For those unaware, our flight home last night was canceled due to volcanic ash in the air. We are now booked on a flight for Monday night and hope that the ash will clear for us to be home on Tuesday morning. Now, we have the fortunate misfortune of being stranded in Buenos Aires for a few days.

We are making the best the situation. Thankfully, our hotel is not booked and so we were able to retain our rooms. Also, Tiby, one of the translators, is able to stay with us through Monday.

Yesterday, we did a tour of the city and last night I spoke to a group of Brazilian college students who have a worship service every Friday night led by the Sosas.

If you would, please pray for the ash to clear on Monday.

God Bless,

Mark

Found this sign several blocks away from the Casa de Amistad. This sign demonstrates that when we are in the US that outreach continues in the Casa de Amistad.

Yesterday, we met as a group and headed for breakfast at about 9:30.

Nestor and I headed back to the hotel to get a new projector that we brought for the Casa de Amistad.  After taking that and a few other things to the casa, we headed to two houses but no one was home.

We then had lunch and met up with Sabrina and her group.  They went to a house from the November trip and met with an adult daughter, mom and grandmother.  They talked for two hours – one was universalist and the other two were catholic.  Sabrina said it was a great visit (they drank mate’) and answered their questions about the Bible and Christianity.

Together we headed over to a lady’s house, Isabel, that Dad and I met in March.  She asked us to go to where her husband works and visit with him about the gospel.  So all of us went to his work (he owns a car “dealership”) and spent about an hour with him.  I shared my faith story and the gospel and we listened to his story.  His car dealership was successful until the economy went bad and then some of his workers stole a few of his cars.

We talked about turning to Christ in the midst of troubles.  This man, Mario, didn’t “make a decision” for Christ but listened attentively and asked questions.  Hopefully, I will get to see him again this week and visit further.

After that meeting, Sabrina’s team went on their way and Nestor and I went on our own.  Nestor and I walked to another home from a previous trip.  The lady was home and so we set an appointment for today (Wednesday).  After that I was exhausted and so we went to a cafe and made some phone calls.  We now have appointments today including one with Irma Soto – an evangelistic lady who lives in the neighboring barrio of Villa Ortuzar.

Nestor and I had to head back to the hotel to grab the computer to show the movie at the Casa de Amistad.  We took a taxi there and a train ride back.  The train was an experience because it was so full.   Nestor and I had to push our way on and off!

The team and the Sosas were at the Casa when we arrived.  We started to set up for the movie including setting up the new projector.  It is fantastic – very clear picture even in full light.

Only two families showed up for the movie.  My worry is that it is too cold for parents to send kids to the Casa but we are praying for more to arrive tonight.  After the movie, Sally shared her faith story and did a great job.

After the movie, Berta Sosa had dinner for us ready at the casa de amistad.  She served chicken chili over rice and it was excellent.

Ashlie, Sally and Marcelo (the new translator) said that they led someone to Christ yesterday!

Today we are breaking up into teams again and will show another movie (Veggie Tales) tonight at the Casa de Amistad.

Please pray for:

• Hearts open to the gospel
• For people to be home
• For several to come tonight to the Casa de Amistad to see the movie and hear the gospel.

Team outside the US embassy

Yesterday morning we arrived in Buenos Aires after leaving DFW on Sunday night.  For the most part, the flight was uneventful except that Sabrina and Aidan Lindsey had the joys of sitting behind someone being ugly and confrontational to the flight attendant.

We arrived at the hotel where Manuel Sosa waited for us to arrive.  This trip we are trying a new hotel and so far the experience is positive.

After meeting up with two of the translators (a third, Nestor met up with us last night), we went to lunch and then to the Casa de Amistad.

Essentially, the day that we arrive is usually one where we rest to make up for the lost sleep on the plane, acclimate to the time difference, and have an orientation.  But because our trip was shortened we hit the ground running.

From the Casa de Amistad, our group split up into teams.  I went with Sabrina, Aidan and Tiby while Sally Cope, Ashlie Duncan and Marcelo (the translator) went together.

