Explosions of Grace

An interview with co-founder and Exec. Director, Theresa Martin

Praised be Jesus Christ now and forever! It is only God’s grace that can take the measly loaves and fish of those here at the WCI and feed the multitude. What a wonderful God we have! Perhaps you do not know all that has been happening within the WCI, so let us explain. 

In November, God inspired Peter & Theresa with a specific task and a promise of growth. Not only did He ask them to be open to the possibility of a Spanish translation of The Rule, and Hispanic leadership within the WCI, but also to organize the WCI according to the growth He was providing. Remember the story of Gideon from the Old Testament in the book of Judges? This is what Theresa said it felt like. Story of Gideon: When God asked Gideon to gather an army, he did so and had over 20,000 soldiers. Well done, Gideon! But then God told Gideon there were too many, and so he said anyone who wanted could leave … and half of them left. God said there were still too many and there was another test of how they drank water at the river. In the end, God whittled the number down to 300. And then He said they were ready for battle.

Theresa said, “It was as if God said, ‘Here is the task before you! I know it seems impossible, but just trust Me. Oh, but before you do that, I want you to reduce this and cutback here, but I promise you success and growth.’ Well, it looked ridiculous in the eyes of man. Based on the quote I received from a professional translator, our entire WCI bank account would have to triple merely to cover that cost alone. And we did not have any couples we knew who were lined up to assist in Hispanic leadership, but God just continued to say, 'Trust Me.' It was like He was asking us to step out on the water and walk towards Him. From the human point of view, this was all impossible. We wanted to say, ‘But there’s nothing to stand on! I’m going to sink!’ and He just kept saying, ‘Come.’

"And even more crazy, is that God not only promised He would help us do this, but even more! So, what else could we do? Peter and I have always been fools for Christ, doing things others thought was idiotic, but I’m a sucker for the Father’s will. He’s got me wrapped around His beautiful finger and I am incapable of telling Him, ‘no,’” Theresa explained with a wink.

So, not knowing exactly the route they should take, they decided that the WCI would set their Tuesday Giving goal to raise money for the translation. And people did give generously, but they were only able to get 1/3 of the way to the goal. Asking Theresa how she felt at the amount received, “So grateful! People are so incredibly generous and God will use this! I just don’t know how yet. And maybe, He is not in a hurry. So, we trust and we wait." 

As December proceeded and led into the new year, there were couples who began to sign up for the Leader Couple Training Course, which would start in February. Theresa had personally invited three bilingual couples to consider being trained and work with us to develop the Hispanic section of the WCI. Two of these couples said YES! And then in January, a 3rd bilingual couple, who had heard about The Rule through another source applied for the course and also agreed to be part of the Hispanic Leadership team! Then, Theresa discovered that the wife of one of the couples was a professional translator. After a wonderful conversation, they settled on hiring her for the translation and they amount she would charge? Almost the exact amount raised during the Giving Tuesday campaign! This is when, Theresa said, the miracles began pouring in! 

“If you looked at the Leader Couple Training Course applications in mid-January, you would have shaken your head and felt badly for us. Ha! But God can see what man cannot. And by the beginning of February, not only did we have a solid Hispanic leadership team in place and the Spanish translation begun, but we had the largest group of couples we have ever had! And this included 6 couples from other countries! With 5 couples from Europe, we had to create a 2nd section of the classes! There are couples from Walsingham, England, from Budapest, Hungary, from Vienna, Austria, from Aarhus, Denmark, and would you believe it? There is a couple from Kraków, Poland*! For those who don’t know, St. John Paul II was living in Kraków when he wrote the Rule! God is simply AMAZING. There is also a couple from New Zealand! And 18 couples from across the U.S., 5 of them marriage directors themselves! 

"And it is not just the training that has us amazed, but the number of couples attending the WCI retreats and more than just attending, having profound experiences. And this is not due to us – it is all grace! What a privilege to be able to do our little part in God’s great plan.” 

When asked what she thinks moving forward, Theresa said, “Well, if you’re wondering if everything is all ship-shape, it’s not. We still work on a shoestring budget and sell our materials at cost to couples joining a Married Couple Group following JPII’s Rule. And we have no idea how God is going to continue to work out the future, but we know that He will. He is good and He is faithful. We also know the Spanish version of The Rule is expected to be published in June! What a wonderful God He is!”** 

This movement is real and it is global and it was founded by St. John Paul II himself. If you would like to see such a movement continue to thrive, they could really use your support! Click here to show your support! 

If you’d like to know more about starting your own group following JPII’s Rule, click here!

*Read Maciek & Mary's article in this issue!

**READ the inspiring article by one of the Hispanic couples - God's miracles never stop!