Wes & Amanda Martin
By Suzanne O'Keeffe, 700 Club Interactive
CBN.com –WES AND AMANDA
Wes went to college outside St. Louis, MO. He and Amanda joined the "party scene", melting into the typical college life but Wes took it a step further and became involved with drugs. In 1999 as he is quoted saying, "In the mercy of God, through a series of events I was delivered and Amanda, while visiting a friend in Florida, was converted at the Brownsville Revival." Together they sought the Lord and while in Mexico City, Mexico where they had been ministering, they became engaged. Their wedding took place on June 23rd of 2001. Their walk with the Lord deepened as they determined to carry God's "grace and gifting" given to them, while wanting to display the passion for Jesus. Prayer, fasting, and reading the Bible have been the cornerstone of their life in Christ. These are the things they desire to see implanted in the hearts and minds of the younger generation.
PREGNANCY
Wes and Amanda had been married 5 years and this was their 1st pregnancy. They found Amanda was carrying twins early on and it began as a healthy pregnancy. Close to 7 months into the pregnancy they found out that baby B, who would be named Charli, had a pocket of fluid on her brain. The doctor recommended a level two ultra sound that "zoomed in" more, and had a higher technology. Baby A, who became Ali, was not able to be seen on the ultra sound until a few weeks later. The ultra sound showed that ninety percent of the inside of her head was fluid, no brain formation. Doctors were unable to figure out why, or what happened; there were no answers but Wes and Amanda contended for healing. A few weeks later during the ultra sound, Ali had moved to where they could see her and they found same problem in Ali. Wes shared what an emotional roller coaster it was for them because "you think you have one who is healthy while contending for healing for the other and then in a moment's time, that changed to both babies in same condition." The doctors were not encouraging claiming the girls would be vegetative if they lived and would require full time, round the clock care. An abortion was recommended, and the Martin's declined.
CAN'T SEE WHAT IS AHEAD
Wes expressed several times that they were and continue to be surrounded with a strong spiritual family. He was just 30 and Amanda was 28 when she became pregnant and it proved to be the first trial they had ever faced to that degree. After the diagnosis, Amanda, a nurse, and knowing the facts and reality, researched all the information available. One of the side effects could be moderate to severe facial defects, would there be? Wes explained that in womb there was no real clarity of the severity of their case.
So, they began to prepare for the worst but at the same time would not give up hope on God's intervention of healing and restoration. As a couple and as individuals, they had to learn to do that, and keep faith. The prophetic community sent prayers, prophecies of healing, that the girls would be fine etc., and tried to wade through it all and find what was really God. Sharing their hearts is what really helped them the most, Wes described their help came from Godly friends that would allow them to talk about all their fears, talk them out with the Lord and with others. These friends assured them that God could handle their frustrations, their crying out, and their tears and continued to encourage the young couple to be real and honest with the Lord. Wes said it was a "huge factor" in getting them through. The transparency that was encouraged became a major key in keeping them from bitterness upon the deaths of the precious girls.
THE BIRTHS
Ali and Charli were born November 1st, 2006- and the Martin's biggest fear of being in the completely unknown was around the corner. Not knowing the range of defects, could they eat or breathe, none of this was really known. The day they were born they found there were no defects physically at all; the girls were perfectly formed, adorable, and alive. Charli was alive for 5 days and Ali lived 11 days after Charli. After they died, the reports showed that on day six of conception, an error had occurred, for no reason that they could find. It was at the time of their brain growth. The brain stem formed fine, however, it just stopped.
EMOTIONAL CRISIS
During the period of time of finding out the girl's diagnosis and their birth, was about 2.5 months and those days proved to be challenging. They prayed for the Lord break in and heal their daughters, contending for each weekly ultra sound, having their faith built up and then, come out with head down because their condition had not changed. Wes said that was first big trail that they had to endure week after week.
The second trial occurred when they were born and outside the womb. The doctors evaluated them, an MRI was done, and all confirmed another blow, nothing changed. Wes and Amanda spent the next 11 days in the hospital with Ali and Charli. Wes shared that his internal tension came from asking himself was he doing enough, was he praying enough, all those questions a parent would wrestle with. Again, his spiritual community of friends stepped in. They told Wes and Amanda that they would contend for the girl's healing, they would carry the family, and "don't worry if you are doing enough, just be with your girls." So, they lived in the NICU, holding them, rocking them, singing over them, and speaking life over them. He said,"that was glorious."
2007
2007 proved to be most difficult time, and they experienced their biggest crisis. Wes said that eighty percent of married couples don't make it through death of infant, and they knew that. He shared Amanda had times of being depressed, of "going off the deep end", and he felt he had to uphold his public image of being in the ministry and deal with the "fear of man." It affects all members of the family, friends, people who don't say the right things etc. add to the process. They were able to come through it, standing on the scripture in 1st Peter 4:19, "Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator."
Wes learned and has taught that we must be real and transparent with Godly friends-the ones who let you talk, not the ones with all the answers. They surrounded themselves with friends who let them say anything, let them be mad at each other and God about everything, without judgment. They were committing their souls to Him in honesty with each other and with the Lord, saying, "I don't like this, it is not what I thought, we are angry, confused, what about prophecy, what is that about?"
He said don't lose your commitment to the Word. He could not fast, pray etc. in 2007. They were tired and weak, but stayed with it, reading even just a scripture at a time, but it was out of a commitment to stay true to the Lord. Because of their determination to stay close to the Lord, they began to experience the supernatural ministry of the Word and His grace. Scripture and truth became alive in midst of marital problems, family issues, and things in the ministry. Holy Spirit would come and comfort and strengthen them even without answers to their whys.
It's been seven years this November since the life of Ali and Charli. Amanda became pregnant again the spring of 2008, and their son Owen was born that November 28th. Wes said using the same staff and hospital proved to be a redemptive process for them, especially when it came time for the ultrasounds. They were so nervous the night before, but it came back all clear. He was perfect. A year and a half later, daughter Macy was born in April of 2009, and they just adopted a girl this last November 6th which was the day that Charli died. Her name is Mia, a precious African American girl from the United States. They are a close knit and loving family.
Wes and Amanda have kept their close friends where they keep accountable for their marriage, continually learning how to relate to each other, and keeping everything transparent. Their marriage relationship, communication with in-laws and others are stronger and healthier because they were forced to deal with everything just as occurred.
In an online article, Wes wrote, "Amanda said it best as we were holding Charli moments after she died, 'I only got 5 days with you and I would do it all over again for 5 days.' If we could do it all over again for only a few short days we would not hesitate. Charli and Ali were an absolute delight and our hearts were and still are filled with love towards them. That little time changed our lives forever. Our daughters taught us how to love better and honor life to a whole new level."
Onething Regionals
"Onething Regionals are the International House of Prayer's conferences for young adults, held in cities throughout the United States.
At this important time in history, God is raising up a movement of young adults and awakening their hearts to intimately encounter Him, that they might give themselves to love Jesus with all their hearts, proclaim His Word to their generation, and bring the kingdom to every sphere of society.
Through Onething Regionals we communicate these truths to many high school and college students. It is our dreams to see thousands upon thousands make the decision to embrace the glory of living a life of one thing, as expressed by King David in Psalm 27:4.
"One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple." (Ps. 27:4, NKJV)"