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January 8, 2008
Weak dollar overseas impacts lives of missionaries
I rarely cite the same source two posts in a row. But this one was so compelling that I had to write about it. Again, the source of the post comes from the Think Christian blog. Only, Andy Rau, content administrator for gospelnet.com, writes the post for today.
He highlights an article from USA Today that explains how the decreasing value of the American dollar overseas is impacting the lifestyles of missionaries. The USA today article quotes an SBC missionary who explains that she can't afford to mail items back to the States and even struggles with the ability to purchase milk and bread.
This is a real economic problem. And it bothers me that this isn't being talked about more. While we sit surrounded with the comforts of our lives in the US debating the substance and future of cooperative missions, one of "our own" sits on the frontline in the mission field trying to keep herself alive given the fact that the dollars we send her are not only decreasing in quantity but buying power as well. (Note: This is not a crticisim of the IMB. They are doing a great job. This is about economics and how the value of a dollar is shifting how far a dollar can stretch.)
Our distinction as a denomination has always been our ability to cooperatively work together to support the advancement of the kingdom through missions and ministry both in the US and all over the world. We won't be able to continue to do that if we can't offer the ability of our missionaries to sustain themselves with life's basic necessities.
Does this bother anyone else? Any ideas on how to overcome this economic obstacle to ensure that our missionaries can worry about Kingdom concerns instead of life's baisc necessities?
I'm not interested in political statements. I'm looking for practical solutions to an economic problem.
Posted by bstroup at January 8, 2008 10:15 AM
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Comments
Excellent point. I'm not sure what the answer to
the economics problem is, but I know the answer
to our giving is a deep spiritual problem. There lies within each person, and organization a sense
of self survival. We think the world should entitle us to the right to exist. We beleive our
little corner of the world is the most important. We have not been willing to sacrifice
our own hopes, dreams, desires or job for the sake of a broader reach with the gospel. Many churches are like that. Sometimes I am like that.
You know most church members have learned what it takes a church to operate. They usually give just enough to keep it floating along. Then when
the church begins a building program or does something big they began to give more. It is
finding a need bigger than themselves that they finally turn spiritual and give. I have often wondered if people do not give becasue the church is not doing anyting worth their time or money. I believe when we are willing to sacrifice it is becasue we have found a cause bigger than ourselves. Bottom line is what gets in our way most about giving is us. I sort of think that is what Jesus was saying when he said that we should not left the right hand know what the left hand is doing. In other words don't get in the way of yourself. That brings us back to
our spiritual problem. That problem usually is ME!
Posted by: JERRY MIXON at January 8, 2008 11:14 AM