December/January Prayer Letter

 

Greetings,

We are happy to report as a family on the months of December and January from beautiful Matagalpa. For Nicaragua, December and January would be the same as our summer months in the States except that each year employees are required to give a double paycheck to all their employees for the month of December. This seems to fund the intensified schedule of travel, shopping, and sinful activity. The churches are diligent in filling these months with valid alternatives for their time and travel, attempting to make it a productive ministry time. This year we were “in-step” with the Nicaraguan calendar for the kids finished school in November. Therefore we had more time to schedule and participate in a host of alternative activities for productive business.

We held our ladies conference the middle of December. We are very thankful for Project 14 once again allowing us to use their property in Diaramba. We had a wonderful turnout for this 3-day event. The decision was made to take Jo off of kitchen duty so she could one of the speakers. She did a wonderful job. She was practical, pointed, and funny. However, the ladies bemoaned the fact that she was not cooking.  There were a couple times they chanted for her to cook. We were joined by another missionary couple who assisted in the teaching: the Wises. What a blessing this couple has been to us and the young ladies. Together we taught group and split classes with the theme of “success”.  We all believe it was the best conference to date and you certainly could feel the ladies growing together as a family. It was during this conference that we publicly announced the Ladies Bible Institute which is starting in February. There was great interest and excitement. To our knowledge, this is a first here in Nicaragua for these sister churches. This is a great need to which the Lord has made several of us aware.  We have labored to bring together a practical, biblical, and relevant Bible institute for these ladies who desire training for marriage, motherhood, and ministry.

Once the ladies conference was over we were able to relax just a little and enjoy Christmas. I spent much time thinking and studying about the greatest miracle of the Bible, the incarnation of Christ. Though we should remember this special event every day, I’m thankful there is a time once a year when we give it special attention even though the world is active in redefining the meaning of this special day. We had a wonderful Christmas time filled with really enjoyable activities aimed to strengthen our family.

In December we finished training a few people to oversee the finances at Calvary. It sounds like a small feat, but it was more involved than I can explain. The financial team is up and running and doing a perfect job. They have a budget, a counting team, and procedures to guide them. This was a great step towards the church’s autonomy. We also have a great lead on a property for Calvary. For some time we have been praying for our own property. There is a great degree of difficulty in obtaining property in Matagalpa due to the incredible growth of the city. Please pray with us concerning this. If we could make a purchase, we would be able to reduce the expenses by 50% and the church would be able to financially care for itself.

Calvary’s space has been an issue with its present building. However, in January they started extension Sunday School classes in two different barrios of Matagalpa. In short, we don’t have space to have classes at church so they are having classes in the neighborhoods. Between children and adults they have an average attendance of about 60.  We look forward to a time when we can all be back together again, but this has brought great joy to all of us.

Bible Baptist Church in Lucidia celebrated their 2^nd year anniversary on Christmas Day.  They had a very big event in the morning with the children and a special service at night for the teens and adults. It was a full house for both services! This ministry has been a well spring of encouragement. I am so very thankful for Bible Baptist in Fernandina Beach, Florida and the wonderful example they have been as a “mother church”. We have often noted the difficulty in planting a church in this area but grace has abounded!

Our church plant in Nueva Guinea is going through some trials. The pastor has resigned and we request your prayer for him and his family as they work through some tremendous difficulties. He will continue through the month of February while a search is made for a man to take this ministry. Pastor Sam in El Rama will be going over and helping until a pastor is located. I am very burdened for this church and this family. This is a setback, but we trust that God will use this to His glory.

Later in January Bro. Tony, a friend we’ve mentioned in previous letters, returned to Nicaragua, and along with my family we traveled back to the Atlantic coast area. We stopped in Muelle de los Bueyes and helped one of the national missionaries that Calvary supports for a couple days. We went soul winning and held services at night.  It was a blessing to watch Bro Tony teach the men and boys, Joy teach the ladies and young girls, and Joshua teach the children. After the first hour we would all come together and I would preach a closing message each night.  Next we traveled on to El Rama with Pastor Sam to be a part of his first anniversary service. He also scheduled his first missions conference during this time. What a time we had!  Great singing, great fellowship, and great liberty with the preaching. On Sunday we rejoiced as they took their first faith promise. They committed to give C$5000 a month which is more than $200. This is monumental for a new church and unusual for most churches here.  What a blessing.

 

service in Muelle de los Bueyes

 

Joy, Jessin, and Jacklyn held their last “coffee and conversation” with the young ladies in Matagalpa between the two churches. Each week they do discipleship with a group of young ladies and once a month they come together for a special activity. They asked Jo and I to speak on the subject of “beauty” and had a wonderful schedule of food, games, and etc. This has proven to be a most fruitful ministry and will leave a giant hole in our girls’ life once we leave.

In our last letter we mentioned our visa difficulties. We have had a couple meetings with immigration. In short, they have given us until the middle of February. At that point we must travel back to our country of origin and from there apply for visas in order to return. We are not looking at our visa situation as an excuse, but as God’s timing and are seeking His clear direction. We have believed that at the very least we should relocate away from Matagalpa for the sake of the church here to “spread their wings.” There is a degree of uncertainty, but we are confident that we are on His time table and path. Having this understanding we have labored much in preparation for our departure. There was much repair and painting to our house, projects with the churches, and meetings with the pastors. It has been quite overwhelming. Thankfully our family team made this process run pretty smoothly.

 

As always we desire you to know our gratitude to our Father and you for your love and support. These past 7 years have been a wonderful journey which has enriched us spiritually. May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering.

 

The STALNAKERS

Church Planters

Stationed in Nicaragua

443-801-6296