Dear Friends and Family,
Happy New Year! We hope that you had a Merry Christmas and a great start to the new year. Last month was an extra busy month for us. Aside from normal visitation, evangelism, preaching, and teaching Children's church, we had a couple special events. First, we did a Christmas event for the children. Besides all of the activities, every child received a gift. We saw about 65 people for this event. In our normal church services, we are close to max capacity at every service, and we are seeing greater commitment from those who attend. The neighbors, who have allowed us to use their covered porch area for a children's class, have expanded the area and are allowing us to hold services there with greater seating capacity. For the end of the year, we did a special service with a meal afterward. We were blown away when we maxed out the new larger area with approximately 90-95 people. The Lord is doing a great work here in San Marcos, and he has opened doors in a neighboring city named Diriá. We are hosting evangelistic services there about every other week. We are seeking the Lord's guidance in the first church plant as well as praying about our next steps in Diriá.
Last month, we celebrated our first Christmas in Nicaragua. We started the day reading the Biblical account of the very first Christmas. Each year, Lila and Ellowyn learn a little bit more about how and why Jesus left heaven to be born a child. They also enjoyed opening presents! Most importantly, we focus upon God's gift to us- Jesus Christ. While the people here celebrate Christmas very late on the night of Christmas Eve, we keep some old traditions and adopt some new ones. We made a somewhat traditional dinner and had a couple friends come over for dinner. We had a couple car problems, but thankfully we were able to get them both resolved without spending a lot of money.
We are so thankful for those who pray for us and support us on a regular basis. Thank you to all who send special Christmas offerings. That is a big blessing! This month, will you please pray for the following:
1. That the Lord continue to grow and strengthen our first church plant.
2. That the Lord give us guidance in the new work in Diriá.
3. That the Lord continue to save souls here in San Marcos, Nicaragua.
4. That the Lord continue to mature each saved person in the faith.
In Christ,
Jeremy, Michelle, Lila, and Ellowyn Blanz
