Missionary Update                September 2003 Letter

From The Compass -- Longfellow could take a worthless sheet of paper, write a poem on it, and make it worth $6,000 - that's genius.

Rockefeller could sign his name to a piece of paper and make it worth a million - that is wealth.

A painter can take a 50-cent piece of canvas, paint a picture on it and make it worth $10,000 - that's art.

But. .. God can take a worthless sinful life, wash it in the blood of Christ, put His Spirit in it, and make it a blessing to humanity -- THAT's SALVATION.

September has been a month of planning:

Planning - to have our first Regional conference October, 3,4, & 5. This is a time that we as a region of missionaries come together to share in encouragement and bring everyone up to speed on what is happening and then return to each of our ministries, hopefully, working to the common goal of reaching the lost. We have had a committee to deal with the schedule of events and food preparation, as you know the details can be numerous. We shared our theme "Every Link has a Purpose" and we cannot forget how far reaching the links come from. We consider our home supporters and families as having a huge part and purpose in this ministry.

Planning - and preparing for the arrival of two more kit houses. We have prepared the ground and dug holes for the support poles to be put in the ground. Tim and Becca Peterson have a work group from their church coming to help construct the one that they will be living in. They are excited to see them come and they have been planning how the building will progress, as well as how they can keep them fed. The arrival of the houses have been put off for the past three weeks because the trucks that need to deliver them have been broke down. We continue to pray that they will arrive before October 1.

Planning - for surveys that we hoped would happen this month, but because of a lack of pilot availability to do this we continue to plan for sometime in October. We do have some new missionaries finished with orientation and ready to allocate to a location. This is always an exciting event for us, as we see God bring us to places that need the Lord. We are constantly in prayer for those (new missionaries) faced with the decision on where they should minister.

Keeping up with our sons and daughter-in law - we get short emails from them that they are busy in college and jobs. They seem to be handling the balance and are doing well. Adam has shortened his credit hours and is working more. He will be graduating this December. Carrianne is hoping to get work at the hospital to gain more work experience in her field. Caleb is looking for another job. He is still able to work at roofing occasionally.

God is our strength and is faithful to give us His love in this ministry. He is unfailing to see us through tough decisions and day-to-day living. We pray that you find your assurance in this knowledge as well. We thank you for your support and prayers.

Your Co-Workers in His Fields

Lyle & Martha

Mankey