Missionary Update                April 2004 Letter

The Inapang Team (Moores, Zieglers, & Housleys) is ready to start the moving in process. They think that they will be locating in the village of Itutang. They will be in need of the helicopter to shuttle in some of the materials and items that they will be building with. At this time they are still working out the best route for hiking, and are also checking out the river routes, as these may become the only avenues for supplies etc. should the helicopter not be available.

This ministry the Lord has placed us in holds some intrigue as well. We find ourselves asking God, "What are you doing?" We have had several invitations come to us to enter some different language groups, more than there are missionaries ready to go. One invitation in particular came from around the Saidor area where we have not surveyed, requesting missionaries with the knowledge of what we are about in church planting and signed by the heads of some other religious groups who are usually opposed to us even being in the area. Sounds crazy but God knows that these people are still in darkness.

We are trying to pack and keep up with all of our responsibilities. The good news is that we have someone to come and take our place. The Dave and Cindy Wall family and the Tim and Laurel Schroder family. We hope to have our things packed and moved into storage by the end of February and then we will move into a tent at the Fellowship Hall where we can be preparing these families for the time ahead of them. We have our tickets purchased and will be heading to the states the end of April.

With age we have found that we don't have the bounce we once had in getting things done. We are feeling a bit tired and worn. We are looking forward to being with family and friends but it is also hard to draw a side from the work here. We still have one family and two single ladies wanting to locate. They want to get another couple to join them. One single lady and two couples are in orientation. We see a great need to keep the housing situation before God in order to help keep the costs down for the new missionaries coming.

What's up with our children? Adam has graduated from College of the Ozarks and his wife Carrianne will be graduating this May. He is putting together his resume and has made application for a job with the police department, while he is waiting for his paper work to go through to begin his helicopter flight training. Caleb is into his second year at College of the Ozarks and at this time is still pursuing a degree in Aviation Science. It will be good to see them and spend a little time with them this next year.

If you could see what we see, you would be amazed at how much God has accomplished through your gifts, and in response to your prayers these last 4 years. Keep "Looking unto Jesus, the author and FINISHER of our faith."

Laboring together with you in the Harvest Fields

Lyle & Martha Mankey