Wednesday Prayer

Please pray for Rosanna and her three children: Melody, Linda, and Alali. There husband and father is struggling with drug addiction. Rosanna has made the decision to separate from her husband until he gets help. We are praying that Carlos begins attending church, begins weekly counseling with a pastor, and continues to financially support his family.

Pray for Carlitos, a young man I am discipling. He has a desire to serve the Lord and an open heart to experience molding in his life. We are currently making a 5-year plan for Carlitos in order that he can be focused on that which is most important. Also we are working on strengthening this young man's understanding of who he is in Christ so that he can walk into the victory that the Lord has set out before him. Be in prayer for me that I might have wisdom as I disciple cross-culturally. Be in prayer for Carlitos that he continues to exhibit the tenderness of heart and willingness for change.

Pray for our home cell group. We are going to make some changes in the near future. The main change will be moving to another location. We see the need for this because our home is not centrally located for those that are attending. Therefore it is hard to invite unsaved friends to the group. We are thinking of dividing the group, moving one part to a member's home who is not currently involved in the cell ministry and the other part to a neighborhood more centrally located for the group. Pray that we would have wisdom in forming our new groups.

Thank you for your prayers. We are TEAM!

Holy Spirit Indwelling

I heard somebody say something the other day that made me think twice. I've said the same thing many times myself, but in this instance I believe God was using it to teach me something. The person was commenting on patience. They said, "I've given up on praying for patience because I've come to realize that God answers my prayer by giving me more situations that require patience." I know that this statement was and is made in gest, but I believe to some degree many of us actually believe it. We might not communicate it exactly like this, but in effect what we believe is that God puts trials before us in order that we might eventually overcome and receive the merit badge for some spiritual discipline. When I was younger in the faith I still struggled with drinking in excess. However, today I proudly wear my temperance badge.

It's as if I believe that God is in heaven acting as trial/test distributor. For example:

God: "Peter, do me a favor and put some patience trials in the life of Spurling because he just prayed for more patience. Last time I looked he failed the test I gave him. Make sure you give him a double dose this time around."

The truth is we live in a cursed world. We all live with daily trials. Without the fruit of the Spirit that is accessible to us we will fail and inevitably feel punished by the Father. Whereas truth be known, our "punishment" is self inflicted. We have within our reach the opportunity to experience complete victory over the flesh. But, many times we choose to depend on our dead unregenerate life rather than the life we've been granted in God (Romans 6:1-13).

If I'm lacking patience I need to pray for it by asking for the complete indwelling of God's Spirit every day of my life (Ephesians 5:18). I need to rely on His empowering and I need to realize that it's finished - His work is complete. I have everything that I need with the Holy Spirit in me (Galatians 5:22-23). I can choose to depend on His Spirit and be patient (1st Thessalonians 5:17-19). If I'm lacking in patience, or some other area, then my prayer does not need to be "Lord give me [fill in the blank]." But rather, "Lord forgive me for grieving your Holy Spirit. Fill me anew and have your way with my life" (Luke 11:11-13).

Thank you for your prayers and continued support. We are TEAM!

Spiritual Youth Encourter (EJE)

This weekend I had the privilege of experiencing an event as a "youth/student" with the new group of youth that are now attending our Alliance church in Asunción. The Spanish name for this event is, Encuentro de Jovenes en el Espíritu (EJE).

The program is dedicated to the personal and spiritual growth of the individual youth. It is focused on delivering a better understanding of self, a richer relationship with others, and a more personal experience with God through Christ and His Holy Spirit.

EJE is a one-day experience for youth of all ages (and they mean all ages... I'll be 40 next month). A major emphasis is put on the mystery/surprise of the day's events. The participants don't know a whole lot about what will take place, other than the fact that their friends who have experienced it before are really excited to share the experience of a lifetime with them.

During the day you are given several opportunities to reflect on different aspects of your life. This time affirms God’s unconditional love. It allows the individual to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in a unique way.

The youth are separated into several different family groups. Each group has 1 or 2 facilitators (Dad and/or Mom). The day is broken up into several blocks of time where the participants reflect on their perspectives of SELF, of OTHERS and of GOD. Each block is a mix of individual reflection and team effort.

We had several students make commitments to the Lord and one student accepted Christ for the first time. Please be praying for Cristian (the new believer). Pray that as a church we will teach him how to live the New Life (Matthew 28:18-20).

This was the first time that our church held an EJE event. We're looking forward to developing this program and including it in our yearly outreach activities.

