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Martin family to serve in Africa
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Neighbors | Submitted.The Martin family of Austintown, which includes from left, (front) Joe, Abigail, Matthew ; (back) and Cyndi will travel to Ethiopia for 2 years as part of the Assemblies of God World Missions program.
By EARTHA TERRELL
Austintown residents Joe and Cyndi Martin are planning to take a leap of faith and journey across the globe to provide missionary assistance in Ethiopia for two years. The couple, along with their two children, Abigail and Matthew, have been anticipating their journey for several years.
“We received the call to go there in 2007. It’s been a journey that I’ve prayed about. Yes, there may be fear and anxiety, but I know my heavenly father has chosen me to do this. It’s about being faithful. I’m more afraid of being out of God’s will than of the unknown and when you can move past fear, you can get so much freedom,” Cyndi said.
According to the Martins, the couple will work alongside Ethiopians to provide better living and educational quality for people who face unsanitary and impoverished conditions on a daily basis.
“The poverty in America isn’t the same as it is in Africa. They have to bleach their food before they can eat it due to poor water quality and 80 percent of death in Africa is due to bad water. We want to help, but we’re not giving handouts and our goal isn’t to Americanize them. We’re walking alongside them. It’s a partnership because who knows better of what they need than the people of that country,” Cyndi said.
The couple will also provide sanitary education and Cyndi will be teaching first grade at the Christian school, Bingham Academy. She is anxious and excited to meet her new students.
“I’m excited. I stopped teaching when my son was born and I’m ready to get back in the classroom with kids that do not take their education for granted. For a child to get an education in Africa they know that it’s a sacrifice and a privilege,” Cyndi said.
For more information on how to donate to their journey, call 330-559-9641.