DJ wrote, "We have been praying about and have considered working with them for some time now."

They met with four communities and surveyed them to learn about the Maindos' culture and language, and the impact a church planting among them would have.

The missionary team discovered that the Maindos "highly value their mother tongue (Maindo) and that although many are multi-lingual in various languages at various levels, it appears that the community as a whole would not be able to use [an existing Bible translation], meaning they will likely need their own Bible translation."

They saw God's timing work perfectly several times as they arranged to see the officials required to make the trip. One after another the officials just happened to be in when needed. "If we had done this trip two weeks earlier like we had planned," wrote DJ, "we would not have met these men, and this could have complicated things."

"God's timing is perfect so we ask that you would continue to pray for us, that we would wait on His timing and leading to see what He wants of us as an organization in regards to seeing a mature church established among the Maindo people."

This was an outreach where two men from the original teaching assisted in teaching another group in a neighboring area.

About ten men have been attending regularly, and missionaries are thankful for the understanding of the men who are studying. Most of the men have been attending churches for years but this is the first time that they have heard that salvation is trusting in Christ and not keeping the Law.

The missionaries wrote, "Praise the Lord for the understanding that they are having of the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. The men have been moved especially by the stories of the Pharisee and the tax collector, and the thief that trusted in Christ as he died on the cross next to Jesus. What a testimony of God's grace that Christ saved the thief for believing in Him, not by anything he had done."

After the lessons are taught, the missionaries will spend time talking to each of the attendees. They want to make sure to clarify the lessons as needed so the men can fully understand the importance of the message.

They're also sending off their first translated portions of the Bible to be checked over for accuracy and clarity. They're hoping that this helps their future translation work as well by letting them see what they are doing right, and what they need to develop further.

Please pray that those who have finally heard the whole message will understand and accept it. Pray also that God will guide all involved in the translation process that the Lolo Scriptures might be accurate and easily understood by the hearers.