In 2002, children began reading From Akebu to Zapotec: A Book of Bibleless Peoples. The children began praying for the Bibleless people groups featured in the book. They prayed for people groups whose names started with each letter of the alphabet, including “U” for the Umeda people of Papua New Guinea. By Christmas of 2003, God was clearly answering their prayers.
In 2003, just one year after children began praying, the Umeda people sent some of their own people to visit the Amanab who already had a New Testament translation. The Umedas asked if someone from Amanab would come live with them, start a church and teach them about God. The Amanab church spent time fasting so they could pray about this request. Then, they chose a man named Simai to go and help the Umeda. Simai’s church didn't have much to give him, but they did send him off with a few things, including a Bible and a lantern. So, he went to teach the Umeda about God.
Finally, by Christmas 2004, Simai began a church among the Umeda people. A young Umeda man named Willie helped him. God answered the prayers of children who prayed for the Umeda!