August 2019

Well, it’s been a great summer here in the Pacific Northwest, rather cold, but we’ve very much enjoyed some old American summer traditions around open fires with hamburgers, hotdogs, and s’mores. We’re not quite ready to talk about Pumpkins spice or sweaters, though.

Thankfully, my team in Togo gave me relief from my work there which basically means, I’ve been allowed to step away from my computer and spend the majority of my time with my kids. Ryan has been busy flying and even participating in ministry at Missionary Aviation Training Academy (MATA) continuing his education as well as sharing his skill with young potential missionary pilots. Tomorrow, he has a check ride testing his skills as a multi-engine pilot. You can pray that that goes well. The test begins at 10am. 

Leslie got to go to horse camp at Warm Beach Camps in Stanwood, WA where she learned how to ride a horse independently. She even got to learn vaulting, and she did NOT break any arms!

AnnMarie went to dance camp where she got to participate in a production of the Lion King, Jr. She was a wildebeest and a jungle dancer. It was fun to watch her enjoy her roles. She took her jobs very seriously. Both Leslie and AnnMarie also really enjoy catching up with their long-time English-speaking friends and wearing shorts and pants.

 

Christian has spent a lot of time with mom. His vocabulary has exploded since he’s only had to work on one language for the summer.

Other highlights of the summer include visiting First Baptist Church of Burbank and Hobart Community Church as well as catching up with our church family at Edgewood Bible Church at worship services, potlucks, VBS, and coffee and dinner dates, and a Golf picnic with our friends at Mabana Chapel.

Ryan and I were encouraged with reminders of our hope in Christ at ABWE’s (our mission organization) annual Missionary Enrichment Conference in Baltimore, MD. We also enjoyed catching up with long-time missionaries and friends who serve around the world. One woman was particularly inspiring as she was honored for serving for 59 years! in an Asian country. Ryan and I also got to visit Fort McHenry one afternoon, where Francis Scott Key wrote the Star-Spangled Banner.

In the weeks to come we’ll be visiting the following churches:
Redemption Bible Church – Bonney Lake, WA – August 25
Faith Bible Church – Puyallup, WA – September 22
Calvary Baptist Church – Everett, WA – September 29
Elton Baptist Church – Delevan, NY – October 6
Mt. Paran Baptist Church – Jacksboro, TN – October 13
Triad Baptist Church – Kernersville, NC – October 16-20

Our plan is to go back to Togo in November. We’ll need to raise a little bit more monthly financial support before we go, but we are confident in God’s provision. If you feel that the Lord might want to use you this way, you can go to https://www.abwe.org/work/missionaries/ryan-and-stephanie-buczak and follow the prompts to join our financial support team.

To our prayer warriors specifically, THANK YOU! We know who some of you are and are so very honored by your faithful ministry to the Lord on our behalf as well as for the people of Togo. Many of you we’ve only met on quick Sunday visits over the years, and we consider it a great privilege to get to know you. YOU are our heroes! May the Presence of the Holy Spirit always be known by you, even on the days when you might not feel it. We honor you!

As I prepare to hit “send” on this letter, I’d like to add one thing. Please contact us! We love to hear from you. We understand that you have full inboxes and full schedules, but we want to hear from you. What is God doing in your life? How is your health? Do you have loved ones who have turned from the Lord? We want to know. We want to pray. Please let us know.

May our Lord bless you as you continue to learn more and more about Him by the reading of His Word, in the sharing your life with Him in prayer, and in fellowship with brothers and sisters. He is worthy of every moment.

In Christ,
The Buczaks