June 28, 2022 – We have had and are scheduled to have a very busy rest of the summer. We have been sharing with many folks in many states about the needs of the poor, disenfranchise, persecuted, disabled and unemployed around the world. It is an awesome message we get to share but a tough one as well.
This email is also tough for us to write, as much as we try, we have found that our personal support is not at the level that it needs to be. We will be having another pay period without a salary. We know God will provide but we also have to think that it may be time for us to rethink things. We don’t feel released from the work we are doing but at the same time, we need to look at the reality of what we need to live vs what we are taking in.
When we switched agencies, we lost about 35% of our monthly giving. We were hoping to add new givers and churches. That has not happened yet. We are told that people love what we stand for and what we are doing but because of the sales generated some feel that that should cover our salary, but that goes back the vendors we have purchased from to pay for what we have and the operating needs to have the stores.
With inflation and costs going up funds are tight for everyone, we get that. Over the past 6 weeks store sales have dropped off but rent, payroll (for staff), insurance and other expenses have not declined. I am committed to covering these costs and so far this year, we have covered them and our monthly expenses have been paid for the stores.
We cover all the travel-related costs when we visit churches and Annual Conferences from our salaries. We do get some speaking fees but they really are only covering fuel, tolls, and travel-related expenses. We have also reduced our living expenses to the lowest possible cost we can. I share that to let you know we are doing all we can at this point.
So, we are writing this to ask you to join us in prayer about what we are to do? Do we shut down things and find other employment? Do we ask for a miracle? We have been praying God would send the funds we need and some have come in but we need to know without a doubt that we need to either keep going or wrap it up.
God has led us every step and we are trusting Him to continue to lead. We are now asking y’all to join us in this concern. We also realize we are part of the body of Christ we do not do this alone. The body needs to know what we need and that is sometimes hard for us to do for ourselves.
If you feel led to give to our support click here.
Thanks for being a supporter over the years as we have seen God do some amazing things and know He will continue to do so.
Blessings,