I don't think we really give enough attention to the value of relationships in the Kingdom of God. They are everything. In fact, God's whole kingdom foundation IS relationship; starting with our relationship with Jesus. He links us to the Father! Once that relationship is established.....WOW!.....you begin building relationships that do indeed have that "forever" quality.
I had the honor almost a year ago of establishing a relationship with the family above -- Jerry, Angi, Lauren, and Shane Martin. Jerry came from the Captial City of Raleigh, N.C. and met me in Ahoskie. He spent about an hour talking to me about the call of God upon the family to transition from living the American dream to spilling out their lives for the cause of Christ in Sudan. From there.....the Martins came to Ahoskie and ministered at Carpenter's Shop Church; articulating that call in a powerful presentation validating a missions heart and faithfulness. Fro there....we invited the Martin family to our home for a fellowship meal and a boat ride on the beautiful Chowan. Relationships do need to be nurtured. We made a commitment that night to support this family on an ongoing basis. Now, the reality of all their hard work for the past three years of travel and itenaration comes to fulfillment. Off to language school in Egypt to prepare for Sudan!
Sudan is a country in northeastern Africa. It is the largest country in Africa and in the Arab World, and tenth largest in the world by area. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, Kenya and Uganda to the southeast, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic to the southwest, Chad to the west and Libya to the northwest. The world's longest river, the Nile, bisects the country from south to north. It is one of the most ancient continuous civilizations and ....is steeped in Islam.
The Martins have committed their lives to sharing the love of Jesus Christ to this nation. Our ministry supports this family in this incredible call upon their lives. We are among a large family of those who stand with the Martins prayerfully and financially. As they prepare to leave America on November 10th, Jerry writes to share information about that departure. Included?....prayer requests. These are specific and I would like to pass them along to you today.
(From Jerry's letter)
Prayer Requests:
As you think of us over the course of the next couple of months, please pray for our transition. We’ve been speaking of God’s calling on our lives for almost three years at this point. Today, however, we’ve begun to look to the horizon with eyes of wonder, contemplation, and some uncertainty. This is where faith must become courage and where love for the lost must become an outward expression. This is new territory. This is a frontier for the Martin family. As we walk into a land of ancient history, will you pray that we will properly represent the author of history?
-Pray for closure of all stateside issues (banking, taxes, insurances, sale of possessions)
-Pray for emotional, spiritual, and physical strength
-Pray for proper and healthy good-byes to happen
-Pray for our packing and uneventful transfer of our household to Cairo (28 suitcases)
-Pray for family unity amidst all of these stressful things
-Pray that we will rest in the Lord’s arms, remembering to put Him first in all things.
Ephesians 3:20-21
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory…
Thanks Jerry! And may the Lord do just that in your lives. We love you and are your friends...forever!
NOTE: If you would like to consider financial support to this missionary family, I will be honored to share that opportunity with you.
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