{"id":3300,"date":"2014-08-26T16:47:56","date_gmt":"2014-08-26T16:47:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/?p=3300"},"modified":"2014-08-26T16:47:56","modified_gmt":"2014-08-26T16:47:56","slug":"feeling-renewed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/2014\/08\/26\/feeling-renewed\/","title":{"rendered":"Feeling Renewed"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>It feels strange to be back in America.\u00a0 We have changed so much over the past 3 years.\u00a0 Yet all in all it has been a very rewarding experience.\u00a0 What has been most encouraging to me has been seeing how God has renewed our souls during this time.\u00a0 Life in Africa is like living life with a slow energy leak.\u00a0 I think it might have been magnified our first term with the fact that our arrival cut our energy in half straight off.\u00a0 As we are here enjoying some of the conveniences of life and most of all enjoying the decrease in stress, we are slowly feeling our tanks being renewed.\u00a0 It means that we will return to be in a healthy place to start giving of ourselves again.<\/p>\n<p>I am thanking God for our time here and the ways he is reminding us that he is taking care of us.\u00a0 Here are just a few a the ways this week he reminded us of that&#8230;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Some increased support that reminded us God knows our needs and is going to provide.<\/li>\n<li>A clothing swap at my parents church that provided much need clothes for our boys this winter.<\/li>\n<li>A random gift of a gas card for all the travel we have.<\/li>\n<li>Dinner out with friends that can&#8217;t help but renew our hearts.<\/li>\n<li>A rare chance for a date, which hopefully will only be the first of others this furlough.<\/li>\n<li>Encouraging words from those we mentor in Senegal who are making incredible progress.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>I could go back to Africa today and feel in a healthier place than I had been in a long time.\u00a0 However we are excited to remain a little longer and get more time to share with those around us about our life and ministry.\u00a0 We sent out an email with information about ways you can taste and hear a little about Africa while we are here.\u00a0 If you didn&#8217;t get the email let us know and we will send it to you.\u00a0 We have lots of African meals we will be cooking and so don&#8217;t miss out on your chance to taste it while we are here!<\/p>\n<p><strong>More Blessing In Pictures<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3304\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3304\" style=\"width: 480px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040583.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-3304 \" title=\"P1040583\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040583.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040583.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040583-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040583-500x375.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3304\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Friends who drove 3 hours to greet us at the airport with balloons<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3303\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3303\" style=\"width: 480px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040580.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-3303 \" title=\"P1040580\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040580.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040580.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040580-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040580-500x375.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3303\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Gifts for our boys prepared our of love by strangers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3305\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3305\" style=\"width: 480px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040595.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-3305\" title=\"P1040595\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040595.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040595.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040595-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040595-500x375.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3305\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">10 dollar day at the waterpark with dear friends<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3306\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3306\" style=\"width: 480px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040599.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-3306 \" title=\"P1040599\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040599.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040599.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040599-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040599-500x375.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3306\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A week of rest upon our re entry<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3307\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3307\" style=\"width: 480px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040621.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-3307 \" title=\"P1040621\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040621.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040621.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040621-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040621-500x375.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3307\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Being hosted by many friends on our long drive<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3308\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3308\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040623.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-3308 \" title=\"P1040623\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040623-e1409068260134.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"360\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040623-e1409068260134.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040623-e1409068260134-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3308\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Reconnecting with family for the first time<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3310\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3310\" style=\"width: 480px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040644.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-3310 \" title=\"P1040644\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040644.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040644.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040644-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040644-500x375.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3310\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">New Games to play together<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3311\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3311\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040647.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-3311 \" title=\"P1040647\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040647-e1409068903294.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"360\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040647-e1409068903294.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040647-e1409068903294-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3311\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Amazing Food!!!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3315\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3315\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040682.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-3315 \" title=\"P1040682\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040682-e1409070794912.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"360\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040682-e1409070794912.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040682-e1409070794912-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3315\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Cooking Lessons with Nana<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3313\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3313\" style=\"width: 480px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040666.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-3313 \" title=\"P1040666\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040666.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040666.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040666-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040666-500x375.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3313\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">A trip to the wild west<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3317\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3317\" style=\"width: 480px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040709.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-3317 \" title=\"P1040709\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040709.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"360\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040709.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040709-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040709-500x375.jpg 500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3317\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Memories built<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_3316\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-3316\" style=\"width: 360px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040696.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-3316 \" title=\"P1040696\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040696-e1409071537853.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"360\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040696-e1409071537853.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2014\/08\/P1040696-e1409071537853-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-3316\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Green trees and the nature around us that reminds us of the amazing God we serve<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It feels strange to be back in America.\u00a0 We have changed so much over the past 3 years.\u00a0 Yet all in all it has been a very rewarding experience.\u00a0 What has been most encouraging to me has been seeing how God has renewed our souls during this time.\u00a0 Life in Africa is like living life [&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-3300","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\/3300","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=3300"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3300\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3300"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3300"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3300"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}