6 steps forward, 3 steps back!

It’s a good thing I didn’t write this yesterday. I would have been very depressing in sound and “flavor.” Let me explain why.

When we returned from Slovakia, we had a goal of raising a certain amount of monthly support. This amount would cover the normal attrition of support over the past 4 years, voluntary salary cuts, loss of buying power due to a weakened dollar and the weakening exchange rates from the dollar to Slovak crown. (That has been figured to come out to a 70% loss in buying power over those 4 years!!!)

As of this date, we had raised almost 60% of that monthly amount in pledges. These pledges have come from adding new churches to our financial support list and adding new individual supporters as well as receiving increases from current (and very faithful) supporters.

Greater Europe Mission reviews the support needs of their missionaries annually. That was completed recently and they informed us that, due to a number of factors, we (my family and I) need to raise another chunk of monthly support. That support equals 75% of the amount that we have already raised since our return from Slovakia last summer.

All told, the final number that we need to raise is 70% of the new support amount. That means that what we have raised to date is not 60% towards our goal, but 30%.

Well, if it were not for my relationship with the Lord Jesus and the calling to missions and ministry, I would give up! However, I am as committed to this now as I was when we were appointed by Greater Europe Mission in 1992 to go to Eastern Europe.

So, join with us as we attack the goal of raising over $1000/month in just over 3 months! It’s an incredible goal, but God is faithful, gracious and generous. Stay tuned for updates!