August 2008

As we finish up our first year at Wycliffe/JAARS, we are more conviced than ever about our involvement in Vernacular Media Services. The title of the book I read before arriving here best captures our reasoning, "Making Disciples of Oral Learners." Most language groups without the Bible have oral cultures. They do not respond to highly literate communication styles, such as the printed page or expositional, analytical, and logical presentations of God's Word. Instead, they respond to storytelling, music, drama, art, and other ways that reflect their cultural and linguistic background.

Wayne recently had the privilege of working with David Naff, an 80-year old missionary with SIM, who spent 40 years in Liberia, Africa. While there, he learned a lot of local stories, which he retold, and turned into story books. He has given us permission to take 40 of these stories, and his accompanying drawings, and make them available as free downloads on the SPARK website. A regular volunteer from Ohio spent several days with us, scanning the pictures, and preparing to work on this project. It is so good to have talented volunteers help us. And it is a blessing to have such good cooperation between SIM and Wycliffe/JAARS.

Many have asked about Wayne's health. He is doing much better now. He has slowed down his pace, is exercising more, and sleeping better. He will still need valve replacement surgery sometime next year, after he gets on medicare. Thank you for your prayers and concern.

Linda is starting to use her passion for art to help locate or create pictures for the SPARK website. We celebrated her 60th birthday by taking a three-day trip to Athens, GA. While there, we went to the Georgia Museum of Art on the campus of University of Georgia. They had an interesting exhibit to dedicated Everett Gee Jackson, a former professor at San Diego State College during the years 1920-1955. We also spent time with some special friends while there.

Please pray for the following requests:

• Pray for wisdom as we continue to seek God's direction for the future of the SPARK web site.
• Pray for continued wisdom as we look to purchase a house here.
• Thank you for praying with us regarding our insurance company and medical claims. They paid about 23% of the costs, and we will have to take over $10K from our savings to pay our portion. At least we are getting closure on this episode of our lives.

Thank you for standing with us in prayer. Don't hesitate to share your prayer requests. We really appreciate hearing from you.

In Christ's love,

Wayne & Linda Steele
8626 Karibuni Dr.
Waxhaw, NC 28173
[email protected]
[email protected]