Another added benefit is that the youth that have experienced EJE previously are the supporting staff that enables EJE to be held. So, we look forward to incorporating the 15 individuals that went through the program this year into the event next year.

Your prayers are a big part of what enables our church to experience the success that it does. Together when we show our dependence upon God (through prayer), He then works His successes in and through us.

Thanks for praying along with us for the Alliance Church in Asunción. We are TEAM!

Cultural Lesson # ∞ + 1

I experienced another "you've got to be kidding me" cultural awareness moment. Yesterday, I took part in Youth Encounter with the Spirit (EJE) at our Alliance church here in Asunción (I'll make an entry about this event later). The facilitator in my family group was giving an example to the group that had me thinking about the cultural ambiguities again. He matter of factly mentioned to the group: "You know how the average Paraguayan does not like to hear that people are praying for them or how they do not want to hear 'God Bless You.'" I questioned "why not? Why don't you want to hear this?" And he told me that because of low self-esteem they take that to mean that you have a particular reason to be praying for them or that you think God needs to bless them. In other words when I say that, they think I'm saying it because they are involved in something that I don't think is right and therefore I'm praying for them in that regard. It's like they are hearing, "Jorge, I'm praying for you because you are a failure in this area of your life." or "Carlos, God bless you in the area of your faithfulness to your wife because if God doesn't do something supernatural to better your situation your destined for failure." I was told that many times this type of greeting or salutation is met with an aggressive tone, for example: "I'M PRAYING FOR YOU TOO!" Wow! What a different perspective!

At first I was thinking that this could not be true. I didn't think that I had experienced this as I tell people quite frequently that I'm praying for them. But then I remembered something. There is a Paraguayan that I often tell "I'm praying for you" and almost always I get a confession in response. This person tells me, "Pastor, we have to talk. I'm not doing 'such and such' as I should." I've always thought that the Holy Spirit is working overtime in this person's life (but maybe it's me working overtime). I just heard of another person who was a bit frustrated that "everyone" was praying for them. They said something to the effect that everyone thinks they know my business.

It is very possible, my being a foreigner and a pastor, people will not react the same way that they would with the average person on the street. Maybe I don't experience the aggression, but I think I have experienced manifestations of low self-esteem. Maybe instead of saying "I'm praying for you" (which I really am), I could ask in what ways I could be praying for them. That way with their filter it wouldn't sound like I'm accusing them of something in particular.

Maybe some of my other compatriots can tell me if this cultural lesson rings true or if maybe it's an exageration of one individual's perception.

Thank you for your continued prayers. We are TEAM!

A Special Day

Half way through the day I realized that today was a special day. A day where the Paraguayans all knew it was special, but us being first year missionaries did not. I began to wonder when I started receiving text messages on my cell phone like:

I hope you and the family have a special day.
Blessings to you and your family on this Spring day.
Thank you for being a pastor that is here for us. Blessings to you and the family.

At first I was thinking... "O.K. these people are a bit over the top. I realize it's my day of, but it's not that big of a deal."

Later, when Karen and I were driving around we realized that there were an awful lot of flowers being sold in the streets. Springtime, we thought (Our Spring began here today as your Autumn will begin on Sunday in the States). We were thinking it was nice how the Paraguayans were celebrating the beginning of a new season. But, in the end we learned that the celebration was actually more for the "Day of Youth" than the first day of Spring. Either way it was nice seeing the bright flowers and balloons that decorated several streets and houses.

Today was our day off and we wanted to do something special with the kids. So we decided to go out and visit the cleanest "city" (town) in Paraguay, Atyrá. Also, it just so happans that one of our favorite Paraguayan restaurantes, El Cucurucho, is along the route to this town.

We stopped on the way and had juicy Hamburgers. We visited the town and felt as though we were as much a tourist attraction for the locals as their town was for us. The town is very clean. On our way back we stopped at a garden center and looked at plants. The only plant that we would have liked to buy was over $50 so we decided we didn't like it (that price is very high for plants here, usually you find great plants for less than a few dollars).
We then stopped at El Cucurucho one more time for ice cream, muffins and pecan pie (their ice cream is creamy like Dairy Queen and their pie is right up there with mom's, which is probably grandma B's recipe).

It was a relaxing day in Paraguay. Thank God for His many blessings.

Thanks for your support. We are TEAM!

p.s. I stayed up to write this post because the Yankees went into extra innings. Unfortunately they lost in the 14th inning 5-4 against the Blue Jays. So now they are back to 2 1/2 games back.

