{"id":1594,"date":"2025-03-04T22:13:58","date_gmt":"2025-03-04T22:13:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/?p=1594"},"modified":"2025-03-08T16:12:26","modified_gmt":"2025-03-08T16:12:26","slug":"newsletter-7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/index.php\/2025\/03\/04\/newsletter-7\/","title":{"rendered":"Newsletter #7"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"1594\" class=\"elementor elementor-1594\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-67034fc1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"67034fc1\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f71a0b9\" data-id=\"f71a0b9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d333a0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6d333a0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 15-07-2024 *\/\n.elementor-heading-title{padding:0;margin:0;line-height:1}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title[class*=elementor-size-]>a{color:inherit;font-size:inherit;line-height:inherit}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-small{font-size:15px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-medium{font-size:19px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-large{font-size:29px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xl{font-size:39px}.elementor-widget-heading .elementor-heading-title.elementor-size-xxl{font-size:59px}<\/style><h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Welch Update #7&nbsp;- 3.08.25<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d555a2b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2d555a2b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 15-07-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#69727d;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#69727d;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p>Hello from Togo!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-543bd51 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"543bd51\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 15-07-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-divider{--divider-border-style:none;--divider-border-width:1px;--divider-color:#0c0d0e;--divider-icon-size:20px;--divider-element-spacing:10px;--divider-pattern-height:24px;--divider-pattern-size:20px;--divider-pattern-url:none;--divider-pattern-repeat:repeat-x}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider{display:flex}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{font-size:15px;line-height:1;max-width:95%}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__element{margin:0 var(--divider-element-spacing);flex-shrink:0}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-icon{font-size:var(--divider-icon-size)}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider-separator{display:flex;margin:0;direction:ltr}.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator{align-items:center}.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:before{display:block;content:\"\";border-block-end:0;flex-grow:1;border-block-start:var(--divider-border-width) var(--divider-border-style) var(--divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:first-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider-separator:before{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider__element{margin-left:0}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:last-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider-separator:after{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider__element{margin-right:0}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-start .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:first-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-start .elementor-divider-separator:before{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-start .elementor-divider__element{margin-inline-start:0}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-end .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:last-of-type{flex-grow:0;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-end .elementor-divider-separator:after{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-end .elementor-divider__element{margin-inline-end:0}.elementor-widget-divider:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text):not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon) .elementor-divider-separator{border-block-start:var(--divider-border-width) var(--divider-border-style) var(--divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern{--divider-border-style:none}.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern.elementor-widget-divider--view-line .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not([class*=elementor-widget-divider--view]) .elementor-divider-separator{width:100%;min-height:var(--divider-pattern-height);-webkit-mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;-webkit-mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);background-color:var(--divider-color);-webkit-mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url);mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url)}.elementor-widget-divider--no-spacing{--divider-pattern-size:auto}.elementor-widget-divider--bg-round{--divider-pattern-repeat:round}.rtl .elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{direction:rtl}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-divider,.e-con>.elementor-widget-divider{width:var(--container-widget-width,100%);--flex-grow:var(--container-widget-flex-grow)}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f2e853b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f2e853b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2b51e89\" data-id=\"2b51e89\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-baf9e08 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"baf9e08\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-ac2031b\" data-id=\"ac2031b\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6f4d368 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6f4d368\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 15-07-2024 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_2437-2-768x1024.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1652\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f041f4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5f041f4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Hello Family and Friends,<\/strong><\/p><\/div><div style=\"text-align: center;\"><p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The past few weeks have been an emotional whirlwind as we treasured time with loved ones before embarking on our journey to France and then to Togo. It\u2019s hard to believe that we\u2019ve now been in Togo, West Africa, for a month (which has flown by in the blink of an eye!). The emotional rollercoaster continues as we say goodbye to the familiar, but we are also rejoicing in the many ways the Lord has faithfully provided for us.<\/p><p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before leaving, we had the privilege of spending precious moments with family and friends. Eden and Gil especially loved connecting with their cousins, and they had a chance to reunite with their former nanny and playmates. One of the highlights for us was visiting our dear friends who adopted our dog, Louie. We\u2019ve missed him dearly, but we are so thankful for the loving home they\u2019ve given him.