Martin and Toni were married in March of 1980 in their freshman year of College, in central Nebraska. At that time Marty was a psychology major with a desire to be involved in family counseling. Toni was an art major, hoping to one day use her gifts and talents to inspire others. During their first year in college God began to work on their hearts to serve him in full-time ministry. Through a series of events and key people that God put in their path they began missionary training with New Tribes Mission in January of 1982. When Marty and Toni started the training, they knew that God had lead them to serve Tribal people who have little or no opportunity to know of Christ. God has since provided for further education and in 2009, Marty completed his Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. Then in May of 2013 he received his Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and is presently working as a Licensed independent Mental Health Practitioner. Marty and Toni’s’ diverse experiences as career missionaries that span more than three decades include;
• Raising six children through very diverse life circumstances.
• Missionary training with Ethnos 360.
• Working with a church planting team among the Embera people of Panama.
• Marty’s abduction, disappearance, and deportation from the jungles of Panama.
• Serving stateside in IT and bookkeeping in a support ministry.
• Returning to Panama to serve as dorm parents.
•After returning stateside in 2003, they worked with NTM Video Productions, as time permits, serving as consultant, trouble shooter, Web page coordinator and computer / software tech.