MERRY CHRISTMAS
& HAPPY NEW YEAR
from the Brazil Turleys.

Our prayer is that you will find Love, Joy, Peace, Kindness, Brotherly love, and Self-control in JESUS CHRIST, and that in the New Year you will continue to abide in the Love, Joy, Peace, Kindness, Love, and Self-control, that only Jesus Christ can give.

Enjoy the picture of Hayden, 10 months, in the card sent by Joshua and Jessica.

On November 20 and 30, 2007, I, Tom, had the time of my life. First, let me say that I grew up with Southern Gospel music. I cut my teeth on fine quartet harmonies, studied gospel music at the Stamps-Baxter School of Music, and sang back-up with JD Sumner and the Stamps Quartet (Live at Murray State album, 1975). My Grandpa Case taught shape note music in the hills of West Virginia; around Duck, to be exact, using the old song books. I have been around quartets, chiors, and such, that one might think that I would not venture out of my "genre".

Well, on the mentioned dates, I not only "ventured" out, but I plunged right in the middle of a style that, I must confess, had little knowledge of - REGGAE. And was I in for a surprise.

The Reggae Band, CHRISTAFARI, did a one night special presentation for our church on Nov 20. Our pastor, Carlito Paes, later told me that the church has never had so many lost, un-churched people in attendance at one time. The jam packed, 3000 plus crowd (we turned away over 1000) was in for a treat as the award winning, CHRISTAFARI band did a three hour, 25 song program, that left us all singing and swaying reggae by the end of the night.

But the most spectacular thing was how the gospel presentation was weaved into the music thru personal testimonies, and the lyrics to the songs. I translated for lead vocalist Mark Mohr, also founder of the band. His testimony, and gospel presentation was so powerful; so "right-on", that I was deeply impressed. Not only was I impressed with the "word", but the influence of the word. At the end of the program 55 first time salvation decisions were made for Jesus Christ. WOW!!!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!!

Mark invited me to accompany the band on their 3 week tour of Brazil, but I already had a family seminar scheduled, plus a few days planned with the family to celebrate our 26th wedding anniversary. I did spend one day with them at the beach.

Several of the 11 band members are avid surfers, and they wanted to surf Brazil. What blew me away was the fact that in every surf shop we looked in, trying to rent boards, the band was immediately identified. Even after the beach, I took Avion Blackman, Mark's wife , bass player, and vocalist, into a store. The clerk that waited on us knew the band.

Well, needless to say, I felt really out of touch with reality, as these were lost people, not church people, whom were recognizing one of the most successful reggae bands of all times, and they are Christian. And I don't mean in name, but in deed. This band truely wants to glorify God with their lives. Later, in a news paper interview I translated, mark was asked what is the most important thing to the band. His response, "KEEP JESUS FIRST!"

On Nov. 30th, I did assist by translating for the band on thier LIVE in BRAZIL dvd recording. It was a special night in São Paulo, again, over 3000 people packed into a church, and again over 3 hours of music and testimony. Again, many decisions for Jesus Christ. By the way, my part will be edited out. The producers didn't want me translating anything at all. They wanted pure English, but Mark would not hear of it. He asked, "How will people be able to hear the gospel and be saved?"

If you would like to learn more about CHRISTAFARI, go to www.christafari.com , or to www.gospelreggae.com . You can read a blog that Mark Mohr posted at http://www.gospelreggae.com/news/all/78da33344a0600015d00c7/detail.html

I don't have many good pics, as my camera went haywire, but here are a few to give you an idea. By the way, I am beginning to understand what they are saying on their CDs, and I like it a lot...... smiles =)

The Brazil Turleys have had two very busy months in October & November, in part due to couples falling in love. Let me explain. You see, part of our local ministry at First Baptist in Sao Jose dos Campos is pre-maritial counseling, We began individual counseling with two couples in October, then added a third in November.

We married off one of the couples, Regina and Clementino. Tom had the honor to walk the bride, Regina, down the isle.

Charity Maria was bride's maid.


Counseling has always been an integral part of the discipleship of our ministry. Both Tom and Diana went thru a three day counseling seminar with Dr. Mike Wells, the last three days of October. It was an intense time, lots to think about -lots to learn. Tom translated a good part of the time. In some ways it makes it easier to learn, not only is the material being heard, but it is repeated at the same time.

