MANN

c/o Misin Nuevas Tribus, Casilla 274, Santa Cruz, Bolivia, South America

Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples. Psalm 96:3

bill_mann@ntm.org

August, 2011

Simba Survey South of the River RESULTS

ZONE #1 The most western valley south of the Rio Pilcomayo contains just three Simba communities. However, one of these, aurenda, is the largest village in the south, having about 75 families. Simba children come to this community from the other two valleys to finish their High School education, which we were told is taught in both Spanish and their own language. The other two communities, Mocamocal and Saladito, seemed a little friendlier and more open, though this was just an initial impression based on short visits. All three of these communities have power and the newer style adobe housing. Nearby these three Simba communities is the national town of Timboy, which also has power and even some cell phone service. Most basic supplies are available here, so it could be a good location for a mission base. Just recently a road has been built connecting Timboy with the second valley, through a mountain pass this makes access between zones #1 and #2 relatively quick. The road connects to villages in zone #2 which have no power and are much smaller and more isolated. The possibility of living in zone #1 where there is power and supplies readily available and commuting to zone #2 is a good one, making possible continual ministry in both zones (see the blue area in the map above).

Rio Pilcomayo dividing the Simba people into two main areas

ZONE #2 We visited six Simba communities in the central valley south of the Rio Pilcomayo. Some of these villages had newer adobe housing and elementary schools; however, some had traditional housing (as at left), and were generally more isolated and poorer. Of these six communities, in only one did we hear much Spanish spoken. When we asked if anyone was coming to teach God's word, we just got blank looks. The concept of God, let alone God having a word, seemed very foreign to them. The need for relationship-building and pre-evangelism is very clear in this zone. From this zone, there are a few more Simba communities across the Rio Pilcomayo and inland a bit, which can only be accessed by boat and foot travel. ZONE #3 The eastern-most valley south of the Rio Pilcomayo is located near the Chaco, the hot lowlands of South America. Here we visited three communities south of the river. We were encouraged to hear that the radio programs being broadcasted from Santa Cruz in the Simba language are being listened to here by some of the Simba they even recognized Bill's name from the radio broadcasts! We were able to leave an mp3 player which contains all the radio programs with one interested family; as Bill demonstrated the use of the player (at right), an older Simba lady (in traditional Simba dress) can be seen looking on in the background. This community, Puerto Margarita, straddles the river and seemed to be much more traditional than the other two communities in this zone.

PRAYER AND PRAISE ITEMS

Praise the Lord for the safe travels we experienced on the survey trip in June, and for the valuable information we were able to gather and contacts we made. Please pray as we continue to seek the Lord regarding where we should live and minister following this next year in Santa Cruz. Please pray also for understanding for those who received the mp3 player and Simba books, and for hearts to be enlightened in this area where there is little or no understanding of God or the good news of salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Praise the Lord for the successful final check in June of the first 4 chapters of John. As well, we were grateful to be able to complete the comprehension checking on the rest of the Gospel of John, during our time in Taperillas this past month. At Sunday services, Bill was also able to disciple the believers there through the early chapters of 1 Corinthians, and Jesse & Kathleen completed a series of Wordless Book teachings with the Simba children.

Please pray for us now as we re-adapt to life in Santa Cruz. Jesse begins school on August 9 th, and we are continuing now to work on the translation of the books of James, 2 Corinthians and Hebrews with Julio. Our hope is to complete the initial translation of the entire New Testament with Julio by Jesse's graduation in May!

Box 707, Durham, ON N0G 1R0 CANADA US Address: 1000 E. First St., Sanford, Fl 32771

In closing, we want to thank you for your interest and involvement in this work with the SimbaGuaran you are a huge encouragement and blessing to us! Bill & Kathleen Mann