Winter among the high Caucasus peoples, such as the Bagvalal, runs from late September to the end of April. The ridge above the Bagvalal village of Kvanada sits at 8,500 feet. Southeast of Tlondada village, the mountains soar to 11,000 feet. Snow covers the Bagvalal villages typically from October until the end of April. For the cattle and sheep to survive the winter, the Bagvalal must accomplish massive hay gathering from the nearby hillsides in July, August, and September. They also store and pickle items from the harvest for the winter, and the residents hope that 4-wheel drive vehicles can successfully navigate in and out of the region several times during the winter for resupply.

Ministry Obstacles: They practice traditional Sunni Islam, with its dictates of works righteousness and a distant, stern Allah. None have dared to stray from Islam's dictates. Their culture allows for little or no variation from the norm. Believing in Jesus Christ as the only savior would not be tolerated.

Scripture Focus: "Then David said to the Philistine, "You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.""
- 1 Samuel 17:45

Prayer Focus: Pray that the nations will know that they cannot defy the Lord. Pray for linguists to study and respect the Bagvalal language. May they build bridges of friendship based on God's love and joy in the Holy Spirit. Pray for long-term relational presence within the Bagvalal community. Pray for efforts to develop gospel materials in the Bagvalal language, both linguistically and musically.