by John Price
"Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan and said to them, "Go up into the Negev and go up into the hill country, and see what the land is, and whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, whether they are few or many, and whether the land that they dwell in is good or bad, and whether the cities that they dwell in are camps or strongholds, and whether the land is rich or poor, and whether there are trees in it or not. Be of good courage and bring some of the fruit of the land." Now the time was the season of the first ripe grapes."
The spy party spied out the land, bringing back a cluster of grapes so large it took two men to carry it on a pole, along with pomegranates and grapes. The minority of the spy party saw a good land and told Israel to go up at once and possess it. The majority lacked faith, gave a bad report and led Israel into the sin of doubting God’s Word. I mention this because a good prayer is that God show you what you are seeing with His eyes, so you get a good idea of what you are seeing. If you encounter a nasty taxi driver, does that mean everyone in that city is nasty? Obviously not, but be careful about seeing the ‘giants’ of the land (Numbers 13:32-33) and not seeing the land for what it really is.
4. TIME TO DECIDE – Once you have visited one, two, maybe three or more countries, and you’re back home, it’s time to decide. Don’t decide while you are visiting. Realtors offshore call people who do this ‘Margarita Buyers’, referring to visitors who are wowed by the sunsets and beaches, after too much libation and who then buy real estate without really knowing what they’re getting into. Again, pray, make sure that you and your spouse are in agreement. What do the kids who may be moving with you think? Do a budget. What will it cost to rent an acceptable housing unit, cell, cable and internet costs, car and food expenses, travel to visit relatives, etc.? Once you know what it will cost to live in your chosen location, you will need to decide if you have the income/assets to make it work. We know Americans who supplement their social security/pension/savings income by managing properties for absentee owners, handling rentals, etc. Lots of people make money on the internet. There are books and courses available on how to do so. Pray and make your final decision.
5. SELL IT OR SHIP IT? – Assuming you have decided to move you will need to decide what you are going to sell and what you are going to ship. We’ve seen it done both ways. Some Americans arrive with a few suitcases, having sold everything else. Some arrive with steel containers full of furniture, furnishings, even cars. A middle position is to load a pallet, which is combined with others in a container. Generally, a container will cost about $10,000 + - to ship, with a pallet being in the $3,000 range. How much do you like your ‘stuff’? Frankly, some folks really need to bring it because it’s what they have grown accustomed to having around them. Others enjoy getting rid of almost everything, feeling a sense of freedom when it’s gone. Needless to say, furniture and furnishings are sold in foreign countries.
6. TRY IT OUT – Next, move to your chosen location. Pre-arrange for up to a 3 month lease/rental of an acceptable housing unit near where you may end up on a longer term basis. Concentrate on getting to know local Christians (Americans and locals), your neighbors, a good doctor and local clinic, a good attorney for residency application, a good fruit stand, a skilled mechanic (if you eventually buy a car) and your local church. By the end of the 3 months you’ll know if this area and these people in this country are for you. If so, look for a 12 month lease/rental and settle in. If not, leave and try your second choice for a country in which to live. You will probably need a car, though it’s cheaper not to have one. Buying a used car is expensive in most foreign countries. If you can buy from a trusted person who is selling because they are moving, that may be your best option, but it’s not guaranteed. Cars are machines – they break. Budget for it.
7. REMEMBER, IT"S THEIR COUNTRY – Here are a few tips we’ve learned after 18 months living abroad: A.) There is NO perfect country, including the US, so when you get frustrated over something (local rules, slow responses, misleading time estimates, excessive heat, high electric or gasoline costs, etc.), just remember that it’s their country, you’re just visiting. B.) After a few months we decided to stop asking: "Why Do They____________". The answer is because they can and….it’s their country. C.) Look for opportunities to share the gospel. People outside the US are much more open to hearing about Jesus. D.) Develop relationships with Americans. Go to dinner. Play cards. Watch movies. All of these inter-personal actions help in the adjustment from leaving home in the US. E.) Praise the Lord for allowing you to safely settle in a secure area which is not a police state, is open to the gospel, not saturated with sin and provides a home for you. God bless you as you heed and flee!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John Price was for forty years an Indianapolis attorney who was active in political and governmental matters. He now devotes his time to his wife, his grandchildren and to writing. He and his wife live in Central America. The author may be contacted at:
[email protected]
Published Books by the Author
AMERICA AT THE CROSSROADS
Repentance or Repression
Christian House Publishing, Inc. 1976
AMERICA AT THE CROSSROADS
Tyndale House, 1979
THE END OF AMERICA
4th Edition, 2013
The Second Term Trilogy
SECOND TERM
THE WARNING
THE DAY
www.endofamericabook.com