<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-7018e30 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7018e30\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-9075471\" data-id=\"9075471\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b9152d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7b9152d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/57ce908d-ab69-494b-8605-e0e081f74a2f-768x1024.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1597\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ae6635 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5ae6635\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Sledding with Grandpa and Grandma Toupin<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-80c30e9\" data-id=\"80c30e9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e42578d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e42578d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_2011-768x1024.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1608\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13ade83 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"13ade83\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Lots of reading with Grandma Toupin<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-8348f89\" data-id=\"8348f89\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef62a26 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ef62a26\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_1995-1-768x1024.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1653\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7f9af4e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7f9af4e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Gil supervising Grandpa Toupin during home repairs<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-d073a19 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d073a19\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-9ea101a\" data-id=\"9ea101a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-54d7050 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"54d7050\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_1831-768x1024.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1601\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-730ad95 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"730ad95\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Morning cuddles with Papa Welch<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-a660312\" data-id=\"a660312\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-615d74b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"615d74b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_1887-1-768x1024.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1654\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ae621f5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ae621f5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Playing &#8220;Pretty Pretty Princess&#8221; with Grandma Welch<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-02f05c9\" data-id=\"02f05c9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e1aa5b5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e1aa5b5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_1772-768x1024.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1599\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ebb6331 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ebb6331\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Visiting our dear friends the Stemen&#8217;s who also came to visit us while we were in France<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-1527cb4 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1527cb4\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-1aa8f9c\" data-id=\"1aa8f9c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9178605 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9178605\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_2039-1024x768.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1609\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8e402fe elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8e402fe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Spending sweet time with Toupin cousins<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-44469fc\" data-id=\"44469fc\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8e72fc6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8e72fc6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"769\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_1861-1024x769.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1603\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-485cf25 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"485cf25\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>and Welch cousins<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-2d456af\" data-id=\"2d456af\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ed474b4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ed474b4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/0a12fcfc-c859-4153-96c3-040c3233daf2-1024x768.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1596\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f11e82d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f11e82d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\">and our dear nanny Miss Lindley<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-35e7e54 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"35e7e54\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-651bef7\" data-id=\"651bef7\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d1337c3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d1337c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"777\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_2200-1-1024x777.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1663\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-08a867f\" data-id=\"08a867f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a191467 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a191467\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_2259-1024x768.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1616\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-c2bd285\" data-id=\"c2bd285\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0e0ff30 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0e0ff30\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"772\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_2220-2-1024x772.