Outfit List-Updated 6/10/14

We've been asked about items we need to get for our move to Togo. I'm posting items we would prefer to have or purchase on this side of the ocean. Some of these are just recommended by missionaries already in Togo, so not all are necessarily requirements. Anything electronic would be best if it is 220v/50cycles. Although, small appliances can be run through converters, transformers, voltage regulators (not sure the difference between these three yet). I cannot guarantee a tax deduction for these items (if you are interested on how to donate and receive tax deductions please contact me). Some of you are coupon clippers and can donate coupons. It would also be helpful if you would help me know where and when to buy the products.

4 or 5 voltage regulators (we could get these in Togo, but the quality is not as good)

Transformers-not the toys or the movie

Water filter-Katadyn is what we've been recommended, but Ryan has also been looking at these ceramic water filters.

Quiet Generator (220v/50)-these are often right outside our homes and run at unusual times of day or night. This is why I say it should be quiet.

Gas stove-without electric starter so that we can still run it when the power goes out

Washer and gas dryer-Maytag is what the missionaries recommend

Meat Grinder-GOT IT. Thank you donor!

Battery charger with batteries of all sizes. Batteries are expensive and not the best quality

Hair clippers-220v/50c (we have a set, but they are 110) It wouldn't hurt to have a backup since they tend not too last very long anyhow.

Juicer (optional)

Pillows-not down

5 gal-Gatoraide style cooler with spout for drinking water when traveling

ice trays

plastic food storage containers-I prefer ziploc as they are what I already use and fit nicely with what I have. I do need the larger ones for flour, sugar etc and I do not mind the brand as much.

Wax paper, aluminum foil, plastic wrap-enough for 2 1/2 years. In America, I go through maybe one box of each per year.

Ziploc freezer bags (all sizes)-need a lot. I don't mind different brands of these as long as they seal properly.

Insect fog-My mom says there's something you spray around your house once a year to keep spiders out. I also read in a prayer letter that snakes do not like bug sprays. I'm hoping something like this would deter harmful snakes from taking up residence in our around our home.

Sharpie markers-Ryan uses these for work ALL the time. I also like one or two around the house

Homeschool curriculum-I think we are interested in My Father's World for our first term. We will need grades PreK, Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd. I have all of the math I need.

Paper cutter

Tape-Scotch, duct, packaging...

Construction paper

Printer cartridges-Canon 220 and 221

Laser printer paper

Pencil sharpener-Manual is best

stapler/staples-would you believe we still don't have a stapler after several years of school and 4 years of pre field?

Rubber bands- not very many. These disintegrate in Togo pretty fast though

Dust mop-Harmattan is VERY dusty. I don't know if they all come like this, but a washable head would be best so I can wash and reuse them.

Blue Lizard brand sunscreen-not higher than 30spf. I don't need more than one or maybe two bottles per year. Even thought we'll be in a sunny climate, we don't need a stock room for sunscreen. ;-)

Deodorant-Heavenly Honey Farm brand for both Ryan and Stephanie (no aluminum)

Renu contact fluid-We go through about two or three 12 ounce bottles per year. This is NOT available in Togo.

Toothpaste-We like arm and hammer brand, but a recipe would be fine.

Laundry detergent recipe. 6/10-Big boxes of baking soda and zote soap so I can make my own.

Oxiclean-I love this stuff! I have a recipe for it, but I don't think it works as well as the real product.

Dryer sheets

Recipes for salad dressings from scratch.

They say spices we are used to in America are hard to come by. We use basil & Italian seasoning the most. Mexican style seasonings would be the hardest to come by I guess, but I would prefer to have the seasonings and make things like Taco mixes from scratch. I still haven't figured out what I "can't live without."

vanilla (a lot), mint, peppermint extracts.

Basil seeds-so I can grow my own.

Action Packers or lockable heavy duty totes for shipping

This list should do for now. We certainly don't expect to receive all of these things, but if something strikes your fancy or you think something like this would be fun, go for it. And THANK YOU!

Buczak Buzz~April 2013

We can't believe it! It's time to start packing our stuff to move to Togo! 

Last month we told you that we reached our 85% goal and were accepted to go to Field Prep Seminar in Harrisburg, PA earlier this month. Wow, we couldn't believe that we finally made it to our last Prefield class at ABWE. We sat in a classroom with several other missionaries who were feeling the same sense of awe that we were feeling and none of us could claim any of what God had done to bring us thus far for ourselves. Ryan and I remember sitting in Candidate Class in March of 2009 and wondering if God really would ever allow us to get to Togo or even to Field Prep, now, four years later, it is becoming a reality. God did it and we KNOW it.

Our support requirement is now at 88%. This means that we need to raise $781 more per month. Also, while we were at ABWE, we discovered that the amount we had raised to purchase a car in Togo was too low and we had not raised anything for language school. This means that our one-time Outfit and Passage fund requires an additional $12,000. After all we have see the Lord do in recent months, we will praise Him, knowing that he can and will provide these funds in His perfect timing. Please join us in praying that the rest of our support would come in by the middle of July. We need to be fully funded in July so that we can buy our airplane tickets at a reasonable rate.

We asked you to pray for our girls while we were gone for the 11 days earlier this month. THEY did fine with Grandpa, then Auntie, then Grandmary. WE also had a stress-free time away even though we missed our kids. Hugs in the airport were sweet, and it was nice to be back together again as a family. Thank you for praying for all of us during our short separation.

In the coming months we will be:

1. Applying for our student visas to France

2. Packing up our home

3. Holding yard sales

4. Purchasing home school materials

5. Getting current on our shots

6. Raising the last of our support

7. Saying goodbye to friends and family

8. Hopping on an airplane to France

Please pray over the list above. As far as packing our home goes, I MIGHT be overwhelmed by the idea. People have been asking how they can help. Honestly, I would love help. If organization is your gifting and you want to help, I would be absolutely pleased to bits.

There is also a list of things that we cannot get in Togo, or would be more cost effective to purchase here in the states that we need to store up for our move. If you are interested in seeing the list, please see our blog. I will be posting that list in the next day or two.

Lastly for now, be sure to mark your calendars for our Commissioning Service at Edgewood Bible Church on Sunday evening, August 11th. We would be so pleased to see you there. Your prayers and encouragements have been so timely and necessary over the past four years. We would love to see you personally so that we may express our appreciation "face to face."

"Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full." 2 John 12

Many blessings to all of you!

Brief Buzz~March 2013

We have great news! Due to the loving support of several new individuals, we have made our 85% goal and have been invited to attend Field Prep Seminar with ABWE in Harrisburg. We are so excited! This means that we are less than $800.00 a month away from 100% and language school in France in August! Picture the victory dances going on at our house. We are praising the Lord.

Our goals for this year will be sell lots and lots of stuff, pack up stuff for France and for Togo, and leave for language school in August. In France, we will study French for about a year and a half and then move to Togo and begin working with our team to develop an aviation ministry!

For prayer we ask that you would pray for us and our girls as we will be leaving them here with grandparents while we are in Harrisburg. We will be away from them for 11 days. In the mean time, I (Stephanie), have to ween AnnMarie. Please pray that that goes smoothly and that our girls will be fine while we are gone. We will be gone March 31 through April 11.

Many thanks and many blessings to you all for your prayers. Maybe you would like to do a little victory dance, too?