The Stauffacher Family

My cute chickens at 5 months!

2012-02-18T13:11:00.000+03:00

Nya Beans at 5 months

Analisey at 5 months

Lukey at almost 5 months

Lukey making googley eyes at me!

My sweet babies! What a joy to share lifewith them! Each one has had a different journey! Nya remembersgrowing up in San Diego, Analisey remembers growing up in Africa and San Diego and Lukey will only know Africa until we go back to America for our next homeassignment. Imagine- having a child that has not tasted a good Costcohot dog or enjoyed Target popcorn! - So different than me. As Bob and Iare raising our kids - we know that they are being shaped by the culture thatthey are growing up in. In our house and in Africa, their journey in thislife is being made. Their story will be so different than their friends and us;they will often feel like an outsider in America and as well as here in Africa. They call it third culture kids! Please pray that we would be able toshape and guide them to be Heaven cultured kids. We are praying that they would know that their home will bealways in heaven and be content where ever God calls them to live in this worldwhen they grow up.

Thank you for loving, praying and supporting usas we serve Jesus over here in Malawi! We are so blessed to have an amazing group of people be apart of ourjourney as we serve here at African Bible College!

If you are interested in supporting us as we serve at African Bible College - please click here

one more from analisey!

2012-02-17T05:11:00.004+03:00

Analise again in town driving with us- we borrowed a car to run some errands. Too cute!

click here if you can't see the video

Analise's perspective- too cute

2012-02-11T12:40:00.002+03:00

Analise took these videos as we borrowed a car to head over to the market. As I went to get some fabric she continued to video! Love her narration!

Driving to the Market

waiting in the car as I shop really quick!

Sometimes the videos don't show up- so click here to see them

Update on sweet Tina!

2012-02-11T10:10:00.001+03:00

We love our Tina girl! Here is an update on her journey! She is finishing her MBA degree in which she is amazing in. We are so proud of her. She was able to come to visit us for Christmas and is coming to visit us in Malawi in March! We can't wait! Below is an update in her own words of her holiday vacation and her schooling journey! Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Tina girlie! We love you!

Loving on her little brother!

Working hard in Spokane!

Dear Family and Friends,

I know I have kept quiet for a long time. My excuse is that I have been trying to get back into routine. I was gone for quite a while and its good to be back.

I hope this email finds you well. I am physically well. I am not sure about my emotional well being. I guess I am still going up and down.

I will catch up with you about what I have been up to and maybe what’s coming up. And yes it was so wonderful to see many of you around Christmas time. What a treat.

I started my adventures on December 16^th right after I was done with my fall semester to go to San Diego to introduce myself to Luke (He was the only reason I went there)… It was good to see my family too but I really fell in love with Luke. He is such a sweet baby. The second reason why I went to SD might be my birthday. It was wonderful to celebrate a new year in warm SD.

So I left San Diego right after my family left for Malawi. It was so sad to see them go. I had bonded really well with Lukey, so easy to babysit. Its so sad I will not get to see him everyday but I guess everything has its own season. I am so thankful for the two weeks I got to know him and he got to know me (He asked me why I did not come to Malawi with them).

To be specific I left San Diego on Dec 31^st. I took the train to LA then a bus to Porterville. I stayed with my friend’s parents (The Halemeiers) for a night. My friend’s name is Michelle and she is a missionary in Malawi. Michelle’s sister Kristin picked me up for a visit to her house in Apple valley (3hrs drive from Porterville). I stayed with Kristin and her Husband for three days then I went back to Porterville with Michelle’s parents. I stayed there for a week. It was such a great week cause I got to sleep each day. It was such a restful week. Then I took the train and bus to the bay area. My friends Lydia and George picked me up in San Jose and I spent 9 days at their house in Los Altos.

While I was in the bay area, I visited a lot of the friends that I made in the summer of 2009 at the internship. It was good to see all of them and actually meet a couple more people. I also went back to San Francisco and walked the golden gate bridge. It was really fun to be back, see things that I saw in 2009 and eat real sea food. After my 9 days there, I took the bus and train back to Porterville. I stayed there Friday and Saturday. My plane was from LA to San Francisco then to Spokane. So that day a lot of the planes were delayed because of bad weather. In San Francisco our plane could not land for about 45 minutes then my next plane was delayed by an hour. I made it home safely and I went to bed at 5pm that day and I slept 13.5hrs straight.

It was a great break and it was sad/NICE to come back to cold Spokane. There was about 10 inches of snow on the ground when I landed that day. Its all melted away now and its not as freezing as I thought it would be.

I started school well (feb 1^st) and its been a week and half into serious lessons. I am still taking my Swahili class and my teacher is still fabulous. He teaches with a passion and he always corrects and encourages us when we are wrong or getting discouraged. Last semester he had about 30 students split between two classes but this semester he only has 10. The majority of the students took the class in the fall because they went to Tanzania for January term. A lot of them gave positive feedback and said it was a very helpful class for them to take. So I am encouraged and my Swahili is improving each and everyday. Also the teacher decided that this semester we will only use Swahili in class and we only get two time outs where we can speak English. It’s been fun but stretching. I guess its true that “what doesn’t kill you strengthens you”….do they say it like that?...i bet you know what I am trying to say. So this Swahili class is considered my independent study for my masters in international management requirement.

The next class for my graduate studies is integrated marketing. I hope to enjoy this class and its starting on Monday feb 13^th. It is always hard for me to start a new class and I am pretty nervous because I don’t really know the teacher. And as you know my classes go really fast. So this class will be a 2 credit class. This means we will finish the module in 8 sessions. We will meet each Monday and Wednesday night from 6pm to 9:30pm. They are always long classes with a lot of homework. My prayer is the Lord continues to give me more grace to understand the material and be able to be on top of things. My teacher I heard is originally from Italy and we will also be doing a simulation in the class. I anticipate to be done with this class by March 6^th.

So I called the immigration office here in Spokane and I had a good visit with them just figuring out what I can do about my visa (It expires May 1^st). They told me to go back to my country if I need to renew it. So this needs to happen before May 1^st. I really need to go home visit extended family and friends. After being gone for a while I think there is always a point you need to go back and reboot. I think that’s what I need. So I will go from March 10^th through the 29^th. Guess who I will see again??? LUKE, Nya and Analise (I hope the parent will be home too).

I talked to my advisor and he said that’s valid for me to go. I also talked to my Swahili teacher and my international economics teacher (next class am taking) and that will be March 26^th through April. The teachers will give me extra work to make up for the classes that I will miss. I will only miss a week of class.

While in Malawi on top of seeing family, friends and getting my papers straight, I want to go back to my former high (secondary) school and see how the ministry that I was involved with is doing. I used to go there with some girl friends to do Bible studies every Wednesday with an organization called The Navigator. It was such a neat opportunity to encourage and get encouraged. Also I can’t wait to eat and see things that are familiar and speak Chichewa.

Also after my trip from California, I talked to my advisor about my career direction. At that point I had decided that I was going to take any internship that came my way. And for now I want to do sales and Marketing. The assistant director to the MBA program recommended an internship the Junior Achievement (JA). It’s a non paid internship (which works great for me as an international student) and they need two interns they can train what JA is all about. So I applied for this internship and had an interview this week on Monday. The interview was more like a chat and it was good to meet Suzie (she is the president). She said they were going to get back to me. Yesterday she emailed me and asked me to make an appointment to go see her Marketing manager and Events Director. So I am scheduled to do that on Monday. Then at the end of the email she said she was looking forward to working with me. I guess I got the position..so thank you Lord. We will see what develops from this.

The great thing about this organization is that it will give me a lot of connections with business people in the area and they will teach me how a nonprofit organization works. At this point the experience I will get is what matters so much. So please keep that in the back of your mind as you pray for me (actually keep it in the front).

I am still the president of the international club this semester. We have great plans and our first activity will be a bowling night on the 17^th then a pizza party. It’s a great time to connect with friends and meet new people. Each semester we also plan a trip. In the fall we went to Seattle and this semester our options were Portland or Nelson, Canada. We cannot do Nelson because a lot of us need visas and that’s an extra cost. So we asked the members if they want to do Portland and most of them said they think there is nothing much to see in Portland. So one of the students suggested that we go to San Francisco…a lot of them agreed to this and they like it but it does not look realistic to me so we are still working on trying to convince them to go to a place that is affordable. San Francisco is pretty far and also it will cost them a lot. So this week we will try see and finalize what we will really do for Spring break.

Other activities for this semester include “cooking around the world” where an international student teaches how to make something from their country then we share the food. It’s always fun. We will also do a community service. We have a lot of options on this one. We might go to a retirement home, go to a local school and help with their garden, help at an elementary school with a cultural night or go tutor at a public school. So again I am meeting with my officers to see what we really want to do.

Since I have been back I have been able to catch up with a couple friends. Just today I had lunch a friend from the MBA class. She just had her last class yesterday and she is graduating in May. She got laid off two weeks ago and she is still trusting that the Lord will give her another job. We are praying. It was good to see her keeping the faith.

I am also in one of my friend’s wedding in August. The other day we went dress shopping and it was fun. I tried on three dressed I liked and they all look great on me but we did not buy them yet. I think it will be fun.

This semester they reduced the hours I work on campus. I had about 17 hours a week last semester and now I have fourteen. Its been different. So Tuesdays and Thursdays my day starts at 10:30am. It used to start at 9. So I decided to join a water aerobics class. I have attended two classes so far and I love it. All the people in the class are at least 70 and above. I love them and they are kind to me.. So I am looking forward to next week and see what this class brings.

I know it was a long email (blog). Thanks for your support, love and friendship. I appreciate you so much. I know the Lord continues to be faithful and evident in our lives. So lets keep on trusting.

God bless you.

Sending you some hugs from cold Spokane.

Love,

Tina Kamkosi

Shopping here in Malawi

2012-02-09T18:55:00.001+03:00

Here is a quick picture of our Wally world here in Africa. The store is called Game. Things are 2-3 times more expensive. At least we have it to let our eyes enjoy. I will post more pictures this next week of where I grocery shop!

loving on the little people!

2012-02-07T09:46:00.001+03:00

The video above is babies that are here in the medical clinic (click on the words to seemore on the medical clinic we have here at African Bible College). Thesebabies are from an orphanage that is about 3 miles away. If they get sick at the orphanage they come hereto the pediatric hospital and get taken care of. Some are verymalnourished or some have malaria. They all havelost their mama and/or dad and are staying there until they get oldenough to go back to their home village or they are adopted out. My sweet neighbors arehelping take care of the first baby Chikumbutsa on the video (Chiku for short). He is the same age as Luke- and so sweet. There are some healthcomplications but he is finally starting to gain weight. He is about 6 pounds. His mama died due to complications of a bad c-section. Please bepraying that they figure out what is wrong with him and he can start gainingweight.

We are so thankful to be apart of ministry thatis able to help these sweet little people. We all deserve to have achance and that is what we do here at ABC! Love on people. Whetherit is big or small- we all need food, love and touch! We are allconnected here in this world. We can live so selfishly and so consumedwith taking care of us!

But this is what Christ commands us to do - Aswe serve here at the African Bible College- we come into contact with so manypeople!

Matthew 22:35 - 37

³⁵ One of them, an expert in the law, testedhim with this question: ³⁶ “Teacher, which is thegreatest commandment in the Law?”

³⁷ Jesusreplied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all yoursoul and with all your mind.’^[b] ³⁸ this is the firstand greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is likeit: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^[c]

As we serve here at the African Bible College- we come intocontact with so many people! Please continue to pray that we wouldcontinue to be transformed by Christ's love and grace for us, so that we can love others. If we don't choose to receive God's love for us- we are not able to lovepeople in return. Even the people closest to us (for example- likeour immediate families) - and I am no better than anyone else. I need to choose Jesus daily to love others!

Thanks for praying, loving, supporting and encouraging us as we serve over on the other side of the world.

Love- amy louise for the stauffy family!

P.S. If you can't see the video please click on this!

Luke's Day - Hanging with the Boys

2012-01-28T12:43:00.000+03:00

Luke gets around! At almost 4 months - I think he has done and seen more than I ever did! Too cute! This was yesterday!

Friday in Malawi!

2012-01-27T18:41:00.000+03:00

Nya and Martina at snack time

Analise at Chapel

Luke on Dada's shoulder!

Here is a glimpse of whathappened here in Malawi today! The girls went to school in the pouringrain! It rains cats and dogs here! Every Friday is chapel day atthe girl’s school! So I went and saw them! The girls were eitherpresenting a verse or singing a song at chapel. Very cute! Luke andI ran up there (still no car) in the rain with an umbrella! Very fun! I am so glad I brought my rain shoes! I stayed until their snacktime! So fun to see all their friends!
The college students have comeback from Christmas break! We have had a very busy house getting to knowthe new students and connecting with the Junior and seniors that we alreadyknow! I love hearing their stories and love on them with food and a coke! Everything is better with a coke! (Sounds like a commercial but itis true!) Luke has been every mama's arms and their aunties! Toocute! Some he screams and others he loves it! Love that he feelsfree to voice his opinion!
Here is how you can be praying for us today:

Malawi is not doing well- the country isfalling apart due to the president not taking care of its people- People arevery sad and becoming violent- There is little gas in the country, electricitygoes out daily for about 1-2 hours or more, water is not working either, and theprices of food has gone up 200% since we were here last. So please pray as the Malawianpeople are worn out that they will seek God through this. These kinds ofproblems are where God gets to shine! The stories of His faithfulness are amazing!
Pray for our family! Malaria is a very realsickness that kills. I am so glad we caught it early here for Analise but themalaria season is still going on. Just pray for health and that God willsustain us.
Also pray for the girls as they are readjustingto Malawi- They now are missing their friends and their school there in SanDiego! It is an emotional journey to move and start again.
Pray, as we love on the college students andmissionaries that we would point them to Jesus!
Pray that we would seek daily Jesus to sustainus as we do ministry here!

Life in Africa...

2012-01-21T17:56:00.000+03:00

Life has calmed down since we arrived 3 weeks ago here in Malawi! We have gotten used to the electricity going out. We have gotten used to going nowhere except on campus (we haven't gotten a car yet) - side note- I can't believe how much we are in the car in America. The girls have told me many times how glad they are that they don't have to go anywhere in the car since we have been here.