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1665\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3aef25e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3aef25e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\">And of course visiting our sweet friends the McElroy&#8217;s and our dog Louie<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a68e707 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"a68e707\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-007684d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"007684d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Travels<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-60fbcfb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"60fbcfb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"font-weight: 400; text-align: center;\">Our travels weren\u2019t without a few challenges. Right before we left the States, all of us caught a stomach bug (cue both kids vomiting on the plane!). We were thankful for our five-day stop in Albertville, France, where we could recover and finish packing up the last of our belongings before heading to Togo. We are deeply grateful for all the prayers many of you lifted up on our behalf during our travels. Aside from the sickness, we made it to Togo safely, with all our luggage intact, and were warmly welcomed by our new teammates, who guided us through customs and helped us on the 2.5-hour drive from Lom\u00e9 (the capital of Togo) to H\u00f4pital Baptiste Biblique near Tsiko, where we are now calling home.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-ddc9f1d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ddc9f1d\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-084e493\" data-id=\"084e493\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3fe018 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c3fe018\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_2291-768x1024.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1619\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-437c64b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"437c64b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Battling a &#8220;stomach bug&#8221; as I know many of you probably did as well<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-73bee88\" data-id=\"73bee88\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-97dba03 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"97dba03\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_2394-768x1024.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1626\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f0c7edd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f0c7edd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Extremely grateful our luggage all arrived intact &#8211; thank you for your prayers<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-1c8cdb6\" data-id=\"1c8cdb6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-53b5bc5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"53b5bc5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_2406-768x1024.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1627\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-24c2f0f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"24c2f0f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Tired and sick, but grateful the kids both slept a good portion of the long flight<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-69df6fc elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"69df6fc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3614168 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3614168\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Settling In<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-26ff056 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"26ff056\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\">We have been blessed to spend the first few weeks here settling in and learning how to simply live and do life prior to jumping into work. Day-to-day living in general is almost a full-time job in and of itself\u2014and while it&#8217;s overwhelming at times, we have been very grateful for so many other missionaries who have taken the time out of their busy schedules to make us feel welcomed and show us the &#8220;ropes.&#8221; From how to go to market, buy and clean fresh produce, drive in complete mayhem, or make the trip to Lom\u00e9 for our monthly grocery runs\u2014there is a lot to learn. But little by little, we are feeling more settled and at peace.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-7b5b4a9 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7b5b4a9\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-09d85d0\" data-id=\"09d85d0\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e31b1e3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e31b1e3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_2502-768x1024.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1640\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b7c3d1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5b7c3d1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Buying bread and other dry goods in the small neighboring town of Adeta<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-b5f5989\" data-id=\"b5f5989\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-28d9494 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"28d9494\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_2435-768x1024.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1630\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f23d9f9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f23d9f9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\">We had a warm welcoming from the other missionary families upon our arrival<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-8463337\" data-id=\"8463337\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45db882 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"45db882\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_2448-768x1024.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1634\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2125b26 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2125b26\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Learning how to properly wash and prepare fresh produce here to avoid getting sick<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c464313 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"c464313\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d375c93 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d375c93\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Answered Prayers<\/strong><\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit;\">Perhaps one of our greatest blessings and answers to prayer so far has been the way the Lord has provided in finding amazing house help and child care for when we are both working outside the home. As I mentioned earlier, the simple task of living takes a lot longer here\u2014so we are blessed to have Mawupemon come to our home once a week to help clean and prepare different foods that are not easily accessible here. And we are thanking the Lord for providing Antionette, who will be primarily watching both kids. She has a bright and joyful spirit (and has enough energy to keep up with our whirlwind children!). In addition to speaking their local language \u00c9w\u00e9, they both speak French as well, which has been great for us as we continue to grow in our ability to communicate in French. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-b556122 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b556122\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-04f6485\" data-id=\"04f6485\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ca849b0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ca849b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_2931-768x1024.