September 2019 Prayer Letter

Dear Friends and Family,

We hope that this letter finds you doing well! It's hard to believe how quickly the time passes. Jeremy continued focusing on visiting and building relationships. We have seen many visitors and many who have begun coming off and on. Last month, we saw three people profess to receive Christ as their Lord and Savior. Michelle has been busy working in the nursery, teaching kids classes, and also organizing a mother's day banquet. She gave the message to the ladies and it was a blessing for many. Our church also held it's first soccer event. It was a good fun activity for the church and also a way to build relationships with newer members and others in the community. At the end of the month, the missionary who started the church plant returned. We will now be able to adjust ministry roles, share the preaching and teaching, and Jeremy will be able to focus a little more on evangelism and outreach. We intend to continue with them until around the end of the year to help grow and strengthen the church. In the meantime, we have been hearing great news from the church we started with Bro. Berner in Nicaragua. Last month, they celebrated their 4th anniversary. Pastor Berner told Jeremy that about 12-15 people that regularly serve in visitation and about 20 people serve in the church ministries each Sunday. There are also 3 church plants being started by men out of that church. One of them recently celebrated their 1 year anniversary. We hope that God will bless our ministry here in Costa Rica to the same degree!

As for our family, we are doing well. We have had a few sicknesses, but thankfully a much smoother month than the previous one. Michelle has been staying busy in the church and also helping out with some events in the school of Lila and Ellie. She has been able to build some relationships with some of the mothers. Jeremy tries to visit with other men from the church when possible, but sometimes they have to cancel. Last Saturday, Lila went visiting with him. In the latter half of the month, the church was in a bit of a trial. We had to focus and work to resolve the situation, but we are thankful that God is bringing the church out of it. Jesus will build His church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it.

This month, please pray:

1. That God will open doors, open hearts, and save souls!

2. That God will strengthen His church in Atenas.

3. That God will lead as we make plans for our next church plant in San Pablo, Heredia.

In Christ,

Jeremy, Michelle, Lila, Ellowyn, and Elijah Blanz