DIRECTOR'S BLOG

Dr. Sam Martin

‘And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. Mark 10: 16

Driving to the office this morning, listening to a news channel, I heard a Mother say, “By the way the kid’s drop off day went well yesterday.” Of course I understood what she meant, and could picture anxious parents and scared children making their way to their first day in School. In fact, it brought back many memories.

It is a different world and I can imagine many parents really feeling nervous and concerned, especially with what is happening in so many schools, and in society as a whole. However, I found my mind taking me back just a few weeks to a meeting I attended on our Mission Campus in Guatemala.

The theme was ‘Something good is happening at AOJ.’ There was music, praise, worship and testimonies from students, sharing how much they appreciate the ministry, how they are so blessed to be sponsored and attend th..

Dr. Sam Martin

‘Continue steadfastly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving….’ Col. 4:2-4

A week or so ago, my wife and I were in Guatemala, ministering to the people, encouraging the staff, attending to Mission business and sharing in various outreach events. It was a busy week, a week of challenges and blessings. As I write, I am anxious to ask you to join with us in prayer, urgent prayer for a young student. Let me explain.

My wife was out with our Social workers, visiting families and assessing needs and seeking to bring hope, comfort and help. She entered one home and was surprised to see a young teenager, a girl who sang in the School Choir my wife led last year. The girl’s mother explained that her daughter Michelle now 15 years old had just finished chemotherapy for throat cancer, and that the report from the Doctor was not encouraging and that the cancer had spread. My wife prayed with her mother and ..

Dr. Sam Martin

‘His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant...” Matt. 25 v 21

Yesterday I was deeply moved by a note with regard to a Sponsor and her sponsored child. Of course, it is not unusual to receive notes from sponsors, but this was so different.

Back in the summer of 2016, a lady from New Brunswick, Canada joined a Mission Team to Guatemala. The experiences touched her life in many ways and she felt led to give a child a real chance at life, so she became a sponsor. This was also a blessing for the child, and an encouragement to us and our staff in Guatemala.

It was with sadness that I learned from the note that the Sponsor had passed away, but I have to add, sadness was bathed in gladness because Mrs. B. (I have chosen not to include her name) was a devout believer in Jesus Christ and was therefore in His presence where she heard Him say:..

Dr. Sam Martin

"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” Matt. 26 v 41

As I thumbed through some pictures taken on a recent trip to Guatemala, I smiled as I looked at the one of a girl praying then I began to think deeply. Let me share it with you, and why I smiled and the thoughts that came to my mind trusting they will be helpful to you.

As I looked at the girl’s eyes, a scripture came to mind, the words of Jesus found in Matthew 26 v 41, ‘Watch and pray.’

Dr. Sam Martin

‘But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.' 1 John 3: 17 - 18

The other day whilst driving to a meeting, I listened to Mrs. Melania Trump give her speech outlining our projects as First Lady of the USA. The speech which was excellent, challenging and deeply moving. It was entitled ‘Be the Best’. During the speech she made reference to ‘A Buddy Bench’ and a young man named Christian. Let me share his story:

‘In the spring of 2013, when Christian was in first grade, there was a possibility that his family was going to move to Germany. When they were looking at a website for a school overseas, Christian saw a picture of a special bench on the playground. He asked about it and liked what he heard. He thought it would be ..

Dr. Sam Martin

‘By and by when He holds out His hands, Marvelous hands, welcoming hands; By and by when He holds out His hands, I'll wish I had given Him more.’

It was half time and so I decided to wander around the school where the basketball tournament was being played. It was a Catholic school so there were signs, posters with beautiful Christian messages. However I was drawn to a bronze-like statue of a beggar, at least that was my first thought but then I noticed the outreached hand. In itself that would be normal, but then I noticed it had a nail print in it and I realized the beggar was in fact Jesus! This touched me; it caused m..

Dr. Sam Martin

“Tears are words the mouth can't say nor can the heart bear.”

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

I turned my lights off, put my coat on as I made ready to head home from the office but as I passed Barb’s desk, I noticed her eyes were heavy, she was fighting back tears. Obviously I stopped to talk and the conversation led to this blog.

Barb like all the AOJ staff, is not only a dedicated professional, but a deeply committed and caring person and when I asked her what was wrong, she shared she had two children she was trying to find sponsors for. She then shared the story of Icker, a young 5 years old, and as she did so, she was fighting back the tears. I looked at the profile we have on this young ..