Dear Friends,

Bwae Mo is 10 years old entering the first grade at a refugee camp along the Thai - Burma border.He does not recall his home village back in Burma being attacked but estimates he has had to move about twice per year to keep away from the Burmese army.This is his first opportunity to attend school.Leaving the refugee camp to return home is a long trip.He would first have to travel by car a half day's ride, then walk for 6 days.He is the youngest of 6 children in his family and the only one able to attend school.

Lwae Say Tu comes from a Christian family of seven children.He is 18 years old and in the 9th grade.Four of his brothers and sisters are in a refugee camp while the parents and two of the children are still in Burma.His home village was destroyed by the Burmese army before he remembers.He stayed with aunts & uncles and was able to go to school periodically up through the 3rd grade.He has now been in the refugee camp for 5 years.His parents have mostly lived in the mountains moving from place to place to avoid the Burmese army.When asked what he thinks of as "home," he said he doesn't have one, the trail is his home.In the future, he would like to be an evangelist.

These are two of about 50 young people we interviewed recently.They are among the approximately 150,000 Burmese in refugee camps in Thailand.In the US, it is widely reported that government agencies did not respond soon enough offering relief to those affected by hurricane Katrina.But, at least the government is helping its' citizens.In Burma, the military is the government and they have been systematically attacking their own citizens, driving them from the country for decades.

In the name of Jesus, we are able to offer a little scholarship assistance to these students, providing a glimmer of hope for their futures.But it is amazing to see how much people can accomplish when given even a little hope and a little freedom to fulfill their potential.

Through Christ, we abound in hope and offer this hope to any who are interested in receiving it.A contribution to the World Mission Offering helps us to continue offering hope to the people of Thailand, Burma and around the world.The challenge is to increase this years' World Mission Offering 10% compared to last year.We hope you will prayerfully consider how you can help.

Yours in Christ,

Duane & Marcia Binkley