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Joanna Rich

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The Martin family

Anchorage Update

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Happy New Year from the Martins!

 

We are excited to share some news from Anchorage in the beginning of this New Year! There was a great turnout at Church on Sunday, the 1st. At the close of a great service, many raised their hands for salvation. It is our prayer that  each of these will allow God to completely transform their lives by His power!

 

We partner with the Downtown Hope Center in Anchorage for most of our ministry opportunities. They have developed the Culinary Arts program to give their guests a hand-up instead of just a hand-out. The men who are interested in going through this 12 week extensive course will be presented with certification that will greatly increase their hiring possibilities. The graduation of this program will be next Friday, the 13th. Please pray for God’s wisdom to be granted to the faculty and that God will bless these men with good jobs.

 

The Martin family of Alaska were happy to welcome Bro Jimmy John, Sis Shauna, Carlee, and Landon Millikin and Sis Rachel McCutcheon to their Alaskan residence early Tuesday morning. Several months ago, Bro Jimmy John felt the Lord lead him to get in contact with Bro Martin and plan a Missions Trip to Alaska. Bro Martin shared with him that if they desired to do sight-seeing, they might want to consider summertime. However, their main thrust of ministry compelled them to come and shine the light of Jesus in the darkness of wintry Alaska. They went sledding on Tuesday in the nearly 1 ft. of snow, which was very exciting! Most of their time, however, will be spent ministering in the Downtown Soup Kitchen, Hope Church, as well as other opportunities in the Rescue Mission and a neighboring church. We look forward to sharing more in the upcoming week’s update.

 

We greatly appreciate your continued prayers!

 

May God bless you with a wonderful New Year!
Christmas in Anchorage

Christmas in Anchorage, Alaska

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Bro Martin shares:

“Hello from Alaska! I hope y’all had a Merry Christmas, and anticipate a Hope-filled New Year. God is helping us– we are staying really busy in the Lord’s work. Sunday was great! We had about 80 for church, and a number of people responded good to the message. Then we fed about 140 a traditional Christmas dinner with turkey, dressing, ham, and lots of good stuff to go with it, It’s such a privilege to be on the “giving end” this Christmas. It is truly ‘more blessed to give than to receive!'”

We want to say thank you to all of you who pray for the ministry of Hope for the Home on a consistent basis. Our desire is to be more fruitful for the kingdom of God in 2017!

May God bless all of you!!

Hope Mobile

Anchorage Update

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We have an exciting report from Hope Church on Sunday. There were around 90 people present at the service. Bro Martin preached about how Mary’s life illustrates that God can move us “From How? To Wow!” Luke 1:37 says, “For with God nothing shall be impossible.” We praise God for all He did in the hearts of those that were present!

 

It has been a quite hectic time for the Martin family. There have been many things to take care of around the house as well as ministerially. Bro Martin got studded tires on the new bus and has been working to get the previous lettering off. When I called him on Saturday, he was sitting on a bucket in the snow with a hand-held heater trying to get the letters to come off. Brrr!

 

It continues to snow there, which I guess is expected for Anchorage weather. The homeless people look forward to the snow because it actually gets warmer when it snows. It does cause a little challenge for Julie as she is responsible for taking the ladies in a van without studded tires. On one occasion last week, she had come to the top of a slippery hill and someone stopped in front of her. Thankfully, the car behind her moved out of her way; she rolled down the hill and started at it again. Praise God for protection! Julie’s hours at the Women’s Shelter has changed. Therefore, her alarm now goes off at 1am!

 
Please pray with us for a powerful presentation of the Gospel this Christmas!
 
We love y’all!

The Hope Mobile

The Hope Mobile

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We are excited to share with you how God has worked in the behalf of the Martin family and Hope Church this week. As you may remember, we mentioned a couple months back about looking for a bus to purchase in order to pick up more people for church. As Bro Martin was praying about this need and looking around, he found a bus that was well taken care of and reasonably priced. However, the main dilemma was the need for Bro Martin to get his CDL license. He began to check into all that was required. He went through the process of obtaining a health card as well as the needed preparation for the extensive tests. We are happy to tell you that Bro Martin passed the test on Thursday and was able to pick up the bus that Hope for the Home Ministries had secured.

 

There was no time spared in putting the bus to good use. On Friday night, Bro Martin picked up a group of children from Anchorage City Church who had prepared to do a Christmas Cantata at the Downtown Soup Kitchen. On Saturday, the Hope Mobile was used to transport the Martins along with other young people around town for Christmas caroling. And on Sunday, the Hope Mobile was filled with people desiring to be at Hope Church! We praise the Lord for His provision of this vehicle!
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There was a great turnout at Hope Church this Sunday. About 70 were in attendance and 5 precious souls came up upon the invitation to be saved. To God be the Glory for the things that HE is doing!!
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The head chef at the Downtown Soup Kitchen has now offered to prepare food for Sundays. This has greatly relieved Julie, Jalisa, and Joy from the load of cooking on Sundays.
We want to thank you once again for praying for the ministry of the Martins and Hope for the Home in Anchorage, Alaska!
Alaskan bound

Hope for the Home Update

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Bro. Martin, Julie, Jalisa, Jordan and Joy flew back to Alaska on Thursday of last week. They were greeted at the airport by their friend, Naomi, and the beloved family dog, Jingles! What a great reunion!

