Missio Colonia | Kevin and Kathi in Cologne, Germany

Before becoming a missionary, I never really considered how much international politics and economics effect the ministry of the Gospel. In the first century, the explosive growth of the early church was due in part to the political cohesion of the Roman Empire. Church planting in China during the early 1900s came to a halt because of the Boxer Rebellion. While God is never surprised by these things, they do have an enormous impact on missions.

While the economic situation in the world right now isn't as dramatic as the Boxer Rebellion, the falling value of the dollar is really hitting missions hard. In the past five years the dollar has lost over 30% of it's value against the Euro, and this trend has accelerated in the past year. This means that a missionary who raised support back in 2002 is now earning 30% less in 2007! Imagine in your own job what it would be like to take a 30% pay cut!

Please be praying for this situation. Do not necessarily pray that God raise the value of the dollar. Rather, pray that He would be providing for His work abroad even in spite of these circumstances. From all of the missionaries we know overseas, all of them are really struggling right now - many of them are considering returning to the States. We are at least fortunate that we are still support raising and we can raise the difference in the falling dollar before we leave. Missionaries in the field are handicapped in this regard. But, God is faithful. He will provide for all of our needs!