We have gotten used to the many people that show up at our door and we get to love and feed them!

Here are some snapshots of our little journey. I realize I don't take pictures with my camera phone as I would with a real camera. I need to replace my stolen one. Until then- please be patient...

This is Nya reading a book under her mosquito net in the dark

Analise in her bed as we go through another no electricity night

The girls with their chameleons Pascal and Rango

Luke cozy on mama's bed doing what he does best - sleeping during the day! Still working on the through the night thing!

The girls on their way to school! They are so glad they get to scooter their way to school every day!

Luke hanging out with Mr Mwale! Mr Mwale is going to teach him Chichewa - he tells me!

If you cant see the video...

2012-01-09T21:54:00.002+03:00

Ifyou can't see the video- go to www.stauffacherfamily.blogspot.com or click onthe words The African rain in blue on the previous post. Please continueto pray as this country is not at its best, the power went out 3 times todayfor over 8 hours! It has been interesting; we just don't open the freezeror refrigerator! We have a back up generator but there is no fuel to runit. So we are living very simple! Please also pray for Luke! He is sleeping in weird hours so I am awake for most of the night! It is getting very exhausting. We are healthy and thankful to beright here right now! We still haven't found a car. If we did, itwould be another prayer to find gas to run it. Oh the simple things wetake for grated! My one friend found gas here but it cost $150 to fill up a small car! Oh my!
Thanks for praying and loving us! Love- the stauffy family

The african rain!

2012-01-09T10:19:00.000+03:00

We are getting adjusted slowly! Everyday we have these downpours and many times it is like this 2-3 times a day. Here is a video of what it sounds like!

Coming home to our old "new" life!

2012-01-06T05:29:00.000+03:00

Hello from the other side of the world. Seriously! It took us 3 planes, 28 hours and many times answering " how much longer mom?" and "haven’t we have been on this plane for forever!" We arrived into Malawi full of nerves and excitement. For the known and the unknown that was waiting for us! As we got off the airplane- we could instantly smell the African Rains coming! (I think that should be the next Yankee candle – African Rain) It poured! There is nothing like it! It has been amazing to be back to where I feel like we just left yesterday, but really know that it has been a year and half! Thank you all for your prayers and love emails and facebook connections!

Things that have changed for us since we have arrived:

- The gas situation is at its worse here- People line up for gas in about a 2-mile line and wait for fuel! Then there are about 300 people with cans trying to fill up. Sometimes it comes and sometimes it doesn’t, Bob waited all day yesterday for fuel (we are borrowing someone’s car while we look for one our selves). It never came. We had a friend who was 8 cars away when they ran out of gas just yesterday. So it really is causing simple things not to work. For example- sugar is not on the store shelves because there is no gas to get it to the stores.

-Electricity outages are about everyday – from 1-2 hours to 12 hours a day. We like it right now – but know that it will get old very soon.

-Riots have been occurring more – (there were never any riots when we left) due to the problems that come with lack of fuel and money.

- Our sweet dog Dolly that we had brought from San Diego has run off the campus where we live and has not been seen for the last nine days! We are praying that she be found!

- Everything has gone up at least 1/3 of the price. So if the poor were poor they are 1/3 poorer. Amazing how much it has an effect on everyday living.

-Making new friends. We are getting to know the new missionary staff and 150 new college students!

- Bringing Luke to Malawi- In Chichewa his name is Luka. He is a hit here and everyone is excited to meet him and hold him!

-Seeing the girls see things that they never saw before but were there all the time- for example- Nya can't believe all the dirt and bugs! But they have been here all along!

Things that are the same!

-We are living in our same house! So it feels so cozy to be in a familiar home setting!

-The smell of Africa- whether it is rains or it’s the earth over here – it is amazing!

- The girls feel very happy to feel things that are familiar!

-Weirdly that foreign foods are familiar tasting- for example- we were on the plane coming to South Africa and they had this beef stew that I really enjoyed- But I remember the first time I had it and was not my favorite!

- Hearing the muslim call to prayer starting around 4 am ( I am up with Luke) reminding me that I am in a foreign land.

-Seeing old friends that were former students at ABC or that are the upper classmen at the college or missionaries here.

-Fruits and vegetables are still so amazing tasting!

-The simplicity of life here!

-That God is still King of the Universe and we can put our hope and trust in him!

Thank you for praying and being apart of our journey! Hopefully jet lag will calm down by this next week so we can feel like normal human beings! Lots of love- all of the stauffy family

P.S. By now you should of gotten your prayer magnets so you can remember to pray for us! If you haven’t please email me at amystauffacher@yahoo.com and I will make sure you get one!

Below are some pictures- Luke is mainly in these due to the girls are off doing adventures!

Luke meeting our dog Terra!

Luke hanging out with Owen, Richard and Bob

Luke being loved on by Funa!

Luke seeing a hedgehog for the first time with friends Marion and little steven (missionaries here at ABC)

Meeting Charles and Lewis- Seniors at the college

View from my front porch! SO delicious!

Making homeade french fries! I think it beats In n Out Fries!

you know you are doing the right thing when everything is going wrong...

2011-12-29T13:34:00.001+03:00

As we prepare to leave in 2 days- we are seeing some major spiritual warfare! We are going to a place where many times it is not easy ( ie: lack of electricity, sometimes no water, gas shortages, exhaustion as we serve people, bad internet connections and many times when I want sour cream there is none at the stores) but we are going because we are called. It seems these last few days we are being attacked all sides- please keep us in your prayers. When you answer God's call- that doesn't mean it will be easy- but it does mean you get to see Him working in all of the situations! Sometimes it is easy to see Him and sometimes it is really hard to find Him in the middle of the chaos.

But He promises to never to leave or abandon us.
"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deut 31:8

So as we go into the last few days here- we are clinging to the hope in Christ and His promises!
We leave this Friday night around 9pm and get into Malawi on Sunday afternoon- a 37 hour journey!

Thanks for loving and praying us! Love- all of us

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4

Tina is here for Christmas...

2011-12-24T09:11:00.001+03:00

We are enjoying our time with Tina as she is on school break. She has done amazing as she is studying for her MBA in Spokane. We are so blessed to have her in our lives!

She is loving hanging out with Lukie! They both are cuties!

We have 7 more days until we head onto a airplane for 37 hours! We are all nervous and excited and sad and happy! It is a huge emotional journey! Thank you for your prayers and support! We have seen God carry us in ways only He can do!

Love- all of us
P.S. Prayer magnets are being mailed this week! If you don't think I have your address...
Please email me at amystauffacher@yahoo.com

Emotions....

2011-12-12T01:25:00.001+03:00

In my head it is no big deal moving back to Africa. It seems easy and something I have done before. I am not scared of the unknown because it is a familiar place that we call home also. But when I lay it out in front of me - it is a huge deal. When I talk with people about moving back to Africa- it is a big deal. But for me I am finding it is more emotional than I realize. Saying goodbye this time will be harder for me. I feel way more connected here than ever before. I don't know why it is that now. This journey called saying goodbye "see you soon" has me all over the place. Please continue to pray for us as we are gearing up to go back to Africa. I really think it will be an emotional journey for all 5 of us. Thank you so much for being apart our simple journey called life!
Love - amy for the family!

Luke at 2 months!

Our little Christmas tree! Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!

On our way back- 39 days from today! Woyee as they say in Malawi- Africa

2011-11-23T03:07:00.001+03:00

Time is flying by! We head back to Malawi very soon! The end of December!

Details are looming and deadlines are now very real! Please keep us in your prayers!

Here is Luke with one of our dear friends and previous student from African Bible College named Blessings! He was doing a internship here in San Diego and flew back early November to start a ministry back in Malawi! What treat to share life on this side with him. These are the students we are working with in Malawi- They have a vision to change their country- one village - one person at a time! There are around 350 students and we know about half since we have left on home assignment and new classes have come in. Wow- 350 students to love and share God's grace on!

How to pray for us-

Malawi is a very poor country and the infrastructure of the government is not as good as ours! :) Lack of fuel in the country, lack of regular electricity, and lack of water regularly ( we don't have the perfect one here in America- as we are 15 trillion dollars in debt ) :)

We would get all the details done, ie: shots, passports, visa, packing, buying clothes for the next 3 years for a family of 5. :)

We would be able to go back to the college and feel connected and plugged in.

As the girls go back to their school that they would feel cozy!

Traveling is going to be big! at least 37 hours! 3 children now! That it would be easy- how ever easy can be for that trip :)

That God would give us the strength to say good bye- see you later- see you soon - 3 years to our friends and family!

We would be able to have full financial support going back to serve in Malawi!

Thank you for loving, praying and supporting us! Love all 5 of us! Bob, Amy, Nya, Analise and cute cute oh man he is cute (as the girls say) Luke

If you are interested in supporting us:

Please go to the following website:

https://africanbiblecolleges.net/EFT/?m=Bob_Stauffacher

or send it by mail:

African Bible College

Attn: Stauffacher Family

PO Box 103

Clinton, MS 39060

ABC Phone Number: 601-922-1962

Seven Weeks! and Ten Pounds ALREADY!

2011-11-13T20:14:00.001+03:00

Countdown has begun in this African bound Stauffacher household. We have 7 weeks - (that is a month in half!) to go until we head to Malawi. The details are starting to count now! All little minutes that fly by are being used wisely or at least supposed to be. :) (I am still craving my bed as we are up still in the night with feeding!)

This was taken yesterday Nov 12th! He loves his dada!

Getting some serious Grandma loving!

The other countdown has been- Luke - now he is 6 weeks old this coming Wednesday! Time is flying by! We have enjoyed every minute with him. The common statements are- "can I hold him?" And "mom , I can't stand it- He is so cute, He is cuter than ever." These girls can't get enough of their baby brother! Neither can we. He has gained cute baby fat as he is up to 10 in half pounds already! Oh I can't wait for those chuncky baby thighs!

We appreciate all your love, prayers and support! Love the Stauffy family!

Simple papa love!

2011-10-26T12:20:00.001+03:00

I love this- thought I would share it! Dada and Luke!

Update for November

2011-10-26T12:17:00.000+03:00

This may be a repeat for some! Thanks for putting up with that!

Hi sweet friends and family! Here we are on day 20 with our new baby Luke Robert! He was born Oct 5th , 8 lbs 1 oz, 21 inches long, healthy and strong. We are instantly in love- he is very addictive! As Analise says- "oh mama- i have the heebie jeebies" , "why" I ask and she responds "because Luke is so cute I can't get enough of him." It's so true- we can't get enough of him! Thank you for your prayers and love sent our way!

We are getting very excited to head back to Malawi, Africa in about 2 months from now. As we get back to serving at African Bible College, we will have 2 full classes- the freshman and sophmore classes to get to know. That is over 180 students. Each one has an amazing story and what a treat we get to hear and be apart of that. As of now we are planning for our over 37 hour plane ride. Oh yippee! That will be interesting as we are adding Luke to the picture. :) We would love your prayers in that. As of now, we plan to leave at the end of December.

Prayer Requests for the Month of November-

- We have shots and paperwork to do before we head back to Africa! One of those hurts and the other is time consuming! That we would get it all done.

- We are in the process of buying tickets. God would provide the funds - as it is over $4000.00 to fly back to Malawi - so not cheap

- We are working on our visa to be missionaries in Malawi and that all will go well with that

- We would find Jesus real every day and that our family would be intentional in all that we do.

We are so thankful for-

-We have been so healthy and that we now have Luke joining us!

-We have had amazing family time and feel very refreshed

-We have seen God be faithful in so many areas of our lives! We are growing, being challenged, and shaped daily!

Thank you for being apart of our lives! We are so grateful for this journey called life!

Love- all of us - Bob, Amy, Nya, Analisey, and Luke!

P.S. I attached pictures of Luke and the girls- I took the one of Luke yesterday! Sugar Bear!

If you would like to support us:

Please go to the following website: https://africanbiblecolleges.net/EFT/?m=Bob_Stauffacher

or send it by mail:

African Bible College

Attn: Stauffacher Family

PO Box 103

Clinton, MS 39060

ABC Phone Number: 601-922-1962

A couple of videos of Luke!

2011-10-19T03:47:00.002+03:00

He is growing so fast! So this is for the baby lovers and grandmas!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbiApMLcqV0

Here he is working on something!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xH9DmEmnos4

We are so blessed to have him! We are waiting for his birth certificate so we can get his passport. The next step to Africa! We have about 74 days until we head back over there! Thanks for loving and praying for us!
Love- the stauffy crew!

Baby Luke has arrived into the Stauffy Family...

2011-10-11T03:57:00.001+03:00

Introducing Luke Robert Stauffacher , 8lbs 1oz, 21 inches long! on October 5th! 2 weeks early

What a treat to share life with this little beepers. He is a little peanut! Thank you for all those who prayed and loved and were apart of this journey with us! We couldn't do it without you!

This is a grandparent video and for those who love those cute baby noises! Love- us!

Loving the moments that I have right now...

2011-09-27T00:30:00.000+03:00

I am so ready to be done cooking this baby boy! What a treat to know that it is about 3 weeks away. But today I am so reminded to enjoy these last few days that I have with my girls and by myself. Soon I will be needed by a little helpless cute baby! So I am deciding to love the right and now. So funny how much I remind myself that I head to the future! Well- we will keep you posted! As for now I am off to finish the dishes. That is what I got right here and now!

love- amy louise

Babies

2011-09-15T02:22:00.007+03:00

Nya at 6 days old... She was 2 days early!

Analise at 4 days old- she was born at 35 weeks...

Baby Boy Stauffy at 35 weeks!

Amazing that Analise came out at 35 weeks and was healthy. For this baby boy stauffy we got 4 more weeks to go if all goes as planned. We are not promised anything, but we assume that we get it once it is our hands. Trusting that God for this journey. Loving (and not loving too) that I get to daily and moment by moment surrender my plans and look to His face for grace for today! Thank you for all who email me and tell me that you are praying for us. It has carried us in ways that - we won't even know! What a treasure to have amazing people like you going in the trenches for us. Love you for that! Love- all of us

Need information from you if you want to stay updated with these cute people

2011-09-12T23:30:00.002+03:00

Hello sweet friends- As we head back to Malawi in about 3 months- I need to update our snail mail addresses. We will be sending out our new magnets and prayer info to you. If you have moved over the last 5 years, you want to confirm that I have the right address or you want to be on the list- please email me back or at amystauffacher@yahoo.com. Thanks- It will help stay in touch as we head over to Africa for another 3 years... :)

Love- Amy for the stauffy family

does this say it all?

