As most of you know, Rusty and I are full-time support-raised missionaries. That means, we depend on donations made by our supporters to get our monthly paycheck. You could compare it to a pastor of a church - he gets a paycheck because people give tithes and offerings in the plate on Sunday morning. We get a paycheck because people send in donations to Adventures in Missions.

There are many different opinions about support-raising. Some people aren't supportive and think we should get 'real jobs' and stop asking people for money. Some people (who support us) love being a part of our mission work. And those of us who support-raise usually have a love/hate relationship with it; we LOVE the way it keeps us dependent on God and in relationship with our supporters....and sometimes we HATE the way it keeps us dependent on God (because as sinful, prideful humans we like to do things on our own!)

There are several references in scripture to support raising. Most people know that there were churches and individuals who supported Paul's ministry, but there is another scripture that is less familiar in Luke 8: 1-3. The truth is, Jesus was actually a 'support-raised missionary' too!

It's comforting to me to know that there was a time Jesus was in the same boat we are in. Called to a life of full-time ministry, He depended on the support of others to meet His and the disciples' needs.

Still, Rusty and I sometimes struggle with how other people may perceive us as missionaries. That's what made us decide to write this blog. We're wondering if other support-raised missionaries struggle with the same thoughts, and exactly how those of you who are supporters view your partnership with those you support.

I will be honest, I struggle with worries sometimes that we are not meeting the expectations of our supporters. The idea behind support raising is a PARTNERSHIP; the donor's job is to give and pray, the missionary's job is to carry out the ministry. Unfortunately, I think sometimes I view supporters as my BOSS or my SUPERVISOR. Because they are, essentially, paying my salary, I wonder if I am living life the way they expect, sacrificing as much as they expect, and, to be blunt - "poor enough" for them to continue supporting me.

The problem is, when God called me to missions, I didn't take a vow of poverty. Now, don't get me wrong, if God is calling you to a vow of poverty then blessings to you. It takes a very strong person for that! But neither I, nor Rusty felt that call. The call to missions automatically equals a call to SACRIFICE - this we knew. We knew we would probably make less than half the money we could make in 'real world' in this 'occupation'. We knew we would have to sacrifice employee benefits (like insurance and retirement). We knew we would have to sacrifice the houses, cars, clothes and trips that many others splurge on. We knew there would also be times God called us to GIVE sacrificially, to orphans, mission work, or a friend in need. We knew that we would have to live on a budget and there might be tough times. But God promises ABUNDANT LIFE and GOOD GIFTS to His children....so we never expected to live a life of poverty.

But sometimes, I struggle with whether or not our supporters expect that. (and I wonder if any of you in ministry have the same struggles?)

We were recently sharing our financial needs with one of our awesome supporters, and explaining that we'd be going on a support raising trip in May/June. Her suggestion - "You might not want to tell people you went to Disneyworld on vacation if you want them to support you!"

It made me wonder if she was right. If people knew we went to Disneyworld on vacation, would they still support us? (Even though our airfare, lodging, and tickets were all paid for by friends who wanted to bless us?!)

I know that there are people who sacrifice to send the monthly support
they give us and for that we are SO grateful! But what kind of
lifestyle is "sacrificial enough" for us to be the missionaries you
expect us to be? Sometimes I wonder if we are "suffering enough" for people to want to support us.

I am being very honest with you here. These are the thoughts we wrestle with sometimes!

I guess it comes down to realizing that as much as we need support, we aren't looking for donors who pity us as we "suffer for Jesus" as missionaries. We are looking for PARTNERS; people who believe in us, are passionate about seeing Kingdom come to earth, and want to be a part of our work to see orphans fed, the poor loved, missionaries sent out, and His name made great! (If that describes you, then please click here!)

We serve a God who wants us to give us ABUNDANT LIFE and who loves to bless us with good gifts. I hope in the future we can enjoy those gifts without hearing the question "are we suffering enough?" in the back of our minds.