{"id":30771,"date":"2020-09-22T14:38:58","date_gmt":"2020-09-22T05:38:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/?page_id=30771"},"modified":"2020-10-22T16:13:55","modified_gmt":"2020-10-22T07:13:55","slug":"martinez","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/martinez\/","title":{"rendered":"David and Gloria Martinez \u2013 Taking Jesus into the Jungle"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”David and Gloria Martinez” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center|line_height:2em” css=”.vc_custom_1602135762249{margin-top: 1em !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_text_separator title=”Taking Jesus into the Jungle” color=”custom” el_width=”60″ accent_color=”#333333″ el_class=”line-for-40″][vc_single_image image=”30792″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1600753077455{margin-bottom: 0.1px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”The areas along Colombia\u2019s borders are highly dangerous \u201cred zones\u201d controlled by various guerrilla and paramilitary groups that run a lucrative drug trade in these regions.” font_container=”tag:h5|font_size:14px|text_align:center|line_height:1.4em” google_fonts=”font_family:Noto%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”][vc_empty_space][vc_text_separator title=”Becoming Invisible” color=”custom” el_width=”60″ accent_color=”#333333″ el_class=”line-for-40″][vc_column_text]David and Gloria Martinez have been faithfully serving the Lord in Colombia\u2019s Choco department since 2005. On numerous occasions their family have been threatened with death for their gospel work. Here is the rest of their story . . .<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

After moving to another part of Choc\u00f3 in 2010, David, Gloria and their children continued to experience persecution from all sides as the government, paramilitaries, rebel groups and organized crime syndicates vied for control of territory. \u201cThere were moments we had to run out of the community,\u201d Gloria said. \u201cThere were months when we were actually in another community because the drug situation was really bad.\u00a0Of course<\/span><\/span>\u00a0\u2026 there was a lot of fighting, so we would leave the area while it was happening, too.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

During the first few years, however, most of the persecution came from a local religious group.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u201cFor four years, more or less, they wouldn\u2019t rent us a good house,\u201d David said. \u201cWe always had houses that were falling apart. I would fix them, and then they would kick us out once I fixed it.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Then, a group of indigenous village leaders prohibited David and his family from entering their community. The village even sued them, claiming David\u2019s family was damaging their cultural identity by introducing and spreading Christianity.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe have been able to demonstrate with those who are believers today that we are not here to damage the cultural identity,\u201d David said. \u201cWe always try to teach in their language. We talk to the kids in their languages.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To keep the peace, David and his family moved out of the indigenous community and into an Afro-Colombian community. Descended from those brought to the Americas during the slave trade, the Afro- Colombians live much as their African ancestors did. Some of them even continue to practice African folk religions.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Among this community, David and Gloria lead a mixed congregation from indigenous and Afro-\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Colombian backgrounds. And they continue to minister to 20 indigenous believers in the community they left. \u201cThey can\u2019t kick us out because we are already out,\u201d David quipped.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2019, David and his family visited 25 of the 28 indigenous communities in the area, often receiving threats as they passed through guerrilla and paramilitary territories. Although the Colombian government and the FARC signed a peace agreement that was ratified by the nation\u2019s congress in\u00a0<\/span><\/span>November 2016, David and Gloria said the peace deal has not brought peace, especially in Choc\u00f3. In fact, they said, the guerrillas are only regrouping and rearming under the failed peace deal.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRight\u00a0<\/span><\/span>now<\/span><\/span>\u00a0we are a military objective for the armed groups because we are not from the area,\u201d Gloria said. \u201cWe are always praying to become invisible. The indigenous people who are Christians experience a lot more persecution from their community, and in many cases from the armed groups as well.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In some ways, David\u2019s family and the guerrilla groups are battling each other for the minds of the region\u2019s youth. Guerrilla groups often lure the children into their ranks with the promise of weapons and cash. Thousands of Colombian children have fought in the country\u2019s war; many were raised in guerrilla camps and trained as fighters from a young age. The FARC alone has reportedly recruited 3,700 child soldiers throughout its history.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>help<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>children<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>follow<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Christ<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>instead of the rebel groups, David and Gloria started teaching a children\u2019s Bible class two years ago. At\u00a0<\/span><\/span>first<\/span><\/span>\u00a0they held the class in an indigenous village, but after receiving threats from village leaders they changed their approach. With parents\u2019 approval, they now pick up about 200 children each weekend using a boat that VOM helped provide. David picks up 50 children at a time, takes them to his home for the Bible lesson and then returns them to their homes.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

David and Gloria also watch for vulnerable children whom the guerrilla groups might target as recruits. They help the children\u2019s families enroll them in school and even transport them to and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>from school when possible. David thinks they have prevented about 10 children from joining the guerrillas. \u201cGod helped us to save these kids,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_text_separator title=”Raising Children in Danger” color=”custom” el_width=”60″ accent_color=”#333333″ el_class=”line-for-40″][vc_single_image image=”30736″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1600742656482{margin-bottom: 0.1px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”Acknowledging the risk, David and Gloria intentionally involve their children in their ministry as part of their spiritual education.” font_container=”tag:h5|font_size:14px|text_align:center|line_height:1.4em” google_fonts=”font_family:Noto%20Sans%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1600845437505{margin-bottom: 30px !important;}”][vc_column_text]As for their own children, David and Gloria bring them wherever they go, relying on God to help them recognize risky situations. \u201cThere was only one time that God showed us they shouldn\u2019t accompany us on a trip,\u201d David said.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Although Samantha, now 13, has occasionally expressed fear and anxiety when traveling through guerrilla territory, even having nightmares of rebels hunting down her family, her parents said\u00a0<\/span><\/span>she has largely overcome those fears as she has gotten older. \u201cI am not afraid,\u201d she said confidently, \u201cbecause I know that God is protecting us and there are a lot of people praying for us when we do this. I really like being in the ministry, the adventure of so many rivers, so many challenging places, and I like it with the family.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Juliana, 10, and Daniel, 7, help their mom with Sunday school and share the gospel with children in their own ways \u201cI am a little embarrassed to say a lot to them, but when I play with them, they see Jesus in me,\u201d Daniel said quietly.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

