Log in to your Account

The Martins* are a Mission Society couple that live and minister in a Central Asian nation. One of their ministries is coordinating an English Club which provides English tutoring, watches American movies, and discusses a topic of interest to the students. Some of the students spend time in the Martins’ home and experience a Christian family living out their faith.

The Martins have been praying specifically for a certain least-reached people group in the nation in which they serve. Grace* is from this people group. She began attending the English Club and became friends with the Martins’ oldest daughter. Through their friendship, Grace learned about Thanksgiving and Christmas traditions. She was enthralled by the Christmas story, music, the nativity scene, but mostly by the Advent candles.

During one English Club meeting before the Martins returned to the States for homeland ministry, the students all shared their dreams. Mrs. Martin shared that she would like to return to this nation next year. She also told the students that only God knows the number of their days, and, if she didn’t return, she prayed that she would see them all in heaven one day. (Mrs. Martin is a cancer survivor.)

Although she is not yet a believer, Grace shared that her dream is to go to the United States and experience Christmas with Christians. Since the Martins returned to the States, they have been in contact with Grace through email and Skype. She told them how much she missed them and awaited their arrival back in her homeland. Then, Grace decided to live out her dream and come to the United States for Christmas!

Grace’s visa was approved and she is planning to stay with the Martins December 15-January 2. Mrs. Martin said, “We will all be able to light the Advent candle together at our home church on December 18. We just read an Advent reading last night, and the candle we are reading together is the ‘salvation’ candle. We pray that this will be the year of Grace’s salvation!”

*Pseudonyms used for security purposes.