{"id":1856,"date":"2025-12-20T11:14:43","date_gmt":"2025-12-20T11:14:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/?p=1856"},"modified":"2025-12-20T11:20:04","modified_gmt":"2025-12-20T11:20:04","slug":"newsletter-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/index.php\/2025\/12\/20\/newsletter-10\/","title":{"rendered":"Newsletter #10"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"1856\" class=\"elementor elementor-1856\">\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 #10&nbsp;- 12.20.25<\/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>We Wish You a Merry Christmas<\/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 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.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=\"2560\" height=\"1920\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/edited-photo-2-scaled.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-1857\" 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-46fa377 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"46fa377\" 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-5f041f4 elementor-widget-tablet__width-initial 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>It&#8217;s Christmas Again?<\/strong><\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\">Where has the year gone already? This time last December, we were wrapping up language school in France and preparing to move to Togo. And the year before that, we were saying goodbye to family and friends as we headed to France. It\u2019s amazing how quickly life changes. Moments that once felt huge and overwhelming now sit as distant memories\u2014but looking back, we clearly see the Lord\u2019s faithfulness through every season. It\u2019s that remembrance of His steady, steadfast faithfulness that we cling to in times of uncertainty.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ea8ed5 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"7ea8ed5\" 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-0984b44 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0984b44\" 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;\" align=\"center\"><strong>Happenings<\/strong><\/p><div><p style=\"text-align: center;\" data-start=\"973\" data-end=\"1216\">Since our last update, we\u2019ve continued in our usual rhythms\u2014Joe serving in his various roles and ministries, and Alyssa continuing work at the hospital. Over time, the day-to-day has felt more settled, which has truly been an answer to prayer.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\" data-start=\"1218\" data-end=\"1607\">In October, we were blessed to attend the Samaritan\u2019s Purse Restore Conference in Crete, Greece. It was refreshing to reconnect with old friends and meet new brothers and sisters serving at mission hospitals around the world. Stepping away from daily routines and spending time with people who understand the joys and challenges of overseas ministry was deeply encouraging and much needed.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\" data-start=\"1609\" data-end=\"1916\">One of the sweetest highlights was an unexpected reunion with Grandma and Papa Welch (Joe\u2019s parents), who just so happened to be on a cruise that ported in Crete\u2014only about an hour from where we were staying. It was a whirlwind of emotion and such a gift from the Lord to spend four precious hours together.<\/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-ff04297 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ff04297\" 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-333773a\" data-id=\"333773a\" 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-4556c3f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4556c3f\" 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=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_7050-1024x768.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1860\" 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-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-92e7e26\" data-id=\"92e7e26\" 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-8bbe8bb elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8bbe8bb\" 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=\"1024\" height=\"835\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_7070-2-1024x835.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1864\" 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-3aa1c49 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3aa1c49\" 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;\">Spending precious time with Grandma &amp; Papa Welch during their short cruise excursion in Crete, Greece. What a sweet and unexpected blessing from 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-4e627eb elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4e627eb\" 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-b4a9649\" data-id=\"b4a9649\" 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-96f50e6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"96f50e6\" 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=\"411\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/353d0480-3931-4f6f-86f7-52f251a2985c-2-1024x411.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1868\" 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-4c705c7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4c705c7\" 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;\">Connecting with old and new friends serving at mission hospitals around the world during the Samaritan\u2019s Purse Restore Conference in Crete, Greece<\/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-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 loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_6482-768x1024.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1873\" 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-d7c639e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d7c639e\" 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;\">This sweet little one is a 17-day-old baby girl whom Alyssa was recently able to operate on for hypertrophic pyloric stenosis\u2014a condition where food cannot pass from the stomach into the intestines due to muscle thickening. It continues to amaze us the breadth of surgery that can be done here despite limited resources, and it serves as a powerful reminder of our incredibly faithful God.<\/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 loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_7851-2-768x1024.