Prayer Letter

June 2003

Dear Family and Friends,

Before we head back to the States this summer, we'd like to write you one last time to thank you for your prayers <THANK YOU!> and give you some more requests to offer up for us, as well as give you our forwarding information for the next year.

PLEASE PRAY FOR THE FOLLOWING:

• Mitch will have had his eardrum operated on by the time you receive this, but we would be ever so grateful if you would pray for no complications afterwards and a quick, speedy healing and recovery.
• Many, many details need to be finalised before our furlough, as well as the sorting out of our house - pray that it can all get done in good time without stresses and frustrations.

ENCOURAGEMENTS TO BE THANKFUL FOR:

• An acquaintance author asked Vicki for her input on her upcoming book regarding homeschooling children with Aspergers Syndrome. Vicki's comments were well received, but it has only whet her appetite (again) to write a book of her own!
• Vicki's article for Autism Awareness Month is being used by our local clinical psychologist to encourage other parents in similar situations.
• Also, one of Vicki's poems is being used by another mission agency for the encouragement of their missionaries.

Vicki does enjoy writing, when she has the time and when the Spirit moves, and hopes someday to be able to put it all together. Maybe during this furlough she'll be able to write more?

AARON - Aaron enjoys horseback riding each week. He rides with the Diptford Riding for the Disabled Assoc, but the D- word is one we don't like to use or feel it's appropriate, so we call it the Riding for the Delightful Association! Regardless, it provides him with horseback riding at £2 a go - a blessing! This activity each week should help considerably with his balance, strength, and muscle development.

Aaron was thrilled to receive last month the CUB SCOUT OF THE YEAR award in his local pack. He was recognized for working extremely hard on his badges, for outstanding presentation of his work and putting so much initiative into doing them. He has the most badges of anyone in the district! His leader says he will 'show him off'' at the next big cubs event, the Swimming Gala in the summer!!

HEATHER - Heather is anxious for the school year to end as she has just come out of a bad situation there. Unfortunately, she was at the vulnerable end of a 'bullying' friendship. The end of this 'friendship' has put considerable strain on her at school as the other girl is not taking it well and consistently talks her (and us) down to others. It has been a daily, hourly effort to help Heather readjust her attitude and perspective and to help her rise above this. She looks forward to being homeschooled again.

Our internet service will be cancelled at the end of this month. Up until that time, if there is anything we need to know or have sorted out or reply to, please could you be in touch, so that we can respond. We can be contacted through the post until July 28th at our same address.

Our website will remain intact and updated.

Once in the States, we will have the following email address which will be checked occasionally - spanglersonfurlough@hotmail.com

Since this email has a limited amount of space, we ask that you don't send any forwarded mails (you know the kind) or any attachments of any kind. But to keep in touch with us, please use it, as long as you are aware that the reply may not be immediate!

We will be unreachable most of August due to other commitments. We look forward to going to Colorado to be a part of MTI's Debriefing and Renewal Program, while the kids take part in the CHIPS program exploring issues like reentry, regaining cultural balance, grief, and a sense of belonging to name a few.

Please be in touch SOON if you'd like to see us while we are in the States. If you would like to set up a date for us to visit your church, missions conference, women's ministry or children's programme, or just time with you, please don't hesitate to ask. We will post a furlough schedule on the website of church-related activities so that you might be able to see at a glance if we are available. Personal activities won't be posted.

Thank you again for your prayers and thoughts. We look forward to seeing many of you soon.

For the children,

Mitch, Vicki, Aaron, and Heather Spangler

 

 

 

March 2003

For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jer 29:11

If you ever drive to Dartmouth, you will pass several old, stone markers along the way. These milestones were set up many, many years ago to tell the weary traveller how far he had gone. Although they cannot compete with large, modern, road signs; they still inform those who notice them.

People too have many “milestones” in their lives. Our family has seen a few this very year. This February, I (Mitch) turned 40. That was quite a milestone. Vicki kindly threw me a wonderful, 1960’s themed SURPRISE birthday party. I still cannot believe how well it was planned, how the hall was decorated, and that everyone (including our two young children) kept it a secret. There were people there from our church, our mission, the town, and the youth clubs. It was a fantastic party.

Another milestone our family will see this spring is completing our 10th year in England. It does not seem that it has been that long, but it has. Ten years ago the Lord called us to Axminster, and almost eight years ago He led us to Dartmouth. The work in Dartmouth has changed much over the years. Clubs have stopped for a variety of reasons, while other clubs and initiatives have been started. The most recent opportunity will be the restart of the Good News Club at the Dartmouth Primary School after Easter break. Please pray that all of the plans and details would work out. Pray also that the headmaster continues to approve of this work.

We are now planning a furlough starting late summer. This, to missionaries, is a bit of a milestone. We hope to see many of you during this time in America. It will be during this furlough that we plan to seek the Lord as to how He would use us after the furlough. It is not just that we have completed ten years and want to change. There just is not the support in Dartmouth for us as a family, as Christians, and as missionaries. We are open to go where He leads us and to do what He wants us to do. This may mean returning to Dartmouth, it may mean returning to another church in England, it may mean a different focus of ministry, or it may mean we take a completely different path. I still feel called to reach young people in England. I want to give God my very best and not settle for second best. Please pray with us as we seek God’s clear leading for the specific ministry He has for us.

Our family has seen good health this past year and enjoy living in the lovely, rural town of Dartmouth by the sea. Aaron loves collecting things and talking to people. Heather enjoys arts and crafts more than ever.

We look forward to our upcoming furlough for many reasons.

Thank you all for your care and your prayers for us!

For the children,

Mitch, Vicki, Aaron, and Heather Spangler