Help Needed in Coming Home....

Dear friends, family, supporters,

First of all, I would like to thank each of you who have written back and encouraged us in this exciting, yet challenging process of leaving Malawi and moving back to the US for the next season of our lives.  Your kind words have been an encouragement to our family, and have given us renewed strength for this long road ahead. So again, we say thank you!

Secondly, as we transition back to the US, we are humbly asking for any financial contributions (in the following areas):

•   Your continued monthly support after we return to the US (for up to three months), as we will be visiting family, supporters, and getting back into the swing of full-time work/ministry. This can be done through our normal ABC account as usual.   

• Airline tickets (approx. $6,800.00), which we currently cannot manage on our own.

We realize that we are asking for financial help from those of you who have faithfully supported us over the years, which means we know how much you have already sacrificed. We have been so blessed to be able to serve here in Malawi for so many years on that support, and we are now trusting that God will provide the necessary means for us come home.  Please consider helping us as we finalize our ministry here in Malawi.

Thank you so much and be blessed,

The Stauffacher Family

2011 - Traveling back to Africa...3 years later now in 2014 returning to the States...

The everyday life in Africa...

 I feel if I am not sharing a life changing event as I live in this 3rd world country- it is not a blog worthy story!  But truth is -  the everyday is a blog worthy story.  Yes there are many amazing and hard stories that we are exposed to over here.  The poverty and broken systems can continually make for a new blog.

But Most days - are the everyday stories.....

Just normal days include showers, spending time with God, breakfasts, get ready for school, changing diapers, signing tests, reviewing for a 6th grade test, going grocery shopping, getting lunch ready, be willing to feed someone who just dropped by, pray with someone, give discipline to a naughty 2 year old, do a puzzle, play another game because one is not enough, give someone a ride to town, help with homework, talk through my daughter's girl drama, put the tired 2 year down for nap, another person comes by, encourage and love on them, think about dinner, maybe go for a walk on campus, have people for dinner, more homework, baths, bedtimes, adult conversation and then crawl into bed and do it all over again...

 OK that is part of my normal day, Bob's normal day is way different...

I have learned that most days are made up of me choosing to serve the King even in the most normal mundane tasks (yes even as a missionary) though sometimes there are very raw and tragic things that happen. Most days are consisting of just loving on people whether it is my family, friends, or strangers and being faithful with the most everyday stuff.  So when the out of the ordinary things comes - I am ready!  Use me God!

P.S. This has been a huge life lesson for me!  Growing daily...

Coming Home....

Dear friends, family and supporters,

I first of all would like to thank each and every one of you again for the continued support we have received while serving here in Malawi. One of our greatest joys as missionaries, has been the realization that we are not alone in this journey, but are surrounded by a vast community of believers, who truly love us, believe in what we are doing and continually pray for us.  Thank you for that.

Secondly, I wanted to let everyone know that in June, our family will be finishing our second term here at the African Bible College (totaling 6 years now).  Over this past year, we have been praying that the Lord would make it clear whether or not we should stay here at ABC (for another term) or pursue another direction.  It has become more and more clear to us, that the Lord is calling us to end our season here at ABC in June and begin a new season back in the US. We feel quite a peace about this and trust that God will give us more clarity (along the way) for what he has next. As of now, what we do know, is that we will be moving back to the San Diego area in June, and will be living in missionary housing provided by Shadow Mountain Community Church. I am currently applying for a variety of jobs all over the area and am in the long process of waiting for leads.

Lastly, we would like to ask each of you join us in prayer (particularly in the following areas):

1.     That our children will be able to easily transition back into the US (ex. culture, housing, schooling, friends, etc.).

2.     That God will provide the exact ministry/job for me.

3.     That our family will stay united and close to God during this unique season of change.

Blessings,

Bob Stauffacher

Our family when we first started this adventure!

Our family this last summer (winter in Zimbabwe)  - Yes I think we would keep the elephant apart of our family!