{"id":2959,"date":"2014-02-15T21:50:17","date_gmt":"2014-02-15T21:50:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/?p=2959"},"modified":"2014-02-16T16:36:23","modified_gmt":"2014-02-16T16:36:23","slug":"relationships","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/2014\/02\/15\/relationships\/","title":{"rendered":"Relationships"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/P1040017.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter  wp-image-2979\" title=\"P1040017\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/P1040017.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"360\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/P1040017.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/P1040017-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/P1040017-375x500.jpg 375w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The past two years in Africa have transformed my understanding of relationships and particularly my role in relationships. \u00a0When I was in the states relationships were easier and more natural\u00a0 as I rarely had to cross cultural barriers to form them.\u00a0 So I invest in the relationships that I was most comfortable in and in all honesty that I benefited from the most. \u00a0However if I functioned like that here I would be friends with no one (except other missionaries).\u00a0 Here getting to know people is just plain hard work, because it requires leaving my world and entering theirs. \u00a0As I have walked through this process the past two years and have worked hard to form relationships God has shown me that relationships were not ever supposed to be about me. \u00a0This is something that I always knew in my head, but I am starting to learn what that means in reality.<\/p>\n<p>Here are a few things that life has taught me about relationships&#8230;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><strong>Relationships are about sacrifice<\/strong><\/strong>\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_2962\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2962\" style=\"width: 480px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/101_0531.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-2962 \" title=\"101_0531\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/101_0531.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"361\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/101_0531.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/101_0531-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/101_0531-500x375.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2962\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Sometimes we do things for others that we would not choose to do for ourselves<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>\n<li><strong><strong>Relationships take time&#8230;so I need to find that time<\/strong><\/strong>\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_2966\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2966\" style=\"width: 480px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/101_0691.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-2966 \" title=\"101_0691\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/101_0691.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"361\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/101_0691.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/101_0691-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/101_0691-500x375.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2966\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">We can&#39;t get to know people if we don&#39;t make time for them<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>\n<li><strong><strong>I need to be willing to take the first step<\/strong><\/strong>\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_2978\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2978\" style=\"width: 480px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/P1040015.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-2978 \" title=\"P1040015\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/P1040015.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/P1040015.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/P1040015-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/P1040015-500x375.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2978\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">No matter how much we feel out of place<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>\n<li><strong><strong>Relationships aren&#8217;t about comfort<\/strong><\/strong>\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_2964\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2964\" style=\"width: 480px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/101_0562.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-2964 \" title=\"101_0562\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/101_0562.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"361\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/101_0562.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/101_0562-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/101_0562-500x375.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2964\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">It is about leaving our comfort zone for the sake of others<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>\n<li><strong><strong>Relationships are about walking through normal life with people<\/strong><\/strong>\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_2961\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2961\" style=\"width: 480px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/101_0252.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-2961 \" title=\"101_0252\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/101_0252.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"361\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/101_0252.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/101_0252-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/101_0252-500x375.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2961\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">It is about doing the simple things of life side by side<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>\n<li><strong><strong>The more a relationships become less about me, the more beautiful it becomes<\/strong><\/strong>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2960\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2960\" style=\"width: 480px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/101_0228.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-2960 \" title=\"101_0228\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/101_0228.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"361\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/101_0228.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/101_0228-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/101_0228-500x375.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2960\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Here are just a few of the many beautiful Relationships we have... Me and Cecil<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2969\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2969\" style=\"width: 480px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/P1040730.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-2969 \" title=\"P1040730\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/P1040730.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/P1040730.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/P1040730-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/P1040730-500x375.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2969\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Joel and our Pastor<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2968\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2968\" style=\"width: 480px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/P1040706.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-2968 \" title=\"P1040706\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/P1040706.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/P1040706.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/P1040706-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/P1040706-500x375.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2968\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Joel and Norbert (or the inseparable pair)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2972\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2972\" style=\"width: 480px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/P1040974.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-2972 \" title=\"P1040974\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/P1040974.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/P1040974.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/P1040974-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/P1040974-500x375.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2972\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Who are pretty much always working on one project or another together<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_2963\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-2963\" style=\"width: 361px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/101_0559.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-2963 \" title=\"101_0559\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/101_0559.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"361\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/101_0559.jpg 601w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/101_0559-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/02\/101_0559-375x500.jpg 375w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 361px) 100vw, 361px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-2963\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Seeing the beauty that results, reminds me that it is so worth the work!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The past two years in Africa have transformed my understanding of relationships and particularly my role in relationships. \u00a0When I was in the states relationships were easier and more natural\u00a0 as I rarely had to cross cultural barriers to form them.\u00a0 So I invest in the relationships that I was most comfortable in and in [&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-2959","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\/2959","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=2959"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2959\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2959"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2959"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2959"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}