This last month has been chock full of activity, and we are glad to be able to share about all the great things the Lord is doing. Our main focus last month was to work in preparation for our upcoming church plant in San Marcos, Nicaragua. We have are renting a house that will serve as the church's first location. After much cleaning, painting, electrical work, and the purchase of banners, chairs, etc, it now looks much more like a church. We have placed a strong focus on personal evangelism. The Lord opened a major door as the captain of a local soccer team received Christ. Since then, we have been meeting with the team weekly, preaching, discipling, and encouraging them. Since then, 9 more players have received Christ. We have also received the help from 3 partner churches in Managua. Last week, we hosted a group of 15 members from one church to help us in an evangelistic campaign. Between this event and our personal soul winning, we have seen an additional 21 people receive Christ. Last Sunday, Jeremy was able to preach the Sunday evening service completely in Spanish at a nearby church in Jinotepe, Nicaragua. Our ministry partnership with Berner has been a blessing as we have both been able to learn in process, all while continuing to focus upon learning the language more each day.
We have also been able to do a lot of work around the house. We had a few problems during the first 2 weeks at our house, but thankfully, the Lord has allowed those problems to be resolved. With the lack of Wal-mart and big box stores, we have had to learn to find many places across the city to find things. Each day, we have also been able to learn more and more of the differences between Costa Rica and Nicaragua. From pronunciation, to vocabulary, to the culture, as well as the lifestyle, the differences have become stronger with time. What a privilege to be able to learn these things.
This next month will be a huge month for us. I want to stress that we need the Lord to work through us, so we must all be in prayer. Please pray for the following:
1. The Lord will help us in planning and preparing for the new church.
2. The Lord to bless abundantly in our first church service.
3. The Lord to help us see more people saved and discipled to follow Christ.
In Christ,
Jeremy, Michelle, Lila, and Ellowyn Blanz