Dear Friends,

A year ago, those of you on our list were receiving a series of letters from us promoting the World Mission Offering.Once again it is that time of year when many churches are collecting this offering and once again, we would like to write a series of letters to encourage your support.

We know that you have many requests for help.This year with calls to support the Asian tsunami relief efforts and now the tremendous needs related to hurricane Katrina, perhaps the demands are even heavier than usual.All we can ask is that you prayerfully consider what the Lord would have you do.The theme for this year's World Mission Offering is "Abound in Hope" and we know that when we put our hope in the Lord, we won't be disappointed.Together, if we each do what the Lord leads us to do, then the results will achieve far more than we imagine.

Together with the Lord a miracle was achieved last year.The funding for International Ministries was in a critical state.Without an unprecedented 36% increase in the World Mission Offering, missionaries were going to have to be let go.You all responded phenomenally and the World Mission Offering combined with pledged support "directed" to various missionaries saved the day and no missionaries were laid off.

This year we are not in a crises.Over the past several years, International Ministries has gone from having a $3 million budget deficit to a balanced budget.This is a reason to celebrate.On the downside however, is the fact that a year ago, there were 137 missionaries but due to losses from retirement and resignations and a freeze on hiring, today there are about 120 missionaries.In addition, all our partner groups after already being cut for the past several years were asked to plan for additional 10% cuts in their funding requests for next year.So the challenge now is to not only maintain the present level of funding, but to grow once again.

The goal for this year is a 10% increase in the World Mission Offering compared to last year.After the huge gain from last year, this is an ambitious goal, but if it can be met for the next several years then International Ministries should be in a much more solid financial condition once again.

Over the next several weeks we will tell a few stories of how the Lord gives Hope to the people we work with.We pray this will give you hope and encouragement as you do His work in your place.We "Abound in Hope" that together we can work another financial miracle this year for International Ministries and further the Hope in the hearts of people in Thailand and around the world.

Yours in Christ,

Duane & Marcia Binkley