2011-09-09T21:25:00.002+03:00

This is not my favorite picture but I am at the feeling that "I am done" stage! This baby boy is about 5 weeks away from coming! We can't wait! I know that every pregnant mama feels the same thing at this point! I don't think I have any more space... Oh but he is going to get bigger. So we wait! :)

an Update on our little journey!

2011-08-24T21:36:00.005+03:00

It is amazing how we live in the future- we meaning I. I got 8 weeks ish until this baby comes and 10 more weeks then off to Africa! I am planning and then organizing and doing! But really I got today! Right here - right now! What I am doing with that? Do I live in God's Grace for the right here and now? I find I am impatient with today and end up living out of my emotions wishing for the future instead of Today. Not fun when those are pregnant emotions! As we are continually humbled in this journey back to Malawi - I need to enjoy His Grace for today! These moments are what I have been given! As you can see we are still learning alot! Growth! Change and living in Grace! That is what is happening in our family!

We have settled into routine! After traveling for over 70 days over the summer it is nice to be bored! The girls have started school- Nya is in 4th and Analise is in 1st! We have settled into some apts that are for missionaries here in El Cajon, CA. They are lovely! We have started saving for plane tickets, car and future things that will be needed as we head back to African Bible College for the next 3 years. What a treat it is to know what we are going back to. When we headed the first time it was really overwhelming not knowing what was in store. But the unknown is gone and we all looking forward to returning to what is called home! Weird to say- but we have 2 places that we call home.

Please continue to pray for the health of the baby boy cooking in me (i am 32 weeks, for the girls as they get back to school, and for as we prepare to leave for Malawi, Africa- all the details will come together.

We are so thankful for those who have prayed, loved, shared a meal, lived life with us and supported us as we have been here on "home assignment". We love you for that! Love- the stauffachers- Bob, Amy, Nya, and baby boy!

The girls on their first day of school -4th and 1st grade! My sugar bears!

a cute picture of Nya and Analise when they were 4 years and 8 months old. Amazing how time flies!

quietly adjusting...

2011-08-12T19:39:00.003+03:00

When our trip came to an end- we have been tremendously blessed to have a place to stay and friends to connect with. When we left San Diego for our trip- we had moved out of our house because we had it rented out before we knew that we were pregnant and were headed to Africa. (well- I not we are pregnant :) ) So we have settled into some missionary housing that is located really close to our lives here. It has been amazing. Easy to settle into. Our stuff now is in storage and the place we live now is furnished. It is really perfect for us. Thank you for praying for us as we traveled and settled into a bit of routine. The girls start school next Monday and am thankful for familiarity. They will go to the same school they went to last year and then in January will start school in Africa. :) They are sooo excited to go back to Africa, but I know it will be different than they left and there will be some adjustment time when they return.

10 more weeks until this baby boy is born ( still working on a name). It seems so fast and yet that is a bit a ways away. He is healthy and perfect size as I went to the doctor yesterday. I am still scheduled to have a C-section in mid Oct due to some complications. But I am so glad we are staying here to deliver with a doctor that delivered Analise. I can't believe that I am 30 weeks. The below picture was taken at 29 weeks with a friend at a wedding. ( so you can see that I am really pregnant. :) ) Thank you again for all your love and prayers! It has carried us in so many ways, we have seen God provide above and beyond through everyday life!

lots of love- the stauffy family!

almost 10,000 miles...

2011-08-06T19:14:00.002+03:00

Hello from off the road - We did almost 10,000 miles ( i think it was 9863 ish) for about 69 days- We slept in 35 different beds- i tried to count... :) We got to see many sweet people and sadly missed some sweet people. I will post some pictures as soon as I can see straight! We have one week before the girls start school. We then start preparing for the that cute baby boy in Oct and moving to Malawi- 4 months flies by. We are excited to enjoy this scrumptious land called San Diego and the time we have here until we leave!

Lots of love- Amy Louise

on the road still!

2011-07-04T04:07:00.001+03:00

It has been a wow all around! As soon as we stop we are either in bed or visiting with people! What a treat right! Going to sleep or visiting! Both great options! Just a small update that we are doing great and enjoying this time we have together! We have been stretched as we are all together all the time. We get to see our true colors! Sometimes they are so pretty and sometimes they are not so much! Only by His Grace that we get past our stuff and move on! :) Will connect again!

love- the stauffy family!

life on the road...

2011-06-21T19:08:00.003+03:00

One place to another! Seeing friends and enjoying every minute it. Eating different foods and smelling different smells! Internet working at some places- others not. Getting crabby and working it through! Life to the fullest on the road... Will update when I have a moment longer than blink of eye!

the stauffachers!

Traveling...

2011-06-09T18:57:00.003+03:00

We are getting some serious family time as we travel! Bonding and fun family memories are being created! We are so blessed to been given this time together.

We are in the middle of Texas today! On our way to Dallas- Yesterday we drove 4 hours with every gas station abandoned! Hmmm times have changed... Crazy how big and vast and sometimes desolate is our country is. When you live in the city - we forget about the big land called country! We have seen things that have blown us away! This land is so diverse with it's landscape and people! As we continue towards the south ( we have never been past texas) We will continue to see how big this country is! Will keep you updated with pictures and updates as we go! Thank you for prayers and love! Lots of love- Bob, Amy, Nya and Analise and little boy cooking in my tummy!

The latest happenings...

2011-05-26T00:38:00.002+03:00

For those who did not get the email - if you want email updates respond my email address on the side!

Hello sweet friends and family! Well- We are moving out of our house this week! We are full of mixed emotions, especially with me being a pregnant mama (all hormones) and having 2 little girls who like to verbally process everything! We have loved living in our old house for this past year! It has made it easy for us to transition from life in Africa to life in America. The girls have loved it too. They remembered this house as being our home before moving to Malawi - Africa!

What is next for the Stauffy family...A road trip for about 2 months (visiting supporters). We will then move into "missionary housing" starting August 1. What a treat though to travel throughout the US and to see a lot of our friends and family. When we move into the missionary housing in Aug., we will then live there for 4 months until this little baby boy (he is due Oct 20thish) is born. Then, in December, we head back to Africa for three more years! Analise is counting down the days until we move back HOME to Africa!

It has been a humbling year as we have been able to see God provide so much. Our family has been able to grow closer together and also reconnect with many of our friends and family members. We have been able to share what life is like in Malawi with many people, even those who think Africa is so scary (especially after sharing our spider stories with them)!

Please continue to pray as we travel to see our supporters and friends and family! What fun it will be to hang out with old friends all across America!

We will still have email access and facebook connection- So please connect with us! Thank you for loving, praying and supporting us as we are in the next phase of our journey...

Love- Bob, Amy, Nya, Analise and this cute baby boy that is cooking inside me..

trust

2011-04-21T21:16:00.002+03:00

Learning to trust- It is huge. Knowing that even if it doesn't make sense- We can trust that His story is a way better story than our story that we have figured out. This is what I am learning and really choosing daily to live my life by. Daily trust is teaching me about my daily thing about giving up my control of what I think is best. In my little world- it is all about me! And really in the scheme of things - It is all about Him. Oh that little thing called control and pride and so forth are my daily journey of surrender.

This last months have been a deep learning to trust story. We were planned to leave in July for Malawi - Africa - to continue serving at African Bible College as we have been for the last 4 years. I found out I was pregnant one day after we had rented out our house. hmmm. This is what we have praying for and deeply craving for years- But when I got pregnant- It wasn't planned (according to my schedule) and I literally had given up on trusting that another little stauffy was apart of our journey! I had told the Lord- whatever- I trust You know what is best- But I am so over "trying to get pregnant" And then there it was a positive baby test- WOW! Trusting that this baby is what is in the story. Many of you know that I am not the best baby carrier! I have had 4 miscarriages and lost our son at 9 months, barely carried Analise to the end and really why are we doing this again? I get super sick and my toilet has been my best friend for the last 2 months! (sorry to my friends that are people) Trust- Knowing His Story is way better than my story. So we are trusting that, as we are ready to be back in Malawi serving but that this cute little beepers is the story that God has for us and we are really excited for that. So we wait until this cute little chicken is cooked and ready to come. And trust that when it is time to move back to Africa- It is His time!

TRUST- He knows the plan and really has got it figured out. Even we can't see the whole story. We are such controlling people and really really think we know what is best. We live selfishly and consume our time and energy on us. I am guilty of it and as I surrender to trusting in Him that it takes the focus and puts it back on Him.

I want to say thank you for your love, encouragement and support of us! I know it has been forever since I have posted a blog- But really when you are nausea - it is no fun to type. I didn't have many deep thoughts lately anyways- so I was quiet. except for throwing up! And those were deep! TMI :)

An update on our girl Tina ( who we adopted from Malawi ) who is living in Spokane working on her MBA! She is doing amazing. My parents and her came for visit this last month. Well- they visited me in my bed... But she is doing great in her studies and has been learning and culturally adjusting quite well. She is an amazing student and really has done well with all her classes! if anyone wants to read her update just email me.

Well- I will connect again- Thanks for being apart of our story! Love- amy louise

I miss this too...

2011-03-11T20:10:00.002+03:00

This is video of the daily chapel that happens at the college. Love that singing. It does something to your soul for some reason...

I miss this...

2011-03-11T20:03:00.003+03:00

That is the most amazing sound...

This video was taken from my front porch as I can even smell it.

the comparing journey

2011-02-27T18:27:00.006+03:00

It is a funny journey this thing called life. I find myself in countdown mode these days and all that- that entails. Preparing to rent the house, getting the extra things that are needed or wanted and so forth. But it is funny how I have still time to compare myself to the next person, get hung up on on it and get stuck.

This word "missionary" was a big word for me to swallow for a long time, but once I finally accepted it - then what I found myself doing- was comparing myself to the "real missionaries" -you know the ones who go out into the jungles and pave the way to share the gospel to tribes that haven't even heard of it. That comparing has lead me to call myself a "fake missionary" - I subconsciously had accepted that I wasn't doing a enough. For me- having a washer and dryer and car was faking it. Not being in the jungles was faking it. But as I was sharing with a friend that I hadn't spoken to for a while sharing what we do, I said the "fake missionary" words and quickly continued on in my story. She stopped me and said - "you are not faking it. You are going to Africa - that is pretty real" Hmmm. That made me realize that I was putting myself in the place of not doing enough. Saying what God has me doing was not enough and I needed more to feel like I was doing something. What I really was doing was short changing what God had called me to and held myself back from experiencing the real joy of what He had given me to be doing. I stink in myself but for some reason I think I should be doing more. But He knows that I can handle what He has given me, not what I think. It is a "duh" But I see that I still have a lot to learn.

This lesson has not only been applied to that area in my life but also in many other areas of my life. I see how I do this comparision thing in my mamahood, my wifehood, my following Jesus hood, and my friendshiphood. It really is not fun to see my yuckyness come out when a spotlight is on my flesh. So here I stand- all my yuckyness laid out. But here is where I get grow and change. I have a choice. A choice to stay and compare or move forward and enjoy what He has given me to do. And really, isn't that what He wants from me anyways. Ok - so I want to grow and change and stop comparing. Baby steps to change. That is my prayer today.
So here is to growing and changing...Nya took this picture of me as we were at a park the other day...

Doctors needed at the Clinic....

2011-02-20T01:47:00.007+03:00

This is a letter from our ABC director at ABC...

Greetings from Malawi. We need help at our hospital this summer. We’re looking for Doctors to fill in for the months of June, July & August.

Our clinic sees roughly 3, 000 patients a month - - most are seen by our three Malawian P.A.’s, but we also have two missionary physicians who see patients. Both are mothers who have kids enrolled at our academy and would like time off during the summer. If you know anyone who might be willing to come out for 3-6 weeks any time this summer it would help meet a huge need.

We have housing available here on the ABC campus. We also make a vehicle available to visiting Doctors.

It would be a great trip for a whole family. Our ABC students and graduates are involved in ministries all around Lilongwe & surrounding villages.

Below is our brochure on our clinic at ABC. If you know any doctors or medical staff that is willing come and have a life changing experience in Malawi, Africa. The clinic could sure use the help.

For more information email me- amystauffacher@yahoo.com

ABC CLINIC

life...

2011-02-15T00:50:00.004+03:00

There are days it feels so simple...

Ice skating for the first time

Bowling for the first time

Playing UNO with Tina via skype for the first time. :) that was fun

Simplicity at it's best. Sadly- we tend to complicate it with all of our junk. Being simple can quickly become complex if we don't be careful... Whether we are comparing ourselves to the next person, ( which I tend to do often ) or whether we bring our insecurities and dump them on those closest to us. We daily choose what we do trust Jesus and surrender or trust ourselves and worry...

Below is what I want to do... But often fail to do...

“give yourself fully to the adventure of today. walk boldly along the path of life, relying on your EVER-PRESENT Companion. you have every reason to be confident, because My presence accompanies you all the days of your life – and onward into eternity. DO NOT GIVE IN to fear or worry, those robbers of abundant living. trust Me enough to face problems as they come, rather than trying to anticipate them. fix your eyes on Me, the Author and Perfecter of your faith, and many difficulties on the road ahead will vanish before you reach them. whenever you start to feel afraid, remember that I am holding you by your RIGHT HAND. nothing can separate you from My presence!”

Lots of love- Amy Louise

Moving to Africa- and trying not to bring all of America with me.... trying

2011-01-28T19:43:00.007+03:00

My kitchen here in America

A typical kitchen in Malawi in the Village

PERSPECTIVE...

Planning, thinking and writing lists. There are simple basics that we do need to bring to Malawi that they don't have in Africa - simple life basics just to survive - (well what I think that is a simple basic for us to survive not a typical Malawian basic), but when we live in a culture of stuff. I find it very difficult to balance the basics and the wants. I look at my list and everything that is on it there seems reasonable. I then go the store to check off some off my list and I realize- do I really need this? Here we are continually bombarded by ourselves and our wants. We can get everything we need in one store and still need more. So as I am trying to balance - packing and living in Africa and not bringing all my wants too. Well- lets just say that I am trying to be balanced. trying...to...be...balanced... :)

1 Timothy 6:8 (New Living Translation)

⁸ So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.

thanks for loving us- amy louise

Come and be a teacher in Africa!

