Dear Friends,

Thank you for your support of Icthus Ministries in 2010. We experienced wonderful ministry through the presence of our Lord over the spring, summer & fall. It’s hard to believe, but September marked my twentieth and Edith’s sixteenth year at Icthus. We still find ourselves poking one another and asking, “can you believe that God lets us live here and do this?” Time flies when you’re having fun. Here are a few of the highlights:

• We hosted 24 groups from NC, SC, FL, & AL (546 people/ 102 days)
• We hosted our first JV Football team
• We hosted two international groups with students from China, Hong Kong, England, and the Netherlands
• We know of at lease 30 that prayed to receive Christ as Lord & Savior
• Our guests ranged in age from a few weeks to eighty + years old
• We had 3 collage aged students volunteer to serve with us this summer
• We moved into a new, furnished 4 bedroom/2 bath mobile home on the Haven
• We hosted around 80 ministers & their family members in the Red House
• Our youngest daughter began K-5 & our youngest son began walking

In addition to our retreats and summer camps, we also hosted our eleventh annual Praise Festival. Over five hundred and fifty people came out for free fun, food, & fellowship as we continue to offer a safe, life affirming, Christian alternative on Halloween night to the people in our community. This year we invited three bluegrass gospel bands to share their talents as the children participated in games, hayrides, face painting, and a bon fire. We also gave away 200 t-shirts with the night’s theme, “SonLight” printed on the front and a summary of Eph. 5:8-17 [show] for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (ESV) printed on the back: “For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of the light… wake up, O sleeper and Christ will shine on you…” Throughout the year we get many positive comments from local parents and grandparents regarding the Praise Festival. They are grateful for a safe, positive place to bring their children year after year.

We are experiencing more and more use of our recreation area at the Haven. Whether it is local youths dropping by for a pick up game of basketball/football, a dad pitching baseball for his son, a family having a cookout at the pavilion, one of the softball, baseball, or soccer teams having a practice, or one of our visiting groups using the facility, the Lord knew what He was doing when He directed us to convert an old hay field into a quality rec. area! The icing on the cake is that when people thank us for the use of the field, we get to tell them that it really belongs to Jesus and how He brought it all about!

We believe that we need to be accountable, personally and corporately, to anyone that contributes to our ministry. If we are not good stewards of our personal finances, how can we be trusted with corporate finances. We have found that most people are only interested in the big picture, so the following is a big picture summary, however, if you’d like a more detailed account, we’ll gladly send one on request.

Personal:  Our income was $10,924. Most of this came in the form of designated gifts through Icthus ($5,585) and personal gifts ($2724). The remainder came through raft guiding, Ski patrol, mowing, and our “Country Store” where Edith sells jams, relishes, honey, CD’s, etc. Total Outflow was $14,128. Food is our biggest expense ($6,228) followed by Home & Auto ($2735, then Gifts & Offerings ($2,455). The shortfall was made up by a $6,312 tax refund so we were able to finish the year with no outstanding debt.

Ministry:  Total income was $62,685. Camper fees were $30,492; Contributions were $29,123; and Sales (t-shirts, etc.) were $3,070. Total Outflow was $60,7112. The biggest expense was Bills & Utilities ($28,490) followed by Fees & Loans ($10,966), Insurance ($8,150), Maintenance ($7,157), Designated Gifts ($2,470), and Praise Festival ($1,062).

Currently we are debt free, both personally and ministry. Last winter (2010), at the direction of the Board of Directors, Icthus borrowed $10,000 on a five year loan for operating expenses. At the end of the summer we paid off the remainder of the loan. It was the first interest bearing loan that we’ve had since 1994, Glory to God!!!

We had forty-five financial partners in 2010. Four are churches, Two are businesses, the rest are families/individuals. Some visit several times a year, some have never been here. Some gave materials, some money. Some gave a lot, some little. Regardless, we are grateful for each one. “The Israelites did as they were told; some gathered much, some little. And when they measured it by the omer, he who gathered much did not have too much and he who gathered little did not have too little . Ex. 16:17-18 [show] And the people of Israel did so. They gathered, some more, some less. But when they measured it with an omer, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack. Each of them gathered as much as he could eat. (ESV) Thank you for entrusting us with some of your wealth so that lives can be changed as we proclaim the Kingdom of God. We welcome all gifts of prayer, help, finances, materials, etc., as long as you are doing what you’re told by the Lord.

Finally, please pray that I would be an especially good husband to Edith and an especially good daddy to Emma (9 years old), Reah (7), Lydia (5), David (3) and Elijah (1). Pray that my family life would be a reflection of Christ’s love for His bride, the church. Pray for God’s presence in us and on His property here. Pray for God’s protection, spirit, soul, and body. Pray for God’s provision (staff, materials, finances) and His direction.

We consider it a privilege to pray for you. Please let us know how we can serve you. We are grateful for opportunities to share the love of Christ where ever they might be. Blessings!!!!!!

Trusting JESUS,

Bill Dingle

Proverbs 3:5-6 [show] Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.