News from the Spradlins in South America

AUGUST 2013 / Vol. 5 No. 8

Projects, Seminars, Mission Trip, and a Baptism

There is always a buzz of activity in and around the church building at Avenida Sacramento. If the Academy students arent involved in something, there is a seminar taking place, or a Bible study going, and usually a special project or two. This month had several firsts and specials that we noted. What a blessing to be involved with such an active church! DEVELOPMENTS AT AVENIDA SACRAMENTO Growing pains are, well, a bit painful. For example, so much has happened and changed in the past few months that all of a sudden the men of the congregation have discovered that we need to make some changes in how we handle our finances. Although it is nothing that cant be resolved, it will still be a test of our faith and resolve. Please keep us in your prayers! Enrique Albera and Paulo Rocholl were given the opportunity to travel to Panama to work alongside Margaret Street church of Christ during an evangelistic campaign. They went to Meteti in the Darien jungle where they worked as translators for the team and also lead several Bible studies. Enrique had the privilege to baptize Malquiades, an Two of our Bible Academy students (Enrique, far left, and Paulo, bottom right) traveled to Meteti, Panama, to serve as translators elderly man who had been visiting and studying for for our brethren of Margaret Street church of Christ of Milton, quite some time. Both the students returned home Florida and the Metropolitana congregation of Panama. with a lot of enthusiasm and new experience! ASUNCION BIBLE ACADEMY UPDATE The second quarter of studies is already in the books! The students all received passing grades and continue to show great spiritual growth. This next quarter will have them putting into practice some of what they are learning. They will begin a rotation for song leading and bringing the devotional message for our Wednesday night study hour, they will be active in our visitation program, assisting at various Bible studies, writing for the church bulletin, and helping coordinate our worship times. This past month, we also had brother Kevin Dye, who serves as the preacher at Leanna church of Christ in Murfeesboro, TN, and also as a missionary to Papau New Guinea, teach a few special classes for us. He brought lessons on The Holy Spirit, Avoiding Burnout, and he also lead a baptism workshop for us. Brother Dye is a very knowledgeable and capable preacher, and we appreciate his contribution to the Academy! BAPTISMS / RESTORATIONS / IDENTIFICATIONS Baptized! Fabio Ruz is a friend of our dear sister in Christ, Raquel Franco. He comes from a very Catholic family and is very much concerned about spiritual matters. After studying for several weeks with Eliezer Perez, Fabio decided to put on Christ in baptism. Praise the Lord!

Our new brother in Christ, Fabio Ruz!

Evangelistic Contacts / Bible Studies / Activities: The mission team hosted a marriage seminar with Jerry and Lynn Jones called Relationships Matter. There were several visitors that came and the team received a lot of great instruction that we can use to minister to families here in Paraguay. The Jones came and offered the seminar at no expense to the team and we are so very thankful for their kind generosity! A mission group from Leanna church of Christ in Murfeesboro, TN came to Paraguay July 28 thru July 7 to work with the church here. They are the supporting church for Brittnea Yegros. They did a lot of great work at the home of one of our widows, Odila Uriola, and they also brought several great lessons on church planting and leadership development. It was wonderful to have them with us here! The church was greatly encouraged. I recently studied with the new missionaries in our area from the Mormon church. It is next to impossible to shake these guys, but each time I learn a little more about how they twist the scriptures and I try to plant seeds of the truth buy showing them what the Bible really says. This helps me develop better answers in defense of our faith in order to give to our brethren who may have to encounter this false doctrine. Worship and Bible class attendance (Ave Sacramento): Sun am 50 (4th), 52 (11th), 52 (18th), 49 (25th) Sunday Bible study average 42 Midweek study average - 25 Current members: 73 Baptized (39 Family Units) DEVELOPMENTS AT THE EMBY CONGREGATION The first mens business meeting was held! The first decision that the brethren of emby had to make was what to do with the offering money. After some discussion, they settled on saving it and to start looking for a place to rent for a meeting facility. They have since looked at several options and are carefully considering one that is well located just off the main highway. Please keep the growth of this congregation in your daily prayers! Brother Eliezer Perez continues to do a wonderful job as a missionary to emby. Here is a link to his latest report of the work (in Spanish): http://www.scribd.com/ doc/163374416/Reporte-Nemby-Agosto-2013 Worship and Bible class attendance (emby): Sun pm 22 (4th), 16 (11th), 19 (18th), 17 (25th) Midweek study average - 8 Current members: 10 Baptized (6 Family Units) Upcoming activities and news: Our annual Learn English Using the Bible campaign Friends and Family Day! Josh and Vanessa Hardin coming to visit!