Cultural Lesson # ∞

Last night in prayer meeting we were sharing things that pained us from the previous week. One person shared this anecdote:

I took my son to a birthday party this past week that was being held at a play area for children. I was very happy to be there with my son as he enjoyed all the rides, the food and the camaraderie of his friends. However, this week when I picked up my children at school I realized that many of the children had been crying because they were not invited to the birthday party. I felt so much pain for these children. I did not realize that all of the children were not invited. Now I want to do something for the children to make up for their loss. This situation caused me a lot of pain this week.

I asked the person if the parents were foreigners... possibly Americans? They replied, "No they were Paraguayans, they should have known what is correct."

I think, as Americans, we are taught from the beginning that life is filled with choices and the people we surround ourselves with are of our choosing as well. It's very normal for an American parent to say to their child, "Bobby, you can invite 5 friends to your birthday party. We're going to the ballgame like you want, but we cannot afford to take everyone." It's like the LIFEBOAT situation. "Bobby, who are you going to throw overboard?"

As Americans we are teaching our children from a very early stage to make decisions/choices. These choices are not always easy. As I think about it I can see how this could possibly cause certain prejudices later on in life. The Paraguayans are including everyone, because everyone is important. That's not always easy either. I have seen how this can be a detriment to the family's financial situation (the group is more important than the individual).

I'm not saying that we are wrong or right. I am very comfortable with the above "American" example. However, here in Paraguay if I were to do that I would be wrong. (Or when I did that, I was wrong. Because for Jeffrey's 3rd birthday that is what I did).

As foreigners when we enter a culture we are bound to make mistakes (we WILL make mistakes). In the beginning we might not realize the mistakes we are making because the nationals are gracious, they understand that we are different and we believe that by-in-large everyone is just like us. I believe it is from this understanding that we have many of the group stereo-types that we have in the world. When I think of Latins I have a stereo-type that immediately comes to mind. The same goes for Germans, the French, and Arabs. I even have one for Americans, for both the Southern American and the Northerner... oh yeah, and I have one for that other country, Texas.

To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings" (1st Corinthians 9:20–23).

If we plan to immerse ourselves in the culture and become effective communicators of the gospel, we need to change a bit. We need to recognize the differences and understand why the people are the way that they are. We need to learn to differentiate what is acceptable (biblically) and change our behavior when it is possible and appropriate. Guess what? Punctuality is not necessarily biblical (ouch!).

As Christians we are of a different culture. We are citizens of heaven. As we are attempting to reach the world for Christ we need to learn how to be students of cross-cultural ministry. I've experienced some Christians (including myself) that have jumped to judgement concerning what is "right" and what is "wrong" in reaching the lost for Christ. In the words of Axl Rose "All we need is just a little patience." Of course, he was talking about some girl he was pining for and I'm talking about brotherly love.

Pray for me that I would recognize the areas of difference. Pray that I would have discernment with regard to what needs to change in me and what needs to remain constant. Pray that I would have wisdom as I minister in the Paraguayan culture.

Thanks for your prayer and support. We are TEAM!

I am Humble

And why can't I say that? If the daily indwelling of the Holy Spirit is maintained in my life, why couldn't I say that? It's true that there are times that this is not the case. There are times when I grieve the Holy Spirit by getting angry with my wife and going to bed mad (gasp!) Come on, let's be honest, I'm not perfect and neither are you (1 John 1:8).

Isn't it strange how prideful "I am humble" sounds. However, I don't think it is necessarily a prideful statement. We've been "programmed" to think we cannot refer to ourselves as being humble. Saying we are humble is not necessarily a statement of a braggart. If we are walking in the Spirit we can boast in Christ for the fruit that the Spirit is manifesting in our lives. Thank you Lord for the humility you are demonstrating in my life.

The sad part is that humility is not always apparent in my life. When this happens it's because I'm returning to that old corpse that died when I received my new life in Christ. And that's just sick... or sad.

Pray for me that everyday I would experience His Spirit's full indwelling and that day by day I would be like Christ.

Thanks for your prayers and support. We are TEAM.

My Emotional Junk

I've been silent for 10 days. When this happens it means one of several things:

1. I'm on vacation (which I was not),
2. I'm so busy that I'm not able to communicate (that is a rarity) It's not that I'm not busy, but I HAVE to communicate... it's like breathing. Or,
3. I'm overwhelmed in the midst of trial (usually some type of emotional junk).

