News from the Spradlins in South America

June 2012 / Vol. 4 No. 6

CONGREGATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ACTIVITIES

Name of congregation: Avenida Sacramento Iglesia de Cristo Address: Avenida Sacramento 650, c/ Espaa - Asuncin, Paraguay Year established: September 2004 Current number of members: 43 Family Units (79 Baptized) Worship and Bible class attendance: rd th th th Sun am 38 (3 ); 39 (10 ); 35 (17 ); 45 (24 ) rd th th th Sun pm 30 (3 ); 18 (10 ); 21 (17 ); 25 (24 ) Sunday Bible study average 32 Midweek study average 15 / Other - 6 Recent congregational developments and activities: The men of the congregation have recently been discussing their concern about several of our wayward brethren (those from whom we have withdrawn). They have commenced calling or visiting them in order to see if there has been any change of heart, and perhaps, the possibility of their return. A few have responded and meetings have been held to work toward that goal. I believe this shows great love and maturity among the men that this type of concern is being manifested. We ask that you please pray for these valuable souls and that they might be restored to the kingdom. Bible Academy development: While I was in the USA during furlough, I gathered a lot of information and made several calls to help with the development of the school. We now have student manuals from a few schools, several curriculum programs, and some financial statements which will help us in making decisions for the academy. In July, Pedro Vera and I will be traveling to Guatemala to visit a Bible school there in order to learn more about how they operate and function. Recent conversions / identifications / restorations: Baptized! Ruthy Pacu was baptized May 30th! She has been regularly attending Sunday worship service and youth devotionals since March! Praise God for her decision to give her life to Jesus! Baptized! Maria Teresa Vaesken was baptized into Jesus cleansing blood May 29th! We rejoice with her as she wanted to be baptized for the right reasons according to the Truth of God's Word! Baptized! Catherine Benitez has been attending many of our youth events and studying Gods word. She came to realize the state of her soul and recently decided to put on Christ in baptism.

Ruthy Pacu being immersed in the cleansing blood of Christ Jesus

Maria Teresa Vaesken being baptized (above), Catherine Benitezs baptism (below).

Contacts / Bible studies: English Campaign Contacts The mission team has started a new Learn English by Using the Bible campaign this quarter and there were some 45 interested students that signed up! Andrea has taken on a few of the students: Blanca Ramirez, Graciela and Antonio Chavez, with a few others to follow soon. I will also be adding some to my schedule soon. We have had much success with this program in the past and we pray that God will once again provide the increase. Evangelistic efforts: We have had several of our members talking with their neighbors or coworkers and telling them about the church! This is GREAT progress! Some have asked if we could assist them with the Bible studies, so we are looking forward to these great opportunities and will report on them just as soon as more develops. Steps toward mission goals: Pedro Vera (a member of the church here in Paraguay) and I recently participated in a short term mission trip to Panama. We joined with a group from our sponsoring congregation, Margaret Street church of Christ. I served as a translator for Bible studies, sermons, and a seminar while Pedro lead several Bible studies, preached, and helped out any way he could in the campaign. This event will have a long lasting impact on the church in Paraguay because one of its members has experienced the joy of spreading Gods word to a lost world as a missionary! Additional activities: We have some interns that have arrived to assist the team and the church! Rhonda Taylor and Hannah Phillips have come to Paraguay to assist in the efforts here. Their primary focus has been teaching English in our recent campaign. They are staying very busy and learning a lot about missionary life in Paraguay. Hannah is currently attending Freed-Hardeman University and is majoring in Spanish with a minor in Social Work. She is a member of the Savannah church of Christ, has an interest in doing mission work, and loves cooking. Rhonda is a graduate of Cleveland State University in Ohio with a BBA in Information Systems. She is currently working on an Associates in Health Information and Management. She is a member of the Fishinger and King Road church of Christ in Columbus and one of her hobbies is yoga. Our youth group has been participating in the Hashtag Youth Series, sponsored by the Spring Meadows church of Christ in Spring Hill, TN. It is an online video series for youth groups. They have watched, studied, and discussed one video in the series, so far. Plans for near future: Chris and Vickie Fry (former members of the Paraguay mission team) are bringing a group down from West Dyersburg church of Christ in July. We looking forward to their visit! Enoch Rinks (also a former member of the Paraguayan mission team) is bringing a group down from Virginia in late July. Both of these groups will be doing service projects, benevolence, and executing a Vacation Bible School.

