Story of Sacrifice
You often hear perhaps too much about giving –
your money, that is. You might be
thinking, “Enough already”; I’ve heard enough about giving my money. Ok, ok.
But please don’t stop reading this now.
Let me just share with you what I recently heard from missionaries that Southeastern helps to
support. What I received was NOT a
request for more money from us; it was just a true report of the condition of
their finances.
·
While
their financial support has decreased over the last couple years, the cost of
living index in their African country has increased by about 50% !
[To continue their missionary service they have
had to adapt. And I’m talking about
adapting ‘big time’. The following are just some of the ways they have cut back
in order to live on the funds they receive.]
·
Vacation: Everyone needs to get away from their place
of living at least once per year – even missionaries. And speaking as a former full-time
missionary, you are on- call all the
time unless you are physically away from your home and compound. Due to
money and other factors they have not been able to get away recently.
·
Furlough: [Visiting the USA USA
·
Retirement Funds and
savings: They have not been able to contribute any
funds for the last two years. I should
remind you that in the Churches of Christ there are usually no funds put aside
for our missionaries’ retirement.
·
Household workers: When serving in Africa
and with both spouses working full-time, it is usual to hire local people to
cook, clean, wash clothes, etc. I should
remind you that these tasks are much more difficult in such a culture. [Lou Ann and I had three Tanzanian workers
when we served there - Zebron was our cook; Rehema cleaned and washed clothes;
John took care of the yard and various other outside jobs in addition to
helping Lou Ann on her market and other trips.]. This couple started with some workers but now
have to do without additional help.
·
Health Insurance: I don’t have to tell you how important this
is. They have had to get the “bare
bones” minimum insurance, which is still quite expensive because of where they
live. One family member has had to go
uninsured because of some health problems.
·
“Smaller Items”: They have had to decrease ‘eating out’; spending
on gifts, birthdays, etc.; and other “smaller items.” These items are sometimes the hardest things
to give up. Children especially have
difficulty in understanding this.
I don’t know about you, but this makes me feel
terrible and sad. I feel badly that such dedicated, hard working missionaries
have to make such sacrifices. Yet they
remain so dedicated that they have imposed all these restrictions on
themselves. Now I’m not just trying to
raise money for these missionaries; I want you to think bigger than that.
I would really appreciate it if you would sincerely
think about this one question:
What changes and
financial sacrifices have you made to continue your financial support of Southeastern Church
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