BACKGROUND

When SVN was founded, the vision was to offer an entirely free service. We retain the conviction that this is right. The original vision did fit well with the situation of people retiring at or near pensionable age, and so having freedom over dates and times and a basic income sufficient to live on. As the retirement age came down so some people joined who were not on full pension, and still had offspring at university and hence, in the absence of grants, dependent upon parental support. Some of them were not so well placed to give their services free.

THE COST OF VOLUNTEERING

Jesus told us to count the cost in order that we might go into His service with our eyes open to possible 'costs', not in order to see whether we can afford to be obedient. So what would volunteering for a particular project be likely to cost financially? A project in the UK will rarely be a costly commitment. Most agencies in the UK that seek our hel are themselves charities; those overseas are rarely in a strong financial situation. Whilst our aim is to offer a free service, if an agency can afford to meet some expenses, we will accept whatever they give us. Overseas, typically, some indigenous churches or school communities may offer to arrange and pay for hospitality and if they do, we accept it. Some cannot, and in the case of poor communities in India and Guyana, for example, our teams offered to pay for their board and lodging and this was accepted. In such cases we are not talking of large sums; living in such communities is, by UK standards, very cheap.

Volunteering to go, say, to India, Central Asia or Africa for two or three weeks is not costly. Typically a volunteer should expect the following expenses:

This yields a maximum cost of £900 (though these are not all extra expenses; some of this would have been spent living at home anyway).

RAISING THE MONEY

If some or all of this amount of money has to be raised to cover the cost of volunteering then there are several ways to cover this. The first is to ask God for it; if He has asked you to go He will make sure money doesn't hold you back. To some people He gives an opportunity to do some paid work to earn some of it; (this surely is the significance of Jesus' tongue in cheek instructions to Peter in Matt. 17:24 - 27). for some there are friends who want to identify with the venture and to give support in prayer and in cash. Churches share the sense of purpose and bless their volunteer with gifts. It is appropriate for the volunteer to tell the church about the task as it allows them to feel a part of it. An 11 year old girl felt God was calling her to go to India with her Dad; he felt she should raise the full cost herself, and she did. Every year each one of a group of 17 year olds raises £4000 to cover all their own costs when they volunteer to teach in East Africa for a year. Our God is faithful and we can place our confidence in Him. We learn a lot about God and ourselves as we put our trust in Him. Finally if the task still looks daunting let us know about it and we will join our faith with yours to meet the need. But whatever you do,

Trust God and GO!

This leaflet is also available in hard copy. Please Email John Crump at svn.crump@btinternet.com for a copy.

Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)