NEWS RELEASE JANUARY 2003 SEMILLAS de ESPERANZA SEEDS OF HOPE A MINISTRY OF NICK AND WENDY SERIANNI

...and she gave birth to her first born, a son. She wrapped him in swaddling garments and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:7

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

May the lord our God who came to us as a babe in a manger bless you abundantly in this New Year. May His Face shine upon you, and may His blessing fall upon you like pure and exhilarating snow on a Winters Eve.

Wendy and I were unable to visit the States for Christmas. We applied for a spouse's visa for Wendy during the first week of June, but it still has not been processed. Although we did miss not being with my family and seeing all of you, our Christmas was special here in the Dominican Republic. We spent the first Christmas as husband in wife in our own apartment. My brothers and parents sent us an artificial tree and a variety of decorations to make the occasion special. Wendys mother and sister who live about four hours away were able to visit us, and we enjoyed a traditional Christmas dinner with them.

We also attended a dinner party sponsored by our church at an elegant hotel in Santiago. This was one of our Christmas presents to each other. The evenings events included a sermon by our pastor, a music concert, and a choreographed dance recital in which Wendy participated. The evening helped make christmas special. When one door is closed, the Lord opens another one for those who trust in Him.

CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
WERE BLESSED

Thanks to your generosity, the CCCD class from St. Bedes parish in Pittsburgh, and wonderful people like Dona Juana, we were able to bless the kids in our program and other children with a special Christmas. Dona Juana is a wonderful Christian woman who has allowed us the use of her homes patio for arts and crafts classes every Thursday. She extended her hospitality to us, and we held our Christmas party for the children at her home. We distributed gifts to each child and, for many of them, these would be the only Christmas presents they would receive.

We also had enough presents for the children of the indigent Haitian families living in a hut in a field near our apartment. If you recall, I mentioned them in my last news letter. Likewise, we were able to visit Wendys cousins who are almost as poor as the Haitians and bless their children with presents. In addition, we had sufficient funds to buy basic staples for these families, such as powdered milk, rice, beans, cereal, etc.

COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL CHRISTMAS PARTY

Wendy still teaches a class for three days a week in the Compassion program at our church. I help out on Fridays and special occasions. Once again we helped sponsor a Christmas party for the needy children in this program. Wendy taught her class two songs which they performed at the party. The youth group from the church put on a play and there were plenty of other activities and games to entertain the children. These children received presents from individual sponsors in the States through Compassion International. The party ended with a Christmas dinner being served to the children. You should have seen the smiles on their faces and experienced their joy!

THE GUIDANCE OF THE
HOLY SPIRIT

Wendy and I have been praying in earnest for special direction from the Holy Spirit. We desire to reach as many children as possible with the Good News of Jesus Christ. We also want to help them break through the barriers of poverty that imprison them. We have dreams of someday owning a van and even opening a youth center . However, when we reflect upon the humble and simple lifestyle Jesus chose for himself, we realize how truly blessed we have been to serve the children of the Dominican Republic in our meager way.

Jesus was a man of low esteem who owned nothing of value in this world. Yet, he transformed the world through his words and actions, because He was doing the will of our Heavenly Father through the power of His Holy Spirit. In our flesh, Wendy and I want things for the children; in our spirit, we want to accomplish the will of God ,so that their lives will be transformed and, hopefully, a nation. Please pray for us that we have the discernment this coming year to follow the direction of the Holy Spirit.

Once again, we thank you for your continued support of our ministry. We are merely the hands that plant the Seeds You are the Hope and strength of our ministry. We praise and thank God continuously for your support.

Please help us with our ministry to the children of the Dominican Republic. Send donations
to Nicholas Serianni, c/o 75 Lake George Avenue, Ticonderoga, NY 12883

NEW Email: serianni@codetel.net.do