READ THIS!

As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God
-Matthew Parris

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/matthew_parris/article5400568.ece

I can't remember anything I've read in the past year that had drummed up as much emotion in my heart has this one article. Please take a few minutes to read this article.

-LW

August feels so long ago....

It feels strange to say this foreign land feels like home now. We have our daily routines and relationships with the staff, students and neighbors. When I wake up I still want to crawl back into bed, so the newness has definitely "worn off." Then it hits me, we've only been here for 6 months! In the grand scheme of things...that is a pretty short amount of time. I think it's safe to say that for almost anyone that starts a new job, when the second half of the year comes around things just seem to be a bit easier. I am feeling more inspired in my job and more inspired in my relationship with the students we're surrounded by. I think I've gained a new appreciation for how life ebbs and flows here. Luke and I started going to a study with a few other couples and one of the women defined the students we work with as "at risk students." By looking at the students we work with day in and day out, that description doesn't seem to fit. I've seen some kids who fit that description to a T back in the states. As I thought about it more I began to agree with her definition. The students at BFA are without their families, are in a culture completely unfamiliar to what they have grown up in, and they are surrounded by the allure of fitting into the "American culture." 65% of the students at BFA will end up going into some sort of ministry related career. To say these students are not a target for evil would be denying the spiritual battle that is going on in our midst. These thoughts have brought me to a place in the last few weeks where I am praying specifically for the students I connect with and trying to react slower to the allure of being busy all the time. Like Luke said, we continue to feed off the prayers of all of you supporting us as we are here. I see encouraging changes happening in these kids lives and THAT is what helps me get out of bed in the morning =)

Back in Full Swing

Life is back to normal, whatever that means, now that school's back in session and has been for two weeks. Our schedule has returned to the way it was before with Geezer Ball (adult basketball) on Monday nights, Small Groups on Wednesday nights, and dorm subbing on Thursday nights. Once Friday roles around we're ready for a break. The good thing is we're glad to be back. We missed the kids. I missed my small group guys and it appears as they missed us also. I might be deluding myself a bit, but that's OK.

I've really enjoyed getting back into Small Groups. The guys seems more invested this semester and they seem up for tackling some deeper stuff. I wouldn't have traded last semester for anything. I really liked the way it worked out and am thankful God took it in the direction he did. There was some discussion of deeper things, but it was largely a time to goof off and in the process become comfortable with me and each other. It appears to have worked and the guys are primed for something more.

We'll be reading a book together this semester. I made it clear that goofing off was always going to be an integral part of our group, but for a few minutes every Wednesday we're going to challenge each other and ask some harder questions. The book we're tackling in called "Blue Like Jazz" and I'm sure most have heard of it or read it. I going with it because its a little non-traditional. The book challenges the reader's perception of God. It encourages the reader to try and see God through their own eyes without the scaffolding erected by parents or teachers or pastors they've previously relied upon. To push us towards peronally identifying with nature of Jesus and his character. I believe this is a process all Christians must come to. Especially those who have grown up in Christianity.

I ask you keep my guys in your prayers. That God will lead our discussion and interactions.

I appreaciate it.

-LW

Christmas With the Family.

I'm sitting here in the home of the Ingrams, the family of two Students Stephanie and I work with at Black Forest Academy, and its one of the first times I've sat still in, well, what seems like a long time. My family flew out yesterday. It was a great visit. All four of them were here for 9 days and it was pretty non-stop. We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas in the little town of Kandern where we live. We drove around and showed them the school and dorms. It was fun for them to be able to see our lives up close. We then drove south in their big rented diesel van to Lake Geneva in Switzerland. It was absolutely one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. The Alps seem to jut up out of the lake and the view is nothing less then majestic. We relaxed, had good food, and just enjoyed each other. After two days there we made the move to Paris. A longer drive then expected, but worth it. We stayed in an apartment in a Paris suburb and took the train into the city in the morning. The city is a little overwhelming. The crowds were pretty nuts. We didn't get into everything we wanted to, but it was amazing just to be able to see all of these things you hear about. The atmosphere was amazing and the food was even better. Each night we ate in the Latin Quarter and had amazing meals each time. The conversation and laugher was intense, as might be expected from the Welbourn clan, but it all feel good and familiar. On the last day we drove to Frankfurt where they would fly out the next day and we would take a train south to where we are now and get ready for our next little adventure. I'll make sure to tell you all about it.

I have a few New Year resolutions. One is to be more consistent with the BLOG. I really enjoying utilizing it, but finding the time has been tough. Not an excuse. It will be a priority in the new year. So please come back and read. We miss you all and hope you all have an amazing new year. Blessings.

-LW

Powerful

I wanted to get a quick one in here. This is an encouragement/thank you message to those who have been praying and supporting us as we've been over here. 

