I have three main problems with doing missions: money, my diabetes and the visa process. All different problems, but the main solution to all of them is money. 

Whatever country I have been to, you need a visa. In The United States of America it is quite easy short term, but long term is a challenge. Canada and the USA have an agreement that residents from either country can enter the country for 6 months at a time. Then, they must leave and reenter after a few days if need be. The problem is the immigration officers. Each officer can do whatever he wants and deny you if he feels as though you are breaking the law or, more importantly, working in the country. As long as you have the adequate paperwork as proof you will be fine. The most important thing to have is proof of money in your account. If you have money, they love you. You simply are helping the USA economy. When entering other countries, you sometimes need to apply for a visa. Depending on the country, it’s usually pretty cheap to enter. To stay long term you have to pay thousands of dollars for the visa as well as wait the process of response. Or in some situations, you must be in the country already, apply for the visa and then wait for a response which can make you stuck in that country. Each country has its own process but most are similar to the United States.

Now having diabetes is quite unique. The main problem I have had is the access to medication wherever I travel. Either the county is too poor to have the necessary medication or it doesn’t have it at all. Another problem is it’s too expensive to buy and I don’t have the money. The solution while traveling has always been bringing enough medication for however long I have gone, plus a little extra. My bag that I take is full to the brim with meds. I have it with me at all times and make sure it’s not lost in transportation. When traveling for more than three months at a time I have had my lovely mother mail it to me. It is risky not knowing if it will get sent in the mail in time or if it would be damaged. It’s quite costly to send it. The medication may not arrive on time or it could get lost. The solution to no meds is a hospital visit or spending thousands to fix the solution at the local pharmacy. Many times I’ve considered jumping on a plane back to Canada just to get the medication I need. The solution is, well either be healed completely, which I believe could happen, or get money to buy the meds.

I hate talking about money. I live, and most westerners live, in a society where if you want something, you have to go work hard and buy it. Hand-outs are for the lower class and you should never be that, so don’t ask. In the Bible, the disciples of Jesus would go out two by two with no money, no extra clothes and hope that by the generosity of people and God, they will be provided for. So I should go to a country with nothing? Having wisdom is part of it, so no. I need people and resources to go out long-term to places. Why not get a job? Unfortunately most of the funds and money earned in countries wouldn’t be sufficient for me to live on even if I worked full time. If I could work in the country I am in, working all the time would put me off the goal of spreading the gospel which is why I know I was sent. My goal is to spread the gospel. My solution to not having these problems is to get money from people who are generous towards me and others who need it with what God has given them. Why not make the money and give it to other organizations that already exist? Scripture says the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few in Matthew. Estimates say that around 3 billion of the 8 billion people on this planet haven’t heard the gospel. There are not enough people out in the field yet. Not enough people in the places no one wants to go to spread the gospel. The great thing is we need people who are sent and people who want to go. I, for the past 4 years have been in a tug-of-war with God, wanting to stay and then being sent. What is awesome is that people who stay can support the spread of the gospel by supporting those out in the world. I’m no better than the farmer in my hometown who works. I’m no better than the investor in the city or the barista in the coffee shop. I need people to help support me in prayer, wisdom and money. We, as a group of Christians, can spread the gospel all around the world. I’m thankful to be in this position, but I know that God has to come through. And I have to humble myself and ask. Would you be willing to support the spreading of the gospel through me? Would you be willing to support me right now as I don’t know the places I will go tomorrow or a year from now. All I know is I’m right where I need to be.