the same building as our roastery, three flights of stairs above us. Part of a team of programmers, accountants and managers, she and her colleagues regularly leave the cramped office for a breath of fresh air and, more importantly, a morning coffee. Having seen us develop the shop space over the last few months, she’s since become one of our most regular customers.
As well as her daily iced americano, Anaya brings a good deal of positive morning energy to our micro-cafe.
One of the deciding factors in our choice of shop space was the well-appointed gold jeweller’s shop next door. Like us, it’s very much a micro-start-up – Hari* decided to set up his own business after working for ‘the man’ for many years. Full of gold rings, necklaces and traditional jewellery, Hari also has a tiny workshop at the rear. In addition to his warmth and hospitality, it turns out that Hari also has a wonderfully cheeky sense of humour.
We pray that both businesses will grow side-by-side for many years to come.
Will you pray for our daily interactions with Bibek, Anaya, Hari and many others, as we seek to be the hands and feet of Jesus where he has placed us?
*Names changed to protect identity
