Chad and Miriam Martin

Chad and Miriam, who are both graduates of the School of Discipleship, came on staff in October of 2021. Chad works primarily in the School of Discipleship overseeing student worktimes as well as teaching some classes. He also assists with maintenance projects as needed. Miriam does some landscaping work as she can, tending to flower beds and rock gardens around the ranch. Their son Finneas was born in June of 2023.

Martin’s Ministry Updates

December 13, 2024

Dear friends and family,

Again, we find time passing quickly and we realize it’s been a while since we sent out a newsletter. Having meant to get this out months ago, here we are in December nearing the end of the year.

Since our last letter much has been going on and we find life ever busy. Mid August we said goodbye to last year’s class of students as they graduated from their year in the School of Discipleship. After a couple of weeks, we then welcomed a new class of students in mid September. Chad and I are blessed this year to be advisors to two of the students: Mercy, who is a second-year student, and Jordan, who is a first-year student. It has been great getting to have them to our house once a week for supper and begin getting to know them. Finneas is quickly coming to know them as friends, and enjoys the evenings they spend at our house.

Speaking of Finneas, he began walking in August and true to his nature has never stopped going since. He has just began trying to figure out how to run, and seems to find walking on his toes a funny thing! It’s such an amazing thing to watch a child discover and learn. He is fascinated with animals, and is quickly picking up on the sounds they make. He loves spending every minute he can outside exploring with his dog. As it is getting colder, we are having to find new ways to entertain him indoors. Some of his favorite things recently is sending his little cars down a play slide and off a ramp that Chad built for him, and building with his magna-tiles. He is always looking for ways to be helpful and loves to do the dishes with me. I can’t turn on the kitchen sink without him running out and grabbing a stool while repeating “dishes” over and over. He also is learning how to help feed Jasper.

I am quickly approaching the end of my pregnancy, and it has again been an uneventful and mostly enjoyable pregnancy. But in these last couple weeks the discomfort is setting in and I am eager to meet our second little boy. I am not sure if Finneas truly understands that there is a baby coming but he will often lay his head on my belly and say “baby” and when asked where baby brother is he points to my belly. I am so looking forward to seeing how he adjusts to having a little sibling.

We have done a little bit of travelling in the last couple months. At the end of the summer we did an overnight camping trip with another staff family. We were able to take several trips up to Canada in the fall to attend a couple weddings, including Chad’s sister’s wedding. Finneas and I took a trip out to Indiana in September to spend a few days with my family. We also just returned a couple weeks ago from Indiana where we spent thanksgiving with my family. It was such an enjoyable time, and while I do enjoy travelling and seeing our families, with baby approaching I am looking forward to spending Christmas at home this year and not going anywhere for awhile.

Chad began his work teaching for the Youth Vision release time in September. This year they have around 65 kids attending every Tuesday. They also welcomed a new volunteer, who has been a blessing to have helping. So far Chad has been teaching about the people of Israel in the wilderness on their way to the promised land. He taught a special lesson this last week on prayer and will do a special Christmas lesson as well.

After taking on a part-time position in the finance office for the summer, Chad decided to continue on doing it and has continued learning how that aspect of the ministry works and it has been going well. He has had a lot to learn having no previous experience in bookkeeping/accounting, but has been very blessed by fellow staff that have come along side to teach and help him as needed.

I also wanted to give an update on how we are doing with raising financial support. We would like to get to the point where we are raising $2,000 (USD) a month. Currently we are at about half of that. Of course, God has always provided for us and we trust that he will continue to do so. If you are interested in becoming a monthly supporter and not sure how, don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your support and your prayers.

Merry Christmas!
Chad & Miriam Martin

Prayer Requests

• For the safe arrival of our new baby
• That Chad would be able to teach well at release time and that the children would be attentive
• That Miriam would have the strength she needs for everyday, especially during her pregnancy and with the coming little boy
• For Chad to be able to learn finance stuff well
• That we would “know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that [we] may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19)