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1874\" 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;\">This is <strong>Adjovi,<\/strong> whom we would like to ask you to pray for. She is the same age as Alyssa and has advanced breast cancer. Like Pauline, she was unable to receive neoadjuvant treatment (chemotherapy or radiation prior to surgery) that would be standard in the U.S. Alyssa was able to surgically remove the visible tumor, but without additional treatment her risk of recurrence in the coming years is extremely high. Please pray for her healing and for the ability to support her to go to Lom\u00e9 for further treatment.<\/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=\"442\" height=\"589\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/a326e4cc-7e78-4a3d-b4b3-d4f4628ad606-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1907\" 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><strong>Pauline<\/strong> with her daughter Marveilleuse. Praise that Pauline has only one more round of chemotherapy left! It has been a difficult road, but we are grateful for another step forward in fighting this cancer. Please continue praying for her as she finishes chemo and begins radiation.<\/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-0c9f367 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0c9f367\" 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-8cc843d\" data-id=\"8cc843d\" 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-6059609 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6059609\" 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\/12\/IMG_7734-1024x768.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1878\" 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-f88ada8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f88ada8\" 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;\">Celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Togolese church plant we attend and support. The entire congregation from the mother church came to celebrate. The service lasted over three hours and was filled with joyful singing, dancing, and praise.<\/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-b8e0f46\" data-id=\"b8e0f46\" 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-2af6fba elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2af6fba\" 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\/12\/IMG_7530-1024x768.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1887\" 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-4b074f0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4b074f0\" 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>Joe preaching at church a few Sundays ago. Praise that it went well and that the Lord used it to bring encouragement to those who were present.<\/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-79f7611 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"79f7611\" 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-4e0d466\" data-id=\"4e0d466\" 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-0787af1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0787af1\" 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=\"940\" height=\"604\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/PHOTO-2025-11-26-10-15-17-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1883\" 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-deb2f03 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"deb2f03\" 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;\">Joe visiting a nearby Fulani tribe and sharing a gospel video presentation in their heart language, Fulfulde. The Fulani people are scattered throughout much of central Africa and are predominantly nomadic herders who are almost entirely Muslim. Pray that hearts would be softened to the gospel.\u00a0<\/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-a92e115\" data-id=\"a92e115\" 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-7490d9a elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7490d9a\" 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=\"664\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_6392-4-1024x664.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1934\" 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-79814de elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"79814de\" 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;\">Receiving a care package from our sending church small group, filled with goodies and prayer cards. What an encouragement to our hearts. We were impressed the box made it mostly intact.<\/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-08e7a2d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"08e7a2d\" 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-48d310e\" data-id=\"48d310e\" 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-79b5896 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"79b5896\" 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\/12\/IMG_6550-3-768x1024.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1931\" 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-bc88ae9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bc88ae9\" 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>Antoinette<\/strong>, our Togolese nanny, with Eden &amp; Gil. The kids adore her (and so do we). She has been one of the greatest blessings to our family and brings so much joy to our daily lives.<\/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-5d34bbf\" data-id=\"5d34bbf\" 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-1c4f98c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1c4f98c\" 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\/12\/IMG_7966-768x1024.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1929\" 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-95f9b32 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"95f9b32\" 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 data-start=\"115\" data-end=\"488\"><strong data-start=\"115\" data-end=\"124\">Arung<\/strong> (left, Cameroonian) and <strong data-start=\"149\" data-end=\"158\">Josu\u00e9<\/strong> (right, Togolese) are our two PAACS (Pan African Academy of Christian Surgeons) residents from this past year. Their skill and breadth of training far exceed that of most U.S. junior residents, and they have been a true joy to work with and teach. Arung will be starting his <strong data-start=\"434\" data-end=\"448\">third year<\/strong> of training and Josu\u00e9 his <strong data-start=\"475\" data-end=\"485\" data-is-only-node=\"\">second<\/strong>.