 

They went up to the Downtown Soup Kitchen on Friday and the people were SO glad see them! The excitement was mutual. The crowd was somewhat down at Hope Church yesterday, yet they still had a tremendous service with 2 people coming up for salvation. Praise God! With the absence of many, Bro Martin will be making contact with as many as he can. It is a possibility that some may have obtained housing because of the push the city has been making for that reality.

 

Julie started back to work this morning at the Women’s Shelter. The 3:00am wake-up alarms may be a little adjustment after an extended time off and especially in this extremely cold weather. Today, the thermometer read -10F degrees! That’s what we talk about frigid cold!! Julie had a staff meeting on Friday night, and they informed her that they have increased their capability to house 50 women instead of 30. This opportunity is exciting, yet with more people comes more need of God’s wisdom to deal with each situation. Please continue to pray for Julie and all the Women’s Shelter staff.

 

The family will be getting back into the routine of ministry this week. We covet your prayers for God to guide them each step of the way.

 

Martin tombstone

A Finished Race – Carol Martin 7/24/60 – 12/3/16

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When I awakened this morning,  the consciousness of my wonderful Lord’s presence is so comforting. I have found that He is indeed every bit as faithful as He’s promised to be.

 

Here is the “Streams in the Desert” devotion for the day. It’s so appropriate. It helped me this date 2 years ago when my dear wife, Carol, passed into the presence of Jesus, and still sustains me.

 

Strong in Suffering

 

Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well. – 2 Kgs 4:26 KJV

“Be strong, my soul!
Thy loved ones go
Within the veil. God’s thine, e’en so;
Be strong.

“Be strong, my soul!
Death looms in view.
Lo, here thy God! He’ll bear thee through;
Be strong.”

For sixty-two years and five months I had a beloved wife, and now, in my ninety-second year I am left alone. But I turn to the ever present Jesus, as I walk up and down in my room, and say, “Lord Jesus, I am alone, and yet not alone—Thou art with me, Thou art my Friend. Now, Lord, comfort me, strengthen me, give to Thy poor servant everything Thou seest he needs.” And we should not be satisfied till we are brought to this, that we know the Lord Jesus Christ experimentally, habitually to be our Friend: at all times, and under all circumstances, ready to prove Himself to be our Friend. —George Mueller

Afflictions cannot injure when blended with submission.

Ice breaks many a branch, and so I see a great many persons bowed down and crushed by their afflictions. But now and then I meet one that sings in affliction, and then I thank God for my own sake as well as his. There is no such sweet singing as a song in the night. You recollect the story of the woman who, when her only child died, in rapture looking up, as with the face of an angel, said, “I give you joy, my darling.” That single sentence has gone with me years and years down through my life, quickening and comforting me. —Henry Ward Beecher

“E’en for the dead I will not bind my soul to grief;
Death cannot long divide.
For is it not as though the rose that climbed my garden wall
Has blossomed on the other side?
Death doth hide,
But not divide;
Thou art but on Christ’s other side!
Thou art with Christ, and Christ with me;
In Christ united still are we.”

I send this with special appreciation for the outpourings of love that my family and friends have lavished upon us. Thank you again for loving us, and proving it so profusely!

Rev. James Martin

 

The Martin family

Alaska & Family Update

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We received another wonderful report from Hope Church this week! We greatly appreciate the burden with which Rev. Steve has taken care of the services the past three weekends. He shared with Bro Martin last night that there was around 50 in attendance Sunday. Devin* testified during the service how God had delivered him from drugs and alcohol. Praise God, We serve the Deliverer!!

 

We trust you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving week. We sure did! It was a joy to be together again, reminiscing and sharing special events and memories. Since Bro Martin, Julie, Jalisa, Jordan, and Joy will be leaving on December 1st, we celebrated Christmas while many were shopping for Christmas gifts! It was a very special time!

 

Bro Martin, Julie, Jalisa, Jordan and Joy ministered Sunday in Stuttgart and Russellville, Arkansas . They had great services at both churches and enjoyed being with dear friends.

 

Bro Martin and the children are working steadily to finish some projects at the home place before they fly back to Alaska on Thursday. It is hard for them to leave family and friends, but they are excited about getting back into their normal routine, being reunited with the family dog, Jingles, and ministering hope to hungry souls.

