Money, Money, Money … Ugh

I know many people share my frustration with finances. We live an economic climate that it temperamental at best. I am thankful that I eat well, sleep in a heated house, drive a working car and I am spoiled with many other luxuries, like DVR and a puppy. I am in no means “in need,” yet money stalks me, it’s an all-consuming giant feasting on worry and need.  

I thought this picture was interesting.

It seems like I can’t go a day without talking about money. I don’t bring it up most of the time; the need for money is something I’d rather ignore. I live in an interesting paradigm; I’m a missionary and therefore rely on the generosity of others to support me. The wonderful people that support me each month sacrifice in order to do so, God has put on their heart to give a percentage of their tithe to my ministry and for that I am eternally grateful. To perpetuate the Christian stereotype, I hope they are as blessed in this offering as I am. This is an amazing work of the Lord, but here’s where the awkwardness comes in – what happens when I need to ask for more?

Missionaries come across this issue all the time. There is a predominant belief in the mission world (I’m sure there are more but this is a common one) – cast a vision for the ministry and the Lord will work in the hearts of the people you meet. It’s a tag-team, you present the opportunity to partner in ministry and the Lord works. Here’s where the big question happens, what if the Lord doesn’t seem to be working? I know missionaries who have been trying to get on the field for years and the money just isn’t coming in. I also know missionaries who are doing amazing work on the field but they are heavily in debt. If the Lord doesn’t seem to be working, then the follow-up question is; am I working in the center of His will? The money is not coming in, am I on the wrong path? How do you answer these questions? You can’t answer the questions without a drastic change, and even then an answer isn’t a guarantee.

Therefore, missionaries rely heavily on faith. That’s where I’m at, relying heavily on faith in my Father but also seeking the best way to present my need to my network of people that care and pray for me. Living in the US and turning 26 next month (going off the parent’s insurance) is proving expensive. I am earnestly praying for God’s guidance in my life, am I on the path He has laid for me or is it time to adjust? Please partner in this prayer with me. As much as I hate money (or at least the lack of it), it’s a necessary piece of the world and something I can’t run away from.

This one a hard one to write, no one wants to share their shortcomings or needs. I’ve grown up in a missionary family so I am no stranger to relying on other’s generosity. Pray never hurts.

(If you are interested in just a piece of what I do, visit our website onechallenge@oci.org. I write/edit a lot of the articles and help generate content.)

A Good Man is Hard to Find

The title of this blog is incredibly misleading but I have a feeling it got you to click. Keep reading, there's a point.

I work for OC International, a mission organization that values its people. I know a lot of orgs say this, but in real and practical ways we care about the mental and physical well being of the people around the world that serve with us, adults and children alike. For roughly 11 years of my life I have been working with the children of our missionaries during our rest and replenish retreat in the summer called PEP.


Did I mention PEP is in the Colorado Rockies?

To understand what we do and why a good man is hard to find, let me give you a bit of incite into missionary kids (these traits are generalized and don't apply to everyone).

1. On some level, we feel responsibly for the money our parents raise. Good manners, bright smiles and God-centric answers to questions seem directly correlated to support raising. This is not true, God challenges people to obediently give, but it seems to a young MK ... the cuter you are, the bigger the bank.

2. In relation to the above trait, it's really hard to admit we are broken and not doing well. This can feel like a betrayal to our parents who have sacrificed in the service of Christ. How can you complain when God has called and your parents answered?

3. MKs are really good at relating to adults. In general, we are well-spoken, insightful, and know our place in the conversation. Unfortunately the caveat is that we are a little awkward around our peers, especially those that have never lived overseas. How does one relate with someone who thinks you live in a hut in central China when you live in a skyscraper with a concrete backyard in the heart of Beijing? This awkwardness often leads to perception of being aloof and when most of your conversations begin with, "On vacation we scuba dived in Bali" or "Every winter we visit a lodge in the Swiss Alps" one might think MKs are a bit spoiled and stuck up. That doesn't even get me started on the "one ups." In an attempt to relate, when you say, "I'm learning Spanish." I might come back at you and say, "I've been speaking Spanish since I was 5." I assure you, I'm just trying to make conversation, you are probably hearing me trying to be better than you.

4. MKs don't feel 100% comfortable anywhere. Even if you have been entirely immersed into the culture where you live, something inside reminds you that you are not actually German or Brazilian or Indonesian. Yet, you also don't belong in the culture in which your passport identifies you. It's a complicated confusion that not every one can understand.

This all leads me to the point of my title. Not just anyone can speak into the lives of MKs. In our org we like older MKs to mentor and listen to younger MKs. There is no judgement or prejudice because we "get" it. We, generally, have no shortage of mature young women that want to pour into and love the young MKs in the org. Where we lack is young men that have experience mentoring and want to spend time having fun with other MKs but also share emotions, struggles and joys with younger, boy MKs. This is a great need this summer. Coming to the retreat are a lot young men who need someone older to hang with them and speak into their lives, someone that cares for them and understands them. We have a couple young men coming to lead but where we lack is a mature, male leader for the older group, who could also lead the male staff. I am desperately seeking God's guidance in this area. Please pray with me in this. It's not an easy job but it's important and I am praying the Lord will bring the right guy to the doorstep.

So my title is not a plea of a single women looking for "Mr. Right," but it's the lament of a MK leader that needs someone to partner in the work of pouring into the lives of MKs from several countries all over the world.


(This is the staff (and one participant in the program)for the summer 2011. Notice, all young women, and don't even ask about the costumes, that story is worth another blog post.)