My group was able to meet with several people we met on previous trips and set appointments for today (Wednesday).  One lady that my Dad and I met in March, Isabell, was especially glad to see us and we plan to go with her today to share the gospel with her husband.  Quickly, time ran out and we met back at the Casa de Amistad.

The team was worn out and so we decided to head back to the hotel first and find a restaurant from there.  We headed to a major street to find a restaurant, but walked and walked and walked.  (part of our journey took us past the US embassy – we were jokingly hoping for fireworks because of the 4th but were sorely disappointed)

Finally, after basically making a circle, we found a restaurant about three blocks from our hotel.  After a sharing a great meal of Argentine pizza, we headed back to the hotel for bed.

Today, we are breaking into teams again for the afternoon and are going to appointments and to follow up with other contacts from previous trips.

Tonight, we are showing a movie at the Casa de Amistad with the goal of sharing the gospel through our faith stories at the conclusion of the movie.

Please pray:

• For people to be home and willing to meet with us.
• For our team to encourage the faith of those we led to Christ on previous trips
• For people to come tonight to the Casa de Amistad and hear the gospel

Pastor Tommy Teague and Mark Spence in Buenos Aires

Today we celebrate the life of our Pastor, Tommy Teague, at North Richland Hills Baptist Church.  Last Thursday Tommy transitioned from this life into the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.   Click here to read his obituary: Thomas Will Teague

It was about six years ago that I first started to interview for the missions and evangelism position at North Richland Hills Baptist Church.  For the previous two to three years, Tommy and I met on a regular basis as he poured his wisdom and knowledge into me as I was a struggling seminarian and youth pastor.

After meeting with Tommy and the executive pastor of NRHBC, Danny Roberts at the Olive Garden (Don’t worry Rita, I remember that Tommy ordered bread sticks without the added calories of the garlic butter topping), I was offered the job.

I started in September of 2005 and quickly realized how blessed I was to serve alongside Tommy.  One of the biggest blessings was his heart for the gospel – that it be spread among our community and among the nations.

Tommy and I went to India together with Gospel Harvesters International (GHI) in July of 2006.  Memories from this trip are some of my favorite of Tommy.  (his refusal to eat anything with curry… his mimicking an Indian accent while trying to order chicken… his concern about eating so many carbs!)

For several years, NRHBC sent mission teams all over the world, and in the subsequent months and years, Tommy and I started to talk about strategic partnerships.  This means that rather than go several locations in a year that we go to fewer locations (one or two) several times in a year.  From these conversations our partnership with the International Mission Board missionaries in Buenos Aires, Argentina was born in 2007.

I had the privilege of bringing Tommy to Buenos Aires with a mission team in June of 2009.  One of the prouder moments of ministry with Tommy was at a Bible study gathering mid-week of our trip.  We invited all of the Christians, new-believers and non-believer friends of ours to meet at a restaurant in our adopted barrio of Villa Ortuzar.  Over 45 Argentines came to the meeting and heard the testimony of one of our church members.  Tommy was amazed at the fruit of the ministry and was a great encouragement for the work to continue.  (you can read more here: “Dios nos bendiga“)

On Sunday night, I am leaving with a mission team of 5 from NRHBC.  We were supposed to leave tonight, but with the funeral today we decided that it would be best for our team to be at church on Sunday.

Two from the mission team, Sabrina and Aidan, were with Tommy on his last day on earth while on a trip to Israel.  Their memories of him will last for a life time.

It is our fervent desire to continue the mission that God gave to us and that Tommy so richly believed in – to share the gospel in our community and in the nations.  Please pray for our church, NRHBC, as we experience a time of mourning.  We will be sad for a time but we look forward to what God is going to do through our church.

Please pray for the mission team of Sally Cope, Ashlie Duncan, Sabrina and Aidan Lindsey and Mark Spence as we share the gospel and disciple the Argentines who live in our adopted barrios of Chacarita and Villa Ortuzar.

