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
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Friday, December 4, 2015
December 2015 Prayer Letter
Dear Friends and Family,
It is hard to believe we are already at the end of the year! As we approach Christmas, we know it is a privilege to proclaim the Gospel here in Nicaragua. This last month, we saw 5 people receive Christ as Savior. While we have focused upon door-to-door evangelism, we are also finding other ways to present the Gospel to unbelievers as well as edify the people of the church. We hosted a large ladies event and saw a great turnout. Nearly 40 ladies came as well as 15-20 children. We have seen steady growth and are now frequently reaching full capacity in our present location. Those who attend have shown an increase in desire to serve as well. Our church has also recently become involved in a new outreach in a neighboring city called Diria. One family invited several of their friends, and we held an evangelistic service. Several responded to the invitation, and we were given an open door to come and begin holding services in the same home. At this point, we are now looking to continue planting the seeds of the gospel in this area and preparing for a future church plant.
As for our family, we are continuing to adjust and adapt to life here in Nicaragua. We celebrated our first Thanksgiving last month, and although it is an ordinary day here, we were able to invite some friends to come to give thanks to the Lord and enjoy a somewhat traditional Thanksgiving meal with us. Another important experience was our first car accident. Somebody had hit our vehicle, and although the experience was difficult and scary, it was a blessing to see several of our Nicaraguan friends come to help us through the process. Although we've heard stories of injustice in situations like this, we were glad that in the official resolution, the other party was held responsible and we were cleared from any wrongdoing. This month, we are preparing for our first Christmas here in Nicaragua. It is the perfect opportunity to keep old traditions, make new ones, and most of all, celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
We are so thankful for those who pray for us on a regular basis. The greatest needs are generally unexpected. This month, will you please pray for the following:
1. The Lord to continue to save souls and help each person to grow in the faith.
2. The Lord to help us through the final steps of the residency process.
3. The Lord to guide and protect our family as we serve in Nicaragua.
In Christ,
Jeremy, Michelle, Lila, and Ellowyn Blanz
It is hard to believe we are already at the end of the year! As we approach Christmas, we know it is a privilege to proclaim the Gospel here in Nicaragua. This last month, we saw 5 people receive Christ as Savior. While we have focused upon door-to-door evangelism, we are also finding other ways to present the Gospel to unbelievers as well as edify the people of the church. We hosted a large ladies event and saw a great turnout. Nearly 40 ladies came as well as 15-20 children. We have seen steady growth and are now frequently reaching full capacity in our present location. Those who attend have shown an increase in desire to serve as well. Our church has also recently become involved in a new outreach in a neighboring city called Diria. One family invited several of their friends, and we held an evangelistic service. Several responded to the invitation, and we were given an open door to come and begin holding services in the same home. At this point, we are now looking to continue planting the seeds of the gospel in this area and preparing for a future church plant.
As for our family, we are continuing to adjust and adapt to life here in Nicaragua. We celebrated our first Thanksgiving last month, and although it is an ordinary day here, we were able to invite some friends to come to give thanks to the Lord and enjoy a somewhat traditional Thanksgiving meal with us. Another important experience was our first car accident. Somebody had hit our vehicle, and although the experience was difficult and scary, it was a blessing to see several of our Nicaraguan friends come to help us through the process. Although we've heard stories of injustice in situations like this, we were glad that in the official resolution, the other party was held responsible and we were cleared from any wrongdoing. This month, we are preparing for our first Christmas here in Nicaragua. It is the perfect opportunity to keep old traditions, make new ones, and most of all, celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
We are so thankful for those who pray for us on a regular basis. The greatest needs are generally unexpected. This month, will you please pray for the following:
1. The Lord to continue to save souls and help each person to grow in the faith.
2. The Lord to help us through the final steps of the residency process.
3. The Lord to guide and protect our family as we serve in Nicaragua.
In Christ,
Jeremy, Michelle, Lila, and Ellowyn Blanz
Saturday, November 7, 2015
November 2015 Prayer Letter
Dear Friends and Family,
Last month was a very busy month for us. We are working hard to grow the young church. Last month, we saw 7 people that professed faith in Christ. Although not everyone that makes a profession of faith continues in church attendance, we are thankful to have also seen some growth in the lives of those who attend the church. One lady who received Christ a few months ago has begun helping and serving in the church. She is now serving in the nursery, and we are better able to minister to families with small children. We also held a Men's prayer breakfast, which was a blessing to those who attended. We are now approaching the time to begin renting a larger location. Please pray for this.
