JUST CHATTING

January 8, 2004
Dear Friends,

It's hard to believe the Christmas 2003 is past and that we are well into 2004 already! It's equally hard for us to believe that we've been back in the States now for nearly two years. God has worked miracles for us in 2003, setting the foundation for marvelous things to come in 2004! This year Sharon is cancer free and has nothing suspicious developing! Additionally, she is nearly done with reconstructive surgeries and is in better health than ever. This year we look forward to returning to the mission field--this time to Mexico. When our car was wrecked, God graciously provided an incredible deal on a vehicle suitable for our upcoming work in Mexico. We got to spend Christmas with our son and his wife, New Year's Day with our daughter, and we anticipate the arrival of our first grandchild any day. Additionally, the Lord is raising up workers in the little mission church was help with, and we dedicated the new worship center in December--truly a miracle of God. It's beautiful to see God putting the pieces into place to release us for ministry in Mexico. We are so blessed!

Just as our lives have moved on with new developments, new friends, new circles of prayer partners, new challenges, hopes and dreams, we know that your lives have marched on as well. New friends are wonderful, but they never replace the old ones. We wish we could be everywhere at once! We're beginning to understand in a new way what a wonderful reunion heaven will be!

As we face 2004, we will begin deputation in earnest, and we know God will provide our every need. He has been so faithful to provide us with good jobs while we've been in the States, but just as Jesus called Peter to leave his nets, we are being called to return to missions work and trust the Lord for our provisions. Please be in prayer with us as we begin to travel and continue to juggle the many hats we wear.

We've had some wonderful surprises recently. When Sharon had her last surgery, the hospital chaplain recognized the name Steffler and began to tell us that he went to Bible college with a couple who served as missionaries in Uruguay for many years. Imagine our surprise as we heard him describe Charlie's parents. Imagine the look on his face and the tears in his eyes when he learned Charlie was their son and now a missionary himself! What joy it gave Charlie to be in touch with his parents in such a tangible way all these years after they've gone on to be with the Lord. What a wonderful heavenly tie.

Along the same lines, Charlie received an early morning international telephone call Sunday morning. It was from the current pastor of the church his parents established as missionaries in Uruguay, South America. This pastor was in the youth group there with Charlie all those years ago. Imagine our joy to so quickly have another tie to Charlie's parents and, most of all, to know that their church work in Uruguay had survived! Be much in prayer with us for this work, since the economics in Uruguay are terrible, and the church is struggling financially. Our hearts are full today as we rejoice in these special blessings God has sent our way. It's clear that God is stirring something up related to Uruguay.

Much love,
Charlie, Sharon, and Christian

Summer 2003
Dear Friends,

You mean the world to us. Our hearts are full of memories and love and support for us during our missions journey. Your friendship has helped sustain us through the trials of the past several years. We fervently wish that we could remain closer to all of you, but sometimes events outside of our control hinder this.

This part of our website is a place to write a weekly letter to our dear friends. We want you to feel connected to us, even when the logistics of our present world keep us unconnected. Please know that we love you and will communicate personally as permitted.

We are doing well. Sharon is still undergoing various steps of the reconstruction process and has periodically reacted poorly, including several nasty infections that have worn her out. She is doing much better now, though, and we anticipate only one more big surgery--probably in October. Please continue to prayer over her health. A different radiologist has examined the first MRI, and now they say the left side "may have something going on"--quite a difference from "completely clear." We believe they are just being very cautious, but they have scheduled her for another MRI on September 8th. Please be much in prayer that this will indeed prove it to be "completely clear." We are believing that we already have victory on this, for God is ready for us to move on.

We continue to be active in the little missions church with Charlie preaching on Sunday nights. We are starting a Friday evening youth group in a few weeks, and we are hoping to soon initiate men's and women's Bible studies. Mobility is a major issue for the area we are ministering in, so we can't just "pick a time!" Honestly, working in Peru prepared us a lot for this issues we deal with here. An addition on the back has been made, and we should be only weeks from beginning to have our services there!! This is a major miracle!! Charlie is laying brick on it every weekend until done. We anticipate a lot of growth now that we have room to grow. PTL!

Christian starts middle school in just two weeks. Please be in prayer over him as he makes this big change. He is beginning to face many of the issues of a pre-teen, and we know your prayer covering will help keep the enemy from getting his foot in the door!

If you read our main web page, you know that we have been assigned to Cuernavaca, Mexico for our two year training period with WIM. We are saddened in many ways that we will not be returning to Peru for our new term, but we are EXCITED that God has opened doors for us to return to the field and work full time in His harvest field once again! We believe God's hand is guiding and leading in all things, including our close proximity to the excellent medical care in Mexico City. After having experienced two interruptions of our previous term for unexpected medical emergencies, we feel this will limit further interruptions. Now that we know we are not returning to Peru, we will be planning a trip to Peru at some point before we go to Mexico in order to retrieve our most personal items and family momentos. Be in prayer with us about the details and timing and finances of this trip.

Thanks again so very much for your concerns about our health and your prayer covering!! Please let us continue to hear about what's going on in your lives, even if it can't always be interactive. We rejoice with you and weep with you. We also pray for you.

Much love,
Charlie, Sharon, and Christian