Evendays

As I write this post, "My Yahoo" tells me that a US dollar buys 1.03 Swiss Francs, meaning the dollar purchases 18% less than 2007’s average exchange rate (not counting inflation…)

Unfortunately, I’ve got to take a check to the bank this week, and waiting doesn’t seem to make it much better.

So today a gallon of gas is $7.60.
A postage stamp to the USA: $1.80.
A Big Mac: $6.50.
A coffee (not Starbuck’s): $3.20.
A chocolate Easter Bunny: Priceless.

I know times are tough for many, but ask your mission committee and boards what they are doing for missions with the continued decrease in the dollar.

Here’s how many Swiss Francs (CHF) you could buy with ONE US dollar (USD) on every September 26 of the previous 7 years. Remember, the more you can buy, the better it is (for me…).

2000: 1.65
2001: 1.67
2002: 1.50
2003: 1.31
2004: 1.26
2005: 1.29
2006: 1.24

Today’s rate (at the time I’m writing this post) is 1.17.

An imaginary monthly house payment of 1000 CHF would have cost each September 26 in USD:

2000: $606.06
2001: $598.80
2002: $666.67
2003: $763.35
2004: $793.65
2005: $775.19
2006: $806.45

Today’s imaginary monthly payment (at the time I’m writing this post) would be $854.70.

So what do we learn from this exercise? People who live in foreign countries and are partially paid in USD only write about it when the USD is low. Otherwise, they never bring it up.

Today was the first chance we’ve had to share with our “home” church in Fresno about the work in Lausanne. Wife and I were welcomed by old friends that we hadn’t seen since last furlough. It is neat to be loved in such a way!

Although much of our financial support comes from the Lausanne and Geneva churches, Fresno has played an essential role in our service, being true partners in the work since 1989. But what we appreciate most is the confidence the church has shown in us. The members here really trust us. We are thankful for that.

There are others, families and individuals, who have partnered with us since the beginning, way back in January of 1985. Without their help, we could never have continued serving God in Lausanne.

We thank the Father for the church in Fresno and all that she means to his Kingdom.