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1675\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-718fef6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"718fef6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Eden &amp; Gil with\u00a0<\/b><b>Mawupemon\u00a0<\/b>(our house-help, right)<b>\u00a0&amp; Antionette<\/b>\u00a0(&#8220;nanny&#8221;, left)<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-f769849\" data-id=\"f769849\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b20b1a4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b20b1a4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"890\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_2942-2-890x1024.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1673\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1d19f47 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1d19f47\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Mawupemon<\/b><b>\u00a0&amp; Antionette<\/b> <strong>\u00a0introducing<\/strong><b> us to the Togolese dish &#8220;Foo foo&#8221;<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-8c3220a\" data-id=\"8c3220a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-605b09f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"605b09f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_2752-768x1024.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1667\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d223b15 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d223b15\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Gil &amp; Eden after outdoor playtime<\/strong><\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\">(It is a blessing to be able to play outside year round here &#8211; but unfortunately for mom there is no shortage of red dirt!)<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-564e344 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"564e344\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-59bbfda elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"59bbfda\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Starting Work<\/strong><\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\">In the last two weeks, we\u2019ve both begun to familiarize ourselves with our respective workplaces\u2014the hospital for Alyssa and the finance department for Joe. We\u2019ve been learning the flow of things and how we can come alongside the work already being done here in anticipation of officially starting our roles this week. While we\u2019re both excited to use the gifts and talents the Lord has given us to serve the people of Togo, we\u2019re also quickly reminded of the gap between our own limitations and the vast needs around us. We\u2019re constantly reminded of our deep dependency on the Lord.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-993f3c8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"993f3c8\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-d3f3489\" data-id=\"d3f3489\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-80e144b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"80e144b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_3009-2-1024x768.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1681\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c192a1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1c192a1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Sign at the entrance of the hospital<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-bd2b55f\" data-id=\"bd2b55f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-78404f1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"78404f1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_3033-1024x768.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1682\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-278a808 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"278a808\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\">To the right is the outpatient clinic building and to the left is part of the hospital<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-a0b2cd1 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a0b2cd1\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-53f0907\" data-id=\"53f0907\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d63ce1f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d63ce1f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_2981-2-768x1024.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1679\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-93e15b1\" data-id=\"93e15b1\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e46453b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e46453b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_2440-768x1024.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1632\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-12a3400\" data-id=\"12a3400\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-723cffa elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"723cffa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_3004-2-768x1024.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1680\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0941f36 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0941f36\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Sending Mom &amp; Dad off to work and their typical walk from the house to work<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2bd573d elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"2bd573d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f3cecdb elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f3cecdb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/IMG_2739-2-1024x768.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1684\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b6b984 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1b6b984\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"font-style: normal; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; text-align: center;\" data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Two roads leading towards the hospital and surrounding villages near Tsiko (pronounced \u201cchico\u201d). My running paths look a bit different than the French Alps these days, but still beautiful.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa409f4 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"aa409f4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-a2bf5a5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a2bf5a5\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-cc38a66\" data-id=\"cc38a66\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a62cf91 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a62cf91\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"mcePastedContent\" data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\" style=\"font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid; margin-bottom: 0px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: var(--ast-global-color-2);\"><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: Inter, serif;\">Lamentations 3:22-23<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h2><div><span style=\"color: var(--ast-global-color-2);\"><span style=\"font-size: 18px;\"><span style=\"font-family: Inter, serif;\"><br><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<h2 style=\"border-style: solid; font-size: inherit; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; font-family: Inter, serif; text-align: center;\">\n<p class=\"\" data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\" style=\"font-style: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); caret-color: rgb(64, 64, 64);\"><em><span style=\"color: rgb(64, 64, 64);\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Noto Sans&quot;, sans-serif;\">\u201cThe steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;<br>His mercies never come to an end;<br>They are new every morning;<br>Great is Your faithfulness.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><span style=\"color: rgb(64, 64, 64);\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\"><span style=\"font-family: &quot;Noto Sans&quot;, sans-serif;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-80a8d3b elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"80a8d3b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30f7899 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"30f7899\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"\" style=\"font-style: normal; color: #000000; text-align: center;\" data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"><strong><span style=\"color: #404040;\">A Few Words from Our Hearts<\/span><\/strong><\/p><p style=\"font-style: normal; color: #000000; text-align: center;\" data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"><span style=\"color: #404040;\">A few weeks ago, I felt a particular nudge to begin teaching Eden how to memorize scripture. So, like any parent, I Googled \u201chow to teach a 3.5-year-old to memorize scripture\u201d and of course came across a step-by-step guide. The verse they used for demonstration was Lamentations 3:22-23. Over several days, Eden and I repeated portions of this verse together until she was able to recite it in its entirety (which, of course, was the goal, right?). But as I reflected, I realized the goal wasn\u2019t simply to have her regurgitate a string of words in the correct order. The true goal was for her to understand and internalize the meaning of those words, to take them to heart. And, honestly, I think the Lord knew that I needed these words more than she did in this season.<\/span><\/p><p style=\"font-style: normal; color: #000000; text-align: center;\"><em><span style=\"color: #404040;\">\u201cThe steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;<br \/>His mercies never come to an end;<br \/>They are new every morning;<br \/>Great is Your faithfulness.\u201d<\/span><\/em><span style=\"color: #404040;\">\u00a0(Lamentations 3:22-23)<\/span><\/p><p style=\"font-style: normal; color: #000000; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #404040;\">At the start of the year, like many of you, I began a \u201cread through the Bible in a year\u201d plan (and yes, I\u2019m already behind!). As I read through the Old Testament, it sometimes feels almost absurd to see how the Israelites experience God\u2019s miraculous provision, only to immediately forget His faithfulness and begin complaining about the next problem. But, if I\u2019m honest, my heart is often just like theirs. I quickly forget all the ways the Lord has provided, been faithful, and answered prayers. Instead, I focus on my immediate challenges, failing to see the bigger picture and forgetting that the One in control has already been faithful time and time again.<\/span><\/p><p style=\"font-style: normal; color: #000000; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #404040;\">I received a very timely email recently that reminded me of all the ways God has been so incredibly faithful to our family on this journey. He was faithful in the preparations before we left for France. He was faithful during our time of language learning and cultural adjustment. He was faithful in our travels and led us safely to H\u00f4pital Baptiste Biblique. So, why do I doubt His faithfulness now in this new season? His love and faithfulness don\u2019t mean the path will always be easy (it certainly wasn\u2019t for the Israelites and hasn\u2019t been for us thus far), but they mean that He will walk with us through the highs and lows and continue to draw us to Himself. And the most comforting part? His love and mercy aren\u2019t dependent on my ability to remain faithful to Him, but are a reflection of His unchanging, never-ending character.<\/span><\/p><p style=\"font-style: normal; color: #000000; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #404040;\">Once again, I find myself in a season where my flesh wants to question God\u2019s goodness and sovereignty. A season where my weaknesses and inadequacies and the world\u2019s brokenness and suffering are more evident than ever, and my natural response is to try to cover them up or ask \u201cwhy\u201d. But, once again, the Lord graciously reminds me of His never ending grace and love as He invites me to relinquish control and remember daily how utterly dependent we are on Him for our \u201cdaily manna.\u201d What a relief it is to know that even when I falter, His faithfulness is constant, and His love never fails.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a75b0a1 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"a75b0a1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-1996a4f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1996a4f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-d4e62a5\" data-id=\"d4e62a5\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ba1c86a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ba1c86a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Praises<\/strong><\/p><ul style=\"font-style: normal; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000;\"><li style=\"font-size: 16px; font-style: normal;\"><u>Sweet time with Family &amp; Friends<\/u> &#8211; While the time always feels too short, we are so grateful for the moments we had with family and friends in the States. We are thankful for safe travels and cherished memories made.<\/li><\/ul><ul style=\"font-style: normal; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000;\"><li style=\"font-size: 16px; font-style: normal;\"><span style=\"text-indent: -24px; font-size: 1rem; font-style: inherit; text-decoration: underline;\">Alyssa&#8217;s Health<\/span><span style=\"text-indent: -24px; font-size: 1rem; font-style: inherit;\"> &#8211; We were able to see some specialists while back in the States, and though the cause isn\u2019t entirely clear, we are seeing slow improvements. We continue to pray for complete healing and that this won&#8217;t become an issue as Alyssa starts working more in the coming months.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul style=\"font-style: normal; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000;\"><li style=\"font-size: 16px; font-style: normal;\"><u>Settling in at HBB<\/u> &#8211; We continue to feel the Lord\u2019s presence in guiding us to H\u00f4pital Baptiste Biblique and are so thankful for the ways He has provided as we settle in here. We\u2019re especially grateful that the team allowed us some time to adjust before officially starting work and for the provision of Antionette and Mawupemon to help in our home.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-47bafe0\" data-id=\"47bafe0\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b299af elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4b299af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Prayer Request<\/strong><\/p><ul style=\"font-style: normal; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000;\"><li><u>Continued change and transition<\/u>&#8211; While we are feeling more settled, we\u2019re still adjusting to the waves of culture shock and grieving the loss of the familiar. Please pray that we find a healthy and worshipful rhythm as a family. Pray especially for Eden and Gil, that their hearts would be drawn to the Lord and for wisdom in our parenting through continued adjustment.<\/li><\/ul><ul style=\"font-style: normal; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000;\"><li style=\"text-align: left;\"><u>Work<\/u> &#8211; We would appreciate prayer as Alyssa starts in the hospital and Joe in the finance department this week. Please pray for wisdom, peace, the ability to communicate in French, and that we would rely on the Lord as we stretch ourselves beyond our comfort zones and abilities.<\/li><\/ul><ul style=\"font-style: normal; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000;\"><li style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"text-indent: -0.25in; font-style: inherit;\"><u>Ministry<\/u> &#8211; There is no shortage of opportunities to serve here, but we also know we can easily stretch ourselves too thin, especially in this season of raising young children. Please pray that as a family, we will discern where God is calling us to serve outside the hospital walls and that we would be faithful in what He leads us to, and, most importantly, that hearts would be open to the gospel of Jesus Christ.<\/span><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-118a8f6 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"118a8f6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8d1c94c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8d1c94c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\">As we step into this next season, we carry deep gratitude for your continued support, prayers, and encouragement.\u00a0<span style=\"font-style: inherit;\">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 &#8211; please don\u2019t hesitate to reach out!<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a60979 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6a60979\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-medium\">Many Blessings, <\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f13c34d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f13c34d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Welch Family<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1280725 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"1280725\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.23.0 - 15-07-2024 *\/\n.elementor-column .elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--spacer-size)}.e-con{--container-widget-width:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer{width:var(--container-widget-width,var(--spacer-size));--align-self:var(--container-widget-align-self,initial);--flex-shrink:0}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container{height:100%;width:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer{height:100%}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer>.elementor-widget-container>.elementor-spacer>.elementor-spacer-inner{height:var(--container-widget-height,var(--spacer-size))}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty{position:relative;min-height:22px;min-width:22px}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty .elementor-widget-empty-icon,.e-con>.elementor-widget-spacer.elementor-widget-empty .elementor-widget-empty-icon{position:absolute;top:0;bottom:0;left:0;right:0;margin:auto;padding:0;width:22px;height:22px}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dcc2579 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"dcc2579\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Home Page<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8ac1458 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"8ac1458\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Welch Update #7&nbsp;&#8211; 3.08.25 Hello from Togo! Hello Family and Friends, The past few weeks have been an emotional whirlwind as we treasured time with loved ones before embarking on our journey to France and then to Togo. It\u2019s hard to believe that we\u2019ve now been in Togo, West Africa, for a month (which has [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1652,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"disabled","ast-banner-title-visibility":"disabled","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"disabled","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1594","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_2437-2-scaled.jpeg",1920,2560,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_2437-2-scaled.jpeg",1920,2560,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_2437-2-scaled.jpeg",1920,2560,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_2437-2-150x150.jpeg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_2437-2-225x300.jpeg",225,300,true],"large":["https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_2437-2-768x1024.jpeg",768,1024,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_2437-2-1152x1536.jpeg",1152,1536,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/IMG_2437-2-1536x2048.jpeg",1536,2048,true]},"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"josephdalewelch","author_link":"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/index.php\/author\/josephdalewelch\/"},"rttpg_comment":2,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/index.php\/category\/blog\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Blog<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Welch Update #7&nbsp;&#8211; 3.08.25 Hello from Togo! Hello Family and Friends, The past few weeks have been an emotional whirlwind as we treasured time with loved ones before embarking on our journey to France and then to Togo. It\u2019s hard to believe that we\u2019ve now been in Togo, West Africa, for a month (which has&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1594"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1594"}],"version-history":[{"count":37,"href":"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1594\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1714,"href":"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1594\/revisions\/1714"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1652"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1594"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1594"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1594"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}