So, A, B, or C? If you guessed trois you guessed correctly. Many times these struggles can't be shared (especially in a blog forum). They are not for public digestion. In this instance I'll go as far to say that the struggles were of a counseling nature. I was hit with some stuff that really made me feel inept. Without taking into consideration the language and cultural differences, these situations would have been tough in whatever context. The emotional "junk" I was referring to, is not that of the people I'm counseling, but that which is within me. I felt like I was being shot at with a machine gun approach as these situations came one after another. When this happens I tend to overthink the situations in order to force the results I want into being. This leaves me a bit discouraged or nervous. (It's because I'm not trusting the Lord with my life circumstances).

I need to practice "over" spiritualizing my life's situations. This was spiritual from beginning to end and remains a battle "against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places"(Ephesians 6:12). But devil, in the end you can "Suck Eggs!" I've got the victory, even if I have to suffer to experience it. Today as I was preparing a cell study that is next in line for our study in Romans I was encouraged by this:

We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us (Romans 5:3-5).

Thank God for my emotional struggles, because they are developing in me perseverance, character and hope. And it's the hope that wipes away my "junk." I'm still experiencing some of the same struggles today that I was experiencing through my 10 day hiatus. But today I realize the hope. Be praying for me that I would be quick to recognize our hope. And be praying about the situations I'm ministering into. Pray for wisdom.

As always, thank you so much for your support. We are TEAM.

A Week in the Life

What does a typical week look like for a missionary? I've wondered that at times. What I'm learning is that a missionary does not have a "typical" week, in that the week is never the same. It's always filled... but not the same.

Below is an overview of our week. An atypical week could look like this:

Saturday

10 am - 12 noon Karen had a discipleship meeting while I took care of the kids
12 noon - 4 pm I studied (Sunday School & Cell group) while Karen took care of the kids
4 pm - 6:30 pm Family time which meant going out to a play area and eating dinner
7 pm - 9:30 pm Cell group at the church

Sunday

9 am - 12 noon Church (I teach and I am in charge of the Sunday School)
1 pm - 4:30 pm Rest and study for evening meeting
5 pm - 8:30 pm Meeting with Cell leaders and a time of social interaction

Monday

9 am - 12:30 pm Meeting with mission psychologists, Carol and Roy Johnstons

I don't think Karen and I are crazy... OK that is not even a politically correct statement

2 pm - 4 pm Spanish Class (this was our last class... Hooray!)
5 pm - 7 pm Study and Dinner
7 pm - 10 pm Cell group in our home

Tuesday

10 am - 4 pm Team meeting with the missions psychologists

Individually we are not crazy... but I think collectively we're driving one another crazy. (OK, that is not true. That is my idea of humor [bad humor]... we are actually gelling as a team)

5 pm - 7 pm Had dinner and got the kids ready for bed
8 pm - 10 pm We were supposed to have a counseling session with a couple in our church. However as it worked out the meeting was cancelled and we used that time to veg out in front of the T.V.

Wednesday

9 am - 12 noon I filmed my teammate for a video we are making for our home district, while Karen met with two young ladies from church to plan an outreach event.
12 noon - 1 pm Lunch (Karen made a crockpot rib recipe that was very good).

If you want the recipe visit Brenda Boston's site at: Click Here

1 pm - 5 pm Karen and I helped a girl in our church move some of her things from her old place to her new.
5 pm - 6 pm Dinner
7 pm - 9 pm I visited a seminary and sat in on a class that two of our Alliance students are taking.
10:30 pm - 1:30 am I designed a prayer card for a chilean missionary couple that will be leaving Paraguay and going to Peru for a new mission assignment.

Thursday

6 am Woke up grumpy for lack of sleep. Canceled my appointment in the morning and tried to rest.
12 noon - 4 pm Met with my disciple (Keep Alfredo in your prayers. His brother passed away last week).
4 pm - 8 pm Spent time with the kids and tried to rest.
8 pm - 11:30 We met with a Paraguayan couple who are involved in ministry (Marcos and Lorena). I am serving as Marcos' mentor through the ordination process. This was our first meeting. It was more or less a time of getting to know one another better.

Friday

Day off. In the morning I slept in until 9 (I'm not as grumpy today). I went and picked up a "food stand" for my bird so that I can feed him outside more easily. Also I picked up a fútbol (soccer for you non-international types) goal for Jeffrey. I'm not quite sure what Karen has in store for me this afternoon. But I think we are going to check out the new McDonalds McCafe.

