© Ivan Steiger MMI

Do not love sleep, or you will become poor; Open your eyes, andyou will be satisfied with food. (Proverbs 20:13)

May 2003

FIRST THE PERSONAL TURBULENCE
Except annual allergy and sneezing attacks, this is the most beautiful time of the year. With some of you we shared via E-mail following events, as we called them: TURBULENT DAYS.
In March we experienced some scary moments. First of all, Pavel felt severe chest pain and had unusually high blood pressure. We went to the emergency room twice since it happened. First late at night and a few days later Sunday morning. The attending doctor consulted the cardiologist, they checked his signs and reassured us that he had no enzymes in his blood (a sure sign of a heart attack). One of our friends nicely summarized our experience:

How true. Since Pavel started to preach every Sunday's afternoon in Kladno we had not one day off. This went on for long time, actually for a year. We were growing tired day by day without admitting the reality. Now we know that a person working passionately and with great joy does need rest like everybody else. We accept this experience as His loving warning. We are glad that after several check ups, considering our "mileage and speed", we are both doing quite well.

THEN THE EQUIPMENT TURBULENCE
The next turbulence struck our Internet computer server. For several days the heart of our Internet operation was shut down. First we did not know what happened. People were calling us that our web site was dead. We are so glad that we have Vladimir who is the doctor in these emergencies. We had to go to our provider where our computer is located. We discovered that a ventilator was gone. So we had to change the power box and later we discovered that the second ventilator did not survive the heat. It had to be changed in a service shop. Little things caused a week outage since it happened (as usually) over the weekend and the needed shops were closed.

EXHILARATING MOMENTS
In our last prayer letter we shared with you that we would take a part in live broadcasting to launch a new program in Slovakia. The atmosphere during the live broadcasting was marvelous. We received during it several phone calls. One of the listeners remembered our programs from Jakarta which were broadcast from TWR (started in 1986) in Monte Carlo. Time was so short, only an hour. So, we have gotten an invitation to come for another live broadcast in about six months.

The highlight of the Slovak trip was meeting all the new "electronic coworkers" in person. The invisible team became a real encouragement to us. The Lord guided and provided in most unexpected ways. Many prayers were answered. For months we communicated with number of people only through E-mail.

The key man is Milan. He was so humble that we were sometimes frustrated. We felt that he should be more assertive and independent. We provided a small minidisk recorder and prayed that someone would learn how to use it. We had no idea that Milan was practically a professional. He has a digital studio and recording equipment at his home. We should learn from him not he from us! The final product is a truly professional job. We can provide CDs or audio tapes for listeners.

Other two important people, translator and voice came unusual way. The translator sent us a few E-mail comments about the content of our magazine. Klara asked him if he would be willing to help; for example to translate some Czech texts into Slovak language. He agreed and we gained a new reliable volunteer.

The programs are broadcast and streamed live on Internet by Radio LUMEN and are also available on our HCJB web site. Listenership of radio LUMEN is about 6 % of the Slovak population. Can you imagine the joy? We could never reach so many listeners via short wave from Ecuador. At this time we have an option to buy an additional 15-minute segment.

We marvel how many things went on behind the scenes that we were unaware of. We all were reminded that the only qualification for serving the Lord is to be willing, ask and trust-that are the fruits of loving Him!

Our prayer is that our former Slovak coworker Peter will relocate from Houston to Slovakia in the near future and will join us once again. We are rejoicing that HCJB World Radio, Slovakia is doing a great job. We pray that there will be much more ahead. Let us share one letter relating to our Slovak trip:

Dear Steiger's,
with great gratitude we remember your visit in Banska Bystrica. Once again we thank you for all your work on this project. Programs are already in Radio LUMEN and I am sending you CD copy. I am working on the next set of programs.
We do believe that Lord will honor and bless our cooperation. Abundance of His blessings wishes - Milan H.
P.S. I am attaching a part of the E-mail I received from Mr. K. who is the program director of Radio LUMEN:

My greetings to the Steigers' and please convey my personal gratitude for their appearance in Sunday's night live broadcast. I do apologize for not meeting them, in person, since I was out of town.
Pavol K.

OUR TRIP TO SLOVAKIA
During our Slovak trip we rested for three days in Spa Piestany. It is a very well known spa for rheumatism and other articular ailments. Klara took 10 procedures (hot mud wraps, massage, soaking in warm water in mirror pool, exercising in the swimming pool, and together we inhaled oxygen...) Pavel did not endure all the procedures, since the mud and mineral waters made his skin itchy. He felt more like Job but enjoyed oxygen.

ANNUAL MINICONFERENCE
Annual theological miniconference with Geoff Volker was another blessing. His topic touched some problems of continuity and discontinuity of the old and new covenants. We were a bit concerned about how many people would attend. At first it looked like that all would not fit in and later we were wondering if anyone would show up. This is typical of Prague, people are not predictable. One can invite the best Christian speaker or performer and never be sure, whether people show up. When Klara left office 15 minutes before the beginning of the miniconference we were a bit apprehensive. Forty five minutes later we could not believe our eyes. The office was filled with twenty attendees. All present were blessed. We trust the Lord that at least the same number will attend the next miniconference.

OUR MINIVACCATION
We spent a near perfect Easter time in Bavaria, Germany with Pavel's brother family. He has two daughters and two grandchildren. It was a real blessing on one hand and on the other hand we have been concerned for the spiritual condition of the entire family. Once again Klara was the family video reporter.

PRAYERS AND PRAISES
Filip and Lenka, our son and daughter-in-law, with their children moved from Salt Lake City, UT to Manchester, NH in April. They sold their house in Salt Lake City in a week. Filip works just outside of Boston in Endover. It has been a good news. This was a transfer within the company. We thank our Lord how he takes care of Filip and his family in these bad days for ".com" companies. The sad news is, that our relationship is strained for some petty reasons.

Our other son Vit from Denver, CO has finally bought a new Honda Element. This is his second car in his lifetime (he is 35). He said: "It should last till I am 50".

Klara's mother is still hospitalized in Long term ward of the Hospital. The orthopedic corset cast was molded on horizontal body; thus, in vertical position it is not comfortable or practical. Doctors are trying to find a better solution.

Praises for tremendous work atmosphere in our office. It is a joy for each one of us to have a part of this ministry.

Satellite Project with TWR to broadcast 24 hours per day in Czech and Slovak languages needs some encouragement in our minds. It is difficult to offer practical help on large project like this. We just trust that it is in HIS HANDS, and HCJB World Radio Headquarters can help.

We have been constantly at need of translator(s) from English to Czech. There are so many texts in English that deserve to be at Czech readers' disposal. Please pray that the Lord will bring one or some.

HCJB World Radio European Conference in June will take place in Germany. We keep praying, since there are many changes as a result of big changes in Quito (including moving of broadcasting site, new opportunities of broadcasting from Kununurra, Australia, etc.) We do not expect any more changes in our outreach. They were all done last year and we are pleased. Today, HCJB World Radio and its partners are working in more than 100 countries and more than 200 local stations are on the air broadcasting in nearly 120 languages and dialects. According to Dave Johnson, the President of HCJB World Radio, "The ministry's growth around the world now allows the Latin America regional office to shift attention from reaching the world to better reaching its neighbors with the gospel."

Pray for our support. During the past 12 years $100 have gradually dropped to about $40. Three unfavorable things happened:

Thank you for taking part in HCJB World Radio Czech and Slovak ministry, faithful prayers and expressed love.
pavel and klara

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