April 26, 2010 – “Mercado Quatro” is one of the many business sections located in a very old part of Asuncion, Paraguay. It is divided into specific quadrants of like trades and merchants. There is a street where they only sell furniture, there is another that only sells fruits and vegetables, and yet another where one can purchase cloths. This is very different from our American way of shopping where we have our Home Depots or Walmarts to get almost anything we want in one stop. As I walked down one of the streets of like merchants, I began to think of many old cities that were divided into sections. Most commercial cities of Biblical times where built this way. I developed a picture in my mind of Paul sitting among his fellow tradesmen making tents in the section of town where those type of merchants would be found (Acts 18:3). I imagined him sitting there working and preaching the Gospel to everyone with whom he came into contact. It was a refreshing reminder of why I am here in Asuncion.
April 7, 2010 -Team Asuncion is getting things organized and making plans. We have team meetings every Tuesday afternoon to develop our plans and check on our progress.
March 27, 2010 - "Aprendiendo Español" Learning the language and the culture! What a joy it has been to get to learn a new language in the country where it is spoken. Josh, Cara, Andrea, and I are all taking Spanish language classes 3 hours a day for 5 days a week in order to learn the language properly. Then, after classes are over and we walk out the door, the learning continues as we try to use what we have learned while going about our regular daily activities within the city. Everyone is usually very kind, patient, and willing to help (even though they still talk really fast).
This is the MAIN FOCUS for the team, right now. Learning the language typically takes one about 8 months to a year to be proficient. Without being able to comunicate well with those around us it can be very difficult to be an effective servant in the Lord's kingdom here in Paraguay. Please, keep us in your prayers for our language proficiency!
March 19, 2010 - This is a picture of the current mission team in Asuncion, Paraguay. Also in the picture are Jerry and Gail Heidrich. They are missionaries from Brazil who help teams all over South America. The purpose of our time with Jerry and Gail was to help integrate new team members with those who have been here serving by teaching how to improve team dynamics and communication, as well as, assisting in focusing our strategies and efforts. Not only did we accomplish these goals, but we discovered more about ourselves, our marriages, and our fellow workers. It was evident that God brought Jerry and Gail to us at the perfect time in our work.
Chris had this to say about the workshop, "I have been involved with four or five similar workshops over the years. This, in my opinion, was the most encouraging, constructive, and relevant workshop I have been a part of as a missionary." The workshop covered about four days and was a wonderful help for the team. We are thankful that God has provided such talented workers as the Heidrichs to help missionaries in the field. The team feels much stronger and closer now.
L-R are Vickie and Chris Fry, Gail and Jerry Heidrich, Cara and Josh Blackmer, Alba and Perry Hardin, Andrea and Troy Spradlin.
March 2, 2010 - We would like to ask everyone to keep Enoch and Laura Rinks in their prayers as they are leaving today to return to the United States. Enoch has been working with the Avenida Sacramento Iglesia de Cristo for more than 6 years. He and Laura were married in 2008. He will begin working with Continent of Great Cities upon their return. Thank you, Enoch and Laura for your service in Asuncion. We wish you both God speed and safe travels.
February 21, 2010 - We are so thankful for our team mates who already have mission and cultural experience here in Paraguay. They are Chris and Vickie Fry, Enoch and Laura Rinks, and Perry and Alba Hardin. It would be difficult to imagine how difficult it must have been to get acclimated when they first arrived here. We have had the blessing of their help in getting our housing set up, negotiating contracts, securing various services, and doing the like. It has allowed us to expedite the process by a large degree. It would be extremely difficult trying to accomplish all this without their assistance. In the meantime, they are continuing to progress with the work while we “new arrivals” get acclimated with the language and culture. Once we are up to speed and have been “grafted” into the congregation, then we will assume several responsibilities. Eventually the original team members will return to the states and the rest of us will continue on. They planted, we are watering, and from there, God gives the increase.
February 18, 2010 - The entire team is currently egaged in Spanish language study. Troy already has some proficiency in Spanish, so he joined in with Cara and Josh's class, (who have been studying since September), and Andrea began a new class from the beginning. The team studies for three hours every morning, Monday through Friday, and the teachers come to their home. Please, keep the team's language study in your prayers!
February 14, 2010 - The brethren at the Avenida Sacramento Iglesia de Cristo presented Andrea and me with our very own "equipo" and a bunch of yerba mate as a welcoming gift.
Sipping Yerba Mate is a Paraguayan tradition. Almost everywhere you go, you will see many people carrying around their "equipo" and refreshing themselves with the summer-time version called "Terere." They have been doing it for centuries.