 

Thank you for your continued prayers!
God bless you!
*Name changed to protect privacy
Pastor Douglas Meadow and family

Martin Family Update

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      We had a very blessed week. Bro. Martin and the four children were able to get some much needed projects done around the house there in Texas as well as spend time with some of the family.  On Saturday around noon, we had a Martin side family reunion/Christmas gathering. It was good to be with some of the family that we rarely get to see except for special occasions such as this.

 

       Bro. Martin ministered at Chelsea, OK on Sunday morning and in Bristow, OK in the evening service. It was a treat to have the family stay with Derek and I and we were privileged to be with them in service on Sunday night. The Presence of God was so real as Bro. Martin shared many of the stories we have communicated here on the website in our weekly updates. We praise the Lord for the tremendous response in the altars.

 

        Bro. Martin received a text message on Sunday evening from the minister that has taken care of Hope Church for the past two Sundays. He said, “Hello Pastor James, We had another good meeting today – 50+ folks. Praise and worship led by Will*. A team led by Ben* fed the meal again today. I believe we’re keeping the fire of the Holy Spirit burning until you return. Look forward to talking to you this week.”  We are so thankful to hear how the Lord is working in these precious hearts. We know one thing for sure – Jesus loves them!

 

We trust you have a wonderful week leading up to Thanksgiving Day. Happy Thanksgiving!

*Name changed to protect privacy
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3 Keys to Wise Decision-Making

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Jeremiah 10:23 “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.”

 

Psalm 37:23 “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.”

 

Direction is very important in life.

 

It has been said that young people make the most important decisions of their lives at a time when they are the least prepared for them. This can breed fear and uncertainty in the heart of a young person who wants to make wise and God-honoring decisions. However, for a young person that is completely dedicated to the Lord, they have the privilege of being lead by the ONE who knows all things – past, present and future. There are a few keys that we can glean from this thought.

 

  1. We must recognize and confess that our human understanding is insufficient.
 
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thy own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he shall direct thy paths.”
God didn’t make us to be self-dependent. We see where being self-dependent got Adam and Eve in the garden. They took the chance of sinning in order to do something that appeared good to themselves. What could have happened if they would have sought counsel of the Lord before making that decision? No doubt the outcome would have been different. Our own understanding is an unsure foundation.

 

  1. We must acknowledge that each decision, great or small, is significant to the Lord.
 
If we aren’t careful, we view small decisions as nuisances to God. “Why bother God about this?” This reminds me of a time that the mothers were bringing their children to Jesus asking him to put their hands upon them. The disciples reprimanded the mothers, but God overstepped the correction to show his desire to answer the prayers of his people. It doesn’t matter how small and insignificant they may seem to us, God desires to intervene.

 

  1. We can rejoice in the surety of God’s direction when we are living a life pleasing to Him.

As Psalm 37:23 states, the requirement to having your steps ordered of the Lord is to be a “good man”. What does being a “good man” mean? In the Strong’s Concordance, it means a valiant man or warrior. We look at who is writing this – David – who was one of the greatest warriors of all time. We could say that an active person’s steps will be ordered of the Lord. How can God direct your steps if you are unwilling to move?  God does not force us to move, but He will lead us in the direction we should go as we are willing to go where He leads.

In relation to this subject, I’m reminded of an experience about a month ago when we were on bus route visitation one Saturday evening. We were about to leave the apartment complex when Derek felt lead to give our last flyer to a young boy who had come to Kid’s Crusade back in August, but hadn’t come since. As we were walking in the direction of his apartment, a lady who we had met before came up to us and started pouring out her heart to us. We started talking to her of the Hope and peace in Jesus. We had a powerful prayer time there and she kept telling us, “I know God sent y’all here to talk to me tonight.” It is clear to me that God will lead as we are willing to follow.

 

Are you seeking for direction in your life? Trust God and go where He leads.

Martin family Update

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This was an exciting weekend in the Martin Family as Jamin and Allison were united in Holy Matrimony. Oh, it was precious to see the seriousness with which they made each vow, and the happiness that was evident upon their countenances. We are so excited to see what God has in store for this precious couple.
We heard a tremendous report from Bro Steve who ministered at Hope Church yesterday morning. He shared that there was around 50 in attendance and 2 precious souls came up for salvation. We praise the Lord for how he is working in these hearts. We are so thankful for Heart of the City Church who offered to prepare the meal after the service.
Bro Martin, Julie, Jalisa, Jordan, and Joy ministered at Faith Tabernacle in Ft. Worth, TX this past Sunday morning and Faith Tabernacle in Denton, Texas in the evening. Both Bro Martin and Julie shared that God met with them in a special way in both services shown by the tremendous response in the altars.
Thank you for keeping us in your prayers as we endeavor to follow God’s purposes each step of the way.
God bless!

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