Martin Dec 2017

Dear friends and family,

Greetings from Gainesville, Georgia! It is a little hard to believe, but I am home again. What a blessing the past eighteen years have been. 

Today I am sitting and watching my niece play with her toys as she makes complete sentences talking about Christmas lights. A pot of soup is cooking on the stove and I have my hands wrapped around a warm cup of coffee. There is the anticipation of family coming to visit this weekend after the state football championship and the joyful hope of snow that I have not seen in eighteen years. It is a peaceful picture. I am home.

But my mind wanders to Kenya, as the children are excited about going on home stays for Christmas. The younger ones will make cookies with Julie. There will be Christmas stories and games around the tree. Everyone will be eager for the Christmas Day meal and services. It is home.

Then on to Nigeria. Oh the fun at Christmas there. Decorating the dining hall, Christmas Eve singing, chin chin, zobo, meat, church, visit to Dutsen Kura for games in the nearby village, coming home full, and eating again. Oh the joy of the day visiting friends, laughing, remembering those who have gone, tales of times past, family meetings…home.

 I am overwhelmed at the blessing. The constant, the one factor that makes it special is Christmas. It is the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He unites our hearts from every tribe and tongue. When we belong to Him, we are family. In Him we are home no matter where we find ourselves. 

What does the future hold…only God knows. But wherever I find myself…I am home. Not because of anything other than the baby in the manger who came, lived a sinless life, died in our place on the cross, rose from the dead, in order to save us from the wrath of a Holy God because of sin. 

Merry Christmas from my home to yours! Seriously, it just started to snow.

If you are viewing this on our website, click here for a printable version:

http://www.rafikifoundation.org/MissionaryReports/Martin/2017/MMartinDec2017.pdf

Trusting Him,

1141 Cumberland Valley Road

Gainesvile, GA 30501