The last 60 days has been extremely humbling yet joy filled as we continue to live out of suitcases and the trunk of our car. We are overwhelmed with the Lord’s provision and generosity of our Church body in providing temporary housing for us through this transition.
The photo below is from the Center for Mission Mobilization Staff Conference at Shepherd of the Ozarks in Arkansas. You can find Jen and I in the back row, top, left. Alyssa and Elijah are scattered throughout the rest of the studly MK’s, Missionary Kids. Look how massive the CMM team is!
We spent the last 45 days traveling from Austin to Arkansas to Colorado. We spent the final week of July at Shepherd of the Ozarks for the CMM Staff Retreat. This was an awesome time to meet and fellowship with our CMM Co-Laborers and hear reports of the work the Lord is doing through the CMM ministry throughout the world. Below is a picture of the beautiful facilities at Shepherd of the Ozarks.
From the Ozark Mountains to the Rocky Mountains. I can not think of a better place to spend our missionary training than the Rocky Mountains. The Mission Training International Conference Center was in an ideal location to seek the Lord in His beautiful creation.
Elijah and I had the opportunity to climb our first 14’er, Mount Elbert. The four of us took advantage of our downtime and spent quality time with our new missionary friends to check out the sights and sounds of Colorado Springs to include VIP guided tours of the Air Force Academy, US Olympic Training Facility and many of the surrounding hiking trails. The photos below are a glimpse of how we spent our weekends and evenings.
Pictured clockwise from top left corner 1) Worship concert crew 2) Peru flag at Olympic Training Center 3) Summit of Mt. Elbert 4) Palmer Lake Reservoir Trail 5) The Incline 6) Mt. Herman 7) Air Force Academy 8) (Center Pic) Fellow missionaries serving in Latin America
One big takeaway for us from missionary training was the importance of the Sabbath Rest. We know that if we want to be effective in our ministry we must be obedient to the Lord’s commandments, which includes keeping the Sabbath day Holy. My natural tendency is to work hard, unceasing as if the world will fall apart if I stop working. I have to remember that the Lord does not need me but invites me into His work. Laboring for the Lord requires frequent rest and recharging. Hebrews 4: 1-3, also reaffirms the importance of rest.
A Sabbath-Rest for the People of God
4 Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. 2 For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed.[a] 3 Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,
“So I declared on oath in my anger,
‘They shall never enter my rest.’”[b]
And yet his works have been finished since the creation of the world.
We practiced resting well! We know His works have been finished and we have peace in knowing that He is with us to the end of ages!
Liberty University Online Academy ‘LUOA’ here we come!
Alyssa and Elijah will begin their Senior and 8th grade year, September 18th at Liberty University Online Academy. The flexibility of the online school is a Godsend for us as we transition. Both of them have been extremely resilient through this process and they are excited to begin this new adventure.
Until our next post, go with God Speed and may God bless you!
Familia Martinez
Familia Martinez Ministry 