Communication Support

(Recap): We have been posting some special Support blog entries to specifically address the SIX main areas of support, any of which you are welcome to be a part of! We would only ask that you prayerfully consider each one, and let us know if there is a specific area you'd like to be involved in! (some of you are already involved in one or more areas, for which we are deeply thankful!) 

To view the previous entries on Prayer Support and Moral Support, click on this link: Support Entries

Communication Support

"Out of Sight, Out of Mind!"

The goal of Communication Support is to eliminate/avoid the above quote!

It goes without saying that Communication Support is a two-way street. Without communication on either end, the list of negative side effects is perhaps endless. But if communication on both ends is strong, the list of positives is long and joyful!

Communication Support lies in between Moral Support (encouragement) and Logistical Support (information). We highly value it, and we know that there is too often the case of little - zero communication between missionaries and supporters/churches.

One side to this area of support is YOUR communication with US, as our brothers and sisters in Christ... as our friends, as our accountability partners.

Ways to Support Through Communication:

• Writing letters/emails/Facebook - even selecting a certain day each month to send us a quick "hello"
• Write about how you are doing personally
• Write about church and community life and events
• Write to share encouraging things you've read or heard or sung... etc... You never know when God will speak through you!!
• Phone calls/text/Skype - just to say hello!
• Send photos (mail or electronically) ~ it's the only time we get to see your face!! This gives us the opportunity to put up photos to pray for you and revisit memories
• Create videos
• Record your small group some evening
• 'Interview' people at church- ask them a question, or give them the chance to tell us something... or introduce us to new members of the church... etc!
• Make a silly video just to make us laugh, or a 'video tour' of our hometown (just for fun!)
• Don't forget the kiddos! Our kids love your kids... this is a fun way to keep a friendship going
• Care packages
• Come and visit us!!

The second side to this support is OUR communication with YOU. It is just as important that we are faithful in keeping you updated on all of life's happenings. We want to be consistent at writing, calling, sending photos, and just communicating with you in general!

If you feel like this is an area you could/would like to commit to now or in the future, we strongly ask you to get in contact with us! Have you thought of another way to support us through Communication? Tell us about it!

Fastbreak

Yep, our trip to Seattle over Christmas break was as fast as toasting a pop tart. :) (ok... here it is, a clip from stand-up comedian Brian Regan on the complexities of toasting pop tarts!) Brian Regan: Pop Tarts

Spending time at Lincoln Park
with Grandpa and Grandma

The girls loved seeing their
cousins!

We flew to to the PNW on December 14th, and just returned on January 10th. Being a bit tired, we decided beforehand to include more rest/down time than we normally do. This proved to be a much-needed refreshment for both of us. The girls thoroughly enjoyed their time with the family- grandparents, cousins, uncles and aunties, etc.

Naya enjoying some Dim Sum

We loved worshiping with our churches in Seattle, and we are thankful for the two lovely evenings we shared with many of you for our small group evenings. It was encouraging for us (and hopefully for you too!) to share pictures, videos, stories, and details about our classes. We hope you realize that the opportunity to share with YOU what we are doing in detail makes us feel connected with you even while we're living away! We don't ever want to be "the missionaries out there", rather we want you to be involved and aware of what we're doing, and where we are! So a big THANK YOU for your involvement with us!

CHRISTMAS.... Do you remember recently hearing about the Siar tribe in Papua New Guinea, hearing the Gospel for the first time? Well, the new Siar believers celebrated the birth of Jesus for the first time this year! That means they joined YOU in giving praise to God for sending His Son on their behalf. Here is the link to the story if you want to read all of it: http://usa.ntm.org/field-news/christmas-for-siars

Next Wednesday, the 18th, our 2nd semester here at the Missionary Training Center (MTC) begins. We will be taking more practical skills classes, including Grammar, Field Health, and Missionary Technology (how to live in a remote location). Also, we'll have more classes about the principles of church planting, such as New Testament Church Principles, Animism, Folk Religion, and studying through Romans.

Naya sharing her song with
"Great Grandma Hippie" on Christmas day

Lastly, as many of you know, we are strongly considering the field of Papua New Guinea! We would love your thoughts and prayers as we look into it more this spring.

Thank you for your friendship, love, and support!

Great Grandma Roe and her 5
great-grandchildren!

~The Martinez Family