HST Prayer Need

Dear 25th Year HST Families,
On occasion we send out prayer requests to those families who want to be in the “prayer loop.”
– If you are a returning family and have been in the email group, *we will keep you there until you ask to take a break*. (We understand that at times, life is so challenging that you need to stay focused on the rocky path you are climbing, and not be distracted by pondering other people’s paths. So, *in tough times it is not “selfish” to take yourself off the prayer email group, it is being “centered in your self” and knowing what is prudent.*) – If you are a new family, you need to reply to this email if you wish to be put in the prayer email group *so you will receive future emails. *
*If a prayer need directly affects our community, we may still choose to send the prayer request to everyone*. *The following request fits that criteria*.
For those of you new to our community, I will share that HST has journeyed with two of our directors as they have battled cancer. Our SR Troupe director, Cynthia Alexander, is in her 4th year of a very hard fight with throat cancer (despite never having smoked). She is currently cancer-free but has several side affects that she continues to battle with. It is only with courageous determination that she is able to continue sharing her talents with HST.
Our SH Troupe director, Steffi Phelan, was diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer last year that they felt was completely beaten after six months of intense treatments. Unfortunately, it has returned and she has a very, very challenging path ahead of her. We are honored that HST is the only job, out of her many performing arts jobs, that she is holding onto. We will be using live-streaming technology to allow Ms. Steffi to direct SH Troupe long-distance when her treatments deem that necessary. Of course, HST will renew our support of Ms. Steffi as she attacks this mountainous challenge. It was just 2 years ago that Ms. Steffi, successfully hiked to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, proving that she has the determination to tackle human challenges. However, life and death struggles are also spiritual and it is with this aspect that HST can truly make a difference with our prayers. *I know that every prayer makes a difference, in ways we understand and in ways we don’t understand, but they are never wasted*. So, first and foremost,* we are asking for prayers for Ms. Steffi as she tackles the mountainous cancer treatments that lie ahead for her.* Second, *we will renew our support of meals and donations *(performers only get paid when they work). *A separate email will go out with the details of how to give practical help*, but for now, we are seeking prayers, and lots of them.
I will close with my personal thanks for the inspiration that you provide to me, and all those who are blessed by the love of this community. Ms. Steffi said, “Love is healing,” and that is absolutely true. I got to experience it first-hand when I needed surgery for a badly broken ankle this past summer. Bottom line – never underestimate the power of love, because *God IS love*. Whether we realize it or not, we love because He first loved us. So *when we share love, we share the truth of God without ever having to say a word.*
God’s peace and blessings to each and every beloved person involved in this little Christian-principled program. Marilyn