February 2017 Prayer Letter

Dear Friends and Family,

Last month was a very busy month, but a profitable one. Every Sunday, we are always packed in Sunday School. Over the last few months, Jeremy has preached on the importance of serving in the local church. Several members expressed desire to begin helping as teachers and assistants in Sunday School. We conducted two training sessions to prepare them to teach the kids classes. We now have several new people who are beginning to serve. The ladies from our church attended a ladies conference in another Baptist church in the next city over. It was a blessing to many. Jeremy stayed busy preaching both in the San Marcos church plant as well as another nearby local baptist church. Near the end of the month, we held a church business meeting and the church voted to increase the salary of the national pastor and appoint the first deacon. God is blessing and strengthening His church! We also discussed plans to be begin moving forward on the purchase of nearby lot of land where we hope to construct our first church building. Jeremy also worked on several other things, including acquiring the documentation needed to extend our legal residency.

As for our family, we stayed pretty busy getting settled into our new house. Slowly, but surely, our house is coming together. We prepared for big changes as Lila was preparing to begin kindergarten and Ellowyn was preparing for preschool. We had hoped that Ellowyn was ready for school. As we went to pick her up at the end of her first day, she not only said that she did not cry, but actually asked if she could stay longer! One day at church, the girls made bracelets with different colored beads to represent the Gospel. Lila not only could explain the gospel quite well, but also wanted to tell everyone she could! We are so proud of our girls! Last month was pretty difficult for Michelle, as she felt pretty sick most of the time due to the pregnancy. Every night, we pray for for her and the health and development of the new baby.

This month, we intend to make some very big decisions, particularly regarding the steps moving forward for the church plant. Our goal, from the beginning, was to plant a self-sustaining, indigenous, baptist church. The national pastor whom we are partnered with is doing a great job, and we are thankful for all God has done each step of the way. We look forward to making several transitions as we approach our first furlough next year. This month, please pray:

1. That God will continue to help Michelle and our new baby through the pregnancy.

2. That God will continue to save souls and build His church here in Nicaragua.

3. That God will help our residency extension process to go smoothly.

In Christ,

Jeremy, Michelle, Lila, and Ellowyn Blanz