2011-01-26T22:29:00.002+03:00

Analise and in her class last year! Teachers are needed! Come teach my girls!

Monthly update- may be a repeat for some...

2011-01-26T03:57:00.003+03:00

UNWORTHY BUT STILL ANSWERING THE CALL!

Hello sweet friends and family! Happy new year! Can't believe that it is 2011! As this new year begins - we begin the process of gearing up to go back to Malawi in about 6 months. Sorry to those who don't think past the next 2 weeks- but when you are planning to move Africa- it is on your brain continually! And these last 6 months flew by and so will the coming ones too.

When we began this journey "missions" about 5 years ago- it was the last thing I ever thought I would doing. I didn't feel like I was the "missionary type"- whatever that was in my mind that I had made it to be. As we are in the middle of Missions week here at one of the churches that support us, it is very humbling. We definetly don't feel like the missionaries that they talk about. But we know that we called to this land called Malawi- Africa! We feel unworthy to be called but we answer the call! Even more now than ever. We are getting excited to go back and serve at African Bible College. We will continue to the "missionary thing" We will continue to give out and give our skills away! We definitely want to dig in deeper and make a bigger impact- God willing!

As we are in the middle of this thing called furlough- home assignment it is very interesting to see God provide in so many ways. We have been encouraged continually as people love and support us! We have so many people being our cheerleader! Thank you for all your love, prayers, support and cheerleading. We are so thrilled to be able to have an amazing team behind us.

What this last month has brought for us...
Bob has been teaching a class at the Seminary- Intro to Missions - very appropriate- he has about 5 more weeks of that class! He says it has really been fun and challenging to teach!

We have been able to share at Missions fair here at Shadow Mountain, in classes, sunday school classes and in our booth we have set up in the pavilion. Inviting everyone to come and help in Malawi! We will see who will respond to the call. we have already someone coming so far! That is fun to share life in Africa with others.

We have been able to visit our family at Christmas time- Yummy! and have family come to visit. Lovely!

We have been able with the help of Bob's parents prepare our house to rent out when we go back to Malawi!

We have been able to enjoy this amazing San Diego weather.

We have seen many of our supporters here in San Diego! - If we haven't seen you- email me and we want to see you!

Please continue to pray as we....
Start raising support to move back to Malawi- We will have to buy plane tickets, a car and so forth! Fun times-

That we would remain healthy!

That we depend on Christ for everything!

That we would be intentional in our marriage and parenting as we choose Jesus in every moment. It is still a challenge because we are piles of yuck, but He is faithful to give us grace to love beyond ourselves!

What a treat to have you loving us - as you are our cheerleaders!!! Thank you- love all of us- bob, amy, nya and analise

home!

2011-01-22T09:00:00.004+03:00

Our home in Malawi

Our home in San Diego

I have come to a "deep" conculsion that I have 2 homes. I know that really is not new "news" but it is profound for me as I went on deeply thinking about how life is to have a world split. To have a life that is split in 2 worlds is quite deep and crazy. To cherish and love both is even deeper and crazier. But as I am preparing to gear up to go into the other world- halfway around the world, I am finding that I cherish this world that I living in so much more and at the same time so enjoy how much I have over there in that world. Confusing but simple. But as I continue to think about it- home for me is where my family is. My worlds can be split in 2 but at the same time be whole. As I continue down this path- I realize and am so thankful that I really only have ONE home and that is what my energy should be focused on. Life with my eternal father. Not that I that I don't take care of my homes here but my hope and joy is eventually sharing life with the King of the all the worlds.

What a joy to refocus and remember ...in light of eternity... what really matters...

Family and Sharing eternal life with the King!

Perspective is what He wants and am so thankful that He is faithful to remind us of it! He certainly has reminded that for me! Lots of love- amy louise

Happy New Year and Pictures to share

2011-01-10T21:08:00.003+03:00

Here is some fun pictures that I put together of our life in Malawi! Click on the link below to see if you are not on facebook. If you are on facebook- go to my photos! Enjoy!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=262287&id=544515874&l=d68b047154

Happy New Year!

2011-01-10T19:35:00.002+03:00

Happy New Year! I can't believe it is already mid January- Where does the time go? We are so blessed to have another year starting off in San Diego that will be ending in Malawi Africa. We definitely on are full gear up mode. I know for many of those reading are thinking - that is not until this next July- but wasn't it just summer around here. It flew by! We are treasuring the time we have been given still here in this place we call home!

Bob's family - his 2 brothers and their families and his parents

My family and 2 sisters and brother and parents...

We were priviledged to spend Christmas with each of our families!

It was so cute to see the cousins have quality time together - priceless.... It is very interesting the older we get to see the journeys that our families go on. We all have different paths. Different stories! We come together and share those- but there is a common thread. We are from the same family blood line. We have common memories and common backgrounds. But our future is different, our stories are different and that is amazing. What if we all did the same thing? It would be boring and not very interesting. I love it! These stories that are shaping our lives. Our kids lives. Our stories now will be their stories and so it goes.

So this year I am into making the moments count. The exciting moments, boring moments and even drama moments. These are the moments we have been given. Not the moments that we dream of- not that those can become reality but often they never come and we miss out

on these right now moments. That is all I have - Right now! We have been given today - When God teaches us to pray - He tells to focus on today- we are not praying for tomorrow but for today!

Matthew 6:11

¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.

So we keep on keepin on in these moments we have today!

Thank you for your friendships, love, support, and prayers- the stauffy family!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-25T03:11:00.003+03:00

Our family christmas picture!

Giving Tina a inside joke cake for her birthday!

Analise loving on Grandpa's new dog and as she enjoys the the snow.

The girls sledding in the snow in their pajamas - They couldn't wait...

The girls going out in their jammies in the snow! Seriously they couldn't wait!

Life flies by! We are loving this Christmas as we are able to spend it with family! What a treat. We are loving the snow and all that comes with it. We have been able to sled and play. The girls have loved experiencing snow for the first time. Tina has too. We so blessed and grateful for the simple gifts that a Holiday season is. Wishing you all an amazing Christmas! Love- all of us!

Update on cute Tina!

2010-12-06T03:21:00.006+03:00

Well- It has been 6 months since Malawi ( Tina!) landed unto American soil. I love hearing as she processes life here in America! In September, she began for her MBA! - She is getting A's and doing amazing. Amazing. She has been staying with my parents and loving it. I am so proud of her and she has really done well! Here are some pictures for you to enjoy.

International Dinner with my parents

Displaying her Malawian Pride!

With her fellow African girls at Whitworth.

She loves the snow!

Dancing in the snow!

Hmmm- eating snow! Cute girl!

Here is some snippets of her latest update.

Dear family and friends,

It is almost December and i will be half a year old in the States, unbelievable!

I hope this email finds you well. I am doing great and thank God for the good health.

The snow is finally here. I could not believe how beautiful and quiet it looks when it snows. It is a very amazing experience for me and i am so excited. I dont mind the cold weather right now, i am just thrilled by God's wonderful creation. How did God make snow? It is so amazing for me. I am looking forward to learn some outdoor sports in this kind of weather. I have also decided to open a restaurant and make snow pizzas, i hope i will work. My grandparent (Gary and Barb Warrick) are keeping me warm. Their house is so cozy. Thank the Lord for His provision.

I miss friends back in Malawi. I keep in touch with them online but it was great having one MalawianAmerican friend visit us at the beginning of this month. Her name is Michelle Halemeier, she is a missionary in Malawi also serving at ABC (African Bible CollegeChristian Academy). She is on ferlough and she will be heading back to Malawi in January. I also went with her at Susie's house (my new aunt) to carve an orange pumpkin. In Malawi, pumpkins are green. It was great catching up with her and reminding each other of the great times we had in Malawi.

God has also been faithful in bringing new friends in my life. I have met a couple of girls who are dear to me now. I also had a chance to start going to a college ladies Bible study group. I met new friends there as well. I hope to go again soon.

We finally had our international banquet. It was on friday the 19th. I was able to participate in the fashion show and i also carried my Malawian flag. We had food from different parts of the world. It was fun to try new things. Gary and Barb came with me. They enjoyed the banquet and some amazing performances.

The adventure of seeing and experiencing new things in America continues. There is thanksgiving coming up this week. I am so excited. People keep on talking about the turkey and foods i have never eaten before. This week, I am trying to keep myself hungry so that i can eat and try everything on Thursday. I am also looking forward to Christmas. It will be my first white Christmas and also my first white birthday. My family (The Stauffachers) is also coming on the 16th of December. It will be great to spend some good time with them.

God bless you so much for all your prayers and support.

Love-Christina (Tina)

Have a fun preparing for the holidays! Lots of Love- amy louise

hope in tradedy...

2010-11-07T23:08:00.006+03:00

My girls! Nya Elise and Analise Hope

Today I celebrate life! My kid's lives! Nya, Will (we lost him in 7 years ago this month), and Analise and 3 other children that we lost prematurely and that we didn't get to name. I celebrate hope! Hope that tomorrow brings healing and a new day. I never knew what kind of journey in life I was in for. When I started this journey- I didn't think about the prospect of having any deep heart ache. You just know you are just living. Then the tragedy strikes, that is when I stood at the crossroads - while I lost my son - I didn't get to be my baby boy's earthly mama. I didn't get rock, feed, change, bathe, love with kisses and snuggles and all the other things that mama's do in the beginning stages of life. I didn't get to see his first steps, his first words, his first tantrum, and his first owie. I didn't get to tell him to settle down, don't talk back, be nice to his sister or don't be sassy to his mama! I didn't get to tell him how proud of him I am, how I love him so and that he is so cherished and loved for who he is! But as I focused on what I wouldn't have with Will, I had a choice at that moment! A choice to choose to trust in the sovereignty of God. To know the things I don't understand - He did. I had to chose Him and not the confusion that surrounded me. There were days I thought the tears would never cease. But I can tell you today I have hope through the tears. Joy through the pain. Hope of eternal life and that the heartache will be gone one day. Having the Rock as my salvation - (Jesus - my hope) is what I stand on. Most days I am reminded I don't have all my stuff together but I love that have I have a God that I can turn to that is bigger than me! That sees things in a whole different scheme of things than me. I am thankful.

Thank you for reading my deep thoughts. - Amy Louise

Faith...

2010-11-06T07:25:00.004+03:00

Look at Nya Above! She has faith she can make it to the top...

Faith is a daily battle with me. Somedays I am great with choosing that He is control and other days I can't see past my problem. Somedays it is even moment by moment!

So today I am choosing to tell myself- He is bigger than the problem. Here are a couple scriptures I am turning to as my faith is being tested...

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)

" But let him ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed."(James 1:6)

Trusting beyond what I see and what I think that I have to offer to make what I want to happen happen... Having faith. Has He ever failed me yet? No- so I must stand on The Rock!

Psalm 40:2 (New International Version)

² He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.

Thanks for loving us and praying for us as we daily choose to follow Christ!

amy louise

Simple things to enjoy!

2010-10-26T18:55:00.003+03:00

Date with Dada!

Seeing the Airshow for the first time

going to my first ever women's retreat!

sliding down a cotton hill because that is how we sled with no snow here in southern Cali...

Date with Dada

field trip with class to the pumpkin patch!

Simple normalish everyday life here in this land we call home. Well- yesterday Analise asked me how many more day until we fly home! Ok so not home for her yet. We are not counting the days yet, but we are thinking about that we leave again.

here is the update that I sent out for this month.... Thanks for reading and praying and loving us! the Stauffy family!

Hello sweet friends and family-

A vivid memory that I have from my time in Africa... one day, I met a woman that had 3 children and was living in a room that was as small as my bathroom (made out of mud). I was shocked and really was wondering - how could she believe in this God - when she had so little. Through an interpreter I asked in some form this question - is it hard to trust in God, when you have just this... But her response shocked me. I have thought about it often. She said God is all she has and then she asked me in return- What about you? When you have everything and you still trust in God. Is that hard?

Such a notion to think that I have everything! I want to choose to trust in God for my everyday life. Well- many days I don't feel like I have everything and many days I don't choose to trust Him. Many days I am not thankful in the ways I should be. Many days I am focused of my wants, my selfish desires, and my need for more shoes and maybe a new shirt! So today- I am reminded that I am to be thankful for all that I have. I don't live in room that it is as small as my bathroom. Today - I have been given the gift of life and enjoy it throughly! Today I can be thankful that I have an Amazing God that I can find my source of strength to live and give!

Today I am thankful all that God has provided for our family.

As we go into this wonderful month of November- Things to be thankful-

We are blessed with so many wonderful friends and family!
We have been blessed by many of you supporting us as we are here in San Diego and gear up to go to Africa in this coming July!
We have been blessed to live in our house during this time.
We have been able to connect and share our lives with so many.
We have healthy and really been able to have some down time.
We have every need met and we really are not in want. ( it is a matter of perspective that I have to keep)
We are alive and able to enjoy our days- thoroughly!

Thanks for loving and being apart of our journey! Love- Amy Louise for the Stauffacher family

quietly living in the routine...

2010-10-22T18:29:00.005+03:00

Is that an expression? Well- that is what we are doing - routine! I have dreamt of routine for along time and this month it came. Quiet normal routine. Breakfast, School, Lunch, Homework, Dinner and then Bed. Simple! This week- Every night we had someone over for dinner or lunch- it is still is full of people but routineish! I love it- But this week I started thinking as I was standing in the wal-mart line... 8 months until we leave back to Africa. I better buy that extra chap stick while I am thinking about it. Crazy thought I know. I will remember later. Then again I might not, might as well get it while the thought in my brain is still active. Time is Flying for me. Really it's almost November, then it Christmas and then it's January and its starting to be only 6 months and the time flies. Ok I know that I might be extreme, But it flies by! I can't believe it's already the weekend. Wasn't it just Monday? So as I subconsciously countdown, thank you for loving us and praying for us. I haven't post as much as I wanted to lately- I find that it all seems so normal to share. But I will do more normalish things soon.

