{"id":1268,"date":"2012-07-26T15:41:08","date_gmt":"2012-07-26T15:41:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/?p=1268"},"modified":"2012-07-26T15:41:08","modified_gmt":"2012-07-26T15:41:08","slug":"god-knows-best","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/2012\/07\/26\/god-knows-best\/","title":{"rendered":"God Knows Best"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When we moved to our new home, we contacted the local church and asked them to identify a family who could help us learn and adapt to Senegalese culture. \u00a0We had no part in the decision of who this family would be, we just had to trust God to connect us with the best family. \u00a0As we are getting closer to our host family, we are realizing they are a perfect fit for us in so many ways. \u00a0I am also realizing that some of the best decisions we have made have been decisions that were completely out of our control and we had to trust God to make the decision for us. \u00a0We have been so blessed by our host family and the role that they have played in our lives. \u00a0We spend time with this family almost everyday and have asked them thousands of questions as we try to figure out life here. \u00a0So for those of you who don&#8217;t know our family let us introduce them to you!<\/p>\n<div class=\"mceTemp mceIEcenter\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_1275\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1275\" style=\"width: 300px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2012\/07\/DSC_5669.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1275\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2012\/07\/DSC_5669-300x199.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"199\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2012\/07\/DSC_5669-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2012\/07\/DSC_5669.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1275\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Pastor (the one wearing the tie) <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1274\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1274\" style=\"width: 199px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2012\/07\/DSC_5646.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1274\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2012\/07\/DSC_5646-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2012\/07\/DSC_5646-199x300.jpg 199w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2012\/07\/DSC_5646.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1274\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cecil<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1272\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1272\" style=\"width: 199px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2012\/07\/DSC_5367.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1272 \" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2012\/07\/DSC_5367-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2012\/07\/DSC_5367-199x300.jpg 199w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2012\/07\/DSC_5367.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1272\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">And their four daughters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1276\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1276\" style=\"width: 199px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2012\/07\/DSC_5674.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1276 \" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2012\/07\/DSC_5674-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2012\/07\/DSC_5674-199x300.jpg 199w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2012\/07\/DSC_5674.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1276\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Each are very unique<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1273\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1273\" style=\"width: 199px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2012\/07\/DSC_5368.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1273 \" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2012\/07\/DSC_5368-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2012\/07\/DSC_5368-199x300.jpg 199w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2012\/07\/DSC_5368.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1273\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fun to be around<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_1270\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1270\" style=\"width: 199px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2012\/07\/DSC_5089.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-1270 \" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2012\/07\/DSC_5089-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2012\/07\/DSC_5089-199x300.jpg 199w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2012\/07\/DSC_5089.jpg 333w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1270\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">And very special to us<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Here are some of the things we appreciate about our host family:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>They are incredibly patient and great mentors.<\/li>\n<li>Cecil is home every day and more than willing to spend time with me.<\/li>\n<li>The Pastor brings Joel along and involves him in ministry any chance he gets.<\/li>\n<li>The Pastor has been our advocate many times when we have dealt with our landlord, local authorities, or other foreign things for us<\/li>\n<li>They have connections everywhere and want to introduce them all to us (in town and out in villages).<\/li>\n<li>Their girls already call us Aunt and Uncle and will often come to sit with us whenever we are around<\/li>\n<li>Their\u00a0last two girls are close to the same age as our boys<\/li>\n<li>Cecil not only knows how to cook, but is well known for being a GOOD cook. \u00a0On top of that she is showing me how to dye fabric and knows many other crafts.<\/li>\n<li>The Pastor is allergic to shrimp and Joel doesn&#8217;t like shrimp, so I am learning to cook meals exactly the way Joel would like to eat them\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_1271\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1271\" style=\"width: 500px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2012\/07\/DSC_5108.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-1271\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2012\/07\/DSC_5108.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2012\/07\/DSC_5108.jpg 500w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2012\/07\/DSC_5108-300x199.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1271\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">We appreciate how this family has walked along side us<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Future Decisions<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We have begun looking at the options for what will be next after our French study. \u00a0Once again we are facing some big decisions. \u00a0However as we began looking at the possibilities this week, I also started reflecting on our host family and how blessed we are to be connected with them. \u00a0God\u00a0definitely\u00a0knows what is best and is able to lead us through many unknowns. \u00a0So we are seeking God and praying that he would guide us through these decision (where we will live, what exactly our ministry will be, and what language we will learn next). \u00a0There are many unknowns but God can see beyond those and guide us through them. \u00a0We would appreciate your prayers that we would be able to follow God&#8217;s leading and trust that, as always, he knows what is best!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When we moved to our new home, we contacted the local church and asked them to identify a family who could help us learn and adapt to Senegalese culture. \u00a0We had no part in the decision of who this family would be, we just had to trust God to connect us with the best family. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":830,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2545],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-1268","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-updates-and-news","7":"entry"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1268","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/830"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1268"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1268\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1268"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1268"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1268"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}