The Schandorff Family

Posted in MAF worldwide by Tim on November 21st, 2011 at 8:18 pm.

Those of you who regularly receive our newsletter will likely have received a letter from MAF HQ recently, informing you that the organization has just raised its financial support target for its missionaries. We just wanted to add our two cents to what the letter said, and let you know how it affects our family!

Every few years, MAF must raise the support target, to keep up with inflation and rising expenses such as healthcare. After much prayer and consideration, MAF leadership decided it was time for such a change. So, a couple of months ago, our target was raised by about 10% (the previous target was $6,500 per month, so the new target is now $7,200 per month). This change represents a 3.4% annual increase over the last 15 years, which is approximately the same as inflation during that time.

In case there is any confusion, we should clarify that this does not mean that our salary is $7200 per month (wouldn’t that be nice?)! In addition to salary, this amount takes into consideration our benefits, kid’s education, travel and furlough expenses, the printing and postage for our prayer letters, and several other expenses related to keeping our family safe and active as missionaries on the field. None of this amount goes into general administrative costs for the organization. While this monthly amount sounds like – and is – a lot of money, it’s worth pointing out that this target is right about in the middle of what most missions organizations raise; some raise more, others less.

Our family’s plan is still to depart for Haiti next summer, but we strongly desire to leave the U.S. at full support so that when we arrive, our focus and energy can be entirely devoted to ministry. In response to this increase, we are asking those churches and individuals who are currently partnering with us to pray about the possibility of increasing their support by 10% (i.e. if a supporter was giving $50 per month, to increase to $55 per month). This would be a fairly small difference for each individual, but a large difference for our ministry support – $700 per month! If you are reading this and are not a current partner, would you take a moment to ask the Lord if He might want you to invest in the lives of His children in Haiti, perhaps through a monthly gift of $10, $25 or $50?

For anyone who would like to make a change to their current level of support please call MAF @ 208-498-0800 and speak with the donor services department.  The Donation link on our website only works when setting up a new recurring or one-time contribution.

If you have any questions at all about any of the above, please feel free to contact us via email at tschandorff@maf.org or eschandorff@maf.org.