<\/p><p data-start=\"490\" data-end=\"819\">Each year, the residents rotate between our hospital and our sister hospital in northern Togo. With two new interns joining this year, there will be <strong data-start=\"643\" data-end=\"679\">three residents at each hospital<\/strong>. Please pray for these residents and their families as they transition and continue faithfully in the training the Lord has called them to.<\/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-5c0622b elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"5c0622b\" 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-4693669 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4693669\" 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>Personal Update<\/strong><\/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-4986956 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4986956\" 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-e57ddf0\" data-id=\"e57ddf0\" 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-943be94 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"943be94\" 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=\"682\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/110c85e5-86ad-4290-b04e-2f45c1720d82.JPG-682x1024.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1921\" 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-29e0ffc elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"29e0ffc\" 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:\/\/youtu.be\/-UHx51q-9Ys?si=IE-2thq2xvm279d3\" target=\"_blank\">\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\">Listen<\/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-1cd12c2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1cd12c2\" 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;\" data-start=\"4545\" data-end=\"4752\">I (Alyssa) came across this song recently, and it has been a balm to my weary soul. The lyrics have met me in a season where the Lord feels both wonderfully near and yet mysteriously hidden at the same time.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\" data-start=\"4754\" data-end=\"5054\">Many of you know that I have been walking through ongoing pain in my hands for several years. For a season, we believed things were improving, but over the past few months the pain has returned\u2014intensifying and spreading to other joints. It has been discouraging, confusing, and honestly, exhausting.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\" data-start=\"5056\" data-end=\"5596\">While in France, we pursued every medical avenue available to us, but without clear answers. After much prayer, counsel, and wrestling, we believe the Lord is leading us to return to the U.S. for further evaluation and treatment. This has been a difficult decision\u2014one filled with sadness, uncertainty, and the tension of stepping away from the work and people we love here in Togo. <strong>We are praying this will be a temporary pause and are hopeful to return within a few months<\/strong>. We would be deeply grateful if you would join us in that prayer.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\" data-start=\"5598\" data-end=\"5672\">In the midst of this, the Lord keeps bringing my heart back to this truth:<\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\" data-start=\"5598\" data-end=\"5672\"><strong><em style=\"font-size: 16px;\" data-start=\"5676\" data-end=\"5742\">\u201cYou are all that You say that You are \u2014 even when I can\u2019t see.\u201d<\/em><\/strong><\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\" data-start=\"5744\" data-end=\"6070\">I am being reminded again and again that faith is not the ability to see the whole picture, but trusting the One who does. Trusting His unchanging character. Trusting that He is weaving all things together for His glory and our good\u2014and that His definition of \u201cgood\u201d is our sanctification, shaping us to look more like Christ.<\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\" data-start=\"6072\" data-end=\"6435\">God so often does His deepest work in the valleys, in the quiet places where our strength runs out and His must carry us. This Advent season, I am reminded of Mary, the mother of Jesus, who walked a hard, painful, and surely confusing road\u2014yet through her quiet obedience and faithful trust came the greatest Joy the world has ever known. <strong>Our hope truly rests in hands once pierced in suffering.<\/strong><\/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-98da03d elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"98da03d\" 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-31bc1c8 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"31bc1c8\" 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-39a13ee elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"39a13ee\" 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=\"555\" src=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_7312-1024x555.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1916\" 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<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-5593e1f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5593e1f\" 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-6e66338\" data-id=\"6e66338\" 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-37cf6b8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"37cf6b8\" 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;\">Enjoying a beautiful evening in Chania, Greece<\/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<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-tablet__width-initial 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;\"><strong data-start=\"6457\" data-end=\"6479\">Time Away &amp; Family<\/strong> \u2013 We are so thankful for our time at the Samaritan\u2019s Purse Restore Conference in Greece, and especially for the unexpected gift of time with Joe\u2019s parents.<\/li><\/ul><ul style=\"font-style: normal; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000;\"><li style=\"font-size: 16px; font-style: normal;\"><strong data-start=\"6638\" data-end=\"6664\">Pauline\u2019s Chemotherapy<\/strong> \u2013 Praise that Pauline is nearly finished with chemotherapy and will soon begin radiation. Thank you for praying for her.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li><strong data-start=\"6788\" data-end=\"6812\">Family for Christmas<\/strong> \u2013 This will be our first Christmas outside the U.S. and away from family. We were surprised and deeply thankful when Alyssa\u2019s parents announced they will be arriving on December 24 to spend Christmas with us. Please pray for safe travels and sweet time together.