DIRECTOR'S BLOG

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 ..

Dr. Sam Martin

As one who loves to read, and read widely , I picked up a copy of a book by Robert Herjavec who is known for his appearance on ‘Shark Tank.’ It was as you can imagine about how to build a business and succeed in life. However it was written in a very down to earth way as Robert shared an insight into his life.

Now to be honest, I skipped many pages but then was deeply moved by what I have called ‘a message from a shark.’ That message came as I read chapter 26 with the title ‘The Significance of Socks.’

Robert Herjavec shares how in spite of all his success, went through a very difficult family situation which saw his marriage end and caused him to consider suicide proving that money cannot buy happiness or love. As a result, he went to Seattle where he gave himself to work at Union Gospel Mission, serving the homeless and needy. One evening he went with the Director of the Mission on a search-and–rescue trip.

About two in..

Dr. Sam Martin

Let me begin by wishing you and yours a ‘Blessed New year’ and assure you, I pray the Lord will bless you in every way in the months ahead!

Over the years I often became discouraged when I heard Church leaders say, “We cannot get anyone to serve! We need workers for Sunday school, youth ….. And … but no one responds to our cries for help.” The list goes on. Of course as a Pastor, I had been in their shoes. So often we hear people say/sing “I surrender all” but then find they are too busy to make themselves available to serve God.

Well at the end of the year, a young lady who had grown up through the Mission and who had just graduated from our High School asked to speak with me. She began by sharing how blessed she had been as a Sponsored child, and how she loved every moment studying at the Mission School. She hugged me with a big smile of thanks and appreciation.

Then she startled me by saying, “Pastor..