Funding Fun

I have been thinking a lot lately about funding, more specifically how I am funded. Several things have happened over the last few weeks have got me thinking. Firstly I have met a few new people, Colombian's and other nationalities, who have been surprised to hear that I do not get a salary for my job, "how do you live?" they ask, reasonable question! I tell them how I have a great bunch of people back in the UK who give generously every month to support what I do, some are family, some friends who I have known for years, others people I  barely know and one or 2 I have never even met! However, as I am telling them this, I am acutely aware that 3 of these people, for valid reasons, have stopped their support recently, and that each one of this wonderful group could also find themselves in a position where they are no longer able to offer their support , especially in these times of economic crisis. I know that several of my supporters give out of their poverty and not their wealth and am grateful for every sacrificial penny that comes into my account each month or quarter from these generous people.

I am good friends with a couple who are missionaries with another agency, and they receive a salary, this has led to discussions as to the pros and cons of these different approaches of funding missions, and although the security of knowing you have a stable, reliable income would be nice, I actually love being funded the way I am, and here is why! 

1. Gone but not forgotten

When you live a long way from home it is easy to feel forgotten, despite this internet age with social media making it so much easier to keep in touch. Being funded by individuals means that I know, for them at least, every time they see that DD come out of their account that they will remember me and, I hope, pray for me. I know that they care about me enough to give in this way. However, I am not devaluing the many friends who cannot support me in this way but I know pray for me regularly, prayer is just as, if not more, important that finances. 

2. Valued

When you are caught in the day to day struggles and monotony of  day to day work, feeling like you are hitting your head against a brick wall and not making a difference, it is comforting to know there are people out there who value what you are doing enough to put their hard earned cash into it. It is a reminder when you are caught up in the nitty gritty of disobedient kids who disrespect your every word or who refuse to do what they should,  that you are doing this for a reason and that reason is something people want to invest in and be a part of. 

3. Accountability

This wonderful group of people pay my salary! so in essence (and I know they don't think of it in this way) are my bosses! I am accountable to them for what I am doing! This is a real help in 2 ways, firstly it gives me a push when I am hot and tired and as they say here "flojera", that lazy feeling that comes on you when you are stupidly hot! to carry on and get the job done, also, now I am working from home on Thursday mornings on my project it gives me the impetus I need when I am staring at my computer fighting the desire to do anything but work! (that fan suddenly looks very dusty!)   I am aware that I have this team of investors who are expecting to see where their money is going, they want to see the progress I am making.

4. Stewardship

I am also accountable to them in what I do with their money! I have a tendency to desire luxuries! I like to buy things, and here as a foreigner in Colombia I have expensive tastes, as foods which are cheap in the UK are not so here! Knowing that people who are giving me out of the little they have holds be accountable in my spending habits. I have to think carefully about things that cost a little more, are they a need, or a want? One such example is breakfast cereal, (warning too much info may be coming up) A standard British breakfast, here it is expensive, I have made the decision to eat cereal however, based on health needs, a diet of white rice leads to some, shall we say digestive issues! that the high fibre cereal helps keep in check!  however Nutella, although a good substitute for Cadburies, is not a need and therefore not on my shopping list except for special occasions such as Christmas!  Sometimes spontaneous desires come up like recently I heard about a kickstarter project (a film funding site) that seemed really interesting and different and I wanted to support it as they were a long way of their goal I thought about it a lot and decided to go ahead and support it, I looked at my finances and decided to support a little bit, just $5, (about £3.50). Other things I have just said no too because I know they are not a good use of my resources. 

One thing supporting the film project has taught me is how much I take my supporters for granted sometimes especially lately, I haven't been updating my blog a lot and haven't send many newsletters out or emails. meanwhile Kirsten Vangsness who has been heading up the campaign for the kickstarter projet has been posting very emotional videos thanking the people who have supported her "art baby" openly crying when they finally did reach their target with just 2 days to go. I genuinely felt ashamed at my lack of gratitude, so I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of you, you know who you are, some have given a lot some little, some one off gifts when you can, others regularly for years. I love each and every one of you and I want you to know I am VERY aware of how you and I are partners in this work and without you I would be back in the call center in the UK and not be in a position to help these kids to become who God created them to be. so

THANK YOU ALL!!!