Missionary Update                August 2003 Letter

Our days are full with keeping on in the work. In reading a daily devotion, the author drew attention to 2 Sam. 24:18-25. David responded to Araunah's offer of a place to make sacrifices to God with, "I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing." The God who loves us so much deserves costly offerings, whether of money or service.

We are finished with the many meetings. We also got a visit with the dentist that has come for a year to see to the all of the missionary's dental needs. Because we ate nearing our 50th birthday, we also visited the Dr. for recommended check-ups. We feel blessed to have people volunteering and serving God in these ministries with minimal costs to us.

The Summit team left while we were away at meetings. They left us with a good portion of fencing completed as well as the work that they did at odd jobs putting up some finishing boards on the houses and by helping construct a work shop area. We are truly thankful for their time here.

The Sakam team of Markley's, Smith's and Schlegel's are moved into their location. They are finishing up their houses, and should be ready to start full time language and culture study in a couple of months.

The next two houses to be built are ordered and we are hopeful that they will reach us before Oct. The Petersons have a work team coming from their church to help with building one and also to help with childcare at our conference.

We are now planning the schedule for our first Regional Conference. This takes some real team input and help. Larissa Colyn has taken on the chairmanship and has amazing organizational skills, it is a joy to work with her. We have adopted the theme of "Every Link has a Purpose". We are reminded of the body working together, which is taught in the scriptures. It really takes a team effort to see people come to know Christ as their personal savior. The illustration that we were drawn to was the exercises put on in some military camps where a team of three men must work together to complete, drills, marches/hikes, and an obstacle course. They must begin with certain equipment and they must have this with them at the end.  Imagine if someone should lose or drop something how that will affect the result, or if someone cannot climb the rope and his teammates do nothing to help him. The picture is the same with our different gifts and abilities trying to work together to finish the work and purpose we are here. Of course, the team is large because we have our sending churches and supporters, as we are all brothers and sisters and seek a common goal and without you on the home front the team would not be complete.

Thank you always for your support and prayers.

Lyle & Martha

Mankey