Texas Trip- Summer 2012

For all you Texans out there...Save the Date! This year we are bringing a special guest! Lisa (& her son), a Joshua Station resident, is coming with us to share her story. ------------------------ Saturday, July 21st @ 6pm Zio's Italian Kitchen 6631 Fossil Bluff Drive Fort Worth, TX 76137 $15.00 suggested donation per person TO RESERVE YOUR PLACE FOR DINNER @ ZIOS: click on the Paypal tab to the right of the screen, follow the prompts, give your donation, provide how many guests you will be bringing in the description, and we will save you a seat for the event. As always, you can also send a check to: Martin Missions Inc. P.O.Box 2472 Englewood, CO 80150 ------------------------------- And on Sunday, July 22nd we (& Lisa & her son) will be updating our friends at: Trinity Church 526 Benbrook Drive Palestine, TX 75801 Service & lunch fundraiser

Cares Team- One Year Reflections

In April of last year, we became the Cares Team at Marquis at the Parkway. What a fun adventure it has been caring for the residents and staff at the Parkway. We have had the opportunity to create some really fun events (3 each month to be exact)! Here are some of our favorites: Breakfast on the Go, Pasta Night, Ladies Clothing Exchange, Slide into Spring with Stoney's Sliders, Pirate Pool Party, Taco Night, and the list goes on. Not only have we been able to plan great events, but we have met some amazing people. We love living in community, hearing our resident's stories, sharing our stories, and simply caring. Many would look at our life and wonder why... why give up a house, why volunteer at an apartment complex, why care when most would not? It's simple- LOVE. We are compelled by love to reach out, give back, and offer a smile, a "welcome to the community", or a shoulder to cry on during a difficult season. As I try to communicate how invested and truly blessed we are to serve at the Parkway, words just can't describe the opportunity and experience we have had. If you'd like to hear more about our experience or how to become a Cares Team, give us a call or shoot us an email, we'd love to tell you more. As we roll into our second year, we look forward to many more opportunities to connect with residents and share our life with the community at the Parkway.

A Fancy Occasion

On an ordinary Tuesday night, Martin Missions had the honor to bless some very special people at Providence House. Providence House is a place in Denver where individuals can go to rehab from addiction. On a typical Tuesday night, a few of the residents cook dinner, everyone hurries in, grabs food, quickly eats, and a fast clean up of the kitchen before their Tuesday night meeting. We thought it would be special to create an elegant setting, cook a fabulous meal, and serve the residents like a fine dining experience. When we closed the doors to prepare the tables, word quickly got out that something different was going on that evening. We dressed up, set the tables, prepared the meal, and before the doors opened I, Wendy, had the opportunity to tell the residents exactly what was going to take place. I told them that we were there to serve them and show them just a fraction of the love the Lord has for them. I told them I only had one rule- They had to stay seated through out the whole meal to allow us to serve them. The residents were not accustomed to being served their dinner so it was fun to remind them.. "Please sit, allow me to serve you." The residents at Providence House thank you, our faithful monthly supporters, for providing this fancy occasion.

Ben & Anicka Olsen move to Denver

Our friends, Ben & Anicka Olsen came to visit us in Denver last fall as they were praying about their next steps in serving people with the love of Christ. Ben & Anicka have a heart much like ours to serve people within community ministry. We connected them with two local options: Apartment Life and our friends at Providence Network. Providence had just recently acquired a new facility, Clausen House, which they had asked Matt & I if we would like to look into being directors of. This opportunity would be amazing, but we are currently in a two year covenant commitment with Apartment Life and could not imagine leaving our amazing community at the Parkway. So, we suggested Ben & Anicka meet with Providence to see if the position as directors of Clausen House would be a good fit for them. We gave our friends the highest recommendation, Ben & Anicka went through a few interviews, and are now currently the directors of Clausen House for Providence Network. We are thrilled to have our friends serving with us in Denver! We look forward to spending time with them, organizing outreaches, and working together to see lives transformed. Congratulations Ben & Anicka we are blessed to have you here "for such a time as this!" We love you!

Reyna's Journey

Reyna, (the one in the middle of the 3 beautiful girls) is a precious lady we met through a friend who goes to church with us. When we met Reyna, she was in great need of community, support, encouragement, and the love of the Father. Reyna's life has not been easy. Recently, she has experienced the loss of her mother and her father. Since Reyna was a teenager, she has used drugs to cope with the struggles of life. I, Wendy, have had the opportunity to walk with Reyna as she has chosen to make positive steps in the right direction. Martin Missions Inc. sent Reyna to Texas in February to receive counseling from our good friend and faithful supporter, Howard Olsen with Crossways Ministries. While Reyna was in Texas, she was welcomed to stay with our good friends and faithful supporters, Aaron & Penny Reeves with Homestead Ministries. We are truly thankful for their willingness to welcome Reyna, spend time with her, and walk with her during this season. Please pray for Reyna. She still struggles with her addiction, needs a program to fight her addiction, and faithful believers to stand in the gap and believe for complete healing and recovery. If you feel led and would like to encourage Reyna, please send emails and/or cards to the address below and I will be sure to get them to her. Thank you in advance for your love for our friend Reyna.

Providence Meets Denver United

Last fall, Denver United contacted us to see if we knew a place where our brothers from the local halfway house could transition into after being released. The transition is often not easy for the guys. Housing is hard to find with a criminal record and the skills needed to maintain a job, manage a budget, and continue their spiritual journey in their new found freedom can be tough. Matt arranged a meeting for him to introduce Denver United Church staff to our friends at Providence Network. These men came together, created a plan, and now our brothers have a safe place to transition at Providence Network's housing facility called Victory. For our last GO Day, Denver United filled their new place with all the essential items needed to start these men out right and we also made improvements to Victory such as painting, cleaning, and organizing. We are excited for the opportunity our brother's have to get on their feet, maintain healthy boundaries, and grow spiritually with the help of our church body. Pray for them as they settle in and continue to pursue their walk with Christ.

Spruce A Room 2011 @ Joshua Station

What a joy it was to create a warm and inviting home for a family in need. Thank you for those of you who gave financially, bought items, and came to help us "Spruce these Rooms!" Now, a new Joshua Station family will have a place to spend the holidays! We were honored to be a part of such a great project with awesome people!
Words can not describe how thankful we are to be here in the city of Denver serving His people.

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