Life is different...

For me life in Africa has so many things that are the same as life in America...

Being from the south I love that everyone here is so friendly. Anxious to wave and smile at me. 

Waiting on service calls for internet, plumbing, electric fence (ok thats different), etc...

Grocery stores, italian gelato, pizza shops, organic peanut butter...

We even found Hellman's Mayo at the store last week.

Oh...you know how you go to Costco and fall in love with an item to find that they 
don't carry it anymore...YEP! Same thing here. 
Where are you tomato flavored corn nuts?

People cut in front of you in any line, honk at you while driving, 

and pretty much disregard your right of way.

TV... Yes TV. We can watch CSI, NCIS, ESPN (Africa Version) BBC 

and lots of FIFA and African Football. Even Wimbledon!

As you can see most of these have to do with me and MY comfort... 
That's for sure the same as home!

But one thing that is different is the mental fatigue I feel at the end of the day. I have been given this ridiculously humbling opportunity to be here. To come and serve. Come and share the one true comfort in my life...JESUS. And by the end of every day I am mentally exhausted because in every situation, conversation and moment I am trying (sometimes failing) to share Jesus, trying to rescue kiddos for the glory of the Jesus, loving the unlovable, overlooking the brokenness... because I want them to know the grace of Jesus. The one thing that can for sure comfort them.

Bernard the Gardner- AKA Snake Killer, Bat Killer, Fence Fixer, etc...We NEED him!

At school with the kids, with the parents, at the clinic, with my gardner (yes I have one), with my house manager (yes..that too. Be Jealous!), with the internet guy thats 2 days late, with the plumber who 2 months later still can't seem to fix our toilets, with the 100's of people walking down my street every day, with, with, with...

So why is this different? Because I didn't do it in America... 

It's not Zambia that's different. It's Sandy! 

Baby Mitzi...

So please don't waste a lifetime like I did living your daily life worrying about the stuff that doesn't matter! Without sharing your one True Comfort. By being frustrated in traffic, or with the repairman who is late, or the car that cut you off, or the teacher who upset your child, or the Starbucks who got your order wrong (how I would love a Starbucks...even a messed up one)! I pray you fall into bed exhausted by the stress of trying to figure out how to share your Prince of Peace with a world in need of Him.

YOU are not different than me. If you are a Christ follower (if not LETS talk!) you are on MISSION! You too have been given the ridiculously humbling opportunity to be here. 

This life is about a broken world in need of a savior. And you can share Him at the barber, in line at the DMV, at school, at work, at, at, at...

So...Today is YOUR miracle day too...because He is not done with us yet!

                                                                                                                              Sandy

Spengler June Update

Well we have officially been here only 2 months...and yet it feels like home...but we feel like aliens...but we have new forever friends and family...we look and talk completely different...we stick out like...well like white people in a black country...there are children who call us momma and daddy...We have adults construction workers who call Robert their father...we don't belong here...Our hearts will forever be here...I miss Texas but I really never want to go home...But oh how I miss my family and puppies...WHAT??? For those who don't really know me...YES I AM CRAZY! One of my favorite things about Zambia is the signage they put on their oversized vehicles. It describes me perfectly! Abnormal...

So as we continue to live and love where we do not belong God continues to bless our hearts just as He lets them ache and cry and long for justice and mercy. Zechariah 7:9, "This is what the Lord Almighty says: administer true justice, show mercy and compassion to one another."

Some highlights of the last month have been savings accounts, boys, filled tummies, relationships, a house, a world cup qualifier and so much more...

Robert and Caleb have begun a savings account and an incentive program for the construction workers and to date EVERY SINGLE MAN has money in his savings account! They are all on time to work and showing up every day so they can get the bonus incentive at the end of the month. We are so excited! They were able to show them in scripture some principles about money, borrowing, etc...and the men have responded. We also had "M" come down with a severe case of malaria. Robert bought some rice and chicken and went to his home to check on him and deliver the food. When "M" returned he began profusely thanking Robert for his care and food. Robert said "We are friends right? This is what friends do for one another. They care for each other!" "M" replied..."You are not my friend. You are my father!"...So needless to say Robert is having a profound affect on these men. Please pray for deeper relationships that glorify the Lord.

It's only because you are supporting us through prayer and finances that any of this is happening. We could not be here without you partnering with us! Some of our favorite things that have happened because of your support are:

1. Our grocery bill has doubled and we are feeding many kids dinner almost daily.

2. We purchased more uniforms for kids who have outgrown or worn out their uniforms.

3. Our house is almost fully furnished. We have plates, pots and pans, forks and spoons!

4. Robert was able to purchase soccer tickets for his workers and take them to their 1st ever World Cup Qualifier game in Ndola. Zambia vs Sudan. Unfortunately the game ended in a tie, 1-1. It was a great day for building relationships and singing cheers! FOR HOURS WE SANG...

5. I am tutoring 11 different kids. I am not skilled or trained but God is good. KEEP PRAYING!

6. We are developing deep and lasting relationships with 2 teenage boys who live alone. Please pray for wisdom as we fall deeper and deeper in love with these boys.

 I could go on and on. There is so much happening on a daily basis. The rewards and hugs are endless and priceless. The sickness, hunger are desire for a relationship with a parent are haunting. But GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!

Prayer requests...Please pray for Robert and Caleb's relationships with the construction workers. Please pray for T and R as we tutor and somewhat parent them. Pray for Robert's father, Bob Spengler, who will have another surgery soon, Please Please pray for our son Joshua who is at basic training in South Carolina with the US Army. Pray for Lifesong and their ministries around the world, for favor and resources.

Thank you for being on mission with us. We are all in this together!!

As always...TODAY is our miracle day. Because God chose us...and he is not done with us yet!

                                                                                                    Sandy