Lots of love from the normalish routineish family here in San Diego!

P.S. those cute girls above are dressed up in their Harvest Party wear and that pumpkin is Bob's carving project. He is excited.

Moments

2010-10-03T01:37:00.004+03:00

That is what is going on here. Living in the moments. Whether it is with people or ourselves we are just having moments.

These last few months have been moments of -

New school for the girls
New friends for all of us
Processing the pace of the land that we call our "home cuture"
Noticing that we drive alot in our cars
Seeing that we have to be intentional to meet with people, they don't just show up at your door
Explaining sports, bathrooms, why grocery stores have so much food and where it all goes if someone doesn't buy it
realizing that there is really a gift of dishwashers
reconnecting with friends
loving the smell and sound of the ocean
watching the girls process life in every angle - the simple and complex
seeing God provide in all that we need through friends and family supporting us
realizing how much we love Africa in light of America
realizing how much we love America in the light of Africa
Loving the mexican food available, target and dr pepper ( i know i say this often but it is true!)
Loving living in our dream house
loving meeting old friends and meeting new friends
Watching the girls settle into routine and thrive
watching Bob teach the girls baseball - it is very cute!

Living in the simple moments! Love them!

Lots of love- Amy Louise

Here is my last email update for those who didn't get that....

As we are settling into routine here in good old America, I am finding that life is full of choices. I already knew this but when we have not been exposed to so many choices for a long period of time it really impacts you. In Africa- when I wanted to get yogurt, there was only 2 brands and many times there was none. Yes- NONE! Strangely :) - I found myself a little bit crabby about that. But as I go to the grocery store here- I am quickly overwhelmed by choices I have of just the one brand that 27 different types. Thanks yoplait! Not to mention that there are 15 more brands to choose from. Strange to go from one or none to so many. Simple analogy but that is life. Choices- What we invest our time in, who we spend our time with, how we give out, and all that is in between that (ie food, clothes, the daily stuff of life). Daily we have to choose if we are living for ourselves or are we living for Christ. We are constantly choosing. When you living in this land of plenty you realize how big and many your choices are and really how they can impact you life even if they seem small. It is the daily choices that really is what God is interested in. We think that only the big choices matter but the little ones matter also. The little choices of our lives are what impacts the bigger picture of our lives.

This picture captures just the choices of cheese! In Africa I think I three choices of cheese.... Really!

We have a full month this October- So please pray as we are making right choices -

Bob- He will be helping out with the High School Group at our church, be hosting a small group, and as he is painting

Amy- I have about 4 different types of sharing times this month, Please pray as I share that it would be not me but Christ radiating through. I am just a broken person who needs to choose Jesus everyday.

Nya and Analise- That they would continue to do well in school and as they both are wishing they were home in Africa that they would continue to choose to enjoy their time here in America.

We would love to connect with many of you. As the holidays are fast approaching, please if you are interested in coming over for dinner we would love to have you. Please email me and we will schedule a date. We are also going to have an open house early November to connect with more of you. Thank you for loving and financially supporting us as we here in America making choices.

An update...

2010-08-27T02:54:00.003+03:00

I sent this around via email. But wanted to share on my blog...

Giving beyond yourself...

Well- I am amazed by people. I love seeing people love on people. I have a friend here that gives herself out to people everyday. It is really inspiring to be around people like that. For this last week, Analisey has been sick with just some normal american virus. I have spent all week home and realized today that I have had no one knocking on my door needing anything from me. Only my cute little missy needing me. I never how much my house in Africa is a revolving door as people come and go all day long needing something from or of me, until I have had no knocks on my door. I really could exist not giving out. I could go all week long not giving beyond myself. We are so independent here and to be at a place in need is very humbling. We definitely see that as missionaries - personally (we are living on support) and as we can give daily in Africa to people in need. I don't want to be that way here! I want to give beyond myself. I want meet people in the time of need. It can't be just an emotion. But it has to be a way of life. I want to be that in everything that I do. Give beyond just my immediate needs. I want to give out my friendship, my stuff, and my love that God has placed in my life. But I won't be able to do that in my own strength. Only in HIS. That is where I stand on. His LIFE is my LIFE! Give out, live blessing others, and see God carry us through in all that we do. I love you people! Thank you for choosing to share your life with me. What a treat to have amazing people in my life...

Please keep us in prayer as we...

- live life - girls going to school, family time, connect with friends and family or as we just go to grocery store. Simple things!!!!

- continue to raise support and use this home assignment wisely. That we may rest and be renewed - so that we can do that revolving door thing in Africa.

- As our girlies process life here in the states and as they grieve missing home "africa"

Praises!

- we are truly blessed to settled into our home in lovely San Diego... we had it rented out as we were in Africa and our renters moved the same time we came back from Malawi... yay for God's planning!

- Life is a blessing and we are mostly healthy (just a little virus thing) :)

- that we have an amazing team of people praying for us. we truly feel loved and cherished...

Keep loving on people and giving out more than you have... Give out of Christ... it is a deep cavern that you tap into when you are dependent on Him!

Love the Stauffachers- Bob, Amy Louise, Nya and Analisey (aka - little missy)

P.S. I attached my door here in america and my door there in Malawi

Here the girls hanging out in that little window box when we got home!

Here are the girlies when we first moved to Malawi! - 3 years ago!

When my home is not their home anymore...

2010-08-16T08:54:00.008+03:00

My girls- I love them so much. We are processing living in this land I call home... But they are officially "Third Culture Kids" ( that is a term that is used to describe someone who has lived in another culture and is not apart of that culture or their parents culture.) After a month long journey to Spokane and back... I quickly announced as we came upon San Diego that "we are home" Analise quickly responded back- "We are in Africa?" No I said and she said to me that was home not San Diego... As I quietly try and figure out what to say next... I realize that is true to her. That is all she has ever known. That is what she knows. AFRICA is home for them. Nya told me tonight... "Does my teacher know that I am from Africa?" I say probably and her response is that it is important for her teacher and the kids in her new class to know that. I find it easy to understand this land called America and they are struggling to find their place in this foreign land called America... Amazing to see them process... How does it work for them in the big picture we don't know yet, but for now they struggling to find foods they like... ( they don't like the stuff they used to like when they were little here...like yogurt, certain cereal...cheerios - what? who doesn't like cheerios- Nya never had heard of bagel before - even though she had- she didn't remember the word...) So as they find their footing... This week they start school. Please pray as their little worlds are rocked that they would find friends and personally see God carry them through.

Who knew that we are from 2 different worlds now. People of one family! Thanks- Amy louise

Still busy loving on people...

2010-08-12T08:58:00.006+03:00

Hi! I know it has been a quiet month from me as it goes for blogging but I have only been able to access the internet via phone not computer. ( little phones don't work to write a paragraph. The letters always get mixed up and i write even worse on them. I already have grammar issues , you don't need it worse due to my cell phone's little keyboard.. You all know what I am talking about too... Those keyboards take a while to get used to...)

So here I have a quiet moment as we travel back to San Diego from Spokane at 11pm. I can blog as my cute family sleeps - to share really quick snippet of our month... I definitely have lots to share but I will do that in another blog soon. For now I will leave you with a one on one session with our church in Spokane. Life Center with our fun pastor - Pastor Joe- whom we all love and have known for 20 years now. (Wow that is a long time...I am starting to feel a little bit old!) Anyways enjoy- it starts in about 3 :27 min or so...

THE INTERVIEW

Lots of deep thoughts and pictures to come. Love- amy louise for the stauffy family

The thankful heart...

2010-07-05T00:32:00.005+03:00

Hello friends and family

We have seen God be so faithful. It is so very humbling to see God provide through our churches, friends and family. God has provided abundantly in ways we can always point it back to Him. You know you are blessed when He meets your needs even before it is a "need" . He has provided schooling for the girls, a second car, painting jobs for Bob, a house to live in the year, wonderful friends to share life with and many more small blessing that just add up to Yay! He is doing it and we get to be at the point of just depending on Him. Thank you to the many people that are apart of those blessings. Thank you for loving us in Christ and blessing us! We are humbled daily...

We have been through a huge journey. It is a huge journey living in Africa but now settling home for a year is a big journey too. You think as you come home - subconsciously you think that it will all be the same as what ever was before. It is definitely the same and definitely different. Things that are the same- those are simple comforts of home. But as we journey along we see we have had our thought processes have changed and we are not the same. It is ok to be at a different spot, but realizing that we need to apply what we have learned. We need to realize what we learned is important to us and it is now apart of our deep inner core of who we are. It is an amazing journey. Let me tell you- Humbled Daily is my saying for now. Asking God to fill the parts that are confusing - that is exactly where I am.

Through that journey on this side of the world we have had Analisey's party - A tuck shop birthday party... Her idea! A tuck shop is a little store they have at their school that sells food and drinks. Below are some picutures of that day... also below are some pictures of Tina as she sees the sights of San Diego!

Analisey's friends in front of the tuck shop....

Time for buying sweets!

The big 5 year old- my sweet friend Tammy did face painting. She is so great!

Downtown San Diego - Seaport Village with Tina! So glad that she is here. She starts school at Whitworth on Aug 25th. So we will take her Spokane this next week!

She is a little bit scared can't you tell!

Her first carousel ride.

Oh boy Nya is silly!

Well - just wanted to connect and tell you our story as it happens here. Thank you again for loving and praying for us. We love you all for that! Love all of us!

We made it to the land of seriously... PLENTY!

2010-06-25T19:13:00.003+03:00

WoW! This beautiful land that we call Home in Delicious Sunny San Diego! Just today- Analise just asked if even the spoon (as she was eating breakfast) was ours - her then statement was "We have a lot of stuff mom!" Well- it is true all around. We are so tremendously blessed to move back into our home! We are so tremendously blessed to have an abundance of friends who spoil us rotten! We are so tremendously blessed to go into ONE grocery store and get all the things we want or need! We are living with a huge shift in our perspective. We live with that understanding that in other parts of the world ( especially where we live in Malawi ) don't have what we have here. We live blessed, blessed and amazingly blessed. In other words- We have all that we would ever want or need in a car ride away or a click a away (since everyone has internet on their phone). We live blessed and definitely don't take it for granted. We love being home! It is so familiar and so cozy! It is a daily treat to wake up in our home. Seriously scrumptious!

Here are the girls reading books from the local library!

The house we are so very blessed to live in! Seriously!

So as we continue on here in land of AMAZING! We remember the Land we just came from. We want live balanced but it is hard to do. To live with continual perspective is hard when it is not in our face daily. It will wear off. We love that land called Africa. It has left the biggest imprint in our lives. That amazing land, the amazing people and the amazing sunsets! We already miss it. But this is a time to rest and connect with our people! We will be headed to Spokane in 21 days and would love to see alot of you. Connect with me if you want to see us!

Thank you again for loving us, encouraging us and blessing us! We are blessed to have such wonderful family and friends in our lives. Love- all of us!

Teachers Needed

2010-06-02T09:52:00.003+03:00

An international christian school here where we serve is looking for teachers. ABC Christian Academy is looking to have teachers. They would have to raise their support to live here in Malawi. It is about 1500 dollars a month to live here as a single teacher. For a married couple it is about 2500 dollars a month. Let me know if you are interested. This is a journey that has changed our lives. We do work with the college side of ABC - but Bob does work at the high School. Definetly it is challenging and hard at times, but we want to come back so that must say something big.

Going on a High School retreat to the mountains!

a prayer newsletter....

2010-06-01T07:52:00.003+03:00

The family on Tina's Baccalaureate Service. She is absoutetly stunning...

Some of the girls of my senior ladies Bible Study. Love them.... These are the people that are changin Africa!

I love that this is where we are and this is where we are making a difference. For now over 3 years we have been able to change and impact lives here in Africa. What a privilege. Definitely our lives have been changed forever and impacted more than we can ever imagine. Thank you for being apart of it. Your prayers and financial support has carried us this far. We so appreciate it. Words seem so little when the appreciation goes so deep.

We have been so blessed to see God provide over these last 3 years for our every need. Physical and Spiritual. IT is humbling to be dependent on Him and see Him use people to impact our lives. HUMBLING!

Please continue to pray as we will travel on June 12th ( My 35th birthday! ) to head to San Diego. That is 38 hour flight. Oh Joy! We plan to live there for this next year while we are on home assignment (Which will be absolutely delicious). We then will be headed to Spokane in August to connect with family and friends. We are praying to be able to travel to east coast also via car. So more specific dates and places to come. We hope to meet with as many of our supporters and our churches as we can. Email me if you are interested in seeing us. We would love to connect...

Please continue to pray as our time here is winding down that we will not get sick and will be able to finish well.

Please pray as we will need a car when we get there. As we are living in San Diego, which is not the cheapest place to live and living on missionary support will not be enough. Bob will be painting some houses to help with finances as our support will not be enough to carry us through. We are asking God to provide and we know HE definitely can do it, but really would love your prayers... - that helps us through our human side that does the worrying. We still have to daily surrender our needs to Him. It definitely keeps us close to Him. He is the Big Banker and has the power to carry us through. We are so thankful for that.

thanks for loving, praying and interceding for us! love- amy louise for the family!

what i love about my girls...

2010-05-27T12:51:00.004+03:00

I love to hear my girls as they process life and how they see it. Simply and beautifully. The other night analise went and slept with Tina in her college dorm and then the next day went into town to get extenstions for her hair to be braided in.

They took a minibus and hung out all day together. It is amazing that 2 people can be soul sisters instantly. That is what happened to Analise and Tina.
I love watching how they get along. Analise asks Tina honest questions about anything and Tina responds honestly. I love to hear what they process together. The other day Analise was saying how glad she was that they are the same people under the skin. As she said " we got the same blood so that makes us the sames and we have the same middle name so we are sisters! " Simple understanding and simple love. Please pray for Tina as she has her visa appointment on June 2nd to get into the states for school. We are so excited to share our new daughter with you all. She is simply delicious.

Who knew that God could give me a heart to love another person with the love I have for my girls. Amazing love! See you soon. Lots of love- from all of us...

What is next for us? Here is the Answer...

