{"id":6868,"date":"2022-09-07T11:00:33","date_gmt":"2022-09-07T11:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/?p=6868"},"modified":"2022-09-07T11:00:35","modified_gmt":"2022-09-07T11:00:35","slug":"family-reunion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/2022\/09\/07\/family-reunion\/","title":{"rendered":"Family Reunion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"764\" height=\"338\" data-id=\"6909\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/Adult-Group-Photo-e1662547184952.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6909\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/Adult-Group-Photo-e1662547184952.jpg 764w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/Adult-Group-Photo-e1662547184952-300x133.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/Adult-Group-Photo-e1662547184952-600x265.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/Adult-Group-Photo-e1662547184952-125x55.jpg 125w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/Adult-Group-Photo-e1662547184952-250x111.jpg 250w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/Adult-Group-Photo-e1662547184952-450x199.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 764px) 100vw, 764px\" \/><figcaption>Our Vision Integrale Family<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Our conference is like family reunion.  It is a chance to our larger family here in West Africa to gather together.  What a large family we have!  Our group consisted of members of our organization, pastors and leaders from the local church and other like minded believers with whom we partner.  We are spread out over 5 countries and so we rarely get a chance to connect face to face.  This past July was our family reunion!  We gathered together for 6 days of wonderful fellowship.  We heard from God&#8217;s word, we heard what God is doing from different team, we heard the struggles that people are facing, we prayed together, and our kids hung out together.  As always it was full of blessings.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" data-id=\"6891\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220708_134321.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6891\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220708_134321.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220708_134321-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220708_134321-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220708_134321-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220708_134321-125x70.jpg 125w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220708_134321-250x141.jpg 250w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220708_134321-450x253.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption>The Place was beautiful<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-3 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" data-id=\"6890\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220708_132939.jpg\" alt=\"The small group prayer times was one of my favorites.  This is Joel wiith his group\" class=\"wp-image-6890\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220708_132939.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220708_132939-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220708_132939-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220708_132939-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220708_132939-125x94.jpg 125w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220708_132939-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220708_132939-337x253.jpg 337w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption>Small group prayer time &#8211; which was one of my favorite activities<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-4 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" data-id=\"6888\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220706_085918.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6888\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220706_085918.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220706_085918-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220706_085918-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220706_085918-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220706_085918-125x94.jpg 125w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220706_085918-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220706_085918-337x253.jpg 337w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption>There was great teaching and times of workship<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-5 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" data-id=\"6892\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220708_192912.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6892\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220708_192912.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220708_192912-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220708_192912-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220708_192912-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220708_192912-125x94.jpg 125w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220708_192912-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220708_192912-337x253.jpg 337w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption>And of course great times of fellowship<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition, we had the added blessing of hosting the team that led the kids program.  They were a team from one of our supporting churches.  It was like another family reunion to connect with even more of the family we know and love.  It was great to share our life with them, hear their stories and share a bit of our stories.  They played games with our kids, brought us treats from our home country, and left better knowing how to pray for us during the time we are apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-6 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"352\" data-id=\"6916\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/Youth-Group-Photo--e1662547556872.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6916\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/Youth-Group-Photo--e1662547556872.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/Youth-Group-Photo--e1662547556872-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/Youth-Group-Photo--e1662547556872-600x275.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/Youth-Group-Photo--e1662547556872-125x57.jpg 125w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/Youth-Group-Photo--e1662547556872-250x115.jpg 250w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/Youth-Group-Photo--e1662547556872-450x206.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption>The Kids program was such a blessing\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-7 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" data-id=\"6884\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220705_103558.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6884\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220705_103558.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220705_103558-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220705_103558-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220705_103558-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220705_103558-125x94.jpg 125w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220705_103558-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220705_103558-337x253.jpg 337w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption>They had great time together with crafts, teaching, worship<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-8 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" data-id=\"6882\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220705_091724.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6882\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220705_091724.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220705_091724-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220705_091724-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220705_091724-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220705_091724-125x94.jpg 125w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220705_091724-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220705_091724-337x253.jpg 337w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption>And GAMES<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-9 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" data-id=\"6913\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/IMG_7314.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6913\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/IMG_7314.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/IMG_7314-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/IMG_7314-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/IMG_7314-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/IMG_7314-125x94.jpg 125w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/IMG_7314-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/IMG_7314-337x253.jpg 337w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption>We loved hosting the team at our house<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-10 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" data-id=\"6874\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220702_113106.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6874\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220702_113106.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220702_113106-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220702_113106-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220702_113106-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220702_113106-125x94.jpg 125w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220702_113106-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220702_113106-337x253.jpg 337w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption>Showing them a bit of our life<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-11 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" data-id=\"6907\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220713_170433.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6907\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220713_170433.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220713_170433-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220713_170433-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220713_170433-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220713_170433-125x94.jpg 125w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220713_170433-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/20220713_170433-337x253.jpg 337w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption>And doing extra fun things together<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I came out of the time just amazed at how great family is.  Whether it is with biological, adoptive, or spiritual families, family gatherings are so important.  It is so important to see how everyone is doing, edify each other in the word and pray together.  It is fun to see how diverse, unique, messy and beautiful each family can be.  I was amazed at the diversity of our family her in West Africa and yet how that brings us so much beauty.  We might have different backgrounds, ministries, cultures, experiences and languages, but yet together we are stronger.   May God continue to help us love each other as we press on in the task before us and the grace to remember that we all carry the scars from the journey we are on.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-12 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" data-id=\"6914\" src=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/IMG_7320.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-6914\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/IMG_7320.jpg 800w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/IMG_7320-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/IMG_7320-600x450.jpg 600w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/IMG_7320-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/IMG_7320-125x94.jpg 125w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/IMG_7320-250x188.jpg 250w, https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/files\/2022\/08\/IMG_7320-337x253.jpg 337w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption>Learning to Walk side by side and lean on each other in this crazy thing called life and ministry.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Our conference is like family reunion. It is a chance to our larger family here in West Africa to gather together. What a large family we have! Our group consisted of members of our organization, pastors and leaders from the local church and other like minded believers with whom we partner. We are spread out [&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-6868","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\/6868","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=6868"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6868\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6868"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6868"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.ethnos360.org\/joel-mcmartin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6868"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}