I hope that everyone in the Northern Hemisphere is having a great summer! I'm currently enjoying the wonderful weather in Colorado! I've already had a chance to get out and do some camping with some friends, and hope to get a chance to do some more outdoors activities (Frisbee golf, shooting, Jet-skiing, etc.) !
“Why is Joe back in Colorado?”
Until September 5th, I will be in Colorado doing fundraising for when I return to YWAM to become a full time missionary! When I return to Boston I will be helping the YWAM staff get ready for the next DTS (Discipleship Training School) in 2010! After we get everything set up, I'll be working with graphic design, art, making videos, tech support, networking... you know, the easy stuff. Long story short – I'm gunna be busy. Busy as I may be, YWAM is a non-profit organization in which everyone has to raise support for staff fees, equipment, maintenance fees, plane tickets, shampoo, etc. (We all know that if I was in it for the money, I definitely wouldn't have picked “missionary” as an occupation)
“You're asking for money again?”
Well, yes. Some people are called to be Engineers, Car Dealers, Loss Prevention Officers, Surgeons, or even Janitors, but in these occupations, there is a fixed income. As a Missionary, there is not a fixed income, because our bread and water comes from the temple, or the body of Christ. Missionaries are similar to Pastors. Pastors earn their income from the tithe and offering that they collect on Sunday mornings. The Levite tribe of the Old Testament can be compared to our modern-day Pastors and Missionaries. Now, the Levites were the ones who were designated as the priests that offered sacrifices, and served in the temple of God. These people were special. So special that they could not inherit any part of the promised land! Sounds kinda jacked-up, huh? Let's take a look at this though – Numbers 18:20 says, “And the Lord said to Aaron, 'You priests will receive no inheritance of land or share of property among the people of Israel. I am your inheritance and your share.” What?! God is our share? Wow! Let's read on... (verse 21) “As for the tribe of Levi, your relatives, I will pay them for their service in the Tabernacle with the tithes from the entire land of Israel.” As payment for serving the Lord, the Levites got payed through the tithes of the entire land of Israel. The Levites were well taken care of. Some people my not see missionary work as “real work”, but it is. Missionaries just receive a different inheritance than everyone else.
“I already tithe to my church!”
That's great! I'm not telling you “stop giving to your local church so that I can live in a hut in Africa”. Instead, I want to challenge you to pray over each and every tithe and offering that you give and ask God where he would have you invest that money. (invest – you're investing in the Kingdom of God) I've had people say, “Joe I wanted to send you money for support, and I've prayed about supporting you, but the Holy Spirit told me not to.” That is perfectly fine! That person was being obedient. At the end of my DTS, I didn't need that support; God had everything payed for – up to the very last penny. Supporters are nice, but God truly provides!
“What does your Budget look like?”
My budget is in process. YWAM staff fees are $400 a month. We had a short fundraising meeting before we left Boston, and we were told that we should budget for $1,500 a month. Now, this is not including the equipment that I'll need to do my graphic design and video editing. I also have to factor in taxes, insurance, savings, medical co-pays, etc. Once I have all the loose ends tied up, I will send out my budget and a wish-list. Now, my budget will be all of my bare-necessities; everything that I will need for surviving. My wish-list will include money for equipment, clothing, spending money, gifts, and toys. This list will be prioritized. This means you won't see me running around naked with a new laptop under arm.
Scripture for thought -
Acts 4:32-35 says:
" All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need."
If you would like to support me, or YWAM Boston as a whole, you can stick us on your prayer list, and if you feel lead to send financial support, make your checks out to -
YWAM Boston
23 Emerson st.
Newton, MA 02458
And if you want to bless me directly, I have a PayPal account which you can send money to by using my email address -
p0p3y3@gmail.com
Shalom,
Joe
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