Photos (top to bottom): Troy translating for local preacher, Didiel, in Meteti, Panama / Summer intern Rhonda Taylor / summer intern Hannah Phillips / the youth group participating in the recent Hashtag Video youth sermon series.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ACTIVITIES

Personal HIGHLIGHT(s) of the Month: Returning from furlough, getting settled back home, and preparing for a trip to Panama! Whew! This is always a busy time of year for us, but we love it! Lots of travel, interns coming in, groups coming down, and several campaigns all add up to laborers bringing glory to God! We pray this season is a productive one that will yield much fruit in the near future. Stay tuned! Personal study: I have applied for and been accepted into the Masters Degree program offered through Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver. For the next couple of years, I will be working toward a Masters Degree in Missions while here on the mission field. I am currently reading / have read: Research Strategies by William Badke No Apologies by Kevin Cauley When Charity Destroys Dignity by Glenn Schwartz The Spanish fundamentals book/study guide, The First Principles of the Oracles of God, that I have been working on is coming along very nicely. I wasnt able to work on it while I was on furlough, but have now resumed the effort. I finished the first draft and it is currently being edited. Culture and language study: Andrea is about to begin studying the advanced Spanish course Una Vez Ms (One More Time) two mornings a week this month. She wont admit it, but she is doing really well with her Spanish. I will be resuming my studies when I return from Panama this next month. Visitation: Rosalba Alfonso Andrea and Rosalba have been developing a good friendship the past several months. She came to visit Andrea while I was away in Panama. Spa Party at Andreas house was a big success again this year! Andrea had several young ladies over to teach them about cooking and beauty techniques. She topped it off with a devotional from the Proverbs. Family activities: While returning to Paraguay from our furlough in the USA, we enjoyed an extended layover in Lima, Peru. It is a fascinating city with a very rich history and a unique culture. Plans for the near future: We will be visiting a Bible school in Guatemala City, Guatemala, to learn more about what is required to operate a school of this type. Notes:

Photos (top to bottom): Andrea in the Parque de Amor in Lima, Peru / a Bible study in Meteti, Panama / Spa Party at Andreas house / a very special thank you to Iris Hamilton who made this wonderful information board about the work in Paraguay. We greatly appreciate it!

We want to be sure and say THANK YOU to the many brethren who assisted us during our furlough. Many provided places for us to stay, prepared meals for us, took us out to eat, loaned us their vehicle, and so many other wonderful things. THANK YOU SO MUCH!! God bless!

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 2012:

Evangelism: Each member of the team has developed and committed to some personal evangelism goals. Collectively, we are praying that we will generate more than 120 new contacts and conduct more than 750 Bible studies. These studies will include both evangelistic and member studies. We also plan to use public advertising, special events, and seminars to generate contacts. We also pray that we will continually encourage and develop a more evangelistic spirit within the congregation. Edification: The team is working to develop leadership within the congregation through the mentoring process, special workshops, and by utilizing studies that focus on servant leadership. We are also developing ideas and working on logistics for the possibility of having a specialized Bible school in Asuncion, Paraguay. Edifice: (Building Construction): We pray that we will complete construction of phase 1 of the building this year. All paperwork has been acquired and we are requesting estimates to begin construction.
Visit us at our websites:

PARAGUAYMISSION.COM iglesiadecristo.com.py

thespradlins.blogspot.com conocerlapalabra.com

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 Clay Bond Family Chet Brown Family Virginia Guess Family