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
