Welch Update #6 - 12.31.24
Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année!
It’s hard to believe another year has flown by in the blink of an eye. This past year brought its share of challenges for our family, but it was also filled with immense beauty. Spending the year together in Albertville, France, learning French felt surreal at times—certainly not as dreamy or glamorous as it may sound, but a blessing nonetheless. We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to study this beautiful (and admittedly challenging) language together as a family and for the incredible people we’ve met along the way.
As we write this, we’ve just crossed back over the Atlantic. Last week, we finished our B1.1 language exams (which we passed!) and packed up our cozy apartment in anticipation of our move to Togo. Before embarking on the next chapter, we’re thankful to be able to spend Christmas and New Years with both sides of the family along with close friends.
Our hearts are filled with a mix of emotions—excitement for what lies ahead and grief over what we’re leaving behind. Since leaving France, Eden has been asking daily when we’ll return and whether she’ll see her friends and school again. Transitions like these are difficult for us as adults, so it’s even harder to help our 3.5-year-old navigate her feelings. What we initially approached with trepidation has become a season we deeply cherish, filled with lessons in humility and trust as we’ve relied on the Lord’s grace and guidance. His ways are certainly not our ways.
Time with our Language Partners
One of our greatest blessings this past semester was meeting with our “language partners” each week. Joe and I had the privilege of meeting individually with a sweet retired couple, Vincent and Bénédicte, to practice our French. We grew to love them dearly. As our time in France came to a close, they invited us to their family chalet in the mountains for our very last weekend there. It is definitely one of our fondest memories of the year. They treated our whole family to a French multi-course meal, sledding, snowman building, snowshoeing, visiting a goat cheese farm, and, most of all, showing incredible patience as we communicated entirely in French.
Highlights
Saying Farewell to Our Church in Albertville
Our Church had a small sendoff for the missionaries departing where we were able to share our future plans and they were able to pray over us
Graduation with Our Incredible Teachers
Anne, who guided us through every step of our journey, and Letizia, who taught us part-time during our B1.1 course. We’re so thankful for their dedication and patience
Skiing Adventure
Before we left, we managed to fit in our first and only ski trip of the season —and it did NOT disappoint ! The beautiful slopes and fresh mountain air were the perfect send-off
A Change in Plans
We have some bittersweet news to share regarding our next steps. In recent weeks, we learned that Samaritan’s Purse, our sending organization, made the difficult decision to redirect us from the hospital we had planned to serve in due to internal concerns that would potentially affect our family’s well-being. While we’re grateful for their care, the news was heartbreaking. Our hearts have grown fond of the people of Togo and the work being done there, so the sudden change was both surprising and confusing.
Yet, in the midst of uncertainty, God’s guidance has been evident. Almost immediately, another door opened at Hôpital Baptiste Biblique, also in Togo. What typically takes weeks to months to determine was resolved within days. After conversations with the hospital leadership and much prayer and fasting, we felt an overwhelming sense of peace about this new opportunity.
Looking Ahead
Our roles will remain largely unchanged. Alyssa will be working as a general surgeon alongside the hospital’s team and PAACS residents, while Joe will contribute to the hospital’s finance department. With this adjustment, we now plan to depart for Togo at the end of January.
If you’d like to learn more about this change or the location where we’re headed, please visit our website or feel free to reach out to us!
Some Other Highlights
Eden’s School Concert
Eden’s class had a fun concert. It is so cute to hear her sing both French songs and English songs with a French accent!
The View on Our Walks
The view on our walk to Eden’s school, our favorite park, and the best “boulangerie” in town always left us in awe.
Flight Home
After a few hours of delay, our flight back was relatively smooth. We truly felt the power of your prayers during our travels—thank you!
Welch Family Christmas
It was such a special time having the entire Welch family together for Christmas! Eden was over the moon to spend time with her cousins.
Cousins 2023 vs 2024
Toupin Family Christmas
The Toupin family Christmas was full of fun and laughter, with one of the highlights being an epic paintball game in Alyssa’s brother’s woods. The battle wounds were minimal, but the memories were priceless!
Looking out over the vastness of the Alps, we couldn’t help but feel small in the face of such natural beauty. What a reminder of the greatness of God’s creation!
Living in Transition
As our family once again finds itself in a season of transition during the Christmas season, I’ve been drawn to the thought of Mary and Joseph living in transition and uncertainty while caring for a young child so many years ago. They left behind everything familiar – friends, family, their home – and traveled to a foreign land fleeing the wrath of King Herod. They didn’t know what challenges they would face, yet they trusted and obeyed, placing their hope in the One who knew the way and His sovereign plan.
While we were surprised by the recent change in hospitals, we take comfort in knowing that our Lord is sovereign even in the midst of uncertainty. The same God who guided and was present with Mary and Joseph is guiding and is present with us.
If you, too, find yourself in a season of transition – whether it’s moving, changing jobs, or stepping into the unknown – I hope the story of Christ’s birth brings you hope and reminds you of God’s constant faithfulness. His purposes are greater than our fears, His provision is unwavering, and His love is steadfast.
Isaiah 55:8-9
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Esaïe 55:8-9
En effet, vos pensées ne sont pas mes pensées et mes voies ne sont pas vos voies, déclare l’Eternel. Le ciel est bien plus haut que la terre. De même, mes voies sont bien au-dessus de vos voies, et mes pensées bien au-dessus de vos pensées.
Praises
- French Studies – We are so grateful for your prayers this past year as we’ve worked hard to learn French. While we’re not fluent yet, it’s amazing to see how far we’ve come in just one year. We’re thankful for the strong foundation we now have, which will help us continue to build upon it in Togo. This has also been such a sweet season for Joe and me to take classes together and spend more time with our children.
- Alyssa’s Health – We’ve had several appointments both in France and since arriving back in the States. While we don’t yet have completely clear answers, we’ve noticed improvement in both of Alyssa’s hands over the past month. We’re praying that this improvement continues as we move forward. Thank you for continuing to lift us up in prayer!
- Guidance to HBB – Although we still don’t fully understand the reasons behind the changes we’ve faced, we are deeply grateful for the Lord’s continued guidance and provision, leading us to Hôpital Baptiste Biblique in Togo.
Prayer Request
- Time with family and friends – We are thankful for the time we’ve been given stateside and ask for prayer that we would be able to cherish these moments before departing. Pray also for grace in saying goodbye, as those farewells are never easy.
- Change and Transitions – Please pray for us as we continue adjusting to a season of change, especially for the kids, as we’ll be living in transition for several months. Pray for peace and stability during this time.
- Packing and Travels – Pray for wisdom and peace as we pack and plan for our upcoming travels. We also ask for good health for our family and that our luggage would arrive safely.
- French and Work – Pray for continued growth in our ability to communicate in French, and for God’s guidance as we prepare for our roles once we arrive in Togo.
As we step into this next season, we carry deep gratitude for your continued support, prayers, and encouragement. We are truly humbled and blessed. We love hearing from you and would love to know how we can be praying for you specifically as well – please don’t hesitate to reach out!
That’s for the update and we praise God for his goodness. While the hospital change may be disappointing at this time, we have always said that the community and work/life balance at HBB is the best we have seen at any mission hospital. The area was safe for our outdoor exploring (ie hiking) and the people so friendly. Praying for a good transition for your family!
We are heading to Southeast Asia for 6 weeks and could use prayer for unity & that our medical supplies get thru customs & in to goal country to provide safe care & love of Jesus!
Thank you so much for the encouraging words Ellen! We are really excited to get to the hospital and see what God has in store for our family. Also, we are definitely praying for your trip to Southeast Asia. Safe travels and God Bless!