Back in the early 2000s Mitchell and I drove over to the Delta near Antioch, Calfornia to fish for bass. As I recall we did not catch any fish, but the trip was worth it. It had rained that day, and we found ourselves at the end of a glorious rainbow. That scene comes to mind often when I remember things and events in my son's life and I feel comforted. Thank God.
I was sitting in my living room getting ready for church Friday night back in 2008, the LORD spoke and said stay in the house you will recieve a phone call from your earthly father at 7:30pm, well with much hesitation I said ok Lord. At exactly 7:30 my father called and says " Julie are you sitting down I have something to tell you" I told him I'm sitting what is it! my father Julio Martinez tells me " you have a brother" I stood very quite, I couldn't believe what came out of his mouth. Besides the fact I insulted the man. I had to repent and ask my for forgiveness. I told him how dare he keep my brother from me and my sisters and brother. All he said was I'm sorry, to make a long story short. I asked my sister in law to give me the phone number that was on bill that my father recieved from Ms. Naomi. I prayed before I called, I told the LORD, father I pray my brother doesn't reject me, I felt the peace of God. Well I manage to build up enough courage after 3 days of hesitation and I called. I left a message on Ms. Naomi phone for mitchell to call me.
Mitchell called me the next day and when I tell you the phones at work were not ringing, it was silent. My co-workers were all standing behind me when I said " hey brother how are you? me and mitchell cried on the phone. Look at GOD!!!!! we talked and laughed at the same time. Not only did I get my brother back but a Pastor... See I became a born again christian Feb 2008 to recieve such a gift from the LORD that was Amazing.
Mitchell came to NY after a Pastor conference in Philadelphia, he was with his friends, I tell you I couldn't wait to see him. My father was anxious, my family were anxious and when he called that he was in front of the house I ran down those stairs like a little girl all excited, when I open the door to see him in person my Lord!!! my Lord!!! The spirit of the living GOD took a hold of us all I could do was hug my brother and the fire of GOD took a hold of me I was rejoicing in tongues. My brother stood looking at me he couldn't believe he was seeing his sister, I kept hugging him because I didn't want to let him go. When Mitchell went upstairs and saw his father they both cried. It was an amazing time for all of us.
My dad passed away and it was hard for me because I was close to dad. I respected and looked up to my dad. I already had an empty spot in my heart. The day we buried my father the LORD told me " I'm your father now and your earthly father is here with me" those words brought me comfort. Not knowing the following year I would loose my brother. I was empty, I was in shocked, I was so angry at the Lord," why did you bring Mitchell to me to take him away". See I had to go to California to see what my brother was all about, to see, and listen. The testimonies that I heard. I was a proud sister. I asked the Lord for forgiveness the anger was removed. I know the Kingdom of God needs a lot of help. I'm just glad that I'm part of the Army of the LORD. Seeing my nieces and nephew wow!!! I laughed because their all taller then me, but I love them. My sister in law Deborah what a powerful women of GOD she is, Jesus I thank you.
There's more to this but this what comes to mind for the moment. My Brother Mitchell Franklin Martinez will always be in our heart. Memories are to be cherish and I'm happy that I have a beautiful part of it. As you read this may the LORD bring you comfort and peace into your hearts. The JOY of the LORD is our Strength. God Bless you.
Mitchell we will see each other again.
Love you Boo,
Julie Martinez
As a young bride from Cameroon, West Africa in the 1973, who came to marry his uncle Colston Richard Westbrook, of ( blessed memory), I was warmly welcomed when I met my new family at; 576 South Main Street, in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, which consisted of my mother in law, Mrs. Virginia Westbrook, Ms. Tanya Hill, my sister-in-law, who accompanied her brother, Colston from Chambersburg to JF Kennedy Airport in New York in the snowy weather, in November, then I met Ms. Diane Hill, my other sister in law.
I met Sister Naomi, and her son Mitichell Martinez, a well behaved and kind hearted young man, when we arrived California via Indiana where we were warmly,received by my brother and sister in law and family; Brother Cody/Mae and their children. We drove to California and I met cousins; Sandra Parsons, and her family and Juana Moutong and her family. Doris Brenner and her family. From the first day that I met the family, I felt that this was my family for life. We were close knit, we shared the milestones of life, we shared in Mitchell's sports, high school and college graduations, his marriage to his dear wife Rev. Deborah Martinez and through the births of all of their 9 children.
Rev. Mitchell Martinez was devoted to his mother, wife, children, extended family and to his work as a pastor, Human/health Service appeals officer and to bringing hope to where there was dispair. He continued the work of his uncle, Colston Westbrook to be compassionate and to care for others.
There was no time when Mitchell was not there when there was an event that needed his presence. After his uncle died unexpedly of pancreatic cancer, God sent angels like Mitchell, Sister Naomi my siblings and members of the Cameroonian and church community to turn my anguish into thanksgiving for my children that God gave me and an extended family. Mitchell put his pain aside and stepped in so many ways to help his younger cousins to navigate through this callous world.
Mitchell carried the unfinished mission of his uncle, Colston, which was to be of service to others who were less fortunate and to lift the disenfranchised bringing hope where there was dispair,
I thought that I will not cry anymore, forthe passing to glory of my loved ones, and I will not question God's infinite wisdom, because it is God who gives us our loved ones and not we ourselves. Mitchell's life lives in all of us.
