Dear
Friends and Family,
Happy
New Year! We hope that you had a Merry Christmas and a great start to
the new year. Last month was an extra busy month for us. Aside from
normal visitation, evangelism, preaching, and teaching Children's
church, we had a couple special events. First, we did a Christmas
event for the children. Besides all of the activities, every child
received a gift. We saw about 65 people for this event. In our normal
church services, we are close to max capacity at every service, and
we are seeing greater commitment from those who attend. The
neighbors, who have allowed us to use their covered porch area for a
children's class, have expanded the area and are allowing us to hold
services there with greater seating capacity. For the end of the
year, we did a special service with a meal afterward. We were blown
away when we maxed out the new larger area with approximately 90-95
people. The Lord is doing a great work here in San Marcos, and he has
opened doors in a neighboring city named Diriá. We are hosting
evangelistic services there about every other week. We are seeking
the Lord's guidance in the first church plant as well as praying
about our next steps in Diriá.
Last
month, we celebrated our first Christmas in Nicaragua. We started the
day reading the Biblical account of the very first Christmas. Each
year, Lila and Ellowyn learn a little bit more about how and why
Jesus left heaven to be born a child. They also enjoyed opening
presents! Most importantly, we focus upon God's gift to us- Jesus
Christ. While the people here celebrate Christmas very late on the
night of Christmas Eve, we keep some old traditions and adopt some
new ones. We made a somewhat traditional dinner and had a couple
friends come over for dinner. We had a couple car problems, but
thankfully we were able to get them both resolved without spending a
lot of money.
We
are so thankful for those who pray for us and support us on a regular
basis. Thank you to all who send special Christmas offerings. That is
a big blessing! This month, will you please pray for the following:
1.
That the Lord continue to grow and strengthen our first church plant.
2.
That the Lord give us guidance in the new work in Diriá.
3.
That the Lord continue to save souls here in San Marcos, Nicaragua.
4.
That the Lord continue to mature each saved person in the faith.
In
Christ,
Jeremy,
Michelle, Lila, and Ellowyn Blanz
