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.
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