2010-05-23T10:21:00.002+03:00

It is so amazing that 3 years have already gone by here in Malawi at the African Bible College, time has surely flown by. As most of you probably know, we are coming home to the U.S. for this next year to work for ABC on home assignment. We will be spending this time (1) sharing what we have done in Malawi to our supporting churches and our individual supporters, (2) volunteering our time at our home church, (3) working on projects for ABC, and (4)visiting and reconnecting with friends and family. We are so excited to be working stateside for this next year. We are also look forward to going back to Malawi the following year to carry out another 2-3 year term.

As we come home for this following year and share what we are doing at ABC, we would ask all our supporters to continue to support us financially through this time. This coming year is very important for us as we gear up and get ready for another term in Malawi. We have decided that being here in Malawi Africa is right where we are supposed to be. Across the continent, graduates of African Bible College are in demand. They are being placed in key leadership positions by evangelical denominations, para-church groups, mission organizations, and a host of other ministries. Graduates are involved in church planting, Christian radio production, school administration, Christian literature translation, and much more.

We covet your prayers and support during this time. Thank you all for your love and your willingness to be a part of our journey as we serve as missionaries with ABC. We look forward to connecting with all of you this coming year.

To continue supporting us as we serve in America and head back to African Bible College-

The address is:
African Bible College
Attn: Stauffacher Family
P.O. Box 103
Clinton, MS 39060

With love,
The Stauffacher Family

(we sent this out in snail mail but I also wanted to put it on our blog...)

The past is gone... the future is ahead of us.

2010-05-12T10:35:00.015+03:00

Wow- we are going on our 3rd Graduation- here I am with my senior ladies at my first gradutation
in June 2008.

here is analisey with her cute baby on her back. Being a true Malawian woman. This was our first week in Malawi. Look at my baby she is just turned 3 there....

Bob teaching Inductive Bible Study for the Sophmore class so they can go out and do outreach ministry all around Lilongwe, Malawi.

Here is Tina with Analise when she was 3 years old. Time has flown by and this June she will be 5! My baby :( Tina has been accepted by Whitworth University. She has a heart to lead and help NGO's and mission organization with impacting Africa. She has hearing at the embassy to get her student visa on this coming Monday. Please pray that all goes well. She will doing her International MBA at Whitworth in Spokane. We are very proud of her.

Here is Bob taking his world religions class to a local Mosque. They were so stretched to see how Christ is so different than that religion.

Here is Nya when she was 5 years old with a local outreach that the college students do for our village that is near us weekly. Look how little she is....

Bob on his first day of classes in August 2007. Wow- Amazing to think that we have been here 3 years already. We are so fortunate to have such amazing team of people praying and finacially supporting us. We have been able to leave a small imprint in people's lives here... We are planning to come back to do another term and are privledged that ABC would want us apart of that. So we pray that we will be able to come and serve here again. Thanks again for all the love and emails that I get. They are such an encouragement. Love- the stauffy family

Your grace is enough...

2010-05-06T21:40:00.004+03:00

My favorite song right now.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtnE_e1LylY
Wish I could have you watch as the students here sing it! WOW! They tell stories with this song...
There are amazing days that we are reminded of why we are here. A student came to our house telling of his story. As we are the Deans here at the College we are very invovled with stories like this... Edwin- A freshman has been unable to attend classes for about 4 weeks due to a very strange condition that no doctor here has been able to diagnosis. He has had it most of his life and it comes and goes. Well- There are some doctors here that are too expensive for him to afford. As he shared his condition I knew he needed to go to a specialist. For him it is unaffordable but due to people supporting us- it is affordable for us. So we were able to pay for him go see a specialist. So he went there on Wednesday to see him. I saw Edwin after that and he had the biggest smile on his face. I asked him what the specialist said. He said he knew exactly what it was and had special medicine for it. OH YAY! He said he never dreamed that someday he could he have answers for his sickness. I asked him for name - he said he didn't write it down. But there are answers. YIPPEE for answers... I love that Edwin came into our sphere and we were able to be apart of his story that God is using in his life. God carries us through journeys we don't understand But His Grace is Enough... It is enough to carry us to the next day.

This week is Spiritual Emphasis Week. It has been an amazing experience for us and the students. A special speaker has come from San Diego. From Horizon Church Bob Botsford has come to share on Our Enduring Hope. Such an amazing reminder as times get crazy and things go on that we can't control. We have a hope that is connected to an Amazing God. Bob brought his worship band here too. It is has been such an treat to have them here. They are rocking the chapel here at ABC. Nya and Analise want to be in the front row each night as the " cool guys" are leading worship. They are called the Mike Clark Band - They have brought their talents and spoiled us. I love amazing worship!

Well- we leave Malawi in about 40 days - to live in San Diego for 12 months. As we are on home assignment with ABC - we will miss this land we call home. I am so used to it here that I think I will be culture shock when I go home. Home is somewhere here and somewhere in San Diego. Well- thanks for loving us, supporting us and praying for us as we continue to serve here in the amazing land called Africa. His grace is enough for today for you and even Edwin! Love- amy louise

A quick update...

2010-04-25T13:52:00.003+03:00

Hello sweet people- Just a quick update from the other side of the world. We are quickly winding down over here in Malawi. We have been privileged to share life with a family for about 3 weeks this April and share with them what we do everyday here. Due to the volcano problem their flight was delayed for a week but is has been an joy to have them for a little bit longer. We really have soaked in family times and had many fun memories made. They have tasted and smelled and talked and walked this amazing place called Africa.

While all this is going on Bob has continued teaching classes here at ABC. As I type this I hear 20 high schoolers in my living room for a breakfast and a bible study. Yep- Spring is in the air and the countdown has begun. The seniors at the college are getting sad to leave and are so ready to leave at the same time. We have spiritual emphasis week coming, we have banquets to prepare for and graduation to get ready. We are excited for them. They are those that we invest in and then they leave to impact Malawi and Africa.

Please pray for us as we are definitely trying to stay healthy. Both Nya and I have had Malaria this month. It is has really depleted us. It is like a really bad flu times 10. We took the medicine for it and it worked great. Just a slow recovery. Pray for continual strength and health in our family. We have seen enough sickness for a while. We ready to be off the sick train. For some reason we are stuck on it.

A praise we have is we are privileged to be coming home in the middle of June for a year long home assignment. We will be living in San Diego and will be so excited to share what is happening with us at ABC.
Praise God that He continues to be faithful through all of your love, support and encouragement.

Living, learning and loving- bob, amy, nya and analise

When Africa surprises you...

2010-04-18T21:47:00.006+03:00

That was what I heard tonight at the dinner table. They have been surprised. They feel that Africa has not been represented properly to the world. They thought the following...No One is making the difference and people have forgotten about Africa. So they thought... A new friend Ann - from California- friend of my cousin's wife- has said she is surprised that so much is going on for Malawians. All the different types of Missionaries that she has met and the Malawians that are being impacted by the work they are doing. Lives are being changed through these relationships.

Our friends - the Olson Family- have come here thinking one way and definelty will be leaving thinking the complete opposite. It was all so overwhelming the needs when they first came and now they have relationships made through their experiences to have a place to help and impact the needs of the people. They are surprised that is all it is about... Relationships.

We come here thinking that we coming to make the difference but we leave knowing they made the difference in us. We have been changed through these relationships that we have made. The impact is made when we invest in those relationships. We can come here thinking that we can give but how and how do we not just throw money at the problem We slowly learn that we can give through our relationships. That is what is all about. RELATIONSHIPS - That is where you impact the most. That is where needs are communticated and met. That is what we do here. Teach and share and relate with the Malawians. We both are changed forever. It maybe that simple this thing called relationships. That is how we helping and changing what is happening here in Africa... Loving living this thing called life- amy louise

Sharing life everyday with people...We love people!

2010-04-16T10:21:00.005+03:00

Well- the countdown has been started. Seniors officially have senioritis and we are starting to get it too. Very contagious this senioritis. We are thrilled to be sharing it with our good friends The Olsons. They love being here. Sharon continues to say -" I love living your life Amy. I am in your blog now. Wow! " Well- We are loving sharing it with them. They are enjoying every minute and amazing to share what we do here. So delicious to see them eat it all up. They were able to spend about 5 days in Village ( which I am very proud of them) with good friends and ABC Graduates Ronald and Ulemu. Amazing to hear all their stories and life changing experiences. Time will tell what Africa has done to them. and their blog will tell you more.... Once you get Africa in your system- it never leaves I believe. :) You crave it... which is a good thing.

So the Stauffy family is in teaching classes mode, loving on people mode and really doing what God called us here to do mode. -Make a small impact on the people's lives here. We are priviledged to be here and do it. We have alot on our plate and we are going to savor every minute of it. As many of you know we come home for a home assignment for a year and we plan to come back for another couple of years. We definetly know that we are doing exactly what we are supposed to be doing right now. We are excited to be in the states for a year. We miss family, friends and food. :) We are so thankful to have this opportunity to share with you all person to person what we are doing here in Malawi. We will be in San Diego and visiting many others. Thank you for your continual love, prayers and support! It has been so humbling to be dependent on God and people like you in our lives! Well- Pictures to come and lots more of stories as we continue on here... Love - amy louise

Healing and nothing much going on...

2010-04-07T05:00:00.003+03:00

It is so amazing to have not much going on. The entire campus is on Easter break and it has been super quiet. Over the last 3 weeks since I haven't blogged, it is just quiet. I have been on healing mode. It is so nice to be on the other side of this journey. We are so blessed to have so many people love and support us through this. Thank you for all those who carried me in prayer! Amazing how prayer changes things. Thank you!

One thing that has happened on campus is that applications are coming in for this next year for the college. The students first take a test and then are interviewed. Last year almost 900 people applied and we were able to take only 90 incoming students and sent 20 students to the Uganda campus. This year - there are 3 different testing days and also 3 different cities. Please pray for the these interested students... These are the faces of Africa. The people of Malawi that will change thier world person by person.

We now have vistors from Spokane, Washington. Some dear old friends that staying in Germany for a while came down to have a journey into the Stauffacher family life in Malawi. They are soaking it all in. I love watching thier kids process it all. Nya and Analise are loving having constant laughs from thier kids. We head to Lake Malawi and then they are off the Dzuwa village! Here is their blog in case you want to read their journey... http://www.eieiolsonfamily.blogspot.com/

I love the simple life and enjoy living in Malawi. Bob told me it is the people he loves, I told him the same thing. It really is all about people. Loving, encouraging, investing and learning about people.

Will connect sooner than the last post! Amy louise

a new lease on life..

2010-03-18T12:55:00.008+03:00

You know that there are many sayings that are said to told to you when bumps on the road come....

-when life hands you lemons make lemonade
-he won't give you too much that you can't bear
-life is a bowl of cherries...including the pits
-life is full of mountains and valleys

There are tons of these sayings that are said to a person to try to encourage them to keep pressing on through the hard moments.....

But as I personally traveled this bumpy road, I found the most comfort I had was through prayer... There was not a perfect saying that would take away all the fear and anxiety of the big trial that I was in. As I look back on my journey- I see His hand carrying me through it all. Some moments it felt that God was a million miles away and then there were times that He was a whisper away. It never was consistent. But what was consistent was my worries and fears. But as I worried and fretted I actually found the most hope in repeating anything that I had memorized in my brain. I was continually going back to MY Rock and my hope of the future. The only scripture I found out that was stuck in my head was Psalm 23. It carried me in ways I never knew it could. When I could breathe I recited it - when I was anxious I recited it... It became so real that It took me away from the moment. But I want to say thank you for everyone of you that prayed for me and interceded for me as my neck journey is coming to an end. I made it back to Malawi and I get to be here! I love being back with my family and finally at peace. My neck pain was caused by a herniated disc that was pushing on my nerves and now I have titanium in my neck... I am bionic woman. I feel just leftover surgery pain and have no arm or neck pain. It is amazing. Below is a picture of what I got

What is amazing is that I am finally able to live life again. Thank you again for being apart of the season of life with me. I really never have felt so loved and prayed for. We have seen God personally intercede in ways I never could of imagined. This now- lemon, bump, mountain or should we call it a cherry or even better we call titanium piece in my neck - is interwoven in to my story for ever and I deeply changed and challenged and found that I cling ever so more to THE ROCK!

Serving Jesus daily and finding realy in day to day things- Amy Louise

P.S. Analise and Nya said they never want me to ever leave again. :) Bob agrees... So do I... 20 days is way too long for anyone to be seperated....at least for the mama!

So an update....

2010-03-01T19:21:00.002+03:00

Some of you got this already but I wanted to update those readers who didn't get it.

Ok another fun day here in Joburg. I did finally have Mc D's and it was good but the ice cream was better! It is really a fantasy when you live away from any fast food but the cereal with the most amazing milk is NOT a fantasy. It is all that I have ever made it to be in my head.

I went and made an appt for second opinion with another opinion. This doctor was a huge advocate for more intense conservative therapy. I have decided to go this route. Fun times ahead. I will be the hospital for the next 3 days in traction starting tomorrow at 12pm. Lovely. I will be on serious meds to calm down the badly damaged disc with the combination of continual traction. You see the problem is that I am tall and I have bad genes somewhere... And I live with the MOST potholely roads in the world and that is what caused this to happen. So somehow my discs (which is rare for a 34 year old girl) denigrated over time- actually my vertebrae did and then the disc pushed out and are severely pushing on my nerves and causing my feeling in my right hand to stop. So with that the traction will leave room for the disc to come back in and my body absorb the part that is not inflamed anymore. So it is a 50 -50 shot. But much better than this other plan that I was trying to do here- that I already had done in Malawi. It is so complicated when you have to travel to get this kind of medical treatment. So it is very sad for the mama and dada to be away from each other and especially mama hen away from her chicks. So hopefully after Friday we will know what is the next step is.

So it will be a long 3 days but I plan to ask for lots sleeping pills to sleep continually. That is everyone's dream right. Me too! but without the part of pulling my head away from my body! :(

Thank you for loving us and praying for us and please continue to pray for our family. That God provides for us financially, emotionally and physically and spiritually. Seriously we need to have his loving arms carry us through. Thank you!

Love - all of serving Jesus here in Africa (me in Joburg South Africa and Bob with the girls in Malawi, Africa) with a little bit of medical complications! Amy Louise, Bob and the cute girls- Nya and Analisey.

really? ok!

