Robert & Susan Martin
"This is how God showed his love among us : He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him." 1 John 4:9
Dear Family and Friends,
Warm Christmas greetings from our hearts to yours. The wonder of God’s love and kindness that has drawn us to Himself through His incarnate Son is worth celebrating. O the deep, deep love of Jesus!
We've been reflecting on this past year and are grateful for the different men God has granted new birth and is also in the process of growing and changing. We have seen spiritual success in a few and thank Him for the joy and encouragement of being a part of this.
We met Jeff* in early spring in the assessment unit when he first attended a chapel service we led. Prison life was devastating compared to his successful career in sales. In repentance he sought the Lord and is finding the wisdom and strength to maneuver his way through his correctional plan. After transferring to one of the other institutions in the Kingston area, I am able to visit one on one with him each week; he attends the Alpha course and also our monthly chapel service.
He has shared with me how he reads Scripture and prays with his wife over the phone regularly. This is a huge blessing to her as she struggles without him in the home. Jeff's hunger for the Word and his keen desire to grow is an encouragement. We see spiritual life!
Nathan* arrived in the federal system three years ago. He had a strong Christian background but also had two failed marriages. His initial goal was to just lay low and get through his sentence. However, God nudged him to attend the chapel service where we made contact with him. He continued to come and in time began seeking to rebuild his relationship with the Lord. I visit with him one on one and have seen his joy return. He reached out to his two sons to seek to reestablish a relationship with them. He didn't hear back for a long time but he continued to pray. Just recently his youngest son has finally responded and they are now communicating through phone calls. He is rejoicing in God's good kindness to him in this recent blessing.
Jeff and Nathan are living out their faith day by day, making careful choices and relying on the Spirit of God. It's not easy but we are inspired as we walk alongside them. We pray they and other Christian inmates will remain in the Word, strengthened by the Lord and seek fellowship in the chapel activities rather than giving in to the sub culture of prison life in order to pass the time.
The season is full with extra prison activities as we celebrate. Through this we pray many will be reminded again how Jesus was the greatest gift ever given. He came to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself and His death was the payment for all our sins.
O come, let us adore Him!
Christmas blessings,
Robert and Susan