Financial Report as of 24 September 2008
I thought it would be a good idea to give some of you an idea of what we are facing financially so that you might be better informed in deciding how to support us.
Currently we pay more for rent than we ever have while we were living in the US. Utilities are a bit more reasonable though. Our rent has doubled since we arrived 3 years, 3 months and 3 days ago. There was a 33% increase after the first year, then the landlord asked for a 75% increase the next year, but ended up settling for a 45 turn 50% increase. We currently pay $600 a month for rent, but my land lord pointed out in his last visit that people with one bedroom apartments are paying $700 a month, so I expect him to ask for more when we see him in December. Please be praying that he will be reasonable or will relent all together.
Our grocery bills have doubled as well. For the three of us it was costing a minimum of $200 + dollars a month (depending upon how much meat we wanted eat) but is much closer to $400 a month. On top of that we have transportation, Russian Lessons, and ministry costs.
I do have a military stipend but much of it is taken up paying for a variety of things related to our old life in the US. We support two missionary families with Wycliffe and a child in Africa through World Vision. Our biggest expense stateside, my student loans, are still three years plus until they are paid off. We have insurance payments we make as well as paying off our last visit to the US and trying to save for our next trip or our registration. We try to plan for our future, but are not very successful. Our savings as of right now is less than $1500. I have managed to squeeze a little our of our budget to buy savings bonds, but that won't account for much as that is only recent. We continue to tithe at our home church (out of my stipend) and we tithe here out of our support checks.
So the long and short of it comes down to this. We currently receive in support, enough to pay the rent, utilities and some of the groceries. I have money that I send to Whidbey Is Bank that also helps with groceries come the first of the month. But all the other expenses either have to come out of savings or when we are blessed by a special giving. God has been so faithful. One month our regular support dropped to $375 but someone gave a special gift and not only was I able to pay rent, but we had the money we need to get new pass ports, and go to Poland to get new visas.
God has been faithful to make sure that have not starved or been unable to pay rent. We continue to count our blessings and give thanks for those of you who support us. The special gifts we get and our tax return pretty much take up the slack.
The following are monthly expenses that our regular support does not cover -
Our two computers are 3 and 1/2 years old and are showing wear and tare. Both computer's DVD's no longer work. My computer has broken keys and the USB ports are getting flaky. Em's screen keeps shutting off and her battery is shot, she cannot move it without it shutting itself off.
We are blessed with and external Hard Drive and DVD burner/player so we still have access to our photos and other materials. But both computers could do with replacing and there is no room in our budget for that. We are trusting God and our loving supporters for that. Someone over here offered to sell us a Desktop computer, but we don't have the $300 right now to buy it or a place in our apartment to set it up.
I hope this doesn't sound too bad. We are so blessed and appreciate all of those who support us. We are so thankful to God who continues to meet our needs even as the economy gets more expensive (they are talking 20% + inflation over the next year). We know all of our supporters are feeling the pinch too as the world wide cost of fuel is way up. But we are asking you to pray and consider how you might help us in the coming years.
It is just that money is my weak spot. I keep thinking if we had more we could do more. But I think God is saying "I have given you everything you need for life and godliness, so trust ME!"
I love working over here. I don't need to live like we did in the US. We have a wonderful life and we are so grateful for the opportunities that we have to minister and teach. So please continue to pray for us and pray how you might support us as we continue to minister here in Ukraine.
God bless you all for your love and support.
I thought it would be a good idea to give some of you an idea of what we are facing financially so that you might be better informed in deciding how to support us.
Currently we pay more for rent than we ever have while we were living in the US. Utilities are a bit more reasonable though. Our rent has doubled since we arrived 3 years, 3 months and 3 days ago. There was a 33% increase after the first year, then the landlord asked for a 75% increase the next year, but ended up settling for a 45 turn 50% increase. We currently pay $600 a month for rent, but my land lord pointed out in his last visit that people with one bedroom apartments are paying $700 a month, so I expect him to ask for more when we see him in December. Please be praying that he will be reasonable or will relent all together.
Our grocery bills have doubled as well. For the three of us it was costing a minimum of $200 + dollars a month (depending upon how much meat we wanted eat) but is much closer to $400 a month. On top of that we have transportation, Russian Lessons, and ministry costs.
I do have a military stipend but much of it is taken up paying for a variety of things related to our old life in the US. We support two missionary families with Wycliffe and a child in Africa through World Vision. Our biggest expense stateside, my student loans, are still three years plus until they are paid off. We have insurance payments we make as well as paying off our last visit to the US and trying to save for our next trip or our registration. We try to plan for our future, but are not very successful. Our savings as of right now is less than $1500. I have managed to squeeze a little our of our budget to buy savings bonds, but that won't account for much as that is only recent. We continue to tithe at our home church (out of my stipend) and we tithe here out of our support checks.
So the long and short of it comes down to this. We currently receive in support, enough to pay the rent, utilities and some of the groceries. I have money that I send to Whidbey Is Bank that also helps with groceries come the first of the month. But all the other expenses either have to come out of savings or when we are blessed by a special giving. God has been so faithful. One month our regular support dropped to $375 but someone gave a special gift and not only was I able to pay rent, but we had the money we need to get new pass ports, and go to Poland to get new visas.
God has been faithful to make sure that have not starved or been unable to pay rent. We continue to count our blessings and give thanks for those of you who support us. The special gifts we get and our tax return pretty much take up the slack.
The following are monthly expenses that our regular support does not cover -
- Language training - $20 a week
- Ministry Visit to Chernighiv - $30 month
- AnnMarie's transportation and lunches - $15 a week
- Phone cards - $10 week (for three phones)
- Internet - $35 a month (to include Skype long distance service)
- Ministry luncheons - $35 a month
- Birthday and wedding gifts - varies
Our two computers are 3 and 1/2 years old and are showing wear and tare. Both computer's DVD's no longer work. My computer has broken keys and the USB ports are getting flaky. Em's screen keeps shutting off and her battery is shot, she cannot move it without it shutting itself off.
We are blessed with and external Hard Drive and DVD burner/player so we still have access to our photos and other materials. But both computers could do with replacing and there is no room in our budget for that. We are trusting God and our loving supporters for that. Someone over here offered to sell us a Desktop computer, but we don't have the $300 right now to buy it or a place in our apartment to set it up.
I hope this doesn't sound too bad. We are so blessed and appreciate all of those who support us. We are so thankful to God who continues to meet our needs even as the economy gets more expensive (they are talking 20% + inflation over the next year). We know all of our supporters are feeling the pinch too as the world wide cost of fuel is way up. But we are asking you to pray and consider how you might help us in the coming years.
It is just that money is my weak spot. I keep thinking if we had more we could do more. But I think God is saying "I have given you everything you need for life and godliness, so trust ME!"
I love working over here. I don't need to live like we did in the US. We have a wonderful life and we are so grateful for the opportunities that we have to minister and teach. So please continue to pray for us and pray how you might support us as we continue to minister here in Ukraine.
God bless you all for your love and support.
posted by Preacher Al at 1:18 AM
1 comments