2010-02-23T09:34:00.003+03:00

So last week I went to my physical therapist for my nerve problem. She said that she thinks that I am getting worse and I need to go see with an MRI what really is going on. Sounds simple! Just go get an MRI- well when you live in a third world country not so simple. I will be headed to South Africa - Johannesburg to see a Spine Specialist on Thursday. Thank you for your prayers. Continue and we will see what God will do through this.

I am reminded that God doesn't promise that everything will be perfect and life will be simple but He carries us through these kinds of journeys. I have seen Him provide in such amazing ways in ways that He does personally for me. So as I head into this journey - I will share how he has been faithful. I have some friends down there that will host me and give me a car and provide me with GPS unit. I kinda know it down there because last year with Nya being sick in the same hospital. So as I head down there I am provided for.

Bob will be staying with the girls and so please pray for the girls and him. Pray as he continues to serve here at ABC that God would provide for him here. Pray that the students continue to see God provide and as they serve here in Malawi and all over Africa that God would use them to change lives from the inside out.

Lots of love- amy louise

Update on my arm...

2010-02-15T15:18:00.002+03:00

Hi! So the latest on my nerve problem is this. I saw the bone doctor, got xrays and was told not promising information. Pretty much I have disc in my neck that is bulgding out and is pushing on a nerve that goes all the way down to my fingers. He called it a double crush nerve impendgement ( at my neck and my wrist). So it is not good because there is not a MRI machine to look at my neck here in Malawi to see exactly. I need to go to the western world. Lovely. So my specific prayer request is that the nerve will be able to worked out through physical therapy. The blessing is that there is a physical therapist here that is from the UK that has worked with people on this nerve problem. So I would be so very happy if it as I am here in this third world country that manual traction physical therapy thingy would work. Thanks for you prayers and love - amy louise

Life... the ups and downs...

2010-02-08T04:49:00.002+03:00

We have been plugging along. Please be praying for me. After a very large computer project I did in December, somehow I managed to pinch a nerve in my neck. It created blood clots around my nerve root and many days for the last 6 weeks I have walked around unable to use it. After a long drive into the village and all the jarring of the bumpy road - it officially gave out into servere unable to live life with an arm that doesn't work without a doctors help. For a while I just thought it was a sore muscle or the beginning of carpal tunnel. I went to a physical therapist and through her we started treatment for a nerve root impendiagemnt. Yuck. I am now on servere pain meds daily and steriods to hopefully stop the pain. On this coming Wednesday - I go to the bone doctor for him to decide what to do. If it doesn't stop, steriod shots are next....And they don't do those here. So please be praying.

Another thing that has been hard is that - i am unable to use my desktop computer. So many days I can't do much with one arm on the computer. Right now I am pain meds and really shouldn't be typing...
So please pray for me as I go through this. Thanks so much. I love how many times I have shared our prayer and GOd has carried us through. Thank you....

The good things that are happening are school is full swing and we are busy. IT is so great to have routine and see the students we daily are investing in. The senior class graduate in 4 months. We are so excited to see how God is going to use them here. Especially one girl I have been mentoring over the last 2 years, She really has a heart to do missions in the village here. We are praying together weekly where and who with! It is a big deal to do missions in your own country. Especially where all most people do is barely survive with what they have. Her name is Funa.

In the above picture is Funa on the left and Tina on the right. Funa has a heart to disciple women in the village. Please pray with us as we see what God is doing.

Will update again while I am pain meds :) love- amy louise

The power of Love in our lives...

2010-01-29T14:37:00.009+03:00

Love goes deep. It transforms and quickly heals where open wounds were. The gift that Godgives us is that He blesses in healing us. The amazing things I see in the college students that are at ABC are lives transformed. God taking the broken hearted, the abandoned, and through the poverty and giving us Hope! Like for example... Orphans loving on Orphans... Powerful....

Here is Tina! My sweet friend who is an orphan - We went to Crisis Nursery here and She became superwoman taking on 2 babies. Loving deeply for these kids who are orphans. Don't you love her infectious smile. Her laugh is even more amazing. God has taken her broken heart and healed her deeply and given her a new family! Us! We Love that she apart of our lives. She brought us so much joy over these last 2 years - We love sharing life with her.

Here is sweet girlie Maggie. She is visiting for a month. She was a previous student of Bob's at Christian High School. We saw her this summer and told come and visit us and she did! What a treat to share life here in Africa with her fresh perspective. I love hearing the stories that she gets experience through her view.

Here is another college senior Umodzi! She really has been a joy to be around and she so enjoys coming to the orphanage with us. The Lady in the middle is the only nurse for the 22 babies at the Crisis Nursery. Understaffed is an understatement. Nya is so big now that she is able to love on these cute babies. She calls them sugarbears.

Tina Tina! We love you!

Here are 2 pairs of eyes that are so sweet. This is baby girl Sophless... She was delicious and so fun to feed and love on. Nya helped with her the entire time! So sweet to see my baby love on babies!

Here is Mphatso. She smiled and continually loved being on my lap. I love that it is simple to love. She makes it even more easier!

Here is another sweet girl I love loving on. She is our superhero at ABC. She teaches computers, PE, and is everyone's substitute. Candice and I have created a deep friendship and I so enjoy her.

Here is Maggie and Tina! Too Cute! Already good friends.

Loving people here and asking God to continually bring people who need Him to love them. Pray that we will be bigger than ourselves and go deeper and bigger and reach higher. Love- Us

When Life in Africa is Ordinary after 2 1/2 years...

2010-01-18T10:23:00.003+03:00

It is amazing to get to the point when living in a third world culture is Normal and Ordinary. I find myself not so amazed by many things now, since it is all is normal. When I automatically talk in Chichewa- the language here in Malawi- How is that normal? When i drive into town, swerving around a group of goats and seeing people riding bikes that are about to fall into my path, how is that normal? I didn't know that I would feel this comfortable. When my children are so used to the power going out daily or the water stopping - how is that normal? When gas is scarce and I accept that it is fine and we will figure a way around needing the gas- how is that normal? Amazing the simple things that I don't even know that is not normal to my western culture that I have accepted as normal. It was so fun to see it when my parents came to visit and share life with them. I saw through their eyes what I have so gotten used to. Routine has come as today starts the second semester of school for the girls and next week all the College students come back to campus. We are looking forward to life full on the campus again. And Life to be Normal! :)

We have a vistor from San Diego staying with us for about a month. She was a former student of Bob's at Christian High School. It will be fun to share life with her. She will be helping at the academy and the going out to villages around ABC.

So the normal life begins. Lots of love- amy louise

Oh My Happy New Year...

2010-01-14T05:17:00.009+03:00

Well- Happy New Year from ABC! So sorry that I haven't blogged forever. I have some weird issue with my arm and have been unable to use my desktop and can only type on Bob's laptop. So sadly the only chance I time to type is in the late evening and for some reason I never get 2nd winds over here in Africa. My bed calls me by 8:30pm. I wanted update for forever. We have had a quiet start to our new year. I can't believe that it is already the middle of January. We did have a minor earthquake so that shook us up a bit but nothing like Haiti. We are definelty praying for those people over there.

So here is the update on us...Over this last couple of weeks - we have been catching our breath from all the business of school. We all got sick right before school ended and then right as Christmas week started Bob had a serious sinus infection that laid him out for about 2 weeks. Vacation is good for the body and spirit. We were able to get away for a couple of days to the southern region of Malawi. There is a mountain called Mount Mulangi. They have amazing tea plantations down there that were started over a hundred years ago. We stayed at a lodge that was the owners house at one time. It was fun to rest, laugh and play together. We went with other friends from ABC Campus.

Here is the house we stayed in. It is over a hundred years old. I love that it still looks amazing for a house in Africa for a hundred years old.

Mt Mulangie

The Tea Plantation. So very lushish and really green

Here is the group before we went on the hike up to waterfalls.

Analisey is hanging with new buddies...

Isn't it amazing that beauty of Creation yells Heaven!

Here is the lower falls...

We were so blessed to have alot of fun! We are ready for school to start and ready for the students to come back! Life is full and busy and we are looking forward to rhythm of life here in Malawi! Thank you for your prayers! Love all of us!

Merry Christmas from Malawi

2009-12-20T14:06:00.004+03:00

Seriously time has flown by and it's almost 2010. WOW! We have been privileged here at ABC Christian Academy to be involved with every year has an amazing school play at the end of this last semester. It was well done and fun to see the girls be apart of. Below we dedicated the play to a local orphanage that we all are connected to. In the white shirt is Paul Chinchen - President of ABC introducing Annie Brown who is directly involved with that orphanage.

She also brought some of the local kids from the orphanage to the play as you can see above.

Here is Nya waiting to do her part in the play. She had many songs to sing and a she did a line in the play all by her self. (yes I am proud mama) She did tell me that it did take at least a 100 hours for it to be done.

Here are the cute girls before the play began. Analise was a Angel and she really was.

Here she is waiting patiently for the program to start with her friend Taymeike. Cute Girlies!

Our annual Christmas Party at the US Ambassador's house includes getting to see Santa Clause. Nya knows that He isn't real but for Analise it still is a concept that is hard to get down. But as soon as she saw him- she said - He isn't real- He has a watch on - that is just a man dressed up! Well- her bubble was popped when she saw the watch. She has since then forgot about it. So we just let it alone. The joys of childhood.

We have had a great beginning of the holiday. We will be involved with our church this week and going to many Christmas parties. Let the festivities begin!

We just want to say Merry Christmas! From all of us!

Well...they say it will soon be over...

2009-12-08T11:45:00.003+03:00

Well hello from No Gas Land. We have been not going anywhere for the last few weeks due to the fuel crisis. It has been pretty frustrating. Some fuel has come in spurts. It comes in and there about 100 people waiting and then a 100 more people come so it is pretty crazy. So we just continue to wait it out. It feels like being snowed in for those who have ever experienced that. So we wait and see. It has been not very fun to say the least.

We have been busy with just life. When you are doing the same things everyday. It does get not very newsworthy. We are thankful to be here right here, right now. We have some missionaries leaving due to medical needs this month. They have been in Africa for 40 years. Amazing couple. They have given 27 of those years to African Bible College. Their story is refreshing and amazing. It will be very sad to see them leave. Please continue to pray for Glenn and Fern Byerly. They began their journey in 1970 serving in the Congo. From there they heard about ABC in Liberia and moved over. They went through the war teaching until bullets caused them to leave. They went back about a year later and continued the ABC in Exile with the refugees of the war and ABC students is Guinea. From there, they moved to ABC Malawi and has an amazing impact in 100s of students lives. They story reminds me to continue to push through even though I am pushed out. They remind to see God's sovereignty in all situations. I seek Him when it is good and when it gets bad. Faith is built not on emotions and experiences but who He says He is. I am thankful to have people in our lives to point us back to the simplicity of the Cross.

Thank you for loving us through your emails, prayers and support! Thank you thank you- Love all of us!

PS I tried to add pictures but it didnt upload. We try again later!

Hello from No Gas Land....

2009-11-30T21:36:00.003+03:00

As time continues so does the days of our little lives. We have had no diesel in this country for about 3 weeks. Once in a while we get 2 or 3 gas stations that get it. Now there is no regular gas now. The above picture was 5 days ago - before the crisis was bad Today I saw about 200 hundred cars lining up to get gas with hundreds of people waiting at a couple of gas stations... It is mostly due to corruption here. Oh joy! We would really appreciate as we continue to serve here that God would teach us patience, be slow to speak and quick to listen, and love on people even without gas!

My parents came here the last 2 weeks and it was wonderful as you can see from the previous posts. They told me as they were here - that when they went home it would feel like a dream. I appreciated all your prayers! They are home now and closing their eyes and dreaming about it now.

Thank you again for loving, praying and being apart of our lives! Love all of us! The Stauffy family

Our trip to monkey bay...

2009-11-25T14:33:00.011+03:00

Well now we have seen the elephant in Africa. We took a boat trip on the Shire (shy-re) river that runs out of Lake Malawi and saw some elephants, many hippos, an allegator, many birds, wild boars and more. Now a trip is complete...not quite...

This is our tour guide and the boat we had to ourselves. He was very helpful in showing us the many animals along the river. It was windy and rough waves at times but fun.

We arrived at a lovely lake home that we rented from someone Amy knew. These trees called sausage trees due to the long pods on them were amazing. I am sure they have a more proper name but they are a wonder.

This is the view looking out of the front of the home across Monkey Bay. We arrived right at dark the night before in a driving rain storm almost not finding our way. The next morning we were greeted by this great rainbow and no more rain. Just lovely.

This the front of the house that we stayed at. It was soooo peaceful and sooothing to the soul.

We had several families of monkeys that were interested in some bread we had to share. Notice the great tree in the back ground that decided to hug this huge rock.

They had a small pool by the house that was a great place for Nya and Analise to play.

This is one of the stunning Baboa trees that grow all over the landscape. This is especially big one and so amazing. That is Gary and I and the grand girls at the base of it.

We got home on fumes of petro because none is to be found in all of the Malawi...at least in any of the stations we stopped at. So the adventure to find enough gas to get us to the airport tomorrow will be interesting. This lack of petro seems to be an ongoing problem and makes life that much more challenging some days. Long lines are at all the gas stations. They have been out of disel since we have been here. Bob's truck runs on petro. Politics and poor money management by the govt seems to be the problem.

We are leaving warm balmy weather to return to early winter in Spokane, WA. Yikes...I guess we are ready now that we have seen the elephants. Barb

Our visit to Dowa

2009-11-22T21:04:00.012+03:00

We are traveling to Dowa which a town and a region. We were going to a village in the Dowa district. Bob was going to preach at a church that was established in 1894 and the building built in 1951. It is apart of a Presbyterian group. They were happy to have a professor from African Bible College come and talk to them.
Here is the beginning of the dirt roads that we traveled for about an hour each way. This was the good part of it.
It turned into an amazing amusement park ride with all the thrills and chills...actually we were really sweating it. Bob did a great job driving and the angels did a great job keeping us on the road and upright.

Some of the fellow road travelers along the way, they were slow to move over.

This lady is like so many Malawian women that carry great loads on their heads. No wonder they have such great posture!!!

This the church where Bob preached and the pastor interpreted. It was a long service of 2 1/2 hours on wooden benches. The church had many choirs and the hall echoed amazingly. It sounded like the battle of the bands in heaven. It was very unique.

