By Sharon Franklin-Martinez on Saturday, September 18, 2010 at 7:04am

I am Sharon Martinez, the Founder and President of Isaiah 58 Ministries, Inc. A Not-For Profit Organization in Norwich, NY. Isaiah 58 Ministries, Inc. is founded upon the Bible Scripture Isaiah 58:6,7 which reads: 6) Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
7) Is is not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

While living in Binghamton, NY after just opening a small business the LORD told me to let the business go, take my children and leave. He gave me two destinations, Florida and North Carolina. My ministry to the homeless began in Hudson, FL., and later took me to Raleigh, NC.
I was terrified and my two teenage children were even more terrified because I didn't have any dwelling place to go to. When I tried to explain to my Sister and Brothers in the LORD what the LORD had told me, no one believed me and said I was listening to the wrong voice.
I was divinely dumped in Hudson, FL and that is where my ministry to the Homeless and rejected began.
Isaiah 58 Ministries, Inc. is a Ministry of Restoration and Transformation to the Homeless and At-Risk Youth. God gave me the vision for the ministry along with this scripture Ephesians 3:8 which reads: Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; in 2003 in Hudson, FL. After the LORD gave me the call he awakened me one night at about 3AM in the morning and told me to drive down the road about 3 miles to go and do my laundry, even though there was a laundromat not even 60 feet away from my apt. I was obedient and I got up and went. It was a 24 hour laundromat and I saw through the window that men were sleeping on the floor (later found out that they were named Jimmy and Keith). I was very afraid to enter and I heard a voice that said "Fear not for thou art with thee;" I replied you better be. I tried to tip toe around them so they would not awaken and while I was not even touching the machine, the top slammed down and the men woke up. They were so embarrassed that I had found them and they tried to clean off the machine and help me clean it out. I was so ashamed because the first thing they did when they awakened was help me. The LORD told me to feed them with my last $20.00 and I was at first reluctant because I was a single Mom and had children at the house that I might have to use this money for. I was obedient and did as the LORD told me to; which was to buy them enough food so they could eat throughout the day. I had a beautiful king size comforter that someone had just given to me that I was washing and I couldn't wait to put on my bed. Little did I know, the LORD did not intend for me to keep it. It was in the winter and the air was bone chilling cold. One of the homeless men told me that the comforter would keep him nice and warm and asked me if he could please have it. I gave it to him without hesitation. They started telling me about the hundreds of other homeless people, some pregnant, disabled and in wheelchairs, some young, and even some very elderly that were in the woods, vacant lots, sleeping on the ground, in boxes,etc.
I began to take food out of my refrigerator to feed them and even buying hot meals from the fast food restaurants. My heart was crying as I looked into their faces, seeing their hurt, pain, rejection and suffering. I wanted to take them all home with me but I had to keep my children safe. I shared everything I had with them, my money, my food, my time, and even the use of my car in transporting them to where they needed to go. I prayed for God to bless me with resources and he did so immediately. I joined this little church and he made me the Director of the food ministry, and the people didn't even know me. Isn't that just like our Father!! Three days a week I was able to get an abundance of donated sandwiches, meat, fresh vegetables, fruit, salads, snacks and drinks from the grocery stores. Who is like unto our God? One day God gave me a lesson on greatfulness and thankfulness that I will never forget. When I picked up the food from the store that had donated it, I received Cuban subs, fried chicken, ribs, fresh salads, strawberries, bananas, drinks, and lots of meat that could be cooked over a grill. As I was preparing to go to the homeless camps I was counting the sandwiches and when I got to what I thought would be enough I stopped. The Holy Spirit told me to keep going. After I reached a certain number, HE told me to stop. I asked him why so many and he didn't respond. I had so many deliveries to do that day that it was almost 2PM by the time I reached them and they were not there. I knew I had disappointed them because I had always been on time. The LORD told me to find them and don't go home until I did. I circled the other homeless camps and then came back to the empty lot and they saw my car before I even got in the parking lot. They were so hungry, they were coming from every direction. There were so many of them that I now understood why the Holy Spirit told me to keep going when loading the food in the boxes. I gave each person one of every food item I had. There arms were so full that they could hardly carry it. Not a word was spoken as they ate as if they had been starved. Some shared with me that they had not eaten in days. They thanked me over and over and I told them to thank God and give him the glory. I will never forget what happened next. A very grateful and thankful Spanish man came over to me, got on his knees and took both of my hands in his and he kissed my hands over and over as he thanked God for the hands that he sent to deliver this blessing of food to all of them. I cried for the next 6 hours or so. I lived in a beautiful apartment with cathedral ceilings, and he lived in the woods sleeping on the ground and he was so thankful and grateful for that present blessing even though he didn't know where he would get his next meal from. I was so ashamed. I thought about all the times I complained and murmured and here he was so thankful for that simple blessing that was just for that moment. I was truly humbled by the experience.