Mission team from Leanna church of Christ in Murfeesboro, T , with our sister in Christ, Odila Uriola

Jerry and Lynn Jones teaching Relationships Matter

Kevin Dye (Brittneas dad) taught a few lessons and gave a workshop in the Asuncion Bible Academy

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ACTIVITIES

Visitation / Personal and Family Activities: We went several times to visit our teammate, Brittnea Yegros, after she gave birth to a baby boy, Alejandro Daniel, who was born July 25! Congratulations Ale and Brittnea! We visited Mabel Ortiz and her family this month. She needed some encouragement during some difficult times so we pray that we brought her a little more peace through Gods love. Andrea had a nice visit with Carolina Arzamendia in our home while they were planning what to make for Carolinas daughter, Luana, 15th (quinceaera) birthday party. Andrea and I attended the wedding of our brethren Maria Jose Yegros to Javier Zarate. It was a beautiful ceremony! We went to another Italian opera to watch our brother, Diego Who would have thought Andrea would ever Acevedo perform. I have no idea how they memorize so many be caught making a Tennessee Volunteer themed cake? Must be how much she loves words in Italian. Theyre quite talented! this cute little 10-year old! Andrea has been involved in two Las Amigas events recently. One was a BBQ where she cooked all the meat for everyone and the Friendship Tea hosted at the US Ambassador's house. Personal study: I have been preparing for this next quarters classes: Luke and Judges - Ruth with Bible study and various materials in Spanish and English. I am currently reading / have read: Planting Missional Churches by Ed Stetzler The Chronological Life of Christ by Mark E. Moore Preaching/teaching opportunities: Recently preached at Ave. Sacramento on the Three Principles of Redemption: Col 1:9-14 Finished up this quarter teaching Numbers and Deuteronomy for the Asuncion Bible Academy. We wrapped up our study of Romans for our midweek, home Bible study at Delci Encisos house. Cultural or language discovery: Presidential Inauguration: We got to experience a presidential election recently and now the inauguration that took place here in Paraguay. The festivities took place on the day Asuncion was founded, August 15. Horacio Cartes (pictured left), was elected as president which also meant that the old guard Colorado Party has returned to power. The president serves for a single five-year term and is not eligible for re-election. Although there is a Presidential Mansion (called Mburuvicha Roga, which means the boss house in Guarani), Cartes has decided he will remain in his own sprawling mansion which is just up the road from our church building. He is known as a very conservative business man, so it will be interesting to see how he governs the nation. He is divorced so his oldest daughter, Sofia, served as First Lady during the ceremony.

Andrea with her friend, Marcia Thiessen, the wife of James Thiessen, the American Ambassador to Paraguay

Taekwondo tournament trophy winner! I received 3rd Place in Sparring and 3rd Place in Formula (Poomsae). Pictured with my instructer, 3rd Degree Black Belt, Cristian Jourdain

PARAGUAY MISSIO
Asuncion, Paraguay South America Troy and Andrea Spradlin
Casilla de Correo 13092 Shopping del Sol Asuncion, Paraguay (595) 0981-630-886 We are seeking to "equip the saints for the work of service to the building up of the body of Christ." (Ephesians 4:12)

Our Mission Team Goals for 2013:

This year, the mission team will be making a major shift in its role here by focusing on aligning its goals with those of the church and submitting itself to the authority of the Paraguayan leadership. In the past, the team had to make many of the principle decisions for the church until sufficient leadership could be properly developed. In 2013, for the first time, the Avenida Sacramento congregation itself will be making all the principle decisions for the church. The team will simply support them by their direction. The church has chosen the following goals for themselves and have asked us to help them accomplish them. Evangelism: (1) Offer various specialized seminars to the public, (2) conduct evangelism campaigns, (3), use the book "Searching for Truth" in various other ways, (4) provide more English courses, (5) plant a church in the city of emby, and (6) have a radio program. In addition, the team will continue to generate new Bible study contacts through advertising, campaigns, personal contacts, and family relationships. We pray to generate at least 65 new contacts. Edification: (1) Develop and begin an intensive, full-time Bible study program (Academy) to train brethren, (2) conduct a new leadership class, (3) have a camp / congregational retreat, (4) have two planning retreats for the men, and (5) start reconstruction of the church building. The mission team will assist and coordinate these activities according to the direction of the congregation. Benevolence: (1) Offer the course "Comfort in Times of Grief" to the public, (2), keep a box of food for those in need, (3) provide a class on the topic of "Benevolence" (4) use donations to help some members, and (5) participate in various activities of benevolence. These are some wonderful goals and we are so excited to see their growth in leadership. Please pray for the successful completion of each of these and the continual development of leadership in Paraguay!

OUR SUPPORTERS
Margaret Street church of Christ (Sponsoring Congregation) 6745 Margaret Street, Milton, FL 32570 Central Avenue church of Christ Valdosta, GA Dripping Springs church of Christ Dripping Springs, TX Palm Beach Lakes church of Christ West Palm Beach, FL Poolville church of Christ Poolville, TX Families of: Clay Bond / Chet Brown / Virginia Guess / Joseph Markham

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