May 2017

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the
Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace. Acts 20:24 NIV

Wow, where to begin. As I sit here trying to put words and thought to paper, looking through pictures that span
years of service in Nicaragua I am taken back to June 2006. I was sitting around a conference table, papers spread before
me, number and figures dance in front of me, out of focus and then becoming clearer. I am here to realize my dream of
owning my own business. I look at the bottom line, I stare at it and I hear a quiet voice in my head I have so much more
for you John At that moment I realize that the cost of living my dream would also cost me my family, so young and full of
promise. A cost too high, through the day I think and pray, if not this God then what? What keeps coming to me is Go
and serve. This is the point in time that I look at and point, heres where it started. This is the point in which the journey
to where I am today began. Years of preparation, prayer, sacrifice, sweat and tears have brought us here, nearing the end
of our 2nd year of our second term. A total of 8 years of service and an additional 2
years of preparation and prayer. We again find ourselves at a point where choices need
to be made. Over the past few months, 6 to be exact, we have had many suppertime
talks, talks that last well after the leftovers are cold. Discussions that vary on a variety
of topics but mainly centered on the question where from here? another 2 years?
We are not the same family that stepped off the plane in September 2007, feeling the
heat and hauling our life in a few suitcases. We are a family of teenagers (almost). One
entering college, and another few short years away. After lots of talking and prayer we
have reached a decision. With many factors pointing us here we are making plans to
return to the states in August when our 2 years are completed. We came here at Gods
leading and we are leaving at Gods leading. Lots of emotion goes into writing this,
even though I feel this is Gods leading its still very emotional. Our family has grown in
stature and in closeness in the Nicaraguan heat, we have formed a bond that I would
not have thought possible.
Now as I look toward the future I have a request, in the next few months I have
two separate teams, 1 in June and 1 in July. God has laid it upon my heart to make
these teams something special. It has always been the desire of my heart to finish
strong, and these next few months are no exception. Please pray with me to provide
In April we were able to give away
the resources, vision and opportunity to show Gods love to the people of Nicaragua
another set of chickens. Machito
and raise up the next generation of servants. To do this I need the financial support that and his young family were one of
has sustained us here. In the last year our monthly support has been hovering around the recipients. A few days later
65%. With the expenses of returning to the states we need our supporters to also finish Martrin, my friend who helps me
with the distributions, relayed that
strong. I see the start of the next chapter in our life but I want to finish this one first.
Machitos hens laid two eggs and
You have carried us through so much and I believe that you will carry us to the finish that his daughter ate them. Id say
line and beyond. I foresee that we as a family will continue By Gods Grace ministries that is very good news. Machito
but from the United States. We look forward to seeing what God has in store for us was one of the workers that helped
us build the classrooms for Mt Zion
state-side. Each of our children have written a thank-you letter to our supporters and church in San Gregorio Nicaragua.
we have enclosed those here. John Speigle
Dios de Bendiga
 Dear Supporters,

Over the past ten years of my life, many experiences have shaped me. I
have lived outside of the US, learned foreign languages, and experienced things
most kids never have the privilege to live through. I have seen God at work
right in front of me. Though many times were hard, I wouldnt change it for the
world. I would not be the person I am today without having lived the life of a
M3K (third culture missionary kid).

Since 2009, I have lived in Nicaragua. However, the journey to this place started two years before, when I was eight.
Over those two years leading up to the move, everything was sold. Our house, toys, books, games, and all the other
things treasured by a child. From this early age, I learned that stuff isnt whats important in life. It was amazing to see
God leading us through this process. Windows opened when doors closed.

In the first five years of our sojourn in Nicaragua, we worked with several ministries, doing almost everything under
the sun. We helped with crusades, street evangelism, feeding centers, VBS, teams, construction, church planting,
school sponsorships, discipleship, agricultural ministry, and more while building relationships and learning Spanish.
Living first in Leon, we became acquainted with the culture and the language, learning how to live in this country and
working mostly with churches and teams. After two years there, we moved to La Paz Centro, a little one-street village,
to be closer to the ministry we were then assisting. During that time, we were the only North Americans living there
and the only ones who really spoke English. Our Spanish proficiency improved exponentially. We attended a local
church and Caleb and I participated in their worship dance group. Street evangelism and feedings became our focus. I
remember the first time sharing the Gospel in English. I was maybe ten at the time, and I was so nervous! Then, as
time and language progressed, I was able to share the Good News in Spanish, which was incredible. After two years in
La Paz Centro, we returned to the States for four weeks.

Returning to the States was culture shock. I was thirteen, and everything was strange in the States, a place that was
supposedly home. La Paz Centro was essentially a shanty town, with the majority of people living in houses made of
sticks and plastic. To come from that environment to the United States was night and day. Especially Walmart!
Walmart was overwhelming, even now. Its huge! This contrast shocked me into realizing the differences between
countries and people. I think this was when I first began to think about things on a global scale instead of focusing on
just what was around me. The thing I remember most distinctly about this time is the milk. That sounds strange, but
in Nicaragua, milk is this high-temperature stuff sold in a box that sits on the shelf and tastes nothing like good milk.
Whenever we go back to the States, we drink gallons of the delicious milk.

Coming back from that trip, we lived in La Paz Centro for a little less than a year before moving to El Crucero. Now,
Leon and La Paz are very, very, hot. El Crucero is nearly at the top of a mountain, and was cold enough to need a
sweatshirt most days (usually in the 70s). During the year spent there, I taught English to first graders at a school run
by a ministry. I was fourteen, and that was an awesome experience. I loved helping those kids learn. During that year,
I also spent two weeks in France doing an intensive French language study. That was fantastic, and I met kids from all
over the world.

