Friday, February 26, 2016

March 2016 Prayer Letter

Dear Friends and Family,

As always, there is much to do in the Lord's work. Here in Nicaragua, we have stayed busy working and trusting the Lord to strengthen His church. We have continued in visitation and evangelism, and Michelle has recently started a kids choir practice on Wednesday nights. For valentines day, we did a special service and focused upon the love of Jesus Christ in our families. For many, it was a blessing and encouragement. One faithful youth in our church recently enrolled in the three year Baptist Bible Institute in preparation for ministry. It is exciting to see young people with a heart for the ministry. Berner, the national pastor with whom we are working, will be taking a three week trip, so we will be working even harder over this next month. Over this next month or so, we will be doing a series on Biblical Stewardship. We believe that God will continue blessing and strengthening the church. We are also working to accommodate a medical missions trip in the coming months as well. We are planning for our first Baptismal service as well.

As for the family, we are keeping busy as well. This month, Lila started school for the first time here in Nicaragua. Despite differences in culture and language, she is doing pretty well. We pray that God will help her to flourish here in her new school. Ellowyn is now spending a bit more time without her sister, but it is good for her development. Last month, something very exciting happened. We have now completed the residency process and finally have our residency approved with government IDs. Praise the Lord! This now means that there are several other things we now have to do, but this is one big step in the right direction!

Last month, we requested prayer for our health. Thankfully, we are all doing better. Thank you for praying. This last month, God answered a personal prayer. I have been praying for God to provide land and a building for the church, and God has already begun putting it in the hearts of some to help with this need. God is good! This month, will you please pray:

1. For God to continue strengthening the church and saving souls in Berner's absence.
2. That God will provide every need for us to buy land and a building in His timing.
3. That God will lead Lila and help her to flourish in her new classes.

In Christ,
Jeremy, Michelle, Lila, and Ellowyn Blanz

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

February 2016 Prayer Letter

Dear Friends and Family,

Last month was an exciting month and great start to the new year. A ladies ministry named “Women of the Well” came to do a ladies conference at our church. Though we had little time to prepare, there was a great turnout of near 100 ladies and children and many were edified in the faith. We practiced the “Lord's Supper” as well as a special birthday service for pastor Berner. It was probably our highest normal attendance yet. Next month, we are planning a baptismal service, and there are several candidates ready to take this step of obedience. In our visiting, we saw 8 individuals who made the decision to place their faith in Christ alone for salvation as well as one young man who rededicated his life to the Lord. The Lord has been strengthening the church in number and maturity. There are several more who are beginning to tithe and serve in various capacities. In the neighboring city of DiriĆ”, we are continuing to hold evangelistic services, and one young man has decided to continue this work as a church plant. Please pray for this.

While we are very busy in the ministry, we have a very busy familiy life too. We are presently still in the residency process, and take 3 trips to the migration office each month. We have also had to deal with minor car problems and it will need three days in the garage to get repairs from the accident that happened 1-2 months ago. We have enjoyed becoming more involved in life here in Nicaragua. We were invited to the birthday party of one of our daughters friends. It is a great opportunity to get to know the people more on a personal level. Near the end of the month, we took a couple days to help out some other missionaries who recently arrived here in Nicaragua. We know how difficult it can be, and are thankful to be able to help others as they get started in the work here. At the end of the month, Ellowyn and Lila both came down with a sickness of some sort. Please pray for them.

As always, we are so thankful to have churches and individuals who pray for us monthly. This month, will you please pray for the following?
1. The health of our family (particularly for Lila and Ellowyn)
2. That the Lord will raise up laborers here in our church to expand the ministry
3. That the Lord will continue to direct our ministry in the Lord's work in Nicaragua.

In Christ,
Jeremy, Michelle, Lila, and Ellowyn Blanz