When Wilbert and Petra Martin were married 32 years ago, they had no idea that their mission would become sending their eight children through Adventist education. Before meeting one another, both Wilbert and Petra had emigrated with their parents from Mexico to Ukiah, Calif., in search of a better life.

They especially wanted better education for their children. Rio Lindo Academy first welcomed Tony and Sara, the oldest siblings of eight, in 1989. For the next 15 years, the Martin family had one or more children enrolled at Rio except for a brief four years between a few of the siblings.Tony and Sara graduated in 1991, Alex and Gabriel in 1993, Nadia in 1996 and Magdalena, known as “Rosie,” in 1998, Daniel in 2003 and, finally, David graduated in 2004.

However, the Martins contributed much more than financially to their children’s education. They faithfully attended nearly all their children’s sports events and supported their children’s spiritual growth. For example, this last year, Wilbert worked along side David on the school’s mission trip to Thailand.

“Rio has become a part of our lives. We’ll still come back for the tournaments and talent shows,” said Petra and Wilbert on graduation day. “Once our own children’s educational expenses are done, our dream is to sponsor other students who need financial assistance to come to Rio.”

Although Wilbert and Petra are employed full-time, they take extra jobs to help support their children’s educational needs. Not only did the Martin children all graduate from Rio, they have continued on in Adventist colleges such as PUC, Southwestern and Southern.

It takes a devoted community to help one another with raising children. The Ukiah church family was just that kind of devoted group. On the local church school level, the Ukiah church family committed itself to the Temple Plan that has made a ministry of making education available to all Ukiah Adventist youth.

“We have consistently supported our students when it is time to go to Rio through the Three-way Matching Program,” said Paul Hawks, pastor of the Ukiah church. “The church sponsors $100 a month which is matched by both the conference and Rio.”

As a gift of honor to Wilbert and Petra, Rio sent them on a weekend getaway to a bed and breakfast near the Mendocino coast. “I think after getting eight kids through high school, you deserve a break,” said Albert Miller, Rio’s principal.