Continued on next page

 Sierra continued..
Come, you
who are After the El Crucero year, we were burned out. Wed been ministering nearly
blessed by my nonstop for almost six years. We felt it was time for a furlough. Having sold everything
Father: take when we moved here, one condition of going back to the US was a house and a job -
which God provided nearly overnight in Albany, Georgia. We stayed there for almost
your inher- two years, regrouping and seriously considering the future. In 2015, we felt God was
itance, the calling us to return to the mission field. We found a house on the outskirts of Managua.
We bought chickens and a rooster, with the intent of raising them and distributing them
Kingdom. Pre- to needy families. That year was my senior year. Over the summer of 2016, I walked
pared fo.r you across the stage for graduation at the homeschool convention in Richmond, Virginia.
Being seventeen, I decided that a gap year would be a wise decision - and I wasnt ready
since the crea-
to leave Nicaragua or my family yet. Through a series of God-things, I was hired as the
tion of the library assistant at Nicaragua Christian Academy. This has been a fantastic experience.
world. For I As a homeschooler, I appreciate being able to see what goes on behind the scenes at a
brick-and-mortar school. I still prefer homeschooling, and I think my future kids will be
was hungry homeschooled, but I have a new appreciation for the work that goes into corporate
and you gave schooling. I have also loved having complete access to a library - after eight years with-
out a library, it has been a dream come true to have new books to read. I also enjoy
me something building relationships with the students and working to establish a love of reading in
to eat, I was them.
thirsty and you
gave me some- In this coming year, I will be attending Cairn University in Langhorne, Pennsylva-
thing to drink, nia. This is a Christian college that used to be known as Philadelphia College of Bible. It
is an excellent school which works quite a bit with M3Ks. I am looking forward to
I was a attending and earning my Bachelors in Business Administration with a concentration in
stranger and Entrepreneurship, minoring in music or youth ministry. My plan for the next ten years is
you invited me starting my own business-ministry. I am a creative person, and I want to use those skills
and talents for the Lord. I plan to work both in the States and in third world countries,
in, I needed like Nicaragua, using those creative talents to equip the downtrodden to serve the Lord
clothes and and provide for their families. Apologetics has also always
been important to me, and I want to work with youth to give
you clothed them the knowledge to defend their faith.
me, I was sick
Thank you so much to all you who have supported my
and you family all these years through prayers and financial support.
looked after We could not have done any of this without you. I am so grate-
me, I was in ful for these opportunities and lessons Ive learned. I have
grown closer to God and my family during this time in my life,
prison and you and I wouldnt change it for the world. Living these years in
came to visit Nicaragua has given me a heart for missions and a deep-seated
faith in the Lord that will never waver. As my family and I
me. move back to the States, I look forward to seeing what God
has in store for us in this new chapter. Thank you for all your
Matthew
support.
25: 3436
In Christ,
Sierra Speigle Our first ministry family photo
Jeremiah 29:11 taken in 2007 when we decid-
ed to answer Gods call to the
mission field
 Caleb Speigle, 17

Dear Supporters, I would

like to thank you for all
your support throughout
the years. Without your
financial gifts and pray-
ers, we would not have
been able to serve the people of Nicaragua
for as long as we have. I have learned so
many things during my time here. One of
the biggest lessons Ive learned is that there
are always people that need help. No
matter how long we work, no matter how
long we pray there is always one more per-
son in need. Considering this, I would like to
encourage you: Your mission field is where
you are, Christianity is not a passive faith,
so do everything for the glory of God help-
ing people in as many aspects as God di-
rects you. Whether in small ways or big, if
you are willing, God will always use you
wherever you are, in ways you could never
imagine.
Caleb Speigle
Sydney Speigle, 12
I want to thank all of our supporters
who have stood behind us and donated
money to help us. I have learned a lot
while in Nicaragua, including Spanish, how
poor Nicaraguans really are, and how we
can help them in that area. As one of our
ways of doing ministry, we raise chickens
and when there are too many we go and
give them away (we usually give them a
rooster and two or three hens) to the peo-
ple who need them, when we give them
the chickens they sign a paper that says
that they wont just kill and eat the chick-
ens but they will wait until the hens lay
eggs and those eggs hatch. Another way
of doing ministry is we get some yuca,
some carrots, some onions and peppers,
some salt, and some oil and put them in
bags. Then we go out and give away those
bags and tell the person about the Gospel
and, if they want, we pray the Sinners
Prayer with them.
Kyle Speigle, 15
Dear Supporters, thank you for
all the help you have given us,
both financially and emotionally.
You have helped us through all
the years we have been serving
on the ministry field. You have
been very supportive of our
work here and were willing to
come down and help us. I have
learned a lot being here in Nica-
ragua, and one of the things I
have learned is this: You can
change someones life just by
visiting them in their house and
giving them a bag of food for the
day.
Thank You,
Kyle Speigle

Sydney Speigle
Urgent need.

With the impending return to the states we are looking at several increased
financial costs. Travel and reestablishing ourselves back in the states. As many know,
when we started in 2009 we sold everything to go on the mission field. And as we left,
likewise we return. I pray that God will bless you financially so you may then pass on
some of those blessings as we start again.

Contact Info..

BY Gods Grace Ministries Inc.

P.O. Box 2487
Harrisonburg Va. 22801
Website:......www.thinkingbeyondlunch.org
Email:..info@thinkingbeyondlunch.org
Personal contact John...Cell # (NICA) 505.8576.4076
Vanessa...Cell # (NICA) 505.8816.4112
Our Family., John, Vanessa, Sierra
Caleb, Kyle and Sydney Speigle