We highly reccomend Mike's book Meandering in the Wilderness. It is serious reading for people serious about their faith. His web site is www.abidinglife.com. At the same time, look up www.abide.com.br. Tom and Diana teach some of this ministry's family material.

As part of a fact finding/gathering trip, Tom travelled to Manaus with the 1st Bapt. jr/sr high pastor, Yan. They attended an annual dating seminar put on by the Chapada Baptist Church. Tom also taught the second Sunday lesson for the Purpose Driven Life campaign at the same church. Here is the Sunday morning crowd.

On May, 2006, I blogged about the sale of our bus to a ministry in Southern Brazil called "PROJECT LIFE". Many have asked if I regret that sale. My response is a big, "no way!" Let me tell you, God is using that bus in ways I never dreamed of, and each month the director of that group, Paulo, sends me a report of activities. WOW! God is soooo good!

Paulo, and the Project Life folks, are so grateful for the bus, and the work we had done to it. They could have never afforded a bus like that for the symbolic price we sold it to them for. And Diana and I have no regrets.

If you could read Portuguese you would be amazed at what this ministry does. They actually have two buses, for two groups of teen volunteers, that will travel up to six months at a time doing presentations in schools, churches, and parks all over Brazil. Their up-beat Christian message with music, drama, and clowns, is to avoid drugs, sex, and drinking, and allow Jesus Christ to make a difference in your life. They also will set up free medical and dental clinics in poor areas, and give free haircuts during the day.

Check out their site at www.pvps.org.br

I am including some fotos of "our" old bus from off of thier website. Enjoy!!!!

The Brazil Turleys have had the opportunity to travel a good deal, sharing different topics along the way. for example, In Tabatinga, Amazonas we shared family seminars, both with Walk Thru the Bible and Diana's own How to Win Over Anger study.

In Manaus Tom went to share during a 40 Days of Purpose campaign, and learn from the youth ministries, there, about their Dating Workshop.

One of our favorite topics is still missions, however, and how missions is a lifestyle, not an organization nor campaign, nor event. Missions should be on the "Missions Statement" of every follower of Jesus Christ.

The River of Life Evangelical Church in São Caetano do Sul, Brazil, is a favorite of ours. We have preached there 03 times, and wow, what a church. This past Sunday I preached the closing of their first missions conference. Click on the poster they had made, and you will see that "Thomas Turkey" was the special speaker. That makes for a good laugh.

It is such a wonderful thing to "rest" in the Lord Jesus Christ; to know that all things work to our good, even those "bad" things, things we don't understand like: sickness, pain, accidents, grief, job loss, among other things. To know we are loved by Him, and that we can love Him because He first loved us.

I wish all of you could have been at the Abide Ministry- Brazil retreat these past few days. WOW! Mike Wells was a fantastic speaker. He challenged us to always keep Jesus Christ focused right up front, because if we don't our problems begin to look bigger than Him.

Mike's ministry, Abide, takes him all over the world. This is the second time we have heard him. Tom has translated for him in two events as well.

The setting was perfect , too - in the mountains at the Abide Brazil Training Center located at the Ebenezer Campground, in Campos do Jordão, Brazil.

The past two weeks have been very busy. Tom went to Manaus with Yan, youth minister in Sao Jose dos Campos, and Paulo, helicopter pilot- friend, to attend the OFICINA DO NAMORO (dating workshop) offered by the Chapada Baptist Church. WOW! What a time. Great music, dramas, interpretations, speaking... it was a a jam-packed Friday affair (holiday in Brazil) with over 1600 jr/sr highers. Sexual purity, commitment with Jesus Christ, and practical tips for a healthy friendship relationship were among the 9 hours of topics. Dr. David Hatcher, pastor of the church, says that youth are going to date no matter what you tell them. "I want to give them good solid advise that will help them remain pure during their dating," he adds.

Lord willing, Yan will bring some of these ideas to add to the 6 week study he is doing with the youth in Sao Jose dos Campos. Tom is also helping with research and practicle involvement, such as sharing with the parents of these teens.

Just this past weekend we spoke 3 times in Alfa Ville, Sao Paulo. Had a great time! Pedro and Marcela are great hosts, and we truely enjoy their freindship. This is one of 4 churches we are going to be working with as we help develpoe a sexual purity program, by Brazilians, to Brazilians. Pedro is also an elder in the church.

In the next days we will have had the opportunity to have preached, shared a testimony, and serve in many different ways, and places. Glad to hae this blog to try and share a few pics along the way.

