Why become a partner now if we aren't going to Spain for a year?

As I have begun to talk with people regarding our future plans and timeline I get the same questions repeatedly, so I figure there are others out there with the same questions... so for the next couple days I am going to try to answer some of the questions.

Question #1:  So, if we are not planning on going to Spain until at least early 2011, why is it important for people to become monthly partners now? 

Answer #1:  In worldly terms, because it gets you the "biggest bang for your buck."  Let me explain how this financial partner stuff works.

We have to raise two types of financial support - 1) our outgoing expenses, which includes one time expenses required to get the four of us to Spain, and 2) our monthly partners, which keeps us in Spain and provides for ministry.  Tomorrow I'll answer the question what does all that include, but back to today's question.  We cannot receive any monthly funds until we are in Spain, but the outgoing expenses have already begun.

When you give a gift to our outgoing expenses it goes straight to that "pot" and can be used for one time expenses but is not calculated at all into our needed monthly support.  When you make a monthly commitment that begins now, it goes into both categories.  Your commitment is calculated into our monthly requirements and your money goes into the outgoing expense pot until we are actually gone.  Confused yet?

Let me give you an example.

Say Sally wants to give $500 to us to help for outgoing expenses and then intends to also support us at $50 per month once we depart for Spain, which we hope is in approximately 10 months or less.  She can do this in several ways:

• Send a check today for $500 to SEND and wait to hear from us that we are actually close to leaving and then make the monthly commitment - but remember we can't leave until the monthly commitments are also made.  OR
• Send a monthly commitment for $50/month now and indicate it begins in January, 2011 and send the $500 check to SEND now and have it applied as a special contribution (our outgoing expenses) OR
• Send a monthly commitment for $50 that begins now and include the $500 check to cover the 1st 10 months of commitment, which will automatically be applied to our outgoing expenses because we can't draw monthly funds yet as we are still here, but her commitment will also be applied to our monthly funds we are having to raise.

Are you confused?  Basically, any monthly commitments made now go into both financial categories and thus help in both areas of needed financial support, whereas, special contributions go only into our outgoing expense category.

Both categories are necessary and every gift and commitment is valued.  We have been overwhelmed, honored, humbled, and more by the people we have had become a partner.  We are amazed daily by the people who are expressing their support of our calling.  We are still in awe that God is allowing us to share His love with the people of Spain and that He is calling others to join alongside of us.

Thank you for every prayer, word of encouragement, and financial gift.  I cannot wait to see where God moves next!