This week I read a few articles that stressed the importance of understanding the problem of the change in the U.S. dollar in the world market.  And although I once wanted to be a banker, there is so much information about the economy that I do not always understand.  But I do understand some things about the economy in Australia -

• that is that our family has lost 50% of our spending power in Australia in the last 5 years.  
• Petrol (fuel for the car) is now over $1.50 a litre in Australia- a little more than what New Yorkers or Californians are paying.
• Rent continues to increase
• Eggs cost almost $5.00/dozen...
• Milk is nearly $5.00/gallon.
• And the Aussie Dollar is about equal with the U.S. in currency value.

Yes, its expensive to live abroad, especially in another "westernised" society.  But we've experienced the same here in the U.S. while we're on furlough this year.    And that leads us to strong gratitude for those faithful and committed missions-givers that are directed by God to share in their wealth, or in their need, and sacrifice to see that the Gospel gets to the different nooks and crannies of the world, whether those places are proverty stricken, storm ravaged, or just plain normal.  

So thanks for giving.  Those who are reading this might have given to our lives in Australia, or to another family in another part of the world.  What you have done is invested in eternity for people who you will meet one day, if not here, then in heaven.

Our gratitude is expressed right now in hopes of encouraging those who have been, like us, stretched in their own personal finances in an effort to stay focused on the goal of giving to missions.  For some, sacrifice might be experienced for the first time in order to stay involved, but for others the sacrifice may have grown. 

I can't help but think, though, "What can we do to work within the crisis of the economy to continue to reach others?"

From a "goer's" point of view:

• Can we sacrifice by becoming "tent-makers" overseas like American based church planters?  Can we find employment within the economy of our field of burden to make the bridge between lagging support and sufficient income for survival?  Can we utilize that opportunity to meet people in the community and begin a redemptive journey in the lives of potential co-workers?  This is a question that challenges missionaries and missions policies, so I speak it with meekness and curiousity.
• Can we sacrifice our American health care coverage and engage in the health care systems within our fields of service?  In Australia, there is socialized medicine.  Such is the same in Canada, Mexico, and other places.  In Australia, there is supplemental health care available at a fraction of the cost of american health care.  This would equate to a signicant difference in the amount of usable support for many missionaries.  But it would require a sacrifice in the pool of the American based healthcare provider.

From a sender's point of view:

• Can we find room in what could be considered "disposable income" (i.e. cable tv packages, meals out, costly hobbies, extravagant vacations, etc.)  We were once called upon to sacrifice in a day long ago when it was "safe" and "normal".  But as the call to sacrifice is  upon us once again, it collides with personal agendas, desires, and goals.  In the meantime, the mandate of the Gospel still calls and compels us to go and to send.
• Can we evaluate what useful and valuable clutter we have in our homes that we might sell to bring the proceeds to the needs of missionaries around the world.  (Our local stateside churches are every bit missionary as our overseas ones are.)  Ebay has empowered many to get needed items at a lower than normal cost.  Could it be used to get rid of valuable items that could generate an increase in missions giving in local churches? 
• Is there a boat, camper, or car that is sitting in the garage that doesn't get used much anymore?  Could the sale of that item be converted to eternal value in investment in missions?  (It is currently being done for the Kidney Foundation and other similar organizations.)

Noone likes the word sacrifice.  It stirs up feelings of discomfort, or even pain.  But sacrifice is a glorious word.  Sacrifice is what gave us this country, the United States.  Sacrifice is what gave me my upbringing - my dad and mom worked hard to feed, clothe and educate four children with 9 different post-graduate degrees.  Your parents may have sacrificed the same.  Sacrifice for your own family gives you a great sense of satisfaction and joy.  Sacrifice, of course, is what has made Eternal Life a possibility for all and a reality to many.  God sacrificed.  Jesus sacrificed.  Can we?  After all, the student can't be above the Teacher, nor the servant above the Master.

Sacrifice - "hmm, now that I've rambled...what can I sacrifice?  Lord, please show me".