June 2008

Thank you for your prayers as we continue to work on the SPARK web site at Wycliffe-JAARS. We have made a lot of progress. It is encouraging to see that people all over the world are accessing the site. We sent a email to almost one hundred people who have accessed and contributed to the site in the past. We asked them to look at the site, and consider contributing again. We received some positive responses. We also have new ideas for improving the site. God is good!

A lot has happened since Wayne retired from NCR one year ago, May 31, 2007. We moved to North Carolina, started a new "job," sold our house in San Marcos ( April 2008), packed up the house, held a large garage sale for things we did not want to bring here, moved stuff to NC in JAARS moving van, our son joined the Navy, Linda's mother passed away, etc. The bottom line was a lot of stress!

On May 27, Wayne experienced heart palpitations, and ended up in the emergency room at Carolinas Medical Center in Pi neville, NC. As a result of a stress test, the doctors determined that Wayne inherited bi-cusped instead of tri-cusped valves. In addition, he has an enlarged aorta. Normally the aorta is 3 cm in diameter; Wayne's is 4.7 cm; and they recommend surgery when it is 5.0 cm. The prognosis is serious, and not critical. Pray for the follow-up visit with the cardiologist and surgeon in December. We would really appreciate your prayers for Wayne's healing.

As we alluded to earlier, some of this may be the result of stress. Wayne has taken the advice of one of his co-workers in VMS, and is focusing on rest and sleep. Please pray that Wayne will get the necessary sleep that his body needs.

This past month has helped us to realize how dependent we are upon God. He is the source of our health and strength. He is the One who gives us sleep. He promises to be with us in our times of weakness and helplessness. (Isaiah 41:10; 2 Corinthians 12:9). We have seen His faithfulness to encourage us in the midst of our trials.

We are grateful for you, and for your prayers for us. We feel blessed to have a small part in supporting Bible translation, and getting God's Word into people's heart languages.

Please pray for the following requests:

• Praise God for leading us to Wycliffe-JAARS, and for His strength and protection for us here.
• Praise God that our son, Andrew, successfully completed Navy boot camp. Pray that God will guide his steps in the Navy.
• Pray for wisdom as we continue to seek God's direction for the future of the SPARK web site.
• Pray for Wayne to get the sleep his body needs. Pray for the healing of Wayne's heart.

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]