Joel and Andi McMartin
  • Home
  • About
  • Give
  • Photos
  • Subscribe
  • Contact


Traveling As a Family

November 6, 2015 by Joel and Andi

God called us to the mission field as a family and so I am convinced that our ministry should happen as a family.  This wasn’t our first time traveling as a family, but it was our first time intentionally trying to involve the kids in the goal of our travels.  Before leaving we talked with the kids to explain our goals of this trip.  We talked about how our goal was to be a blessing to the families we were visiting, so that meant it was about them and not about us.  We took the kids shopping to pick out treats  for their kids.  

The morning of departure finally came

We loaded up our car with supplies for 3 missionary families
We loaded up our car with supplies for 3 missionary families
I am thankful for expert packers in our family
I am thankful for expert packers in our family
We left small spaces for the kids to squeeze in
We left small spaces for the kids to squeeze in

During the car ride I had downloaded some audio books for us to listen to together.  My only mistake was not downloading more as I didn’t know that it would work so well!  I had to space them out over our 6 days drive as it was one of their favorite car activities.

We stopped along the road each day for lunch
We stopped along the road each day for lunch
To let the boys get out a stretch a little.
To let the boys get out a stretch a little.

The days in the car were long, but all in all the boys did really well.  I had books for them to color in, we listened to silly songs and audio books and they played imaginary games together.  I gave them each a blank book for a picture journal of what we did over our time there.

This was Ethan's picture of the tower Joel let him climb up
This was Ethan’s picture of the tower Joel let him climb up
This was one of the 9 boarders stops on the Guinean Boarder
This was one of the 9 boarders stops on the Guinean Boarder

After three days in the car we made it to our first stop…

Our first visit was to a family living in the capital of Guinea
Our first visit was to a family living in the capital of Guinea
It has been 3 years since our kids had seen each other.
It has been 3 years since our kids had seen each other.
But they reconnected quickly
But they reconnected quickly
We stayed with them on the church compound where they live
We stayed with them on the church grounds where they live
We connected with their friend
We connected with their friends
There was lots of chess
There was lots of chess
and red light green light
and red light green light
I love how quickly kids make friends
I love how quickly kids make friends
After three days playing with them, we hit the road again
After three days playing with them, we hit the road again
Our next stop was out at a village
Our next stop was out at a village
To connect with two families who live out there
To connect with two families who live out there
In the village the boys became explores
In the village the boys became explores
And treasure hunters
And treasure hunters
There of course was a lot of soccer as well
There of course was a lot of soccer as well
and lots of games together with friends
and lots of games together with friends
It was not just the boys who enjoyed connecting with friends
It was not just the boys who enjoyed the fellowship

It was a lot more work traveling together, but it was worth it.  The boys enjoyed the travels even with the long hours in the car.  They are learning flexibility – how to sleep and live in many different environments.  However most importantly we were able to do ministry together as a family.  They were stretched at times, but that is what growing is all about.  We came home tired and covered in heat rash and bug bits, but also with some great memories.

More Pictures to come!

Filed Under: Updates and News Tagged With: Ethnos360, New Tribes Mission

More Posts:

« Hitting the Road
The View From There – Guinea »

Comments

  1. Carolyn Gaupo says

    November 6, 2015 at 2:39 pm

    WOW, Andi, You and your family never cease to amaze me. I know the Lord is blessing all of you richly and through you all the people your ministry reaches, not only in Africa but here at home too. For my part in that blessing I say thank you. I will continue to pray for all of you and hold you up before my God for nurture, for protection, and for spiritual growth. Keep up the good work and the wonderfully detailed blog that you share with us.
    Carolyn Gaupo

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Archive

  • September 2022 (3)
  • June 2022 (1)
  • May 2022 (1)
  • November 2021 (1)
  • June 2021 (1)
  • May 2021 (2)
  • March 2021 (1)
  • February 2021 (1)
  • January 2021 (1)
  • November 2020 (1)
  • June 2020 (4)
  • May 2020 (1)
  • April 2020 (1)
  • March 2020 (3)
  • January 2020 (3)
  • October 2019 (3)
  • September 2019 (3)
  • August 2019 (3)
  • May 2019 (3)
  • April 2019 (1)
  • March 2019 (1)
  • February 2019 (2)
  • January 2019 (1)
  • December 2018 (2)
  • November 2018 (4)
  • October 2018 (2)
  • September 2018 (4)
  • August 2018 (5)
  • July 2018 (2)
  • June 2018 (2)
  • May 2018 (2)
  • April 2018 (2)
  • March 2018 (3)
  • February 2018 (2)
  • January 2018 (2)
  • December 2017 (1)
  • July 2017 (1)
  • May 2017 (5)
  • April 2017 (4)
  • March 2017 (3)
  • February 2017 (1)
  • January 2017 (4)
  • December 2016 (6)
  • October 2016 (5)
  • September 2016 (8)
  • August 2016 (1)
  • June 2016 (4)
  • May 2016 (1)
  • April 2016 (5)
  • March 2016 (2)
  • February 2016 (2)
  • January 2016 (3)
  • December 2015 (2)
  • November 2015 (2)
  • October 2015 (3)
  • September 2015 (5)
  • August 2015 (4)
  • July 2015 (3)
  • June 2015 (3)
  • May 2015 (2)
  • April 2015 (2)
  • March 2015 (3)
  • February 2015 (4)
  • January 2015 (5)
  • December 2014 (2)
  • August 2014 (1)
  • June 2014 (5)
  • May 2014 (4)
  • April 2014 (4)
  • March 2014 (4)
  • February 2014 (6)
  • January 2014 (5)
  • December 2013 (5)
  • November 2013 (4)
  • October 2013 (6)
  • September 2013 (5)
  • August 2013 (6)
  • July 2013 (5)
  • June 2013 (7)
  • May 2013 (5)
  • April 2013 (5)
  • March 2013 (5)
  • February 2013 (4)
  • January 2013 (6)
  • December 2012 (5)
  • November 2012 (7)
  • October 2012 (7)
  • September 2012 (5)
  • August 2012 (6)
  • July 2012 (6)
  • June 2012 (7)
  • May 2012 (7)
  • April 2012 (6)
  • March 2012 (6)
  • February 2012 (7)
  • January 2012 (6)
  • December 2011 (6)
  • November 2011 (7)
  • October 2011 (12)
  • September 2011 (7)
  • August 2011 (3)
  • July 2011 (1)
  • June 2011 (2)
  • May 2011 (1)
  • April 2011 (2)
  • March 2011 (1)
  • February 2011 (2)

Browse posts by category

  • About
  • Blog
  • Home
  • Give
  • Photos
  • Subscribe
  • Contact

Disclaimer: This personal ministry website is provided by Ethnos360 as a courtesy to its members. Ethnos360 makes no warranty regarding the accuracy of the information on these pages. Opinions expressed are provided by members in good faith, but are entirely those of the member and do not necessarily represent policy, doctrinal position, or opinions of Ethnos360. If you encounter information that you consider questionable, please e-mail the Ethnos360 web team.

Joel and Andi McMartin

© Copyright 2025 Ethnos360. All rights reserved.

Log In

  • 