Missionary Update                February 2005 Letter

This month we traveled to Sanford, Florida for a week of meetings dealing with New Tribes Mission becoming International and what that would mean for all the countries sending missionaries into the fields. The vision of church planting still remains the most common goal. Discussions were initiated to address just how we can bring this to fruition with a unity in the purpose, doctrine, core values and training that will be the God driven expression of our going out.

We were also able to visit with Adam in Alabama. He began helicopter flight training at Ft. Rucker the first of January. He is living off post with another young man in training. They were able to get an affordable place for sharing and are looking to add another guy who needs living space to complete the training. We enjoyed a look around the post and took pictures of the aircraft we learned about in the museum there. He has qualified to fly the Apache but is in the process of the actual hands on flying and will take a check ride this Thursday that if he passes will pass him on to flying solo.

We had plans to visit at the First Baptist Church of Social Circle but due to an ice storm that went through the area creating power outages and making travel difficult the services for that Sunday were canceled. Every church building within the immediate area of Atlanta was closed, so we drove on as we were making our way to Florida.

After meetings and with many hours of driving miles down the road, we were at Jeff, Kentucky visiting the Jeff Missionary Baptist Church there and had a good time of sharing. Leaving there at nearly 2:00 p.m. we made it back home by midnight. God protected with safe travel.

We went to the Lineville-Mercer Christian Church sharing and reporting on the last 4 years in PNG and the work that God has done. We also had a good visit at Abundant Life Baptist Church in Lee's Summit, Mo., and were able to take in the message by Pastor Phil, as well as enjoy a bit of time with the Hopper family. Another time of sharing with children in Awanas this past Sunday evening has given us a full month of meetings, travel and sharing.

We did get a visit with Caleb taking time out from a busy college life over the weekend before Valentines Day. We enjoy the time we can get together. It is good to make connections and hear how things are going, which by the way for him seem to be work and studies.

The next 3 months will be just as busy traveling and sharing. We will be looking to purchase our tickets soon. We are still looking at a middle of June departure date.

Thanks for your prayers and financial support as we press on to see people reached with the salvation of Christ.

Your Co-Laborers in the Harvest Fields

Lyle & Martha

Mankey