When we first started out on deputation we had to come up with a budget and a target amount of support to raise. Although we were going to work with veteran missionaries, it was still difficult to know what expenses we would incur. We came up with an amount and started making phone calls to set meetings with pastors to present our ministry at their churches. As we started gaining support, we were getting closer to the goal of being 100% supported. We had a target date we wanted to be on the field, and we were headed that direction.

I still recall quite vividly an incident that occurred at a church in NC during a mission’s conference when it was question and answer time with the missionaries. There were all kind of questions for the four couples on the stage. Then there was the all too common question of, “Where are you at in your support?” The other missionaries gave their responses of “35%”, “90%”, and “75%.” Then it was my moment of fame. I was handed the microphone and proudly replied, “3%.” I can still see the heads turn to me as if to say, “Stop joking, and tell the truth.” The pastor asked me to repeat my answer, and I did. That was a question that would be asked over and over again and again.

What is the percentage number that we give? What is the pre-field budget? What about a ministry budget? How about a budget for living expenses? Another one is furlough budgets. I realize that there are a myriad of policies that mission agencies and local churches have as far as calculating these different budgets. I will say that from my personal experience and from conversations with other missionaries that have been on the field longer than I have been saved, the reality is that you are never at 100%. One missionary that I spoke with had been on the field for 18 years, and when asked how long he was on deputation his reply was, “I’m still on deputation.”

Don’t let this discourage you in your calling. One thing that I can personally attest to is that in my 25+ years in the ministry and 21 years of marriage, I have never gone hungry, never been without a roof over my head, and never lacked clothing or shoes on my feet. While we have not been at 100% of the budget, we are always at 100% of the need for the month. God is faithful, and if He never does anything else for me, He has done enough! Consider these verses from the word of God:

Philippians 1:6 (KJV) “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”

1 Thessalonians 5:24 (KJV) “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”

Here are some things to consider when formulating a budget. I call them Budget Pitfalls.

• Churches or individuals will drop your support. Just when you get to the field and are setup and beginning to learn the language, boom you get a letter or an email (sometimes neither, just a blank spot on the spreadsheet) that says we are sorry to inform you that we can no longer support you due to . . . One time I got three in one month. Talk about knocking the wind out of your sail.
  
• A church or individual will skip a month and will not make it up. This is a very common situation. Your budget is tight, and you do not receive $150 that month because they forgot, or they did not have it to send. Whatever the case may be, there is a hole in your income. Sometimes the next month a supporter will double the support, but many times it is lost.
  
• Exchange rates change for the worse. At the time I am writing this post, in Haiti where we serve, the dollar is rising and so are prices. If I catch it at the right time I can make my money go farther. But what about when it is not in your favor? We have heard of missionaries in Europe, for example, having to raise an additional $1000 a month just to make up for the exchange rate when the dollar fell. It is hard to stick to a strict budget when you have to change money in a foreign country, not to mention foreign wire frees and exchange fees.
  
• Inflation is something that affects everyone whether foreign or domestic. We know it is going to happen, but how much and when?
  
• Unique circumstances can cause the prices of things to shoot up quickly. Years ago when we were building our house in Haiti, there was a hurricane that came through and hit Florida. As a result of that, the price of plywood tripled in Haiti because the plywood was being shipped in from Miami. We were not able to purchase as much plywood as we needed to pour the concrete roof. Another time gasoline was scarce because of some type of governmental type thing that was going on (to this day we don’t know exactly what it was), and the price of gas went from $5USD to $12.50USD a gallon. Poof – there went the budget that month.
  
• New children come along and knock a big hole in your budget. Just in case you are wondering, four kids cost more to keep up than three kids. I know that sounds like something simple, but there are those that seem surprised when there is more month left at the end of the money because the little cute precious adorable new baby is costing a lot. If you are married and of child bearing age, consider it as a possibility.
  
• Being sick is no fun and especially if you are in a country that has substandard or nonexistent healthcare. I have spoken to missionaries that have to travel hundreds of miles to get to a location that has decent health care. In other cases it may require going to another country. This happened to me and my family and it can really mess up your budget.
  

I realize that there are other areas that may not be listed here, but if you can begin to think along these lines and realize that everything doesn’t go according to the paper plan, then you will be on the right track to learn how to be flexible. The main thing to remember is that “Where God guides, God provides.” If God has called you to a specific field, whether foreign or domestic, He will provide for your needs and many of your wants too! There are a lot of hidden “Start-up” costs when you get to the field, but the great news is that God knew about them before you even got there.

HGP3