In 1992, my wife and I set up a company that exports machines and technology for the manufacturing of meat products. Our business follows the guidelines of the Focolare Movement’s Economy of Communion which is active also in the former Soviet republics. In August, 1997 the Russian market and banking system collapsed. There was a financial freeze and we were seriously affected. We had over ten contracts with companies in Russia, most of which were suspended and their payment of credits blocked. Yet our business had to keep going and pay our employees. Time passed and our reserve funds were nearly depleted. Every morning I would call up the bank to ask if any money transfer had arrived from Russia or if there were any payments from our creditors, and each time, the answer was no. One Monday, I looked at our bank account and saw that we had only 300 florins left. The next day I would have had to pay a bill that amounted to some 400 florins and the salaries as well. I was very worried when I went home at noon. My wife and I talked about what we should do next: close the business or keep it open? We bore the responsibility not only for ourselves but for other people, too. On a table near the entrance, we always keep a copy of the monthly Word of Life. That month it was: “If you have faith and do not waver, … even if you say to this mountain ‘Be lifted and thrown in to the sea,’ it will be done”(Matt. 21, 21). As I left for the office I told my wife, “More than ever we have to increase our faith!” When I got to the office, I was welcomed by the news that the bank had called. A money order for 1.500.000 florins had arrived! I.B. – Hungary Translated from Quando Dio interviene. Esperienze da tutto il mondo. Città Nuova Editrice 2004