The Migration Policy Institute is a well-respected organization that, among other things, collects and disseminates information on the movement of peoples throughout the world.
I want to encourage you to check out their interactive remittance inflows and outflows map. HERE you will find the quantities of money sent from and to countries by those on the move.
When I published Strangers Next Door: Immigration, Migration, and Mission in 2012, the World Bank estimated $500 billion U.S. flowed into developing countries. Released today, the World Bank estimates remittances to low- and middle-income countries are expected to reach $589 billion this year.
Remittances are one piece of evidence showing that transnational relationships exist after people move. And if the dollar can travel across these social networks, so can the gospel.
Do we see the global opportunities available from our backyard?
I want to take this moment to say thank you for all of your prayers, and encouraging words, for my family following my last post. Please continue to pray. That means so much to us! These are very difficult days. But the Lord is gracious, compassionate, and full of loving-kindness. The effectual, fervent prayers of the righteous have great power (Jas 5:16).