August 2007

The building below on the right is the Alphabet Museum, on the JAARS campus in Waxhaw, NC. It chronicles the development of the alphabet from ancient times to the present. It shows the challenges translators face to complete Wycliffe's Vision 2025 - to see translation in progress in every language that needs it by 2025. There are 6912 languages spoken today, with 2286 languages without any portions of the Bible available. Vision 2025 seeks to accelerate the pace of Bible translation by increasing awareness of the need, and using technology to reduce translation time.

The next step for the Steele family is to visit Waxhaw in September for eight weeks. Wayne will attend the Vernacular Media Services (VMS) training class for six weeks. A picture of the VMS building is below. Wayne will be working on the SPARKS website. You can visit it at: http://www.vernacularmedia.org/. The goal will be to improve the site so that missionaries will be able to find what they need easily. We will also check out the area for housing and a church for fellowship, looking to God's will for the relocation process.

We have been busy packing things we will need during our stay in Waxhaw, and getting our house ready to sell. We have a realtor with Coldwell Banker in our small group who will help us to sell the house. We have made good progress in accomplishing these activities. We plan to leave for North Carolina on August 18. We plan to visit our son in Colorado Springs, and Linda's sister in Brownwood, TX, as we drive our vehicles to North Carolina.

Please pray that God will provide a buyer for our home, and that He will receive all the glory. Please pray for protection and safety as we drive across the United States. Pray for us as we adapt to a new setting, with opportunities to serve and grow. Pray for us as we evaluate the situation after being in Waxhaw for eight weeks.

Thank you for standing with us in prayer. We really appreciate it. If you have prayer requests, we would be happy to hear about them and pray with you.

In Christ's Love,

Wayne & Linda Steele
c/o JAARS
P.O. Box 248
Waxhaw, NC 28173
[email protected]