How You Can Help Us: Give

Today, I wanted to continue with the series that I started a few weeks ago, about the different ways that you can support the ministry here in Mexico (and, not to just make this about us, but ways that you can support ANY missionary that you know).  However, before I begin with today's theme, I want to say this: I do NOT write these things to make anyone feel guilty!  We know that we have amazing supporters (in many different ways) who love us and lift us up.  So when we write about communication (like last time) we don't do it because we feel neglected in that area.  We talk about these themes because we know our supporters love us, and that they want to know how to lift us up, encourage us, and support the ministry.  So, as you read these, be encouraged!

That said, today we want to talk about giving.  For me, growing up in a Southern Baptist church as a kid, giving to support a missionary, a specific missionary, wasn't really something I ever thought about.  We gave to the offering plate, and that was all, and we'd hear about missions sometimes (especially at Christmas time, thanks to Ms. Lottie Moon), but when we gave, we gave knowing that it would go... somewhere. Eventually it would make it to some missionaries.  We didn't know who, and we didn't know where, so I never had many chances to put a face and a name with the money that was given.  So, when the Lord led us to be a part of Global Outreach, I was surprised and a little scared, to be honest.  I didn't really know what it meant, what it looked like, to have to raise support.  Plus, we had some people telling us that the churches in Wyoming were too small, too Southern Baptist, and not plentiful enough to support a missionary like us.  But, we felt called in this direction, so we prayed, and went out in faith.  And, as God usually does, He used a situation that didn't look possible in order to do what only He can do, and here we are a few years later, having done our time at language school, and now our first year in Ciudad Guzmán, Mexico!

So, for missionaries like us, and like our friends that are serving in Uruguay, Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and other countries, financial giving is like the physical rope that holds up our mission here (last time, we talked about communication, the emotional support).  But, what does the money actually DO?

1. It Lets Us Live:  This is one of the most obvious uses, but also a very important one.  What you give to us allows us to live.  It buys groceries, it pays for the rent, and the utilities.  It helps us pay the incredible cost of our insurance (yeah, we know, NO one wants to get started on the cost of insurance right now!).  It allows us to have what we need so that we don't have to worry about those things while we focus on sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ here in Mexico.  And we can't tell you what a blessing it is every time we're able to pay a bill, or buy a loaf of bread.  When I shop, I constantly try to remember, with every can and package of food that we buy, that you, one of you, gave generously from what the Lord has given you so that we can support our family like this.  And I can't tell you what a humbling and blessed reminder that is every time.  THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts for blessing us and supporting us in this way as you give to the Lord.
2. It Provides for Emergencies: This may seem like part of #1, but for a missionary, it's in it's own separate category.  Daily living is often complicated enough in a foreign country, especially when you're still figuring out the system, where things are, and how to take care of everything.  But, when things happen, like when Zoe broke her leg in January, or when the front brakes went out on the van in August, it's such a huge blessing to not have to worry about a way to pay for those problems on top of everything else.
3. It Allows Us To Travel: Right now, we have to leave Mexico every 6 months to renew our visas.  This means a drive to the border (15 hours away) with all of the gas, food stops, hotel stays, and tolls (Mexico loves their toll roads) that you'd expect, twice a year.  It adds up.  But, there's also in-country travel.  Travel to Bernal in April for a pastor's conference.  Travel to Manzanillo for a different conference in June.  Travel to Colima for a youth camp in July.  Travel to Sayula, or Tamazula, or Guadalajara, or other places to preach and share the Gospel.  Travel this coming Saturday to El Grullo this Saturday with a van full of students for a youth retreat.  Every time, we're able to go where we're needed and do what we're called to do because of your giving.
4. It Allows Us to Share: Being able to live here means we're able to share.  We're able to get Bibles.  We're able (in a few months) to start English classes, and get the materials we need to offer these classes.  We're able to host meals for college students, and for families that we're getting to know.  We're able to purchase Christian marriage books to counsel families and marriages that are struggling.  We're able to meet needs of people as God leads us.  We're able to get materials for Bible studies. We're able to be the light that Christ has called us to be here.  And THAT is everything!
5. It Lets us Dream:  Even as we serve here and do these things, we have larger dreams in our hearts and in our prayers.  Dreams of starting Bible studies and churches in nearby towns. Dreams of reaching more and more students with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Dreams of starting a Christian camp here in this area that can host children's camps, youth camps, pastor's retreats, Men's retreats, women's retreats, seminary classes, and can be used as a staging area for missions teams.  Big dreams... dreams bigger than we are, and bigger than our current budget (by far).  But, much smaller than our great God.  Every time you give, every time we see God's provision and support through YOU, we see the possibility of these dreams coming true, as the Lord allows.  And this lifts us up and encourages us so much!

There are many more things that I could probably say about what happens when you give, but this is a good start.  For those of you who financially support us and the ministry here, thank you so much!  You'll never know, this side of heaven, the impact that it has on us and on the Kingdom.  And as the Lord allows, please continue to give faithfully.  If you haven't given, and would like to, or would like to help spread the word of our ministry here so that we can share it with more believers and churches, you can contact us directly, or you can give at our organization's website, here.  Or, you can mail it directly, to:

Global Outreach International

P.O. Box 1 

Tupelo, MS 38802

 If you have any questions, or would like to be a financial part of what the Lord is doing here, let us know, and thank you again for all of the continued faithfulness and support that we see from you in so many ways!