December 2016

Replacing the old with the new

We arrived in Togo on December 2^nd and are happy to be back where we believe we truly belong at this stage in our lives. While life is certainly different, what is foreign to us is also becoming more familiar. So thank you for helping us, preparing us to get back to Togo. We feel stronger and more equipped for the work that the Lord has sent us here to do.

There are many tasks on our house we have come back to. Our water system is still a confusing issue with the hot water heater working, but hot water not coming out of the faucets. We hope to fix the issue with the pressure system we got in the capital. Setting up our internet is also in the works. Thank you for being patient with us as we have not been able to communicate as much as we would like. Word has it we should be back online today (this message was sent from outside of our home. There are other minor projects that we work on as time allows so that we can start focusing more on work outside of our gates.

We have been twice to visit the Gnamsa family and plan to visit again today. On Sunday, Pastor Ali taught out of 2 Corinthians 5:17. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” When asked, they explained that the old for them is animism and the new is Jesus and His teachings. Our friend Yawovi also reminded them, that the old includes our daily bad habits such as bickering, complaining, etc. This passage in Corinthians is very familiar and I’ve heard it a thousand times, but hearing it taught to new believers reminded me that I, as a longer standing believer still have old that is being worked out of my life. I’m so thankful Jesus doesn’t just get rid of just the big and obvious old and leave the less obvious old in our lives. No, Jesus is still removing the old from my life and molding me more into the likeness of Himself.

We were privileged last week to attend the marriage of two very special friends. We met Komi on our first trip to Togo in 2007. He was the one who first put us in contact with the Gnamsa family. Upon our second arrival here, we met his beautiful fiancé, Essohanam. Words cannot express our joy for them as these two godly friends start their life together. Unfortunately for us, they are moving far away up north to be missionaries of sorts at the new hospital there. Though we are sad to see them go, we know that God has wonderful plans to use them up there. God bless you Komi and Essohanam, and God bless the North Team. You guys are getting some quality gems!

You have been in our thoughts and prayers as well as we contemplate how incredibly strange it is that just a few weeks ago we saw the beginning of a “normal” cold Christmas with you all and now we are about to celebrate our very first Christmas in a very hot climate. We want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year as you seek to serve the One who “came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28b

In Christ,

The Buczaks

October 2016

Birth Announcement: Our little BOY, Christian Tate Buczak, was born September 7th. He weighed 7 pounds 7 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. It has been three weeks since his birth and he has already reached 8 pounds 11 ounces. Talk about growing fast! This week we submitted his first passport application as we look to moving back to Togo in the near future. Thank you for your prayers for a safe delivery.

Thank you for praying for nice weather and safe flights throughout the summer as Ryan has been furthering his training to become a Certified Flight Instructor. He has just a few flights left and a check ride (practical examination) before he receives his license. We'd appreciate your continued prayers for blue skies and safety as he finishes this training.

Loved by his sisters.

Next week Ryan will be taking a quick trip down to North Carolina to see the progress on the airplane and to meet with the West Africa aviation team about policies and procedures. Please pray for safety and for open, God-honoring communication among the team members.

As we look to heading back to Togo, our goal is to return in November. We are still under supported and ask that you pray with us every day through the month of October that God would bring along the right people to back the ministry both with prayer and with financial support. We are short by $525 per month.

Other miscellaneous needs:
For travel - Visas, airline tickets, a few heavy duty black with yellow lid storage containers (preferred for lightweight luggage), window and porch screening to keep mosquitoes out of our house, malaria medications.
Upon arrival - Water pressure tank for our water system.
In the near future - A large (500 gallon) poly tank for our water system.

Low-wing Piper Arrow

We look forward to getting back to "our family" in Togo. We hear that the ministry begun with the Gnamssas is going well, but we are dying to see for ourselves. Please pray that we and those working with the family will have vision and direction for the future. May God's name be glorified in the Agamé region!

We met with a few good prayer warriors last week. You folks keep us going and we are ever thankful for you. One highly respected friend humbly asked us to pray that God would keep him from presumptuous sin. What a great way to ask for prayer! We, too, ask that you would pray that God would keep all of our family members from presumptuous sin, and that God would ultimately be glorified as He shapes us to be more like His Son.

"Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer." Psalm 19:13-14 ESV

May our God bless you all as you honor Him in the "little" things.

In Christ,
Ryan, Stephanie, Leslie, AnnMarie, and Christian

June 2016

Thank you so much for being patient with us and continuing to pray for us these last six months. Ryan and I can say that we are in a much better place than we were in December. The Lord has taught us and grown us. Though life's problems never cease from testing us, we are learning to find the joy in the various trials that the Lord allows into our lives in order to sharpen and make us more into the likeness of His Son (James 1:2-4; Romans 8:29). Many thanks to all of the people who have counseled and encouraged us with God's Word both formally and informally.

Looking forward, we are ready to go back to Togo. But before I get too far ahead of myself, we should finally announce that we are expecting another little bright eyed wonder into our family this coming September. We've decided to stay in the States for the birth of the baby and then, Lord willing, go back to Togo as soon as we can secure Little B's passport. To our joy, the gender of the baby will remain unknown until his or her sweet arrival. Sorry about that, but not really.

While we wait for the arrival of Little B, Ryan is studying and flying to improve his pilot ratings. Until recently, it had been three years since he had been in the pilot seat of a working airplane. He has been dusting off the cobwebs and increasing his knowledge in order to be ready for our Togo team's aircraft to arrive in Togo around December or January.

Speaking of the airplane, a little over a year ago, the 1964 Cessna 206 was sent back to the States for some much needed tender love and care. We are pleased to report that N5180U is in the last stages of her total refurbishment, and she is looking good! Through many of you and friends of the Togo Aviation Team, almost all of the funding has come in to complete this project. Ten thousand dollars is needed for its completion and to finally get the plane back to Togo. Contributions can be made to account number 0763033 at www.abwe.org/give.

Since we left for France 100% supported in 2013, we have been truly blessed by the prayer and financial partners the Lord has brought to partner with us. Two thousand dollars per month was initially raised in ministry/aviation funds. Part of this has been used to cover ministry expenses, part for language school, part for travel expenses to and from Togo, part to get our vehicle out of port last year, part to keep Ryan proficient as a pilot, and some of these funds have been used to cover our support deficit. In short, we are doing our best to be wise stewards with what has been so graciously and sacrificially given to the work God has called us to in Togo.

I mention the above to note that we have always had everything necessary to do what we have needed to do over the past three years. However, I also mentioned above a support deficit. This deficit has slowly accumulated to $900 per month. What this means is that as we anticipate finally having a functioning aviation ministry shortly after our arrival back to Togo, we are going to need to re-raise this monthly support in order to fully participate in the aviation ministry. Once again, we are asking you to join us in praying that the Lord would supply this need before our return this November. Those interested in partnering with this work can go to www.abwe.org/give and use account number 0134443.

On the Gnamssa family front, studies continue with Pastor Ali. Their group has grown to the point that more seating was needed! Please continue to pray for God's protection over the teaching of His Word and for Spiritual growth in the family and the surrounding Agamé region.

It has been a blessing and joy to meet with many friends here in the States. Catching up with friends face to face is always best. It has been fun to see how God has worked in and through you and your churches. Our invitation to meet over coffee remains open to whoever wishes. We are always happy to see you. Honestly though, we usually walk away from our meetings with friends as if we get the better end of the bargain. You guys are all truly wonderful!

Many blessings to you and the work our Creator has called you to.