MAKURDI, NIGERIA Paul and Josie Ubwa incorporated Pleasure Travels

Motors Company Limited in Nigeria in 2008 with the vision of providing comfortable and safe transportation services that would satisfy their customers and create meaningful, sustainable employment. But Paul and Josie’s journey that led them to start this business may surprise you.

From a background as full time missionaries within the Great Commission Movement of Nigeria the couple felt the call of God to shift the emphasis of their mission field

A CALL TO BUSINESS CREATES 400 JOBS ANDIMPACTS AN INDUSTRY

to the marketplace. They saw how important it was to restore individuals and communities by addressing the poverty around them.

The company had very humble beginnings. Partners for Christian Empowerment Network (PCEN), the Partners

Worldwide affiliate in Makurdi, provided a loan so the company could purchase a used van—one that had been abandoned as scrap—which they fixed up. Proceeds from that one van were eventually used to purchase two other vans for the company. Through hard work, dedication and trust in God, the company began to grow.

PCEN walked alongside them

FALL 2013

TRANSFORMATIONS

Makurdi, Nigeria

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LETTER FROM DOUG

We have exceeded 50,000 jobs created and sustained and have increased our results from last year by over 50%.

I am grateful to you and every other member of our global network for the work we accomplish together! Thank you for all you do to support our work—for all the time you spend praying, volunteering and financially pouring yourself into our network. Your support makes a difference!

The difference a job makes in the lives of these parents, their children and dependents, as well as the communities they live in is astounding.

Thank you for being part of this great work! Doug Seebeck, President

Partners Worldwide

JOBS CREATED OR SUSTAINED

in this growth, especially in the area of business training. In 2011, Senior Managers were trained in Partners Worldwide’s business curriculum, followed by all new staff being trained in 2012. “This training was of great help to the company, leading to higher employee motivation and commitment. This contributed to the rapid growth of the company,” says Paul. In a few short years, they have grown to a company with a fleet of 200 vans and 400 employees.

Pleasure Travels has a strong focus on their customers. They see to their physical needs of clean, safe and comfortable travel, and address their spiritual needs as well, assigning a prayer and counseling team to each of their 18 transportation terminals.

The company has brought transformation to the road transport industry of Middle Belt Nigeria. Transportation terminals used to be known for harsh practices and cheating, but the honesty, courtesy and transparency of Pleasure Travels staff has forced competitors to reform their own operations in order to stay in business.

In addition, they have also chosen to train their drivers very intensively. The investment in this training is yielding rich dividends in high road safety records. Less road accidents save the company money and bring in more business from increased customer confidence. This is leading their competitors to follow suit.

Paul and his management team and are not content to stop there. With over 2 million registered vehicles in their service area and only a single auto repair shop, there is an unmet need for car repair services. Pleasure Travels is addressing this gap by building an auto workshop and training center. They

are also building a gas station for internal use and sales to the general public to help them cut their costs and diversify. These pioneering innovations are helping them be market leaders and furthering their employment impact.

The end of poverty can be made possible by Christ-centered profitable businesses that provide jobs, positively impact customers, employees, competitors, communities and even entire industries. This is happening in Nigeria, as well as the 24 other countries where Partners Worldwide works.

“It is possible,” Paul says, “to serve God with as much commitment and fulfillment in full time mission work as it is in full time Business as Ministry. Wherever God sends, you can confidently go into areas of spiritual darkness and bring His light as a missionary. Likewise, when He sends you to use your business as your mission field, you can confidently go into the darkest of marketplaces and bring His transformation there.”

Partners for Christian Empowerment Network (PCEN) has offices in 5 Nigerian cities. PCEN provides business training, loans and mentors, and recorded almost 1,000 jobs created and sustained last year. Paul Ubwa is one of the over 650 members they served last year.

PCEN partners with a US-based affiliate team who walks alongside them. This team was started by the owner and staff of a manufacturing company based in Zeeland, Michigan. Working together, they are addressing community needs including economic opportunity, spiritual wellness, education and access to water.

Jeremiah Yongo, PW Partnership Manager in Nigeria, works closely with PCEN and their US affiliate to support this partnership.

NigeriaUSA

Pleasure Travel’s Vision Statement:

A model transportation company that depends on God to provide comfortable and safe modes of transportation that brings about customer satisfaction and creates employment.

“When God sends you to use your business as your mission field, you can confidently go into the darkest of marketplaces and bring His transformation there.” –Paul Ubwa, Pleasure Travels

Entrepreneurs like Paul all around the world are looking for mentors who can walk alongside their growing businesses. If you are interested in learning more about these opportunities, email engage@partnersworldwide.org

Global Partners:

Get Engaged!

THE GLOBAL NETWORK EXPANDS!In the last year, our powerful Global Network of Christians has grown and stretched in some very exciting ways!

Here are just a few we’d like to share with you.

We launched in 2 new countries—Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Business Seva, our partner in India, is being called to reach into neighboring countries, connecting with Christian leaders who desire to catalyze job creation to address poverty in their communities.

We welcomed 19 new local affiliates, all using business to create flourishing economic environments in communities of high unemployment.

We made 20 network connections. These are specific partnerships within our network between local affiliates and experienced business people who are now working together to provide training, mentoring, access to capital and advocacy – building up permanent and resilient local capacity to serve communities.

We engaged 83 new mentors—both international and local—walking alongside entrepreneurs in areas like marketing, accounting, inventory – anywhere they need help to grow their business and create more jobs.

We have 5 new staff members who have joined us. Daniel Espinoza, Partnership Manager serving in Nicaragua; Cassandre Honore, Business Development Coordinator in Haiti; Ashleigh Joseph, Partnership Manager in Southern Africa (in Strategic Partnership with AfricaWorks); and Mary Kobusingye, Partnership Manager in Uganda. Working in our Grand Rapids, Michigan office are Lauren Rahman, e-Communications Specialist and Mark Ismond, Resource Engagement. We are excited about this growth and look forward to sending partnerships even more!

You are a part of this network and we thank you for all you do to help end poverty, so that all may have life and have it abundantly!

NEW DIRECTOR OF CANADAThe Board of Directors for Partners Worldwide Canada and the Senior

Leadership Team at Partners Worldwide are pleased to announce that Derek Hoogland has accepted the position of Director for Partners Worldwide Canada. Derek has been on staff since 2008, serving with LEAD, our affiliate in Liberia, for two years and most recently as part of the Global Engagement Team in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This depth of experience makes him a tremendous asset to grow the network of Canadian business people and churches who are part of our powerful global Christian network.

We are very excited to have Derek move into this leadership role in Canada. If you have friends or family in Canada that are looking to engage in our work, have them connect with Derek at derekh@partnersworldwide.org or learn more at www.PartnersWorldwide.ca

Will you please take a moment to help us create even more jobs next year by making a gift today?

WITH YOUR HELP, WE HAD 50% MORE IMPACT THIS YEAR!

Make a one-time donation to Partners WorldwideDonate.PartnersWorldwide.org

Become a monthly donor and be a Dignity PartnerDignity.org

Use the enclosed envelope, donate online or call our office at 800.919.7307

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It is possible to serve God with as much commitment and fulfillment in full time mission work as it is in full time Business as Ministry.

Paul UbwaMakurdi, Nigeria

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