July Newsletter

Prayer is primarily a wartime walkie-talkie for the mission of the church as it advances against the powers of darkness and unbelief.-Dr. John Piper

God is good! Julia and I have been amazed at the love and generosity which has been shown to us over the past month. God has answered our prayers for prayer partners, finances, and a great time of transition. As of today, we have 180 prayer partners and have raised $7,601.33 (well over our goal)! Thank you for your prayers and partnerships. 

We have had a busy six weeks. After moving out of our apartment in Wake Forest, NC we spent a week with my family to celebrate my sister's wedding. We were honored to be a part of their special day. After Williamsburg we drove seven hours to Myrtle Beach, SC to spend a week at the beach with Julia's family. We had an exciting time body-boarding, tanning, watching fireworks, talking, and even seeing a shark!!! After the beach we drove back to Charlotte, NC and spent three weeks at Julia's parents house. While in Charlotte, Julia perfected her ability to cook from scratch. She made spaghetti, granola, syrup, pizza and chicken & pastries from scratch. Have no fear we will be eating good in Africa. I began to teach her how to drive stick, she is getting the hang of it, but yes my neck does hurt. We left North Carolina and drove to my parents house in Williamsburg, VA. The next day we drove twelve hours to New Hampshire. I was able to spend time with my grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. We stayed at an amazing house on the lake, thanks to my Uncle. Finally, we spent three days in Williamsburg relaxing and gathering everything for training.

Julia and I leave for training on Monday, July 23. While at training we will be immersed in African culture and classes. We will be busy from sun up to sun down seven days a week and will not stop until we leave on September 19th. Training will include immersion in African culture. For example we are required to read at least three books relating to village/city life, issues related to money, and how to relate to individuals within an Animistic culture. We will learn the vision and the mission of the International Mission Board as well as how the organization operates overseas. We will learn how to balance school, work, and leisure time while living overseas. We will learn how to stay healthy as well as how to self diagnose and medicate when we are living in the "bush" without any access to medical personal. We will be required to work-out four days a week and maintain a low BMI. We will learn how our identity is rooted in Christ as opposed to our identity being rooted in how well we speak the language, our vocation, or our income level. Finally, we will learn how to share the Story of the Gospel in a West African context. (Here is a link to the story we will learn...The Story). 

Prayer Requests:

1) Please be in prayer for our time in training. Please pray that we would focus and engage in the classroom. Please pray that we would make friends with the fellow missionaries who will be at training. Please pray that we would enjoy our time and not solely focus on leaving in October. 

2) Please be in prayer for all of the paper work we will be filling out. Please pray that we would be able to think through the logistics and fill out the paper work correctly. Please pray that we would receive our VISAS and one-year Residence status. Please pray that we would receive (without crying) all of the seven shots needed for Ghana and our medical paperwork would be approved.

3) Please pray for the people of Nalerigu, Ghana whom we will minister to. Please pray that God would raise up believers from the many villages which surround the hospital. Please pray that our ministry would be fruitful.

4) Please pray for our team already in Ghana. Please pray for the Gibbs (missionary couple we will be working with), pray that they would continue to learn the language and the culture. Please pray for the doctors working in the hospital that they wouldn't get burnt out but would have the energy and patience needed to work there.

5) Please pray for our families. Please pray for our parents and siblings as we will be saying good-bye.

Thank you very much for committing to pray for Julia and I. We can not do this alone and need each of you. Thank you!

Serving Him,

The Welchs