I’m trying to help explain a few things about our involvement with HCJB Global that might be confusing to some.  One is obviously the area of “support raising.”  This isn’t the exhaustive explanation, but it may help answer at least a few questions.  Basically, support is your financial contributions to HCJB Global that makes it possible for us to do the work we will be doing without also having to maintain a full-time job.  HCJB Global is not part of a church denomination and doesn’t receive its funding from one big source.  Each missionary helps raise support for the mission to help make it possible for him or her to serve.  It’s an invitation to be a part of a ministry team.  You see, even though it may feel like it, you aren’t giving money to us.  Your giving back to God is a form of worship, and it connects you to the work that God is doing in a place you might not be able to go to yourself, but would love to see impacted for Christ.  It’s like the old worn-out phrase that there is no “I” in team.  Just like you may not be able to go serve in Asia building radio stations, but might be able to support someone who can, we can’t go on our own.  For us, we need those financial and prayer teammates that will help.  We know that God will provide for that which is in His plan, so when we ask for you to partner with us, we aren’t saying that without you God’s will won’t be done… but we are saying that we want you to join us in one of the ways that God is working.  We have had the privilege of supporting others in the past, it has connected us much closer to their lives and work.

So, in our case, you might be asking what in practicality financial support looks like.  Basically, right now we are raising support to cover two things: one-time outgoing expenses and long-term work.  Outgoing expenses include everything that has a cost associated with our preparation and move to Singapore.  For example, we had plane tickets that we needed for training and development that we got back from a few weeks ago.  We will have moving expenses, a shorter vision trip to Singapore, and several weeks of pre-move training that all have a cost.  Those that give a one-time gift will help with all that.

Monthly support is on-going and helps with the month-to-month living expenses associated with us working with HCJB Global.  Not only is the cost of living in Singapore rather high, but there are many costs that many don’t think about.  When people look at the level of support we are raising they may think,”I don’t make nearly that much myself.” That’s true, we make far less than that.  However, we also have health insurance from my job where I pay only a small portion of the actual cost, my employer pays the rest.  When you are raising support for HCJB Global to cover the costs of working with them, we end up raising both parts.  Believe me, I’m not upset about it.  I’m glad that the mission wants its missionaries to be cared for.  But it does help explain how things get as high as they do.  Those that commit to helping us monthly help keep us serving without needing to take additional timeout of our work to ask for financial support.  At $8800 a month, it is a lot.  We are confident that God will lead us to supporters that can help with $50, $100, or more on a monthly basis.  We are also sure that He is even now working in the hearts of certain people that would be foundational supporters and are able and willing to support us with $300, $500, or even more a month.  This is going to be a faith stretch for us, but we know that God is faithful.

And did I mention that you can do a little of both?  For now, while we are still in the U.S. and raising support, those who commit to a monthly pledge and start giving now help us with our monthly goals, but also anything that comes in while we are still preparing to leave is counted in our outgoing expenses as well!

For those who have already committed to pray and financially support the work of HCJB Global and our work with them… a very, very sincere thanks.  It means a lot to receive such early encouragment.  If you would like to be involved, there are links to your left, or see our mail newsletter if you receive it (send a message if you would like to be included).   Also, we are hoping to get an opportunity to meet with many of you in order to explain more about HCJB Global and what are involvement in Asia looks like.  We have a passion for the region, we’d love to share it with you.