During this last month, our daughter Lila has shown an increased desire in learning more and more about Jesus every day. Almost every morning and night, she asks for us to read her more in the Bible about Jesus. She has also begun visiting with me sometimes during the day. Her presence frequently opens up many doors for us to build relationships with people in the community. While Ellowyn is not yet ready to visit, she enjoys singing the spanish hymns... in own own words of course! Last month, we celebrated her second birthday. We planned a small party and invited some children from church and the area. We were surprised to see so many people who came. It was a great opportunity to build stronger and closer relationships with the people in the area. Of course, Ellowyn had a blast! One task that our whole family is involved in is the residency process. Unfortunately, we had to acquire additional documentation, and now have several more visits to different places before we have legal status.
As we approach Thanksgiving, we are reminded of all that we have to be thankful for. First and foremost, we are thankful for Jesus Christ. We are thankful for the ability to share the message of his love and salvation with the world. We are thankful for all of our family, our friends, and supporting churches. We truly are thankful for those who pray for us each month.This month, please pray:
1. For spiritual and numeric growth in the church here in San Marcos, Nicaragua
2. That God will guide and strengthen our family here in the work.
3. For the health of our family. We are in constant need of prayer in this area.
In Christ,
Jeremy, Michelle, Lila, and Ellowyn Blanz
Last month was a very busy month for us. We are working hard to grow the young church. Last month, we saw 7 people that professed faith in Christ. Although not everyone that makes a profession of faith continues in church attendance, we are thankful to have also seen some growth in the lives of those who attend the church. One lady who received Christ a few months ago has begun helping and serving in the church. She is now serving in the nursery, and we are better able to minister to families with small children. We also held a Men's prayer breakfast, which was a blessing to those who attended. We are now approaching the time to begin renting a larger location. Please pray for this.
During this last month, our daughter Lila has shown an increased desire in learning more and more about Jesus every day. Almost every morning and night, she asks for us to read her more in the Bible about Jesus. She has also begun visiting with me sometimes during the day. Her presence frequently opens up many doors for us to build relationships with people in the community. While Ellowyn is not yet ready to visit, she enjoys singing the spanish hymns... in own own words of course! Last month, we celebrated her second birthday. We planned a small party and invited some children from church and the area. We were surprised to see so many people who came. It was a great opportunity to build stronger and closer relationships with the people in the area. Of course, Ellowyn had a blast! One task that our whole family is involved in is the residency process. Unfortunately, we had to acquire additional documentation, and now have several more visits to different places before we have legal status.
As we approach Thanksgiving, we are reminded of all that we have to be thankful for. First and foremost, we are thankful for Jesus Christ. We are thankful for the ability to share the message of his love and salvation with the world. We are thankful for all of our family, our friends, and supporting churches. We truly are thankful for those who pray for us each month.This month, please pray:
1. For spiritual and numeric growth in the church here in San Marcos, Nicaragua
2. That God will guide and strengthen our family here in the work.
3. For the health of our family. We are in constant need of prayer in this area.
In Christ,
Jeremy, Michelle, Lila, and Ellowyn Blanz
Friday, October 2, 2015
October 2015 Prayer Letter
Dear Friends and Family,
At the end of this month, we will have been in Nicaragua for 6 months! Every day, we are working hard to accomplish all that God has called us to do. Although we have taken several trips the migration office in Managua, we are still waiting for approval of our legal residency here. Though our residency process is slow, we are thankful that God is working quickly! Last month, we saw several more people receive Christ as Savior. Last month, we requested prayer for our partner, Berner, who had the Chikungunya virus. Thankfully, he had a great recovery. However, presently, he is in the states for three weeks preaching in a few churches. During this time, Jeremy is leading the services as well as preaching with the help of a couple other pastors. We are working hard to not only maintain the church, but to grow and strengthen the church in his absence. This month, we are doing our first church-wide visitation day. We are also hosting a Men's prayer breakfast to help strengthen the men and families of the church. Apart from the mission work at the church, Jeremy was able to preach in the Nicaragua Bible Institute. It is a blessing to encourage these young people who are training to serve the Lord!
As for our family, last month was a good month for us. Michelle's parents were able to take a brief trip down to see us and spend a little time with their grandchildren. That was a blessing and encouragement to us. They also enjoyed getting to the see the mission work here in Nicaragua. Near the end of the month, Lila went on visitation with Jeremy a few times. She really enjoyed passing out tracts and making new friends with the kids at each house. Ellie is now speaking a lot and singing a lot as well. Sometimes, she mixes parts from each song. One of our favorites is “Yes... Jesus Bible... The Bible tells me so.”
