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Just like you, our missionaries and ministry partners are experiencing higher fuel costs, rising food prices, and tight budgets. But along with these inconveniences, missionaries around the world also face falling exchange rates of the US dollar against local currencies; their dollars simply don’t buy as much. All of these factors impact ministry and everyday life. Listen to some of the commentary over the past months.
“The exchange rate has caused us to already lose more than $5,000 in our ministry and personal funds for 2007. It affects every aspect of our life and ministry.”
Aaron & Diane Lincoln, England, 9/07
“With the combination of the lowest exchange rate in the last 5 years and a higher inflation rate, some things have gone up in price as much as 60%. Five years ago, Lynn could buy a bag of cement for around $6, but now it is $10. It not only affects cement and building supplies needed for new Maasai churches, but also how often we can go out into Maasailand to meet with church leaders or actually work on buildings.”
Lynn & Dori Cazier, Kenya-Maasai, 11/07
“Because of increases in living expenses and the dropping exchange rate of the dollar to the Tanzanian shilling, life costs more than expected: electricity and food prices have gone up 21%. These costs change the number of church planter training classes and how many church planters we can train, as well as curtailing survey trips to other unreached people.”
Gary & Judy Woods, Tanzania, 12/07
“In 2007, a week of VBS/camp cost $390 (about $11 per child), but because of the exchange rate and growing inflation, a week of VBS for summer 2008 will run around $550 (about $16 per child). We can’t allow that to keep us from sharing the Gospel with hundreds of children and their families.”
June Johnson, Ukraine, 2/08
“In the last 60 days, we have lost over 12% of our buying power. When we returned to the field, our rent was $350 and the national pastor’s salary was $524. In Chilean pesos, the cost is the same, but now it costs us $469 for rent and $704 for the pastor’s salary. The dollar has not been this low since at least 1997, and inflation has increased at least 30%.”
Vic & Pam deLeón, Chile, 3/5/08
Pray for our missionaries as they make every effort to be the best stewards of their resources. Consider ways you and your church can help your missionary partners. |
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