Missionary Update                November 2003 Letter

"For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." I Corinthians 3:9

Lyle, Tony Sutton, Daniel Moore, Will Ziegler, and Bill Housley went to survey the Aiome and Wanuma areas the 14th, 15th and 16th of Oct.  They flew into two different airstrips.  They found the Wanuma area to have a strong Lutheran influence and that this place was not a village but rather a Lutheran mission station. At this time it doesn't appear to be a place that we would go. In the Aiome area they were welcomed and there were 3 invitations, which need follow-up surveys to determine what is really the need there as they look at the different language groups and consider where the best place for future outreach would be. They also met up with some people passing through from the Rao area and there is still an invitation there. There is another survey trip planned for November 11th, which will be to the west of Josephstal. This trip the weight allowance will be limited so they will need to decide who is going.

This brings us to the reason the scripture verse is written at the top. From the moment we enter an area that might be a place to locate and present the Word of God; we are pictures of Jesus to those people. Now, of course, we are to be that in every way every day. But to the senses of a tribal person here we are read in such a refined way that our very facial expressions and our mannerisms speak more then our words do sometimes. These people can honestly tell if you mean what you say by your attitude. Now, don't get us wrong, they don't understand our culture and we don't understand all of their culture either, but they are processing us through their culture because this is what they have. It is amazing to understand after you have spent sometime with them how they actual felt about you the first time you met and the uncanny way that it will truly line up with your attitude. We know they are not mind readers but one wonders. They can see the love of Christ before they hear it. Their senses are not robbed by as many influences that we have in our culture. Pray that we will always be showing the love of Christ and that they will know that this for them will give them no greater joy.

It is exciting having these new missionaries ready to allocate. They are in the decision making process of where God would have them to locate. They have come giving of themselves with sacrifice of comforts, family and friends. They have studied the trade language and culture, which will help them with the ministry before them. When they locate they will be communicating His love before they even learn the language and culture there. It is a bit scary when you think that you are being viewed through a different cultural grid. The real love of Him can be read in our very actions, this we know.

We pray that you are doing well and enjoying God's rich blessings. We thank you for being a part of this ministry.

Laboring together with you in the Harvest fields

Lyle & Martha Mankey