So there you have it... a week in the life.

Thanks for your continued prayers and support. We are TEAM!

Prayer Request for Wednesday Evening

This past weekend a father of two young people in our church unexpectedley passed away. Tony and Belen have been attending our church off and on. Their family are not believers. And Tony and Belen have not yet made a commitment. Please pray for them. Pray for us as a church as we reach out to them and their family.

Thank you for your prayers. We are TEAM!

Friends and Fellow Ministers

Leaving behind your friends and loved ones is a way of life for the missionary. I used to think my ability to leave people without too much difficulty was a "gift" that the Lord gave me (maybe, in hindsight, it was a gift He gave me friends). But upon arriving here in Paraguay I realized I really do miss and even at times pine for my friends. Friends such as: Bob, Andy, Mark, Dave, Hope, Alice, Don, Ina, Ruth, Barb, Jim, Mom, Dwayne, Joel, Ed, Dad, Jay, June, etcetera, etcetera.

One of the encouragements we've experienced here in Paraguay is the developing of new friends. This is not easy when you consider the cultural, economic, and personality differences present between us and the Paraguayans. But thankfully God has blessed us with a church full of people who are patient, understanding and full of love. A new friendship that we've recently developed is with Juan Carlos and Suny. This couple continually blesses us with encouraging words. We've ministered to them and helped them out with some difficulties they were experiencing. And they in turn have ministered to us.

I don't believe I'm experiencing body life until I'm ministering to the body and in turn being ministered to by the body.

The other day Juan Carlos and Suny ministered to me (and I believe to our entire Cell group) through the retelling of an experience they had early on in their married life. In cell we were talking about the justice of God, about how He looks upon us equally without prejudice (Romans 3).

One day Juan Carlos and Suny were walking home. In front of their home Juan Carlos saw a homeless man on the side-walk sleeping. He asked Suny if she thought they should give him a blanket to keep warm. Suny said what many of us would say, something to the effect, "No, you don't know what type of person he is and we don't want to open ourselves up to problems." To which Juan Carlos replied: "What if that is Jesus? Like Matthew 25 talks about, 'I needed clothes and you clothed me.'" Suny had a change of heart and got a blanket and Juan Carlos laid it upon the man. The man then questioned why they were helping him. Juan Carlos told him that this is what Jesus would want them to do. The homeless man then asked if he could have a cup of water. Suny returned quickly with a cup of water. The man then asked if they had any coffee. Suny came with the coffee. At this point the man seemed satisfied and the work of Juan Carlos and Suny was completed. But, before leaving Juan Carlos leaned down to the man and whispered, "Are you Jesus?"

The man's reply is not important. What is important is that this dear couple was living out their lives according to a simple faith in God's word. When we live according faith we will be enabled to complete the good works God has placed before us. I want to live believing that the next person I meet could be Jesus. In this manner I'll be demonstrating the love that He always intended for me to show.

Thank You Juan Carlos and Suny for helping me better understand Romans 3

Proof Positive of Life at IAdeA

We had a great welcome back from vacation. Apart from the many well wishes from various members we experienced proof that La Iglesia Alianza de Asuncion (IAdeA, for the english speakers that is pronounced Ee, Ah, day, Ah) is alive and well (which means it is experiencing new life). Today we celebrated two more baptisms of two new Christian young men that have accepted Christ through the ministry of our church body. Both young men have come from backgrounds which made it difficult to make their declarations of faith. Please pray for both Adrian and Alsidus. Pray that through them their families would be reached with the gospel of Christ which is the power of salvation for all men (Romans 1:16).

I would guestimate that we have 5 more people that will be baptized before long. Several of those people are at the questioning stage: "Why is it important to be baptized?", "Will I go to heaven if I'm not baptized?" etc. However, one of the young people that would like to be baptized is not being permitted by unsaved parents. He is ready and desires to be baptized, but as well he wants to honor his parents. Pray for these people that the Lord would lead and open the doors necessary for them to experience the deeper relationship that comes through obedience. And pray especially for Javier, that his parents would permit him and that he would remain encouraged as he continues to follow the Holy Spirit's leading in his life.

Today we had 60 people in attendance. We've been experiencing 60-70 people each week for a couple of months. We are praising God for this increase which is equal to more than 200% in less than a year. Our desire is to reach 100 people in attendance every week prior to the beginning of the new year. Please continue to pray for this increase.

As always Thank You for your continuous prayers and your generous support.