The weakening value of the U.S. dollar and the rising global costs of food and oil are creating a money crisis for many on the mission field. Missionaries typically do not have big budgets. And as the dollar weakens, some are faced with the difficult decision of cutting something effective for survival’s sake.
If you had a 10% pay cut, that would be significant. Basically, that’s what those people are feeling right now.
George Salloum :: CFO :: Serving In Mission
Prayer and financial support for missionaries is always important but particularly so during times like these.
[via The Charlotte Observer]
My parents are on the field and they say that they are feeling the effects. The difference is that they are with the IMB (international mission board, southern baptist convention). They don’t have to raise support because its funded by SBC and their pay is adjusted based on the amount stuff costs in their country. The people that are affected the most are those that raise their support. Keep Giving. (of course my mom and dad live like the villagers and so they don’t spend a lot of money anyway, as a result they save money).
I am a missionary in Western Europe, and I feel this rather deeply. I find myself praying for the American Economy more than normal. Europe is interesting because the currencies here are so much higher in value than the dollar, so as support-funded missionaries, we have to raise our salary to be here.
I feel this.
What’s frustrating to those of us that use the dollar, is that we’re feeling the ever-increasing oil costs in everything that we purchase due to companies trying to re-coupe what they’ve lost b/c of gas prices. Thanks for the post Kent, it makes me realize how I have a hard time putting global events together like that. I may need to up my monthly contribution!
[...] 20 13, 2008 · No Comments Mission Field Money Crisis [...]
As support-funded missionaries in Ireland, it seems our regular expenses have steadily risen due to the strength of the Euro since we arrived, even though our outlay in Euro has remained consistent. Not easy when you’re already trying to live as sparsely as possible and fund active ministry. However, God has given us amazing provision despite this difficulty, and we are praying for His continued provision, that our supporters will remain faithful, and that the dollar will strengthen.
Definitely worth the read