One of the monthly features on the Eurasia Community Blog is about our Financial Partnership Development program, led by Jenn Fortner. In FPD, missionary associates receive small group training and coaching as they invite individuals and churches to partner with them financially in the work God has called to in Eurasia.
When you’re trying to raise funds to go to Eurasia, you never know whom God will lead to give generously and even sacrificially to help. Evan* and Caroline* learned this lesson recently as they work to raise funds to be a part of a Live Dead team in Central Eurasia.
Evan and Caroline both work full-time jobs while they raise money. Evan is an engineer at a manufacturing plant. One of his coworkers is a Chinese immigrant named Christine. One day, Evan and Christine were talking casually, and somehow the work that he and Caroline will be doing overseas came up.
Christine was very interested in what they were doing, so as they continued to talk, Evan nonchalantly mentioned that she could support them if she wanted to. Christine immediately said yes, she would be very interested in helping them out, and a week later, she gave them $100.
Evan and Caroline were blown away by her generosity, and thanked God for helping them get one step closer to their goal. But they were even more surprised, when a month later, they received another $100 from Christine. It was not a one-time gift, but a commitment to support their work on an ongoing, monthly basis. Now, because of Christine’s obedience, Evan and Caroline have a multi-national support team.
But don’t think you have to give $100 a month to help couples like Evan and Caroline. They would be the first to tell you that any amount counts. They have had several friends from college, many of whom are barely making ends meet themselves, sign up to support them for small monthly amounts. Those friends are giving out of their poverty, not their excess, and their generosity matters, too.
No matter what your financial situation, you can probably give something. If you would like to support Evan and Caroline, you can email us. And if you’re reading this, and you’re trying to raise money to come to Eurasia, we hope this encourages you. You never know where your next gift might come from.
*Names have been changed to protect their safety, as many nations in Central Eurasia are closed to the gospel.