Gary got to greet the congregation and then pray. The pastor adopted Gary as his "gogo" grand parent. Very cute. Gray hair has some rewards in that people want you to be their "gogos"

Here is the group that traveled to Dowa with the pastor and his wife.

Here we are dancing at the village where Mwyli and his family live and that we ate our second lunch after the pastor fed us also. Bob is kicking it up and Mwyli is flying through the air.

This is our audience and the families in this small village. Many of the young men were off playing soccer.

If you think your kitchen needs a redo look at this one where our food came out of. We are praying that we will not have a Malawi stomach tomorrow.

Think a new counter top could be needed here?

It was an amazing day and the best ever for me... We are off to Lake Malawi for a few days, so no more up dates for a little while. Barb

Our Monthly Update

2009-11-21T14:47:00.003+03:00

Another holiday season here in Malawi. The humidity and warm weather has increased along with the frogs with their mating calls ( I love that noise). The rains have begun and we are all getting excited for Thanksgiving and Christmas!

What a treat we have had over this last week to have my parents here at ABC with us. We have loved seeing life in Malawi through their eyes. We love sharing our friends with them and they have been really loved by them. They have been able teach classes and bible studies here at the campus and in the village. We have been able to keep them really busy here just on the campus. They are about 600 people in and around the campus and we have connected with more than half of them. We have really appreciated them sacrificing their time and money to come and love on us and many many more people here. They are so refreshing to have here.

We have only 4 more weeks of classes until Christmas. Amazing how time flies. Our ability to give and serve has been above and beyond what we had expected this year. Bob said to my dad just the other day that it is amazing here "every single day we have an opportunity to give out and change someones circumstances" That is why we are here to help, give, serve and love on people! Teaching has been our ability to get involved with people's lives.

Praises & Prayer Requests -
• We are so thankful for the amazing financial support of our supporters- even going through this "global financial crisis" we have see God provide through our churches, friends and family. Thank you for allowing us to be used here in Malawi!

• Please be praying for us as this country is in a fuel crisis. The lines around town are horrendous becauser there is no diesel. Soon there will be no petrol (regular gas) this next week. That means no gas - no car- no food.... It has big problems attached to that.... Please be praying...

• Please continue to pray for our time with our family. They have not only blessed us but they have blessed many other here in Malawi. Please pray that they would remain healthy and when they come back to the states that they would not have too much jet lag and they would be refreshed.

• Please continue to pray as we love people here in Malawi that they would grow deeper in their walks with Christ as we are daily challenged to.
Thank you for loving us, praying for us, providing for us as we serve here in Malawi. We would not be able to do what we do without you being behind us! Thank you so very much. Love- all of the Stauffacher family (Bob, Amy, Nya and Analise)

Outreach on Friday

2009-11-21T10:02:00.011+03:00

This is the village we went to on Friday with four ABC students, one staff, and Bob and Amy and girls. There were approximately 100 to 125 homes in this village. It was off a very bumpy dirt (red in color) road that we had to dodge donkeys and goats. It is always a "thankyou Jesus" when we get some where in one piece and the truck is still intact.

The homes are all in various states of desrepair with pigs and goats wandering into the open doors.

This is one of a few old grandmas we saw. They would come and shake our hands and smile. We saw lots of children, some young girls (early teens with babies) and a few women in their twenties with children. I asked where the men were in the village and one of the students (Lewis) said they were probably in the fields planting or in town drinking. We saw very few middle ages men or women.

Analise gathered a group around her as she drew pictures in the dirt. Some times it was a little intimidating as the children wanted to touch her and if the group grew too large.

Nya was more comfortable with the children and their interest. These children loved having their pictures taken.

Here we are handing out some gum to the children (only 1/2 a piece) and we quickly ran out.

Amy and girls taught a bible song to the children using Dalitso as a translator. Then she told the story of creation letting the girls illustrate the different animals and then the children would imitate them. Amy and girls did sooo good and they had a good response from the children.

This is Annie, a junior at ABC, teaching a bible study on I Corinthians 13 to a group of women. She asked Amy and Barb to share a little also and then she translated for us. She said 4 women responded to the bible study to wanting to invite Christ into their lives. The women listened intently and would ocassionally ask a question. While we were with the women and children, Gary, Bob and Lewis went house to house and shared the gospel. Gary said they met the chief and his wife and they were very warm to them and told them they could use a certain building in the village next time they came. This was only the second time the students had come to this village. Four people invited Christ into their lives with Gary and his group. The students thought there was a good turn out due to white people coming into the village.

Gary dancing with some of the children.

We stayed about 1 1/2 hours at the village. It was a real eye opener to us to come into the sphere of these Malawians. What a challenge every day living is for them.

Here are some more pictures of sharing life here with my parents

2009-11-21T09:05:00.005+03:00

Here is some pictures from the village outreach that we went out on. Weekly ABC students are doing dicipleship training with this village about 30 minutes from our house... We were able to go along. About 20 people commited their lives to God that day. We were able to share with them and really felt priviledged.

Here is my mom sharing with some of the ladies of the village. More came and about 12 women commited to following Jesus! They will be followed up with dicipleship with the college student Annie who is on the ground.

Nya is playing with the kids and an ABC student named Dalitso.

Analise had a regular following of kids as she drew pictures in the dirt...

This is my favorite picture of analise....

While we at dinner and talking about bugs al of sudden a big - we call them chop chop came under our table. All the women were on the chairs and the table was put upside down. It was killed and now here is a picture of it next to the malawian money and my finger... Enjoy that you don't have those there...

My mom wants to share her experince in the village so that will be the next post...

going to market

2009-11-19T16:24:00.009+03:00

This is one of thousands of small plots along the side of the road that are being worked by hand to be ready to plant with maize. They work so hard. It is beginning to rain more often now and it will be time to get the seed in the ground. They have to time it just right.

Okay...here we are at the fruit and vegetable market. Amy is bargaining for a better price for tomatoes. She prefers for Bob to do the bargaining because it is very exhausting to go back and forth about every item you purchase. The sellers are very pushy. When they would get to pushy or suggest a price that was way too high...Amy would just laugh. She handled it so well...I was a proud Mama. Don't these tomatoes look wonderful!!!

Rows and rows of fruits and vegetables all stacked and made beautiful so that some will buy. Lots of competition and pushy sellers.

We kept a tight hand on Nya and Analise due to the crowds and unfamiliar people. They seemed to be quite comfortable with the whole scene. Not like Gary and I who were nervous, because we are "Mzungus" (white people) and don't speak the language. Amy has many words in the language plus some speak a smattering of English. Most the time Gary and I have no idea what is being said. We would be lost without Bob and Amy.

This at a "suburban" home of a Malawian that is where a "tailor" lives. The white stuff on the mat is the end product of the corn they grow and it has been milled to flour but is wet so it needs to be dried. Lots of flies were helping it dry. Notice the little charcoal cooker on the cement that is used to cook the family's food.

This is the "tailor" that will make some clothes for Amy. Amy brought three ladies from the college to help explain to the tailor what it is that she wanted. Notice all the pictures on the walls of the possible styles of dress. He made them all without patterns. He took a few measurements and smiled alot. Amy felt satisfied with the end results.

Here we are all in the small space where the tailor works. He was in his mid to late 20's and earned a good wage for his family.

This is the market where we bought the cloth for Amy's projects. It was very dark in the area and the women were very pushy about their goods. Most of the sellers had the same patterns of fabric and it changes every day. All the fabric there was of the same quality.

Visitor's journey

2009-11-18T12:10:00.010+03:00

Bob and Amy's lovely front patio where we have spent many hours. I am playing "Old Maid" with the girls and Bob and Gary are chatting.

Dennis the grounds worker made the beautiful floral garland around the door as a welcome to us. Analise and Nya have the cowgirl outfits Grandma made for them on. They have been wearing them for days now.

On the way to town. Many walking (always) and carry things on their heads. I took this from the car

Men selling plastic bags, belts and colorful striped socks, with a market area behind them.

Gary and Barb sharing to Bob's class on the commitment of marriage.

Gary enjoying the many students on the way to "Tea Time" at 10 in the morning. Nice little break time. We have been swamped with the many impressions and sensory overload of this new land. We have adjusted fairly well the the time change and the long trip. Yesterday there was several thunderstorms and heavy rains and today it is cooler, thank the Lord. It has been very warm and humid. We had a chance to share with a couple on staff concerning their marriage which was very rewarding. We are grateful for the warm welcome we have received and all the wonderful people we have met. Here on campus it is easy to forget all the challenges that are right outside the campus gates and just enjoy the peace and grace that is all around us on this oasis. Amy and Bob have created a lovely home and provided a gracious place for students and fellow staff to be encouraged and refreshed on a daily basis.

Almost here...

2009-11-10T07:41:00.004+03:00

My Parents are coming in 3 days. It will be amazing to share life them here. I can't wait to pick them from the airport. I can't wait to see them soak it all in. The smells, the tastes, the people. It will so much fun. They are coming to see what we are doing here. What a treat to share it all with them. They gave up alot to come here and I appreciate it all so very much. We will sharing more as they come.

By the way can you believe it is already mid-November! I can't! I will update again sooner than later! Amy Louise

A fundraiser and a bit a competition...

2009-10-23T08:54:00.002+03:00

So yesterday the junior class held a fundraiser with a class competition for a banquet they put on for the senior class. So as a friend of the person in charge, they asked if I would sing. I laughed and responded "have you heard my singing!" Anyways they insisted and thought why not! Why not pretend to be an amazing singer and have fun. I decided the only way to have more fun is to ask Analise and Nya to join me. So we sang the song we all know. Easy. Ok so the below are some videos of that and some of the other classes singing. Fun, Fun and love African Music! Enjoy and please know I was not a born singer but as my mom just said to me via skype! "honey...you have music all through your body soul and life..." Thanks Mama! So just enjoy!

ABC Womens Choir

2009-10-23T08:52:00.001+03:00

Here is the women of Abc singing like the mamas do in the village!

Us girlies singing

2009-10-23T07:05:00.001+03:00

They asked me if I would sing and I am not a singer. But I would sing for fun if my girlies would sing, so we did it together.

abc students

2009-10-23T07:00:00.001+03:00

The Students did a competition at African Bible College. This is the Freshman class singing.

The girls that are apart of our lives!

2009-10-21T22:30:00.003+03:00

Just wanted to show you a couple of amazing women that we get to be know on a deep level. Friendship is so easy with each one of these amazing women. Each one of these girls are orphans and are here at African Bible College studying. We love them dearly and are so glad that they are apart of our family. Christina in purple and is a senior. Shonduri is a junior in the middle and Mafunase is in the black and is a senior. We known each one for the last 2 years and cherish them deeply! Nya and Analise adore them!

In the last blog - was my monthly update with the spelling check done on it. :) Anyways just wanted to connect and know that we are doing great!

Love- Amy Louise

Life is good…

2009-10-21T22:27:00.002+03:00

Hello from African Bible College! Wow! I am going to say that it has been a normal month here in Malawi. Who knew after 2 years of living here, I would call living in Africa normal. I never thought that I would even think that. I guess things do grow on you.

We have been busy with many classes, special projects, loving on people and living life as a family. All that comes with that too. Sicknesses, broken down car, and sometimes fights ( only with the girls - Bob and I never fight! ) We get the privilege this next month to have my parents come for a visit! We are so excited to share our world with them. They will get a chance to love on us too. They will be involved in doing Marriage Enrichment classes here at the college and for missionaries here.

How you can be praying for us:

-Continued health as we live our lives here in the faraway land of Malawi

-As we teach at the college and the high school that we would radiate Christ in our lives and that we would be intentional in all that we do

-That our time with my parents would be amazing and refreshing - and that they travel safely

We want to say thank you for each one of you for loving and praying us! We are so thankful to share our lives with you here! We also want to say thank you for supporting us as we give out our lives to the students, people we meet, friends and many others that are affected by us while we live here in Malawi.

Living normally here in Malawi- Bob, Amy, Nya and Analise

A getaway to Lake Malawi...

2009-10-14T07:26:00.005+03:00

So it kinda looks like Hawaii I admit. The one of the most poorest country in Africa - has a beautiful natural Lake. So here are some snapshots with Bruce Sarah and Grace Halon from Massachusetts and the Stauffachers enjoying the Lake!

Thanks for taking a breather with us. And Thank you Bruce and Sarah and Grace for the great getaway! lots of Love- all of us!

Here is an article on a student that Bob...

2009-10-05T21:38:00.005+03:00

Here is an amazing article of a student that Bob taught a high school Bible class our first year here in CNN. William - what an amazing kid. He taught himself at 14 to make a windmill to make electricity. Please enjoy reading about the people we get to impact while we are here. thanks for being apart of our journey, so we can be apart of their journey. Lots of love- amy louise

Classes and Classes...

2009-10-03T14:22:00.007+03:00

We are busy busy with classes and are in the thick of school right now. I wanted to show some pictures of some classes that we are involved with. The academy every year does a reading day, where the kids dress up a character in a book. So below are an assortment of pictures....

Here is Analise and Mrs. Harper. Analise is of course Tinkerbell and Mrs. Rebecca Harper is dressed up as a tree. From the book "the giving tree".

Here is Nya with her classmates. She won the award for best dressed. She of course was Dorothy and was so proud. This cute Dorothy dress was given by some friends. She looks so perfect in this dress.

The girls striking a pose before they left for school. I think Analise really does look like Tinkerbell.

Here is Analise in her class. She loves it and is growing and learning daily. Running a bit tired from going everyday. She loves her teacher and her new friends.

Below here is Bob teaching a class. This is the entire class of sophomores preparing for Outreach. He is teaching Inductive Bible Study. They learn how to present the Gospel with the knowledge of the the Bible and then they go out to the same village Bob has been working with and disciple people on a intimate level. This doesn't happen often in a village. Because people may come and then may go but to continue on disciple for the last 2 years has been amazing. To know that the impact of real discipleship is amazing. Real lives transformed.

I will have more pictures to follow up in the village and of my senior girl's bible study. We are thankful to be right here and right now. This is exactly where we are supposed to be. Thank you for following us as travel around here in Africa and make small impacts on people's lives. May we be intentional in all that we do. Lots of love- amy louise