The Lorenz Christmas Letter 2023

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As we approach the end of the year, it seems a good time to reflect on the events of 2023.

We still have two children living at home: Ellie and Jakin. Our family has enjoyed our last full year of living in Latin America. Because we have shifted our work to Free Methodist World Missions – Africa Area, we are officially transitioning out of Costa Rica on May 1, 2024, and will live in the United States part of the year (Spring Arbor, MI) and in Africa for part of the year, depending on the need of the moment. Glenn is still learning his new role as the Associate Area Director for Free Methodist World Missions Africa. In 2023 he recruited four new missionaries to live and work in West Africa, established a partnership with Church Development Network, trained our first cohort in Asset-Based Community Development principles, created agreements with annual conferences to train pastors in West Africa, visited half a dozen annual conferences and General Conference 2023, and presided over the election of the Liberian superintendent.

Wendy continues in her role as Care Coordinator for Third Culture Kids. Even as Wendy transitions to working in the Africa area, she will continue working with the TCKs in Latin America. Wendy really loves working with TCKs and their families. Life is full of beautifully hard moments, and Wendy is grateful that she gets the privilege of walking with TCKs through some of those challenging situations. Wendy still has lots more hopes and dreams for the TCK ministry, and she would love you to join her in praying for God’s will to be accomplished in this area. Wendy also had the privilege of helping write a Sunday School curriculum for children called Raices (Roots). Most recently, Wendy wrote 4 Christmas lessons, and she is finishing up 2 Freedom Sunday Lessons for 2024 and 2025.

We are grateful for you and your partnership with us and these areas of ministry God has called us to. We couldn’t do any of this without you, and your support. Thank you for your words of encouragement, your authentic prayers, and your sacrificial financial support. However you connect with us, and this ministry, we are grateful to be able to belong to a body of believers who want to see His Kingdom come on earth, as it is in Heaven! Blessings and Merry Christmas!

The Lorenz kids Christmas letter update.

Libby graduated from Spring Arbor University in May 2023 with degrees in Biblical Studies and English. She currently lives in Bogota, Colombia and teaches high school English at a small private Christian school. We were able to spend a weekend with her a couple months ago.

Isaac attends Spring Arbor University as a Mechanical Engineering major. He’s busy as a TA for one of his engineering profs, and as a Peer Advisor. He also volunteers with the youth group at church.

Jakin will graduate in May 2024. He’s a student leader at the international youth group, studies Spanish at language school, is teaching himself computer programming and likes to play his electric guitar.

Ellie is a Junior in high school. She is also a student leader in the youth group and is studying Spanish. Ellie enjoys her friends, crafts and cute cuddly animals that she can train. Our neighbor’s cat can now fistbump. . .