An "equipo" has a "bombilla" (a perforated straw for sipping), a guampa (a cup), and a thermos (for cold or hot water). After you prepare your guampa with the mate of your choice, you simply pour a little water into the cup, sip it through your bombilla, then repeat. It takes a little getting used to, but it is indeed, quite refreshing!
February 9, 2010 - This is what Andrea and I missed getting to see because our plane was late! Our flight was cancelled and we were stuck in Bolivia for about 48 hours which made us very late for arriving in Paraguay. By the time we finally arrived, Josiah had cried twice and finally decided he wasn't going back to the airport anymore because he was afraid we would never come. It's bad enough getting stuck while traveling, but it's just heartbreaking knowing we missed out on what could have been such a hearty welcome!
February 8, 2010 - This past Sunday we made a short video that provides a glimpse into a morning of Bible study and worship here at the Avenida Sacramento Iglesia de Cristo. Click HERE to go the page with the video.
February 6, 2010- Here is a link to a really nice article that Randal Matheny wrote about our relocation to Paraguay in the Brotherhood News.
February 3, 2010 - Just wanted to let everyone know that we are doing great! We hit the ground running and are getting a little bit settled in. We have started the paperwork process to get our car registered and to get driver's licenses. They do things quite differently here. For example, a notary public basically handles all the legal stuff like tags, title, and plates. Even the inspection process was quite an experience. We are also working on getting our cell phones turned on. The next things on our list are getting insurance (car and health), then residency papers, and looking for a place to live.
Here is a little "Hola de Paraguay" video clip we made of the team reunited and ready to go to work:
February 2, 2010 - Here is a video of a young man being baptized who had been studying with Enoch. His name is Raul Riveros and he decided to obey the Gospel this past Tuesday.
January 29, 2010 – the moment we have been waiting for! Andrea and I are flying out of Miami International Airport today to join with our team mates, Josh and Cara. We are so excited and thankful the time has arrived to finally begin our mission work.
January 1, 2010 - Happy New Year! We pray that each and everyone of you has a blessed and happy new year.
This is a year the team has been working toward for more than three years. It has finally arrived! Lot's of things are happening this month. The shipping container will be released for shipping around January 15th, or so. Troy and Andrea's last Sunday at Margaret Street will be January 17th. Their last Sunday at Palm Beach Lakes will be January 24th. They will board the plane for Paraguay on January 29th. Lord willing!
December 20, 2009 - Here is a video produced by the team in Asuncion about the history of the church in Paraguay. It is told by brother Ike Yegros.
December 13, 2009 - Troy and Andrea Spradlin received a check for $8,000 from the Bell Trust Foundation to go towards their "One Time / Relocation" expenses! They are now fully funded toward their targeted budget!
November 1, 2009 - Sacremento Street Iglesia de Cristo held services in their new facility! The lease was about to expire at the end of October on their original location and the congregation needed a new place to worship. The new facility is just a few blocks down the street from the former location. The church also plans to purchase this new property and develop it.
Read more information about the property in the special edition of the
October 1, 2009- click for the latest edition of the Spradlin Summary
September 30, 2009 - The Blackmers have secured a place to live, a vehicle, and .... a puppy!
September 7, 2009 - Blackmer's begin Spanish language study courses
September 1, 2009 - The Blackmer family has officially relocated to Asuncion, Paraguay! Josh called and said the adjustment has been exciting and challenging, but they are thrilled to finally be in the field and beginning their work. Keep them in your prayers!
August 9, 2009 - Spradlin's have successfully relocated to Milton, FL
July 25, 2009- Josh, Cara, and the kids are back in Florida for the final time before departing for Paraguay on September 1.
Troy and Andrea are packing their belongings to relocate to Milton, FL to begin working with Margaret Street congregation until their departure date in January 2010.
July 12, 2009 - Graduation Day for Troy from SWSBS
Troy received his Diploma of Biblical Studies and Andrea received her Certificate of Women's Bible Studies. Below is a short video clip of the weekend activities.
July 2009 - Josh traveling to complete final agreements with several supporters in Arkansas and Tennessee area
June 2009 - Josh and Cara have completed their planned fundraising trip and will be back in Florida to begin final preparations for relocating to Asuncion
May 4, 2009 - Troy begins his final quarter of studies at Southwest School of Bible Studies (SWSBS) - Austin, TX
May 2009 - Blackmer family is 100% funded! God is good!
April 2009 - two brotherhood publications featured the Paraguay mission work in their distribution
WE'RE IN THE NEWS!
(Click on the pictures to see or download the articles)
April - May 09 - Josh, Cara, and the children are traveling in Texas, Tennessee, Ohio, Iowa, and Kentucky to raise funds for their departure date: September 2009.
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