Finances

Somebody asked how we are doing financially and after I composed an email, I realized I should post it. See below:

Metro has supported us corporately with $600/month since April, to be revised after December 2007.

We haven't really asked people directly to support us, as much as presented the opportunity to support us and asked God for the resources. There have been about 5 families/individuals that have supported us regularly. 10 all together (including one-time contributions). We may average about $1500/month over July-September, which covers rent.

Jehovah Jira = God Provides

We have been called to serve this church family in Alva. They sold a Manse a few years ago and are 'spending the family silver' to pay us the minimum stipend available to a minister in the Scottish Baptist Union.

Sounds good but taxed 25% off the top and then 17% in value added (sales) tax makes the cost of living pretty high here. So, the exchange rate is $1= £0.50 but the expenses aren't much lower. Example: Gas is over $8 a gallon; the psychological price of $9.95 in the US for a shirt or something is £8.99 in the UK not £4.99. Milk and meat are pretty subsidized. Health care is free (paid by payroll deductions actually, but cheaper than US).

Our budget was for about 2,500 pounds/month and we are at about 1,500. Not the high life and not saving for retirement right now, so that’s not good (should the Lord tarry). We spent about $15,000 of our saved money to move over here and make it through to August when a paycheck kicked in.

But it’s all God’s money anyway. And we did get to sell a home in LA and move out of market! We may be able to flip from our 2 bed condo to a 3 bedroom house with a garage and small yard. No complaints there.

Of course, we did have to become Baptists. ;)
(Which, in Scotland, is not very different from Calvary; we are loving it and Jesus hasn't changed)

Really, we just answered the call to be a pastor somewhere else that happens to be a foreign country, for a church that couldn’t afford a minister. They got a guy with great heart and some experience and we got a chance to make a difference. AND be closer to family that we enjoy. It will all work out. I don’t know how, but it will.

God is good! (We are not poor in His economy)

Our family at Metro has seen us off with a gift and encouraged us, as we answer God's call. We are blessed and pray that God richly bless you!

God is providing from His resources and we have learned from this experience that it is He who provides, not our institutions or networks. No one man can boast in how He has provided for us.

Alleluia, Jehovah Jira!

(If you want to be part of how God helps, see "Partners" on the right margin.)