Joel and Nancy Martinez

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Prayer Letter/Ministry Update

ONE CHURCH-SEVERAL CONGREGATIONS! This is our brand new endeavor. Our 7 year old church is planting two new Communities (Churches). One in a small town, Padul. The other in a neighborhood called Lachana. Please pray as the newly appointed leaders set the stage by focusing on prayer and bonding the church planting team.
WE SAID GOODBYE TO JOEL'S MOM IN SEPTEMBER. Joel's mom was diagnosed with terminal cancer in April of this year. On the 17th of September she made her last trip. However, this time it was to the presence of the Lord she served all her life. She was known to us as Mimi, her husband Papi. Joel and Nancy traveled to Miami this past weekend to bury her remains with his dads. We praise the Lord for Joel's parents who served the Lord as missionaries to the United States from Cuba. A Victory Celebration was held in the church in Granada and a memorial service in Miami. Please pray for us as we continue to serve with Operation Sunflower.
"WE DON'T KNOW IF YOU WILL LIVE!" These were the words a medical doctor told Jony before taking him into emergency surgery. When Nancy and I visited him several days later he admitted it was God who saved his life. Consequently he.....read what follows and PRAISE GOD WITH US.
"I have one thing to do before I accept Jesus" These were Johny's words that particular afternoon. What was it? What was so important that he had to do before coming to Jesus? Get rid of HIS MARIJUANA GARDEN! Praise the Lord! He went to his basement and turned off all the machinery in order to kill all his marijuana plants. Then he came to Jesus. He did not want to start his relationship with Jesus before getting rid of this major obstacle. Soon the next chapter of Jony's story!
What a joy to see Ramona lead and give the Bible study for our cell group! Wow! How God has changed her and how He is using her. Praise Him!!

Dear Friends, September 2009

Once again we write to you to update you on what’s going on here in Spain and to let you know how to PRAY and PRAISE Him for His goodness and faithfulness to us.
In June eight people were baptized. Around 135 people joined us to celebrate. What a time of rejoicing! It was an all day event here at Sunflower Center. The place was bussing with excitement!! We’re so grateful for these dear ones willing to give such a public testimony of their new faith in Jesus Christ. Pray for María, Vanessa, Josué, Pili, Jesús, Mónica, Elisabet, and María. At the end of the baptisms, María’s daughter prayed to invite Jesus into her life. She wanted what her mother had! Pray for Soledad and her family. And pray for many more sensitive hearts like hers…. (In August three more people were baptized! Rejoice with us!)
Pray for Isis Carolina, David, and Alba as these three young people prepare for ministry. Pray that their financial needs be met – that they don´t grow discouraged!
The recession continues to hit hard – it´s a very difficult time for Spain. So many people out of work, four million people diagnosed with chronic depression, domestic violence affecting so many homes… May God use His church to reach out and model truth. Pray for Pedro, Amador, Victoria, Rafaela (and many others) who need to respond to the truth lived out before them through their Christian friends.
Joel´s mother, who has terminal cancer, is now living with us. The cancer is in her mouth, jaw, and neck and rapidly continues to spread. We are grateful for the great medical care that she is receiving here, for the prayer support of God´s people all around the world, and for the help and support that we are receiving from our church here in Granada. We are so blessed!!
Pray for our dear children and grandchildren so spread out all around the world. Pray that they continue to walk in truth… in a world that does not promote that. May they stand tall as His followers!!
And you? What about you? Are you standing tall as His follower? Do your neighbors know that you love Jesus? You know, not everyone can cross the ocean but we can all cross the street to share the Gospel with someone, can´t we? We challenge you to do that, but remember, we are called to be witnesses not lawyers or judges. So let’s be fishers of men! We catch them – He´ll clean them!!
Thanks again for faithfully supporting missions. We can be ¨fishers of men¨ here because you give. Your contributions are such a blessing and encouragement to us. Thank you for giving to the Great Commission Fund and also to our work Special ¨Operation Sunflower.¨ Our faithful service demonstrates our gratefulness. God is using you in a mighty way. Thanks so much for your great participation!

You are in our hearts, with love,
Joel and Nancy

PS. On September 17, Joel´s mother’s battle with cancer ended. Here at Sunflower Center she quietly slipped away. Joel preached at her funeral held at our church here in Granada. The place was over flowing as neighbors, friends, and church members came to stand with us in our loss. Mima came to know the Lord in Cuba as a young gal through missionaries serving there. We celebrate her life dedicated to His service. We are so blessed!

OUR E-MAIL ADDRESSES: Write to us!!!

joelaguador@hotmail.com
jnsunflower@yahoo.com

Prayer Requests/Answers to Prayer

1. Please pray as Joel & Nancy travel to Miami to bury Joel's moms ashes with the remains of his dad.
2. Please pray for the two new churches the mother church in Granada will be starting within the next few months.

Spain

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