Now I think that everyone will have to agree, that this young man is about the best looking grandson in the whole wide world, and let me tell you, since I live in a different country I can speak with authority -Hayden Thomas Turley (8 months old) is the best looking grandson in the world!!!!

Thanks Jessica and Joshua for the updated pic.

Many have asked about our son Joshua, and the new little Turley, Hayden Thomas. Well, here are some pics of Josh doing his thing at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, operating the sound board, and doing the tech services for "The Albert Mohler Show", every weekday. Joshua is literally ON THE AIR, Live, just about every day.
These are the last family pics we have of Hayden, just before we returned to Brazil in June. Was nice that both Great-Grandmas Murphy and Turley were in Louisville in May, 07, to see the little man.
Well, Josh tell us that he is growing, but to be honest, we haven't seen recent pics, so how about Josha nd Jessica. Can we have an up-date PLEASE!

Since our return, 5 months ago, we have searched for a specific direction to our ministry. We have sensed a change coming, but no clear word form God, as to what.

We have shared with Walk Thru the Bible BRAZIL, that we will continue to do family seminars, but on a reduced schedule. The jr-high pastor has asked for help with Sexual Abstinance teaching. What he didn't know is that 2 other churches have asked for similar teaching. I think we are heading in the right direction. Pray that we will contine to be led the right way.

October, November, and December will be busy months, as usual, with family seminars, and special youth services. What does 2008 hold in store.... only God knows.

DID I MENTION THAT I TURNED 50 on AUGUST 2. Thats right, the big five-O. It was a wonderful surprise sit-down supper party. Diana did a GREAT job surprizing me with a special slide presentation, and a recored word from my Mom and Joshua. Don't worry, we have a few pics, just in case you missed it.

Well, The Brazil Turleys have had an exciting 5 months back in Brazil. We just hi-lited the Amazon trip, but the previous months were just as exciting.

In June we looked for a place to call home, and God opened the doors to a 9th floor apartment. First time for us to experiment this life style. Takes some getting used to.

We also received a seminarian, John, from Alabama. He helped us move into the apartment THANKS JOHN! He also traveled with the 2 different groups we hosted. The pictures ar eof John in our new apartment.

The end of June we co-hosted an evangelistic outreach team from International Bibnle Baptist Church, Miami, FL. for a week of evangelism in a beach town called Praia Grande (Big Beach) WOW! what a time. By the way, you can check out their pictures at www.timeinternational.org click on pictures, then Sao Jose. There you will find pics of both teams from 2006 and 2007.

Right after the TIME Team, a small group from Saddleback Church, in California arrived for 2 weeks of intensive discipleship, with jr/sr-highers in 2 different churches.
We also traveled to Paraty, a quaint town in Rio, and visited a Brazilian missionary tha t has an interesting work. Check out the Saddleback team eport, and pics, at
www.osgd.net

Well, John was here with us with the 2 teams, and he even preached in the International English Church service. Charity treated him like a big brother.
Enjoy these pic, John.

The last week of our Amazon Adventure was a surprise, as a friend invited us to her ranch, in the interior of the jungle, for the September 7th holiday. We flew into Manaus from Tabatinga, spent the first night in our friend's home, then the rest happened....We really didn't know what to expect. I'll let the pics explain the rest.

First was the helicopter ride to the ranch...WOW!!!! I told you that travel in the Amazon is best either by river or by air.....

The ranch is like a 5 star hotel. The pool is huge, the fishing, either in the river, or the lake is fantastic....WOW!

The husband is not a follower of Jesus Christ, the wife is a dedicated Christian. Her desire was for us to accompany her for the long extended holiday weekend to witness to her husband. God opened many opportunities to share our faith. Please pray for "Mr Snow" (name withheld ) to repent of his sins and receive Jesus Christ.

In the previous post I mentioned that transportation in the Amazon is mostly by air or on the water. The Brazil Turleys flew 4 hours from Sao Paulo to Manaus (half way to Miami) {BRAZIL IS HUGE}, then another 2 hours to Tabatinga. Did I mention Brazil is huge?

We then traveled down the Amazon River to Benjamin Constant, and then back. We drove The Hall family mini-van into Colombia, all five minutes of the drive. We enjoyed some of he finer things in Colombia. Will not go into the politics of why Colombia is much nicer, and cheaper. We were never in danger of being kidnapped, as far as we know. We never were fearful, nor sensed danger. We had a blast, to tell the truth.

Check out some more modes of transport pics: