Life-Changing Relationships

Ministry is all about relationships, the gospel and the body of Christ, His Church; or that is my simplified version! No one ever told us when we started over 31 years ago that we would be forming lifelong friendships that would span over many years and many miles. We knew we were called and we were excited to jump into relationships and make a difference for the Lord. Even writing this makes me smile.

The Lord has used everyone that we have ministered to to minister back to us and teach us. Martha is one such person. I got to know the “old” Martha around 9 or so years ago. She came to our mobile clinic that was outside our new house church. She asked for prayer. I was the lucky one that got to meet with her and pray for her that day. Martha looked tired. Not the type of tired because of a poor night’s sleep or a long day at work; but the tired that sets into your bones when life keeps hitting you over and over with disappointment and hopelessness. But even then, I saw a spark in her eyes that discouragement had not yet conquered!

The Lord sewed Martha into the fabric of my life that day. Long story short, Martha began attending our church plant, was baptized, delivered from her addictions, married her common law husband in the church and began her own ministry with women—or anyone the Lord brought into her path.

Last year the Lord moved Martha to South Texas, far away from all of us, her church family. She was able to come up and attend our women’s retreat in April. When I saw her we both hugged and cried. I knew she had been faithfully praying for me as I had my battle with breast cancer. I knew she cried over my diagnosis and trusted the Lord for my healing.

Martha called me in August. She found a lump in her breast. The fear that initially gripped her was not unfamiliar with me. Her journey with breast cancer is just beginning and many tests and doctor’s visits await her. I am so thankful that I can support her, albeit by distance, during this trying and uncertain time. I asked her if I could share with you all, our faithful prayer warriors, her diagnosis. She readily said yes!

Please lift up Martha in your prayers, for healing, strength, comfort and financial issues that always accompany such an illness. Martha is a tough cookie but this has understandably thrown her. It is a privilege and a joy to walk with faithful disciples like Martha who will in turn train and teach others to be Christ’s disciples!

Read more from Lisa Entz.