Please pray for Europe Missionaries

This article was taken from The Assemblies of God News Service.

Assemblies of God News Service

Missionary incomes evaporating
March 28, 2008

In the United States, Americans are wincing as gas and oil prices continue to soar. As gas costs increase, so do the costs of producing and transporting goods. Many Americans are now feeling more than a slight pinch in their budgets, especially those on fixed incomes.

However, few if any "fixed budget" Americans are feeling the impact of the current economic crisis more than world missionaries. In areas such as Japan, South Africa and especially Europe, missionaries have watched their financial support evaporate at an incredible rate.

But this isn't a case of missionary supporters not faithfully sending in pledged support (though every dollar now counts more than ever), it's the fact that the U.S. dollar continues to fall at an alarming rate compared to the currency of other countries. For example, in Europe, where the dollar is the weakest, a euro was worth $1 in 2000. In 2007, it had risen to more than $1.36. Today, a euro converts to nearly $1.58 ($1.5794). So, not only are missionaries facing inflation and rising prices in Europe (and other regions) just as those living in the United States are, but the support they're receiving is worth less and less.

To put it into perspective, if a missionary left for Europe in 2000 with a (fictional) budget of $1,000 a month, it converted to a budget of about $1,000 a month. By 2007, that same $1,000 (not counting inflation) was worth a little more than $735. Today, just a year later, $1,000 would convert to about $633 - again, not taking into account inflation (which would take another significant bite out of the amount). Next month, next week or even tomorrow, it could be worth even less - and if the trend continues, will be.

"This has become one of the biggest financial challenges our missionaries have faced, probably since the times of the Great Depression," states Greg Mundis, AG World Missions regional director for Europe. "It's also a time of incredible stress and an extreme testing of one's calling - many are in desperate need of the Lord's intervention."

"What's important to realize is that as our missionaries' finances disappear, it's a real challenge to keep focused on their mission rather than just surviving," explains AGWM communications director Randy Hurst. "Unless individuals and churches come alongside our missionaries, especially in Europe, and increase their monthly support, many missionaries won't be able to continue the work they are called by the Lord to do."

Mundis explains that missionaries' budgets are built to withstand inflation until they return to itinerate every four years or so. But the speed at which the dollar has dropped in its exchange rate in some regions was impossible to predict, and therefore, has been devastating to even the "healthiest" of budgets.

"I believe this is a critical crossroads for many AG missionaries in Europe. They suddenly find themselves facing mounting debts and possibly even the end of their ministries in Europe," says Mundis. "Yet, I believe that God can do the miraculous - snatching what the enemy intended for evil and using it for His glory - my faith is committed towards that end!"

For more information about AG World Missions, see its Web site at http://worldmissions.ag.org/. To help support or provide additional support for missionaries in Europe or other "dollar-challenged" parts of the world, see http://ag.org/top/contributions/index.cfm.

Author(s):

Dan Van Veen

Our Miami Experience - By Lizzy (13)

In Miami we had to get some copies of documents, so Dad and I had to walk across half of downtown Miami. I didn’t even have my walking shoes on! The first thing we had to do was walk through the Spanish consulate building, go down the elevator and walk to the Publix that was across the street.

When we got to the store the copy machine was out of order, and it was the only copier the store had! Since Publix’s copier was out we had to go behind the Publix to the post office. We got to the post office and the copier looked just fine, until we looked at a little blue sign. The sign said that the copy machine was broken! So once again we were looking for a simple copy machine. Someone told Dad and I that there was a Kinko's store a couple of blocks away, so we set out walking again. All this walking took us through an ally and quite a few busy streets, but we finally got to the Kinko’s store. Thank you God! Because inside the store was plenty of copy machines! We got copies of everything. No, two copies of everything! After we made the copies we had to walk back to the consulate to give copies to the consulate people, so we could work on sending off our visas. To top everything off I had a cold.

The Race is On!

We are a little late on getting this newsletter out because our letter from the Ministry of Justice in Spain arrived and our days have been filled with getting our documents certified by the issuing state and making our way to the Consulate in Miami. 1,200 miles later we are home and reflecting on our Miami experience. Sunday, March 9 we had two wonderful services in Georgia. We left early Monday morning for Miami. We arrived in Miami just in time for rush hour traffic; thankfully we made it safely to our hotel. Early the next morning we arrived at the Consulate. As we presented our documents, we were told we didn’t have enough copies and that they we would need five separate money orders to pay the visa fee. Tony and Elizabeth went to a nearby Publix to make copies and get the money orders. They made it back and we were cleared to go to another room and wait. Everything appeared to be going smoothly until they got to Rebekah’s passport. Her picture was too dark, and unable to be scanned. Therefore her passport was rejected! Off we went to the Miami Passport Agency. We had the passport expedited in order to receive it prior to 3:00 so we could return to the Consulate before it closed at 3:30. After waiting a while one of the guards offered to find out why it was taking so long. He found out that an endorsement was left off Rebekah’s passport and they had to reprint her book. It arrived at 3:45. So we made the necessary arrangements to stay another night in Miami to complete the process the next morning. We went to the Consulate early the next morning and they saw us before their scheduled opening time. We completed the process without any further problems. Our documents should be in Spain already.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”(Rom. 8:28) Although there were some unexpected issues, God was with us every moment of the trip and we found favor with those we encountered. His grace carried us through each circumstance. We were able to stay calm and work as a team throughout the ordeal. Thank you for praying for us. Your prayers do make a difference! The race is on….the clock is officially ticking. We must receive the remainder of our support by the time the visas arrive in order to receive final clearance. Will you continue to agree with us in prayer that all will be accomplished in God’s perfect timing?