One day, while visiting, the Lord laid it upon my heart to speak with a man who was walking down the street and give him a tract. Long story made short, we built a relationship with the man, and he later received Christ as Savior. Within a few weeks, he had a heart attack and passed away. Now, he is with Christ, and his family is now attending our church. God is still in charge, and this experience reminds us of the importance of daily obedience. This month, please pray:
1. That God will continue to use us to preach the Gospel and see souls saved.
2. That God will help us with the final steps to receive legal residence.
3. That God will build his church and grow each believer in the faith.
4. That God will help Michelle and Ellowyn recover from bronchitis.
At the end of this month, we will have been in Nicaragua for 6 months! Every day, we are working hard to accomplish all that God has called us to do. Although we have taken several trips the migration office in Managua, we are still waiting for approval of our legal residency here. Though our residency process is slow, we are thankful that God is working quickly! Last month, we saw several more people receive Christ as Savior. Last month, we requested prayer for our partner, Berner, who had the Chikungunya virus. Thankfully, he had a great recovery. However, presently, he is in the states for three weeks preaching in a few churches. During this time, Jeremy is leading the services as well as preaching with the help of a couple other pastors. We are working hard to not only maintain the church, but to grow and strengthen the church in his absence. This month, we are doing our first church-wide visitation day. We are also hosting a Men's prayer breakfast to help strengthen the men and families of the church. Apart from the mission work at the church, Jeremy was able to preach in the Nicaragua Bible Institute. It is a blessing to encourage these young people who are training to serve the Lord!
As for our family, last month was a good month for us. Michelle's parents were able to take a brief trip down to see us and spend a little time with their grandchildren. That was a blessing and encouragement to us. They also enjoyed getting to the see the mission work here in Nicaragua. Near the end of the month, Lila went on visitation with Jeremy a few times. She really enjoyed passing out tracts and making new friends with the kids at each house. Ellie is now speaking a lot and singing a lot as well. Sometimes, she mixes parts from each song. One of our favorites is “Yes... Jesus Bible... The Bible tells me so.”
One day, while visiting, the Lord laid it upon my heart to speak with a man who was walking down the street and give him a tract. Long story made short, we built a relationship with the man, and he later received Christ as Savior. Within a few weeks, he had a heart attack and passed away. Now, he is with Christ, and his family is now attending our church. God is still in charge, and this experience reminds us of the importance of daily obedience. This month, please pray:
1. That God will continue to use us to preach the Gospel and see souls saved.
2. That God will help us with the final steps to receive legal residence.
3. That God will build his church and grow each believer in the faith.
4. That God will help Michelle and Ellowyn recover from bronchitis.
Friday, August 28, 2015
People you can pray for...
Last month, in our email edition of the prayer letter, we shared a little bit about a few of the people we are reaching here in Nicaragua. Some of you responded, saying that you would pray for these individuals. This month, I thought I would share with you a little more about these people, that you can pray specifically that God will work in the hearts of these people.
1. Abel - Abel is a youth who received Christ on our first Sunday morning. Since then, he has been very faithful in church attendance. Each week, he helps Jeremy teach the older kids class. He occasionally accompanies Berner in door to door evangelism. He is also faithful to invite friends to our church. Please pray that the Lord continues working in his life and that he grows in the faith.
2. Jose - Jose is a young man who received Christ last month. He has attended a few services now, but missed the most recent services. Since receiving Christ, he has found a job, and now has a much better relationship with his mother. We have not seen him in our most recent services, but we are continuing to visit him and encourage him in the faith. Please pray that he grows in the faith and stays faithful in church.
3. "Cabo" Luis - Cabo Luis is an older man who has been known to say he'd be Catholic until the day he dies. He now occasionally attends our church, and seems to be coming to a greater knowledge of biblical salvation. Please pray that he continues to come and that the Lord works in his life.
4. Marco - Marco is a young man who we met in the street. We shared the Gospel with him, and he received the Lord as Savior. Nearly a month had passed since this time. Recently, he came to an evening service with another young man we had witnessed to. Since then, he has been coming more frequently. Please pray that God will continue to work in his life and that he grows in the faith.
5. Luis - This Luis is a young man who is a 17 year old bike taxi driver. One morning as we were visiting, Berner and I approached him and his friend and gave them a tract. Neither Luis nor his friend had any assurance of salvation and did not know where they would spend eternity. After hearing the Gospel, we asked them if they were willing to turn from sin and place their faith in Christ alone for salvation. The first to answer was the friend of Luis. He said that he was not ready to do that. We then asked Luis if he were willing receive the gift of eternal life by trusting in Jesus Christ. After a moment, he said that he did want to come to Christ that day. He then bowed his head and asked Christ to save him. There were two who heard the Gospel. One chose to continue living in sin apart from Christ, and the other opened his heart to Jesus Christ and was forgiven. Please pray that God will continue working in his heart and that his friend will one day come to Christ as well.