I had the privilege of feeding them and blessing them for little over a year until the enemy came in like a flood. People who were jealous of the ministry caused confusion and division because I would not reveal to them where the homeless camps were out of a promise I had made to the homeless to protect them. Somehow the police found out where they were and did a raid, turning the homeless camps upside down, the people were scattered to different cities, and I could find no one. Although very discouraged, I knew that the seeds had been planted in the people and God would do the rest. There were many great times of fellowship and prayer and I knew in my heart that many of them had been touched by the LORD. I got too comfortable there and even though the Holy Spirit told me it was time to go to Raleigh, North Carolina, I was determined to stay in the sunshine state. I had a great telemarketing job that I was making a lot of money at and they came in one day and told me even though I was making a lot of money, my magazine sales were not high enough and I was fired. I went home with my heart in my hands. I was so mentally exhausted that I laid down and went right to sleep. I was awakened with a loud metal thump. I thought to myself, that sounds like my electric box. I looked out the door and the electric man had just shut my electric off during the coldest day in the history of Florida. I said LORD what next? Then there sudenly arose a racial uprising in that area and we were chased out by the KKK. God sent my son to surprise me, actually it was an answer to my prayer " LORD how are we going to get out of here, we have no vehicle, LORD keep us safe and get us out of here quickly". The next evening I received a call from my son telling me where he was at....less than a half mile from my home. To God be the Glory!!!
After leaving Florida we went to NC, endured many trials and tribulations but the LORD delivered us out of them all!
I am now in Norwich, NY and right up to the present we have assisted Local and Out of state clients with the following: Advocating, Rental Assistance, Food, Transportation and Clothing. Here in Norwich, NY there are many homeless but no homeless shelters, the poor and the homeless are shipped out of their communities and forgotten about.
I have been using my own funds to get this ministry going. I have also established an online business called " DELIGHTFUL GIFTS FOR YOU" ( www.delightfulgiftsforyou.com) to help financially support the ministry and to help raise funds for the down payment of  the commercial building I am believing God for to shelter them in Jesus name. The property consist of two lots, a 2 story building with an enclosed handicap ramp entrance, a covered picnic pavilion, a large parking lot, wide open flat land that we can cultivate a garden on; growing our own fruits and vegetables. Open land for recreation where over burdened children can play, run freely and just be children again.
The cost of the building is $400,000. I am presently trying to obtain a commercial building (a school that was closed due to a merger). Any assistance you could offer would be greatly appreciated. Donations of any amount are Welcome!! Isaiah 58 Ministries will be establishing a Pay Pal Account soon. Until then, Please make out all checks to Isaiah 58 Ministries, Inc. and mail to P.O. Box 949, Norwich, NY 13815 Ministry Telephone Number & Fax  (607)-334-6818) Email: Isaiah58ministries@frontier.com 
SharonBTVPM@hotmail.com , http://www.delightfulgiftsforyou.com/ , http://www.isaiah58ministriesinc.org/

PLEASE KEEP THE MINISTRY IN YOUR PRAYERS!
JAMES 5:16 The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much!

Thank You and God Bless You!!


Sincerely,
Sharon Martinez
Founder Of Isaiah 58 Ministries, Inc.