It's a Wonderful Life

Christmas is right around the corner, it is hard to believe. Christmas overseas is a bit different. The top three differences that make the holidays difficult for me are:

1. No extended family with whom we share the holiday
2. It's hot... real hot (above 100 temperatures)
3. The lack of Christmas parties (work, church, family, social group, school, etc.)

The top three things I do not miss are:

1. Materialistic Emphasis
2. Santa Claus
3. Traffic at and around Shopping plazas

The top three things I prefer overseas:

1. Swimming as oposed to shoveling
2. Fireworks: We sit out on our balcony and watch the fireworks in the evening between Christmas and New Years
3. Sharing our traditions with other people

One thing that I enjoy here and have always enjoyed in the states is the part that the Church plays in my Christmas. As a pastor it was always a joy to create a Christmas experience that would encourage folks with the Love, Joy, Peace and Hope that God gives us. Last year in Paraguay we had a sermon series called "A Christmas in Narnia." We used the movie based on C.S. Lewis' book The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe as a way to give modern day illustrations to God's timeless truth. This year we are going to use the Jimmy Stewart classic "It's a Wonderful Life." I'll be preaching Sunday the 2nd and Sunday the 9th (please keep me in your prayers). Below is a video clip we are using to encourage folks to come out and to invite their friends. The clip has nothing to do with the classic movie but everything to do with the Wonderful Life that is possible in Christ.

Thanks for your support. We are TEAM!

Wednesday Prayer

1. Continue to pray for Rosanna and Carlos. Carlos is not doing well. He tried contacting me once during the middle of the night last week, but I did not have my cell phone in the room. I stopped by the place where he was staying the following morning but he didn't want to talk with me at that point. Pray that the Holy Spirit would continue to soften his heart. He has not made contact with the family for several days. Pray that he would be kept safe.
2. Please pray concerning the discipleship relationships that I have. Pray that the students would allow themselves to be vulnerable/transparent so that we can deal with some of the issues which they are facing. Also pray for a new group of young people who we will begin to disciple in the upcoming days (Adrian, Christian, and Juan Mañuel).
3. I will be preaching the next two Sundays (Dec. 2 and Dec. 9). The first sermon on Hope is prepared and the second one on Love is in the works. These sermons will be the first two parts of a four part series we will be holding over the holiday season. The series is entitled "It's a Wonderful Life." We are utilizing clips from the classic movie with the same name. Pray that the members invite their friends to come out. And pray that our church grows this Christmas so that we are experiencing attendances over 100 people (always for His glory).
   
4. The next several months will be especially busy for us because it is the Paraguayan summer. We will be holding outreach events (VBS), attending camps, planning a short-term missions trip to the interior, attending our field missionary retreat and continuig with all the regular ministries of the church. Pray that we would plan well and focus on that which is important. Pray that we would not get lost in the business, but that we would continually trust in the Lord.

Thank you for your prayers. We are TEAM!

New Packaging

My background of Business and Marketing makes me a sucker for good packaging. My wife will tell you that I will sometimes buy something only because I like the packaging. I'll even do that with a product I know I do not like when the packaging has been changed. I do that with the hopes that they changed the product as well.

When we began experiencing Latin culture I was fascinated with all the new packaging I encountered. In Honduras I experienced my first Coke in a plastic sandwich bad with a straw (they did this to make sure they didn't lose the glass bottles). Costa Rica introduced me to milk in a box that can stay out of the refrigerator for months. In Paraguay I found the milk in boxes as well as fresh milk in plastic bags (you have to buy a special pitcher that holds the plastic bag). Catsup (or Ketchup), Mayonnaise, and Mustard are in bags. Ice Cream is commonly sold in Styrofoam cartons (I don't like this because at times I have to pick Styrofoam bits out of my mouth). Ice is sold in tubes that fit nicely in your thermos.

Usually I prefer the way things are packaged in the States more so than the way things are packaged here. I think it has to do with what I grew up with, and the fact that (forgive me) as Americans we tend to be excessive (and I tend to like that). Whoever came up with the idea of putting a sliding knife on the plastic wrap boxes in the States was a genius.

The other day I found something packaged differently here in Paraguay. I was somewhat excited to see it, because to me it looked a little excessive. Maybe you all have this in the States now... if not, get ready because I'm sure it will come. It's just that cool. Do you remember the glass seltzer bottles that squirted out the water? The only reason I remember them is from The Three Stooges episodes. We now have them in Paraguay, but in disposable plastic bottles. I only intended on buying a couple of bottles to see how they worked. But you know what? I'm hooked. I like them! I don't have to take the bottle out of the refrigerator, undo the cap, and pour myself a glass of soda water. Oh no! All I have to do is push a button. It is very convenient.

