I have kept a running list of questions Jeremy and I have been asked while raising support. Most of the time we have a chance to answer them right then, but I know there are some people who may be wondering about these questions and have not had a chance to ask. So, here are some of the most asked questions with answers. If anyone has any other questions, please feel free to contact Jeremy or me and we would love to talk with you!
When do you plan to leave?
Our goal departure date is September 2013. This is completely dependant on our funding. Jeremy has resigned from his job and will leave on June 30th. The school has already begun the process of hiring his replacement, so this is definitely happening! I say that our departure date is completely dependant on our funding, that means we cannot leave unless we are 100% funded.
OMS holds cross training in January and July of each year. We need to be at July Cross-Training in order to meet our goal. That means we must be at least 50% funded in June. But, obviously we want to be further along than that.
Where will you live?
Our first three months in Spain will be spent in Madrid (the capital). During this time our only assignment will be language learning. We will focus completely on language learning then so that the rest of our first term can be devoted to serving the people fully. We will mostly likely live with another missionary couple or with someone they know.
After the first three months we will move to another area near El Escorial. There we will have an apartment since will be our home during our time in Spain.
What exactly will you be doing?
It is difficult to explain exactly what we will be doing. I say this because, just as a pastor, or any other career minister, each day will look different than the next. Our end goal is to plant churches or house churches. We will be doing this by simply building relationships. In order to do this, part of my job will be teaching English classes. Jeremy will likely be working with a youth group that has already been formed. Our days will be filled with these activities along with team meetings, projects, planning events, and day-to-day activities.
The team that we will be working with has a goal to reach 25 different towns in an area northwest of Madrid. Everything that we do will be in an effort to meet this goal.
How long will you be there?
This is another question that is somewhat difficult to answer. Our first term with OMS is two years. After that time we will have six months of furlough. This will be a time when we come back to the States and visit family, supporters and possibly do more support raising if necessary. Following our furlough time we will return to Spain for at least 4 years.
At this time Jeremy and I do see our missionary status as a career. We do not see ourselves returning to the States to find another job or career anytime soon. Clearly, I say this knowing that God may have other plans for us after these first two years. But, at this time this is what He has revealed to us. Our time in Spain may just be the beginning. He may have another location in store for us or he may reveal something completely new. However, we are acting in boldness and confidence that Spain is His calling for us.
How will you make money? Will you have another job?
Our income is solely from our monthly faith promises. That means that as you respond to our presentations and calling with monthly faith promises- your funds are supporting the ministry that God has called us to. We will not have another job while in Spain. This is due not only to Visas but also because we want to dedicate as much time as possible to this ministry. We do not want to spread ourselves thin and not be able to give everything to this work.
Why do you have to raise SO MUCH money?
People have asked about the exact amount we must have pledged monthly. I sometimes hesitate to give the exact amount because I do not want you to be hung up on the number. However, the number is important. The people at OMS have carefully figured out just how much we will need each month to operate and function well as missionaries in this area.
Let me tell you that our salary is only a fraction of the total monthly pledges we need.
The best way I can think to explain our MSR (Missionary Support Requirement) is as if we were self-employed. Anyone who owns a small business can tell you that the money that comes in must not only cover your salary but also all of the business expenses that you will incur. Our monthly pledges cover much more than what comes into our bank account.
I hope this offers you a little more clarity about what we will be doing and also how you can be a part of this.
