You will recall my last post enumerating my various epiphanies after a small crisis regarding my call?
Well, folks, things are only going uphill from here! I have received even more pledges of support and one-time gifts. Here is a little visual of my current progress:
Not too shabby, eh?
I wanted to use this post to let you as readers know what the financial side of long-term missions is like. It is much different than what people are used to if they are more familiar with short-term mission trips. For example, if you go on a 10-day mission trip to Kenya, you will most likely raise a flat amount; what you'll need to pay for your flight, your food and lodging and your ministry expenses for the time you are there, but my needs are a little different. The financial side of long-term mission work can be a little confusing, so I'll try and clarify the difference between the two amounts to the best of my abilities (and my own limited understanding). :)
The "Monthly Pledges" are the monies that will support me on a day-to-day basis for an indefinite period of time. Things like rent, groceries, health insurance, ministry expenses and basic living costs will be covered by this. They are pledges because people have made a pledge to give a certain amount every month (or week, or year) as long as they are able. The money is not physically in a bank account, but is contributed by faithful supporters as they send it in.
The "Start-Up Costs" are the monies I will need to get off the ground at the beginning of my journey. If someone donates a one-time gift of $50, for example, it goes into a bank account that will hopefully supply me with things I will need during the initial move. Things like my plane ticket, language courses, deposit on a flat and shipping my essential belongings to Germany.
Additionally, most of my monthly pledge supporters have already begun their giving, and this money is going straight into the bank account. In this way, my current monthly supporters are actually growing my start-up cost budget.
I feel so utterly thankful for where my support level is...and it is such a testament to God's desire for me to go to Germany to serve. If I ever begin to have doubts over my call, all I have to do is look at my support documents to see that even if I don't have faith in myself at the time, others obviously do. Sometimes your friends and family can see the right path for you even if it is difficult for you to see, right? This is exactly like that. And I couldn't be happier right now than to know the faith that my friends and family have in me...it is so much more than money. It is so humbling to see that these people are trusting God to fulfill this call, and for me to follow wherever He leads me...even if it is 5,000 miles away. :)
Love and blessings to you all!
Alison
To Donate:
1. Send your checks made out to ECMI-USA with a separate note with my name, Alison Settle, on it to this address: ECMI-USA
PO Box 181
West Unity, OH 43570
2. Click here, specify me, Alison Settle, and you can donate through your amazon.com account.
3. Or for monthly donations via electronic transfer, send a request by email to rebekah.burkholder@ecmi.org
PO Box 181
West Unity, OH 43570
2. Click here, specify me, Alison Settle, and you can donate through your amazon.com account.
3. Or for monthly donations via electronic transfer, send a request by email to rebekah.burkholder@ecmi.org
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