<\/li><\/ul><ul><li><strong data-start=\"7078\" data-end=\"7121\">One-Year Anniversary of Adzankpo Church<\/strong> \u2013 It was a joy to witness the celebration of this church plant. Please continue praying for Pastor Germain and that the church would remain a bright light in the community. Praise also that Joe\u2019s recent sermons have gone well.<\/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>\u00a0<\/p><ul style=\"font-style: normal; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000;\"><li style=\"text-align: left;\"><strong data-start=\"7378\" data-end=\"7407\">Travel, Healing, &amp; Return<\/strong> \u2013 We covet your prayers over the coming months, which feel full of uncertainty. Please pray for safe travels, wisdom in pursuing diagnosis and treatment for Alyssa, clear answers and complete healing, and the ability to return to Togo quickly. Pray also that our hearts would remain anchored in the Lord when it is tempting to spiral into the \u201cwhat ifs.\u201d<\/li><\/ul><ul style=\"font-style: normal; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000;\"><li><strong data-start=\"7765\" data-end=\"7800\">Chemo\/Radiation Support Project<\/strong> \u2013 There is an overwhelming number of young women here diagnosed with advanced, aggressive breast cancer. Surgery alone is often not enough, and many need chemotherapy and radiation in the capital city, about three hours away. However, cost and logistics are too often prohibitive for many. We desire to establish a fund to help support more women in accessing this care and would appreciate your prayers towards this. Please pray specifically for <strong data-start=\"642\" data-end=\"652\">Adjovi<\/strong> and <strong data-start=\"657\" data-end=\"667\" data-is-only-node=\"\">Mamane<\/strong>, who are healing from surgery and hope to begin therapy soon, and for <strong data-start=\"738\" data-end=\"749\">Pauline<\/strong>, who is nearing the end of chemotherapy and preparing to start radiation.<\/li><\/ul><ul style=\"font-style: normal; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000;\"><li style=\"text-align: left;\"><b>Schooling for Eden <\/b>&#8211; While we were in France, Eden attended a French preschool and absolutely loved it. She is incredibly social and bright and thrives when learning alongside other children. At present, there are no schooling options here beyond homeschooling, so we are praying that the Lord would provide someone to teach kindergarten\/elementary next year. We are also praying for a close friend her age.<\/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-44258b7 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"44258b7\" 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-5264f4a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5264f4a\" 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-27bbb51\" data-id=\"27bbb51\" 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-8d8d3a6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8d8d3a6\" 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<h3 style=\"text-align: center;\" data-start=\"5027\" data-end=\"5056\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\">Grateful For Your Prayers<\/span><\/strong><\/h3><p style=\"text-align: center;\" data-start=\"5027\" data-end=\"5056\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px;\">As always, your prayers are a sustaining gift, and we are profoundly grateful and truly humbled for your continued support\u2014both spiritually and financially.<\/span><\/p><p style=\"text-align: center;\" data-start=\"5295\" data-end=\"5342\"><span style=\"font-style: inherit;\">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><p style=\"text-align: center;\" data-start=\"5295\" data-end=\"5342\">Thank you for walking this journey with us.<\/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-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\">In Christ, <\/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>\/*! 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Where has the year gone already? This time last December, we were wrapping up language school in France and preparing to move to Togo. And the year before that, we were saying goodbye to family and friends as we headed to France. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1857,"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-1856","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\/12\/edited-photo-2-scaled.jpeg",2560,1920,false],"landscape":["https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/edited-photo-2-scaled.jpeg",2560,1920,false],"portraits":["https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/edited-photo-2-scaled.jpeg",2560,1920,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/edited-photo-2-150x150.jpeg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/edited-photo-2-300x225.jpeg",300,225,true],"large":["https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/edited-photo-2-1024x768.jpeg",1024,768,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/edited-photo-2-1536x1152.jpeg",1536,1152,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/welchmission.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/edited-photo-2-2048x1536.jpeg",2048,1536,true]},"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"josephdalewelch","author_link":"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/index.php\/author\/josephdalewelch\/"},"rttpg_comment":11,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/index.php\/category\/blog\/\" rel=\"category tag\">Blog<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Welch Update #10&nbsp;&#8211; 12.20.25 We Wish You a Merry Christmas It&#8217;s Christmas Again? Where has the year gone already? This time last December, we were wrapping up language school in France and preparing to move to Togo. And the year before that, we were saying goodbye to family and friends as we headed to France.&hellip;","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1856"}],"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=1856"}],"version-history":[{"count":53,"href":"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1856\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1947,"href":"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1856\/revisions\/1947"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1857"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1856"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1856"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/welchmission.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1856"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}