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:

In the Amazon, most transportation is either by water or air. Motorcycles are beginning to be used a great deal great in the towns, and now even to more remote places. The problem with land transportation is how to get of the millions of creeks, rivers, and wet places. Well, the home-made bridges didn't stop us from heading out to Santa Rita, where we preached to over 100 people in that little village. One member told me that he rows his canoe 2 1/2 hours one way to church every Sunday, and the same back.... woe is me for complaining of Sao Paulo traffic.

By the way, the 3 and 1/2 hour boat ride from Tabatinga to Benjamin Constant was great. The Hall family, cut with a chainsaw, rough wooden canoe churned the waters of the mighty Amazon just fine.

Many ask if Charity Maria travels with us to such far off places. Well, she just loved learning new things, being in new places, and making new friends. The Hall kids were great companions. Even the monkey liked her....who wouldn't.



Charity is 6, going on 16. She has such a tender heart. She enjoys hearing her daddy preach, or least she says so.

Teaching, preaching, sharing....



Three weeks was such a short time. The harvest is ready.... just plain ole hard work to get it done.

New Friends - old friends: We have known the Hall family for over 20 years. Diana and I sang in their wedding. The newest family members quickly became aquainted with us, and we fit right in. We also enjoyed getting to know pastors from both Tabatinga and Benjamin Constant.




Charity Maria and Amy also became good friends.

Thanks Barry and Vania for taking such good care of us, and for making us a part of your family.

More pics from Tabatinga, Amazonas

Diana does such a wonderful job teaching, and making friends.

The local pastor's association sponsored the final weekend in the largest church in the city, The Assemblies of God church auditorium. Over 100 youth attended the special session for youth. we are talking about small interior towns in the Amazon.