It is true that every culture has it's good and it's bad. Whereas I have milk in a bag, you have milk in a jug. I have seltzer in a self-contained squirting bottle and you simply have a bottle. On a serious note, in Paraguay I am experiencing good in that the people tend to have more patience, more mercy, more emphasis on the person as compared to what I have experienced in the States. In the States I have experienced more ethics, more organization and more punctuality. If we could learn to become more universally interdependent I wonder what it would look like? I wrote the following to a friend the other day:

We will have a preview of heaven's main event if we can bring people together that have different passions in ministry (such as: desire for mercy... desire for more social programs... desire for organization... etc) and get those people working together towards the same goal while submitting one to another. I've come to realize that not only are we gifted supernaturally with spiritual gifts but we are given personal styles that are greatly influenced by our cultural milieu. There is no wrong spiritual gift and there is no wrong personal style when in submission to the love of God.

"Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come" 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Talk about a new package! I would like see some more of that.

Thanks for your support. We are TEAM!

Connections

Any underlined words in this entry are links to web-pages and files... enjoy!

In response to our Happy Thanksgiving e-mailing we received a response from Pastor Doug Hautz in Ormond Beach, Florida. Doug told us how much he appreciated us and our ministry. He shared some about his ministry in Florida (which is very similar to the church I pastored in Florida). He shared some about his vision (which is also very similar to the vision we had). He asked if he could present us to his church this Sunday morning via an audio file. We are always happy to communicate with our partners in the States. It was another blessing for us to send out the audio.

We can't emphasize more how important our partnerships are in the states. You have commissioned us to be your missionaries. We are here as an extension of your ministries in the States. Your encouragement to us is priceless. Your financial support through the Great Commission Fund and through Work-Of funds are what enable us to do the practical aspects of our ministry. Our ability to pray for you is important as well. Our prayers for one another are what enables us to succeed. It is only in our dependence upon God that we are able to cultivate eternal fruit.

We have a special connection with several churches (such as Hope Community Bible Church in Spring Hill, Florida; Maranatha Bible Chapel in Horseheads, New York; Arima Evangelical Church in Arima, Trinidad, Columbia Christian Fellowship in Columbia, South Carolina). There are also many individuals who have made a special partnership with us (a list to large to make). If you are in a position at your church to promote your missionaries, please feel free to contact us with special requests and we will do our best to get you what you need.

Thank you for your support. We are TEAM!

To Our Friends

We trust that you have a blessed day of thanksgiving. We are thankful for you... for your prayers... for your support... for your on-going encouragement. We are grateful that the Lord placed you in our path so that together we could glorify Him HERE, THERE, and EVERYWHERE.

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever." Psalm 18:29 (NIV)

I couldn't resist the above photo. A new house is being built on our street. Every day, as is the Latin culture, the workers take a siesta between one o'clock and two thirty. They certainly deserve it, especially since the weather is sometimes above the 100º mark. Do you think this Paraguayan is thankful for his wheelbarrow? I bet some of you won't look that different after the turkey when you are watching the game in your La-Z-boy.

Thank you for your support. We are TEAM!

Outreach

Are you thirsty? If so, we have something for you. We hope that this bottle of water refreshes your day. This is our way of telling you that God loves you and you do not have to do anything for that love. We are here for you to help you in that which you need.

Our church here in Paraguay is transitioning to a Cell Group model. It hasn't always been an easy transition. Like any new vision it takes time to cast to the target group and time to gestate. Add the language learning curve that Karen and I have experienced and you can imagine that the process has been a little more involved. But as they say in this region of the world, "Poco a poco" (little by little).

I was encouraged this past weekend when our youth cell took the initiative and held their first independent "alcance" (outreach). By independent I mean to say that they did not require the help of the leadership to orgainize and carry out their event. One ingredient to a succesful cell group is the ongoing outreach of the group. We are instructing our groups that each month they should have an outreach event at a time other than the time of the group meeting. Thank the Lord that we have a young seminary student that is onboard with the cell vision and is applying the teaching that has been given. Please pray for Jorge Ramirez as he leads the youth cell and continues to develop into a future leader of the C&MA here in Paraguay. Pray that the youth will see direct results from the outreach event so that they will be encouraged to be even more bold in their witness.

Thank you for your prayers. We are TEAM!

Step By Step

Walking back from your house
Walking on the moon
Walking back from your house
Walking on the moon
Feet they hardly touch the ground
Walking on the moon
My feet dont hardly make no sound
Walking on, walking on the moon

—Sting

My wife sent me this text message when I was out and about:

"On this day, the 19th of November, Jasmine walked 7 steps on her own."

Jasmine took an extra month to reach this stage of development than did Jeffrey. But now there are two... two against two. The balance of power has stabalized within the Spurling household. Please pray for us.

CONGRATULATIONS JASMINE JUDY!

Quality Parenting

I've always known my fortune to have parents like I have. Whereas they are not perfect, I've never been able to complain about the Christian witness that they have demonstrated to me. I'm in a culture... [let's be real] I'm in a day and age where the generations coming after me, by and large, have not been afforded the quality of parents that I have enjoyed.

After their visit to Paraguay, Pastor Daniel shared at prayer meeting that he was encouraged by them. Even though they could not communicate using the language, he was encouraged by their demeanor. He mentioned that my father put him at ease.

My favorite passage in the Bible is Hebrews 12. Initially I clung to this passage because of the imagery of running that is given in the first several verses. After awhile I read further on and continue to be encouraged by the remaining verses.

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it" (Hebrews 12:7-11).

I thank God for my parents, because I know that their decisions concerning me were made as they thought it was for the best (and most often their discipline was wise beyond their experience with such a ne’er-do-weller as I was). When I complain today about my "difficulties" I should be quickly ashamed because God's discipline (my hardships) have been shown to be for my good, that I might share in His holiness.

Thanks mom and dad for your on-going testimonies and know that it is not going unnoticed by those who come in contact with you (even if you can't speak the language).

Thank you for your support. We are TEAM!

Finally, an UPDATE!

Haven't posted for several weeks... we've been busy.

Since the last post ...

• ... we continued with our ministry responsibilities (which included a preaching opportunity),
• ... we enjoyed a retreat with our missionary team (including our regional directors),
• ... we prepared for the arrival of my parents (painting the kitchen and the guest room),
• ... we enjoyed a two week visit from my parents (which was a time in which my parents ministered greatly to our family).

Ministry Update:

1. Cell groups continue to be a primary focus of our ministry. Currently we are transitioning the adult group to multiply itself into two separate groups by the new year.
2. Attendance continues to be holding firm at around 75 people per week. Pray that during the holiday season we can increase that number with new believers.
3. Fund raising: The church raised their percentage of the total amount needed to make the improvements to our facilities (new signage, a multi-media projector, new carpeting, curtains, and paint). Thank you to all the churches and individuals who have partnered with us in raising the additional funds to accomplish this blessing. If anyone is still interested in partnering with us we still need to raise a few hundred dollars more on the U.S. side. You can write me to learn more (thespurlings@yahoo.com).
4. Karen and my mother held a women's outreach (side-note: if you are going to visit we are going to put you to work [smile]). The women of the church and their invitees made festive plates that will be used to gift something to a special friend.
5. I preached for our missions Sunday service. The people continue to encourage me in my ability with the language, telling me that each time I speak is better than the time before. I'm waiting for the time that they don't say anything about my language abilities and make more comments on the content. At that point I'll know that my abilities are at a good level.

Mission Retreat:
October 19–22 our missions team traveled to the city of Encarnación and enjoyed a time of retooling lead by our regional leadership couple, Bill and Ann Mangham. As well as receiving edification through the materials presented and the time invested in relationship we were able to see the Jesuit ruins.

These ruins are the result of the evangelical determination of the priests of the Society of Jesus to convert the Guarani Indians, inhabitants of this region, to Christianity. This attempt did not produce the expected results so the priests decided to live with the Indians in reducciones (settlements of converted Indians). You can view a Hollywood dramatization of this time period by renting The Mission starring Robert Deniro.

Preparation for Parents:
With a desire to make my parents as comfortable as possible we set about fixing up the place a little bit. We painted the kitchen, the guest bedroom and the pool (and then filled the pool). We installed hot water in the downstairs bathroom shower. And most importantly we installed an air conditioner in the guest bedroom. As my parents stepped off the plane into the 100 degree+ weather they were not sure how they were going to survive.

Two Week Visit:
Thankfully God's grace manifested itself afresh with my parents. The only 100+ day was the day they arrived. The air conditioner was only used that first day. Needless to say they never made it into the 65 degree waters of our swimming pool.

We took three days and traveled to Brazil so that we could see the waterfalls at Iguaçu. But most of our time was spent in normal ministry activity and quality time around town and in the house.

The best experience of the visit for me was to see Jeffrey and Jasmine relate to my folks. I'm waiting to hear Jeffrey get up this morning searching for Grammy and Pa.

It's sad to say good-bye. But it is a blessing to know that we have parents that support us 100% in what we are doing. They have played a major role in what we are doing for Christ.

This has been a rather lengthy update. But now you are UP-TO-DATE.

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