We hope you all are having a safe and enjoyable summer so far. Duane and Marcia have been busy this summer helping the Karen find jobs at farms and poultry plants, visiting churches across the U. S. that are working with the refugees from Burma and attending various conferences and meetings. One conference was the annual General Assembly of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship (CBF). This year it was held in Charlotte, NC and after the conference they visited with a new Chin congregation meeting in a CBF church there. Then, July 22-25 the Binkley’s attended the Karen Youth Conference in St. Paul, MN which drew hundreds of Karen youth and young adults from all across the country. This is the first event of this kind in the USA. Another exciting project is being sponsored by the Scottsdale Bible Church in Arizona. This church has adopted the task of producing and printing the first parallel Karen/English New Testament that will soon be available. Still, there is much to be done in helping new arrivals settle into a new culture and the churches can play an important role in this process. We are so very blessed by the large number of people across the country that are helping with these issues and are selflessly providing assistance with the day to day challenges of adjusting to a new culture and a new language.
We want to thank those who sent in gifts towards the ongoing support of Duane and Marcia during the recent matching-fund program that was promoted by International Ministries. A total of $10,500 in pledges and donations came in which has been a tremendous boost in helping the Binkley’s move closer to their overall goal for the year. We are also grateful for the one-time gifts. Fundraising efforts for Duane and Marcia are still ongoing for this year with approximately $12,600 still to be raised by the end of September (the end of this financial year).
Please prayerfully consider supporting the Binkley’s ministry by hosting a fundraiser on their behalf or by making an appeal to your church or local social organizations (like Kiwanis, Rotary or your local Chamber of Commerce). Spreading the story of the Karen and their plight provides information which is the best way to promote their acceptance into American communities. If you need more information on the plight of the Karen, detailed information is available on the website: www.karenkonnection.org Fundraiser ideas might include garage/yard sales, bake-sales, concerts/talent shows with a free will offering, car washes and work days. Getting your church youth group involved teaches the kids the value of volunteering and gets them involved in world changing projects that are fun.
International Ministries has several ways for people to donate. For the internet inclined, you can sign up for a monthly payment via credit card by going to www.internationalministries.org Other ways to donate are by giving your church a check made out to your local church with a notation of "For Ongoing Support for Duane and Marcia Binkley". Checks made payable to “International Ministries” can be sent directly to International Ministries (PO Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851). Checks sent to Valley Forge should also be marked with the notation "For the Ongoing Support for Duane and Marcia Binkley".
Please continue to pray for the persecuted people in Burma: Pray for the young soldiers of Burma that they may see the people they persecute as fellow humans and members of their own country. Pray for the courage to change. Pray that word of Christ's love and forgiveness will reach their ears and their hearts. Pray that God will move in a mighty way creating positive change from negative situations. Pray that His will be done in Burma, especially in the hearts of the young soldiers that have been brainwashed or coerced into participation in acts of terror against their own people.
Pray for the Karen & Chin in the U.S.:
· Help for those trying to cope with cultural adjustments and new language skills
· Those who have lost their jobs and can’t find new ones and so are struggling to support their families
· Opportunities for theological training for Karen, Chin and Burmese church leaders so that they can better serve their own congregations
· For emerging nationwide networks such as the Karen Baptist Churches in the USA and Global Karen Baptist Fellowship as they organize and mobilize to serve the needs of their people across the country and around the world. The Chin have also organized their own similar networks.
Pray for the Binkley family personally:
· God's leadership and direction for Duane and Marcia’s future ministry.
· Fundraising for Duane and Marcia and the other IM missionaries who still need to raise their support – (the end of fiscal year is Sept 30th).
· Sean’s new job in Cairo, Egypt. He arrived in Cairo on July 12th and will work for two years at an advertising/communications company there. Pray for good health and safety and a smooth adjustment to his new situation.
· Erin will be starting Judson University in Elgin, IL. near Chicago on Aug. 20th and is interested in studying biology and music ministry.
· Shannon will be a senior in High School this coming fall and she is already making preparations for college.
We close with prayers of thanksgiving for God's blessings, for those who are helping the Karen and Chin in local communities and churches across the US, and friends like you who are supporting Duane and Marcia's ministry. We are very grateful for your partnership! May God Bless you and your church as you seek to be salt and light for His glory in your local community and beyond!
In Christ’s Service,
The Missionary Partnership Team (MPT) for Duane and Marcia Binkley