David and Gloria admit that raising three children while ministering in an area dominated by guerrilla and paramilitary groups has been a challenge, but God has helped them make it work. \u201cIt has been a privilege to preach the gospel and to be a testimony to many other families,\u201d David said. \u201cSometimes people say they don\u2019t go to the field because they have kids, but we tell them, \u2018<\/span><\/span>You can! You can do ministry; you can\u00a0<\/span><\/span>work<\/span><\/span>\u00a0and your kids will be fine.\u2019 Right\u00a0<\/span><\/span>now<\/span><\/span>\u00a0in school, they all have very good grades.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Samantha takes online classes, and Gloria plans to homeschool the others until they are in fourth grade. \u201cWhat\u00a0<\/span><\/span>we do, I will download all the homework [in the city]. I take it to the jungle, and when I come\u00a0<\/span><\/span>back<\/span><\/span>\u00a0I upload that onto the platform,\u201d Gloria said.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While they do their best to provide their children with a solid education, David and Gloria know their children are getting a spiritual education by being a part of their ministry work. \u201cWe don\u2019t limit what they see as we minister,\u201d Gloria said. \u201cThey also must have their own personal devotion. We believe they need a personal relationship with God and not just what they see their parents do. I learned it that way when I was growing up. If I\u00a0<\/span><\/span>didn\u2019t<\/span><\/span>\u00a0have a personal relationship with God, I wouldn\u2019t have felt the call.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

David and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>Glora<\/span><\/span>\u00a0are encouraged by the prayers of Christians in other countries. \u201cThank you for going with us to these places,\u201d Gloria said. \u201cThrough your prayers, we go together. We\u00a0<\/span><\/span>don\u2019t<\/span><\/span>\u00a0do this alone. If it\u00a0<\/span><\/span>weren\u2019t<\/span><\/span>\u00a0for you guys praying for us, I don\u2019t think that God could make us invisible.\u201d<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> <\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][vc_column][\/vc_column][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”A PRAYER FOR COLOMBIA” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center|line_height:2em” css=”.vc_custom_1600846168171{margin-top: 1em !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_text_separator title=”\ucf5c\ub86c\ube44\uc544\ub97c \uc704\ud55c \uae30\ub3c4” color=”custom” el_width=”60″ accent_color=”#333333″ el_class=”line-for-40″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

\n

Heavenly Father, we stand beside our brothers and sisters who are serving in the most dangerous parts of Colombia. Thank You for their commitment to You and for their faithfulness to advancing Your kingdom. Give them rest as they live and work in stressful and potentially violent situations. Keep their marriages and families strong under this tension.\u00a0<\/span>Keep them and their families from\u00a0<\/span>evil, and<\/span>\u00a0protect their children from being kidnapped or forcibly recruited\u00a0<\/span>by armed militants. We pray that their faith will grow daily as they are nourished by Your Word. May they remain faithful despite threats,\u00a0<\/span>pressure<\/span>\u00a0and difficulties. Give their shepherds wisdom as they lead. Renew their souls through Your Spirit. Channel their fear into wise action for the sake of the gospel. May they see You meet their daily needs.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lord,\u00a0<\/span>You<\/span>\u00a0have the power to change hearts. We pray that You will move in the hearts of all the members of the rebel and paramilitary groups and turn them to You. Cause them to seek spiritual fulfillment as they see that the communist cause and lust for money and power do not satisfy.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u00a0<\/span>lift up<\/span>\u00a0the country of Colombia and its people to You, Lord. We pray for its leaders as they make decisions that will affect the country now and in the future. Give them wisdom in dealing with the various rebel and paramilitary groups. May they act with integrity and with the country\u2019s best interests at heart.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In Jesus\u2019 name, Amen.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][\/vc_column][vc_column][\/vc_column][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"[vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text=”David and Gloria Martinez” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center|line_height:2em” css=”.vc_custom_1602135762249{margin-top: 1em !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_text_separator title=”Taking Jesus into the Jungle” color=”custom” el_width=”60″ accent_color=”#333333″ el_class=”line-for-40″][vc_single_image image=”30792″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” css=”.vc_custom_1600753077455{margin-bottom: 0.1px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”The areas along …","protected":false},"author":903,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"give_campaign_id":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-30771","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"translation":{"provider":"WPGlobus","version":"3.0.2","language":"en","enabled_languages":["ko","en","zh","ru"],"languages":{"ko":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"en":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"zh":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false},"ru":{"title":true,"content":true,"excerpt":false}}},"campaignId":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/30771","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/903"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30771"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/30771\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vomkorea.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30771"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}