God is good, and God answers prayer. May we continue praying that God work in the hearts of these people.
1. Abel - Abel is a youth who received Christ on our first Sunday morning. Since then, he has been very faithful in church attendance. Each week, he helps Jeremy teach the older kids class. He occasionally accompanies Berner in door to door evangelism. He is also faithful to invite friends to our church. Please pray that the Lord continues working in his life and that he grows in the faith.
2. Jose - Jose is a young man who received Christ last month. He has attended a few services now, but missed the most recent services. Since receiving Christ, he has found a job, and now has a much better relationship with his mother. We have not seen him in our most recent services, but we are continuing to visit him and encourage him in the faith. Please pray that he grows in the faith and stays faithful in church.
3. "Cabo" Luis - Cabo Luis is an older man who has been known to say he'd be Catholic until the day he dies. He now occasionally attends our church, and seems to be coming to a greater knowledge of biblical salvation. Please pray that he continues to come and that the Lord works in his life.
4. Marco - Marco is a young man who we met in the street. We shared the Gospel with him, and he received the Lord as Savior. Nearly a month had passed since this time. Recently, he came to an evening service with another young man we had witnessed to. Since then, he has been coming more frequently. Please pray that God will continue to work in his life and that he grows in the faith.
5. Luis - This Luis is a young man who is a 17 year old bike taxi driver. One morning as we were visiting, Berner and I approached him and his friend and gave them a tract. Neither Luis nor his friend had any assurance of salvation and did not know where they would spend eternity. After hearing the Gospel, we asked them if they were willing to turn from sin and place their faith in Christ alone for salvation. The first to answer was the friend of Luis. He said that he was not ready to do that. We then asked Luis if he were willing receive the gift of eternal life by trusting in Jesus Christ. After a moment, he said that he did want to come to Christ that day. He then bowed his head and asked Christ to save him. There were two who heard the Gospel. One chose to continue living in sin apart from Christ, and the other opened his heart to Jesus Christ and was forgiven. Please pray that God will continue working in his heart and that his friend will one day come to Christ as well.
God is good, and God answers prayer. May we continue praying that God work in the hearts of these people.
September 2015 Prayer Letter
Dear Friends and Family,
August was a good month for us here in Nicaragua. During our door to door evangelism, we saw 7 people receive Christ as Savior. On Wednesday nights, we are teaching a series on the doctrine of salvation, and several more now have assurance of salvation. We are also doing a Discipleship series on Sunday nights, as well as in the homes of those who are new believers. On August 15th, we also hosted a children's outreach campaign in cooperation with a church from Managua. We saw 110-120 people who came out for this event. While we are seeing a gradual increase in adult attendance, the attendance of children has skyrocketed! Due to size constraints, we had to launch a second kids class which is also at capacity. Many of our children are very faithful, attend 3 services per week, and have been bringing in friends and family. We are so thankful that the Lord has blessed our church with these children. Some of the youth are now helping out in these classes. This next month, we will begin a focused effort to reach the parents and families of these children.
Each month, we are becoming more and more adjusted to life in Nicaragua. Before each service, Lila enjoys giving out tracts to people who pass by the church. She is also making friends with the other children who attend. Both Lila and Ellowyn are now learning the Spanish hymns and frequently sing them throughout the day. Thankfully, we are now near the end of the residency process. We have now submitted all of our documents as well as had an in home visit by residency agents. We expect to receive legal residency by the end of September.
We do have one special prayer request. In the end of the month, we received a message that Berner, our partner in Ministry, now has the Chikungunya virus which has affected many people in this area. Since then, we have had little communication. Until Berner recovers, Jeremy is now doing all of the preaching and teaching. Despite our progress in langauge learning, leading an entire service is a challenge, and we certainly need the Lord every step of the way. This month, will you please pray for the following:
1. Berner and the local population who are infected with the Chikungunya virus.
2. Our church as we begin a focused effort to reach parents and adults.
3. Spiritual growth in those who have received Christ.
In Christ,
Jeremy, Michelle, Lila, and Ellowyn Blanz
August was a good month for us here in Nicaragua. During our door to door evangelism, we saw 7 people receive Christ as Savior. On Wednesday nights, we are teaching a series on the doctrine of salvation, and several more now have assurance of salvation. We are also doing a Discipleship series on Sunday nights, as well as in the homes of those who are new believers. On August 15th, we also hosted a children's outreach campaign in cooperation with a church from Managua. We saw 110-120 people who came out for this event. While we are seeing a gradual increase in adult attendance, the attendance of children has skyrocketed! Due to size constraints, we had to launch a second kids class which is also at capacity. Many of our children are very faithful, attend 3 services per week, and have been bringing in friends and family. We are so thankful that the Lord has blessed our church with these children. Some of the youth are now helping out in these classes. This next month, we will begin a focused effort to reach the parents and families of these children.