Tommy frequently quoted the following verse and I think that at this time the words of God through Paul are most-apt.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” Ephesians 3:20-21

Feel free to leave your favorite memory of Pastor Tommy in the comment section below.

It is encouraging that while we are in Texas, the ministry and outreach at the Casa de Amistad (House of Friendship) continues.  Below is a report and pictures from Manuel Sosa about an outreach event hosted at the Casa de Amistad.

We had a great turnout and especially folks from Barrio Norte to help.  We needed the
help because we rented an inflatable castle for the kids, sound equipment
and the stage.  There were drinks, empanadas, chori pans, coffee and
pastries for sale at a very low cost so people in the community could afford
them.  We gave a lot away to people who could not buy.  All in all it was a
good event so people in the barrio could see we are open plus there was some
gospel presentations and we made the classes we are teaching known to the
folks too.  Everyone enjoyed the laid back atmosphere we had that afternoon
and after some heavy rains a couple of days before we had a sunny cool day.

(Click on the pictures to enlarge them)

Daniela’s first day of school Feb 2011

Jason and Kelli Frealy are IMB missionaries to Buenos Aires.  They are one of our primary partners on the ground in Buenos Aires.  I have replicated their newsletter in full for you to have an update on their work, family life and prayer requests.

People

Jose Luis and Melina did not continue meeting during the time we were in the States.  They noticed the lack of Bible study in their lives and want to get back on track.  Please pray for their family to return to regular time in God’s Word, as well as for their new baby (number 3), due in November.

Alicia continues to be a great friend to Kelli.  Recently, she heard the gospel clearly presented…again.  Please pray that God’s truth will take root in her heart.

One of our faithful North Richland Hills volunteers has, over repeat trips, developed a relationship with Yuly.  As a single mom of four children, Yuly struggles mightily with drug addiction.  Thankfully, we have found a Christian rehab center that will take on Yuly and the children for an extended time to help them recover.  To be accepted, she has to have some mandatory medical analyses.  Please pray for Yuly, that through the fog of substance abuse she can still complete the steps to go to rehab.

Lucas, David, Fernando, Juan Cruz.  Jason has shared the Gospel with these four young men in the neighborhood, including how his own life was radically changed by Christ at about their same age.  Please pray for their hearts to open to repent and believe the good news!

Iglesia Bautista Villa Pueyrredón

IBVP continues to thrive under Pastor José, and they recently held a church-wide retreat.  Jason has been given a great opportunity to teach a two-part sermon on evangelism at the church.  In mid-April, he shared on spiritual disciplines for the believer; please pray for him as he shares on personal evangelism on May 8.

Big Changes for our Family

As we have shared before, our organization has been undergoing a massive transition in our region over the past year-and-a-half.  Our job (church planting in Buenos Aires) was slated to end by 2014.

Thankfully, God has provided a wonderful opportunity for our family!  Lord willing, our family will be moving to Córdoba, Argentina this coming January.  Córdoba is Argentina’s second-largest city, with around 1.3 million people.  We will be working with area churches and believers, connecting them to U.S. churches and believers to start new works throughout Córdoba.

Please pray for the details of our move: a home to live in, a school for the kids, and the logistics of moving a houseful of stuff along with three kids aged six and under!  Please pray also for churches in Argentina and in the USA to have a God-given desire to work together to see new works in Córdoba!

Coghlan/University Project

Next month, a colleague is welcoming a team of university students from California.  We hope to work with them to distribute gospels of John in barrio Coghlan, as well as work in a university campus.

Family

Daniela has gotten settled at her new school, Buenos Aires English High School.  She particularly enjoys going to the school library, playing on the playground, and attending tap dance class once a week.  Nicholas continues to be very active—he loves running, jumping, climbing, and wrestling.  His current favorite things are Elmo, tacos, and donuts.  Baby Michael is on track for a late June delivery.  We are so thankful for such a healthy pregnancy!

Baby Michael is breached, so we might be looking at a C-section in June if he doesn’t turn around soon!

Join with me in praying for the Frealy Family!