Support Level Updates: In the past year God has led 10 supporters to either lower their monthly giving or stop giving completely and direct those resources elsewhere. While I have felt the pinch (-$2,085 this year and -$470/month) I also thank those supporters for following God in giving to this ministry and consequently following Him in reducing or stopping. One ought to follow God's will regardless of the consequences. God knows what He is doing and through one-time gifts some of the need was augmented. Currently my current monthly need is $3,170.68/month and what is actually arriving each month, minus any one-time gifts, is $2,700.68/month- PRAISE GOD!!! While the financial aspect is not moving along as I would desire it is working according to God's perfect plan for my good and His glory. I have the feeling God will bring the majority of finances in towards the end so as to strengthen my faith and dependance in Him. Prayer support is a little harder to gauge but according to people's comments concerning it I believe that its level stands at about twice the financial level. Praise God, for it is exactly as I have been praying for! He is great and greatly to be praised! Let His praises and thanksgiving never cease to flow as a torent from our hearts! Thank you for your prayers and support!
There are several ways you can support me:
Prayer: This is by far the most important way you can support me. James 5:16b says, "The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." In conjunction, Dr. A.J. Gordon said, "You can do more than pray after you've prayed, but there's no more you can do than pray until you've prayed." I therefore urge you to faithfully pray for me and with me.
Giving: The philosophy of raising financial support God has laid upon my heart is to make my needs known to everyone but to only ask Him to supply my needs. The budget given by the missionary leading the OIKOS program was $63,000 for the two years. That was in July. However as the Dollar has slipped and the Euro has strengthened that figure is now incorrect. Missionaries that I spoke to during my training week told me to expect a total around $70,000.
As opposed to a regular job I am not compensated financially. Rather I receive support through faith, meaning that I depend upon people giving to me from the blessings which God has placed in their stewardship. If God leads you to give to the ministry you can make checks payable to WorldVenture and put my missionary number (960) in the memo line (see WorldVenture's address under it's tab). Additionally there are other methods of giving. If you are interested in these, for example online giving, please visit http://www.worldventure.com/Give/Ways-to-Give.html. To make a one time online gift please visit https://worldventure.com/Give/Give-Now.html. To commit giving for a period of time online please visit https://worldventure.com/Give/Make-A-Commitment.html.
Edification: This form of support is very important. It can take the form of letters, email, msn messaging, phone calls, food (especially home-made goodies :P) etc.