Each month, we are becoming more and more adjusted to life in Nicaragua. Before each service, Lila enjoys giving out tracts to people who pass by the church. She is also making friends with the other children who attend. Both Lila and Ellowyn are now learning the Spanish hymns and frequently sing them throughout the day. Thankfully, we are now near the end of the residency process. We have now submitted all of our documents as well as had an in home visit by residency agents. We expect to receive legal residency by the end of September.
We do have one special prayer request. In the end of the month, we received a message that Berner, our partner in Ministry, now has the Chikungunya virus which has affected many people in this area. Since then, we have had little communication. Until Berner recovers, Jeremy is now doing all of the preaching and teaching. Despite our progress in langauge learning, leading an entire service is a challenge, and we certainly need the Lord every step of the way. This month, will you please pray for the following:
1. Berner and the local population who are infected with the Chikungunya virus.
2. Our church as we begin a focused effort to reach parents and adults.
3. Spiritual growth in those who have received Christ.
In Christ,
Jeremy, Michelle, Lila, and Ellowyn Blanz
Sunday, August 16, 2015
Children's Outreach Event - August 2015
On Saturday, August 15th, our new church plant, Iglesia Bautista Biblica, hosted an outreach event in the park near our church. More accurately, it was a joint effort, and mostly the work of a partner church, Iglesia Bautista Sinai, in Managua. This church supports Berner, who is the Nicaraguan church planter that we are partnered with in this church plant. It was a blessing to see that not only does this church financially support Berner as a missionary, but also by occasionally coming to help with visitation and evangelistic programs, such as this. Berner and the crew worked a couple hours in the morning to visit the are and pass out tracts. Michelle and I prepared a lunch to feed the workers. In the early afternoon, we began setting up in the nearby park.
Although it was very dark and rainy about 45 minutes before the program started, Lila and I prayed that the Lord would stop the rain and send out the sun. Shortly after, the rain and clouds dissipated and the sun came out and gave us a beautiful afternoon. Approximately 110-120 people came, including mostly children, as well as parents and a few teens. The program included face painting, clowns, songs, puppets, games, and piñatas, as well as snacks. Berner gave the Gospel, and several responded that they had asked Christ for salvation. We were able to strengthen relationships with many people in the community as well. This morning, we saw about 10 more children, as well as a mother who came with her child.
Although, our children's classes were already at full capacity, we had to improvise in order to accommodate all of the new visitors. Next week, we will be moving the class outside to a bigger area outside of a neighbors house, as well as keeping our smaller kids class inside the church. Lila was also able to build some friendships with some of the kids as well.
We ask that you will please pray for each of these children. Many of these children come from families who do not attend church. We are seeking the Lord and trying to find ways to reach the families with the Gospel. Our desire, is that not only will the children receive the Lord and grow in the faith, but that the family unit is reached by the Gospel, that these children may grow up in committed Christian homes. Below, we have attached a few pictures. Will you pray for these children?
As you can see, Lila is very proud of her purple butterfly! Please pray that God works in each heart and in each family!
Although it was very dark and rainy about 45 minutes before the program started, Lila and I prayed that the Lord would stop the rain and send out the sun. Shortly after, the rain and clouds dissipated and the sun came out and gave us a beautiful afternoon. Approximately 110-120 people came, including mostly children, as well as parents and a few teens. The program included face painting, clowns, songs, puppets, games, and piñatas, as well as snacks. Berner gave the Gospel, and several responded that they had asked Christ for salvation. We were able to strengthen relationships with many people in the community as well. This morning, we saw about 10 more children, as well as a mother who came with her child.
Although, our children's classes were already at full capacity, we had to improvise in order to accommodate all of the new visitors. Next week, we will be moving the class outside to a bigger area outside of a neighbors house, as well as keeping our smaller kids class inside the church. Lila was also able to build some friendships with some of the kids as well.
We ask that you will please pray for each of these children. Many of these children come from families who do not attend church. We are seeking the Lord and trying to find ways to reach the families with the Gospel. Our desire, is that not only will the children receive the Lord and grow in the faith, but that the family unit is reached by the Gospel, that these children may grow up in committed Christian homes. Below, we have attached a few pictures. Will you pray for these children?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)