Finisterre Vision regularly looks at the cost of living, travel, ministry, etc., and makes a recommendation with the mindset of keeping missionaries out of emergency mode. We prefer our missionaries to have a level of support that doesn’t require them to have to write home asking for more money several times a year.
Some aspects of living and ministering in remote locations are expensive: Communication with the outside world, travelling in and out of the village and occasionally back to the U.S. are examples of large expenses that missionaries have. On the other hand, some expenses are very small: Missionaries living in a village don’t have an electric or water bill. Here is an example of how much it costs:
Ministry Administration $100
Translation $25
PNG Visas $45
Satellite Internet $200
Correspondence $60
Supplies $1,250
House Maintenance $75
Kids’ Education $115
Kids’ Future Education $375
Personal $160
Meds/Dr. Visits/Dental $125
Entertainment $65
Health & Evac. Insurance $625
Giving $590
Saving $375
Taxes $600
Vehicle usage $100
Phone $100
Accommodations $125
Furlough Tickets $400
Air Transportation $1,000
Total $6,510