Budget
Last year we decided on a budget of $2,100, based on recommendations given by International Teams (the agency that planted Sampat Chiwit Church four years ago, and who put us in touch with the leadership there), and the research we had done into expected costs of airfares, accommodation, etc. It was necessarily a bit of a guess - but as it turned out, it was almost exactly right! In God's providence, although there were a lot of unknown quantities with last year's trip, we returned with only around $100 to spare, out of a budget of $14,700 for a team of 7.
Given that last year's budget turned out to be about right, and our expenses this year are expected to be similar, we have kept the budget for each team member the same - i.e. $2,100 per person, which comes to a total of $18,900 for the whole team.
Where does this money come from??
There are three sources from which we seek funds to meet our budget - and there are reasons for each. This, again, is a model that was adopted based on advice from International Teams.
Personal Contributions
Each "goer" contributes $700 towards team expenses, being one third of the projected expenses per team member. The reason for this is probably self-evident - it's appropriate that those who are going should contirbute significantly to their expenses, and this should also avoid people being tempted to apply to go because they see it as a free overseas trip!
Individual Sponsorship
Each "goer" is also required to seek individual sponsorship totalling $700 each, made up of donations from members of the congregation and other Christians in their lives who they think might want to support them in this ministry. It is envisioned that supporters will give an average of $100 each, but of course larger or smaller contributions will all be gratefully received. There are several reasons for this set-up:-
- To create accountability for each team member to be personally reporting back to supporters.
- To provide opportunity for those who are unable to go to be involved in a significant supporting role.
- To give each "goer" a small taste of what long-term missionaries experience in having to seek ongoing financial support, and hopefully make them more open to supporting missionaries in this way in future.
- To avoid "goers" being tempted to think of the trip as "theirs" on the basis of having fully paid their own way.
As a team, with the help of many members of the congregation, we will also be running various fundraising events and activities, aimed at raising the final third of our budget - i.e. $6,300 for this year's team. The reason for this is primarily to give the whole church family opportunity to be involved in supporting the team according to their ability, and to include as many people as possible in the process in order to broaden their vision of what God is doing in the world and the ways they can be involved in that work. Some church members may not be able to give much financially - but they may be able to help organise and run fundraising events, donate goods for the "Bring & Buy Sale", buy cans of drink for $1 from the fridge in the church kitchen, donate their time and efforts to the "Skills Auction".
We would love to have EVERYBODY in the church involved somehow in supporting the team, so that all involved feel that the team is being sent out by the whole church family, and is representing them in Bangkok.
How is the money spent?
The biggest expense by far is airfares. We will be flying with Air Asia - which is a budget airline and involves some sacrifices of comfort! Unfortunately it's not the cheapest time of year to fly (which may mean that in future we change the dates of the mission - but going at this time works well for uni students, teachers, etc) and the expencted cost per person is in the order of $1,300 return from Coolangatta.
Accommodation is the next biggest expense, but thankfully is much cheaper in Bangkok than in Australia! The rooms we stay in cost around $22 per room, per night, with two people in each room (if we have an odd number, one person will have a romo to themselves). The expected cost of accommodation for the whole team for the duration of the mission is therefore around $1,300.
A food allowance of around $6/day is given to each team member while in Bangkok. This is sufficient to adequately feed people if we eat as the locals do - but they are welcome to supplement this allowance from their own purse if they have more expensive tastes.
The remainder of expenses are made up of local transport by bus, tuk tuk, taxi, etc; training materials; accomodation for the pre-mission team training retreat; and ministry related materials for things like craft and English teaching.
Hopefully this has answered most of the questions that are in people's minds! If you have any further queries, please talk to Debbie or Steve White, Andrew Croot (Treasurer), Alby Koster (Fundraising Coordinator), or Amanda Stibbs-Barker (Communications Officer).