Being removed from the US I get most of my news from my iGoogle page. If you don't have one I strongly recommend you look into it. Especially if you're in a position like ours and don't have regular access to news. It enables you to fill your own personal Google homepage with little boxes filled with the day's main headlines from all of your favorite news organizations. I have the headlines from CNN, NY Times, NPR, BBC, and a few others. It helps keep me up to date on news and also helps see through some of the spin most publications put on their stories. All this to say, I do my best to stay up to date with what's going on across the pond.

During the past few weeks and months my iGoogle page has been dominated by news of the recession plaguing the US and now impacting the rest of the world. It’s been difficult to watch. What's even harder to process is many friends from our hometown in New Jersey are being directly impacted by this devastating financial crisis. Many of these guys work in New York City where all of the turbulence first started and where it has been most intense. I often get emails giving us a taste of the hardship being endured everyday. Going to work with the knowledge it’s going to be an uphill battle with no real end in sight is tremendously difficult. I can feel the weariness in their writing. Despite these difficult times I have never received an email from one of my Christian brothers complaining about the situation. I've only heard amazing examples of God's grace and his provision. It’s inspiring.

It would make sense these difficult times would directly impact our support base. In some cases it has. I'd be lying if it didn't make me nervous a little bit. Even with the strong dollar there has not been a lot of wiggle room in the monthly budget. A few issues with our car and some medical bills have only challenged our situation more. God has been faithful, however. We have not gone without anything in the four months we've been here and it is an amazing testament to his provision.

We get monthly financial updates from our missions organizations. This week I opened ours for December with a little bit of anxiety and dread in my heart. It would not have surprised me to have seen a shortfall reflecting what's happening in the economy. What I saw amazed me. Those being most impacted are the ones who have stepped up. Those who are in positions where it would be reasonable if not understandable to take a step back are the ones who have increased their generosity. I couldn't believe it. We were reduced to tears as we looked at the computer screen. 

Now, we haven't arrived. Our financial status isn't secure forever. God gave us a rest we needed. Like he often does, he understand our needs more then we do. He knows when we need to be lifted up and to more clearly see his provision. We still need to work and we still need to depend on him, but for this Christmas season God has blessed us with peace of mind. 

I guess the message here is the world does not determine whether we survive or not. It is God's sovereignty and provision in control. God used this update to not only show his provision for us but also to warm our hearts and show us the work he is doing in others. These are difficult times, but God's love is being felt in the midst of them. 

I want to thank those who have helped us so much during this season of challenge. Both those from the East and those from the West. We're tired and ready for a break, but we feel your prayers and are energized by our commitment. Thank you so much. 

-LW 

The past few weeks have been busy. Last Tuesday our Post-Secondary/College Events took place. I was responsible for the bulk of the planning. The event encompassed the entire high school with each grade involved in a different session or activity. The project was rather daunting at first, but in the end I was satisfied in how things went. There is always room to learn and improve, especially the first time, but the feedback I received was largely positive. The daytime event was focused around students with an evening session for parents. I gave three presentations to 11th and 12th graders titled: Narrowing your Post-Secondary (College) search, What are Post-Secondary Institutions Looking For?, and Resume Building and Marketing Yourself. I enjoy giving presentations, especially to student audiences, so they were all a blast. I was exhausted after it was all said and done prompting me to call it a day a little earlier then usual. It was a good tired. 

I took a few observations away from the day. The first, our students are truly extraordinary. All of them. Who they are makes them stand out. As someone who's job is based on trying to help them plan for the future it excites me to let my imagination wonder and think about all the amazing ways these students will impact this world. Even in the short term these students will bring excellent perspective to institutions they decide to join in America. Their presence will challenge their peers to impact this world as well.

My second observation. To these students the concept of selling themselves or being an applicant is extremely foreign. This makes things challenging. I've gone over in my head why this is and why the concepts coming out of my mouth are met with so many confused expressions. I'm still not sure, but I have a few theories. Its possible the culture they've grown up in is very non-competitive. Perhaps these students have never been or needed to be an applicant before and convincing someone they're good enough has never been necessary. Being someone who's had a job since he was 15 it's hard to remember a time when I wasn't in some way trying to sell myself or a product of some sort.

In some ways their ignorance in this area frustrates me. I'm standing here looking out over a sea of remarkable students with undeniable potential. Most speak several languages. Most have grown up in numerous cultures making them extremely adaptable (and marketable). Everything inside me is telling these students to set their sights for the sky, and a number of them are. Some don't seem to be overly concerned. I want to make sure they're aware of how competitive the college admissions game can be and how they need to prepare and become aggressive! So much is at stake! Or is it?

Part of me admirers the attitude these students hold. The whole concept of selling oneself can be ugly. While it is unfortunately a necessary part of survival, its sad to think these students will need to start proving their worth. A process that will start now and continue for the rest of their lives. These students have been taught God accepts them as they are, but unfortunately the world will not. 

I do find comfort in the fact that while these young students will soon be entering a more harsh and competitive world the God we serve is still sovereign. He provides for us regardless our ability to "sell ourselves" or in spite of it. 

-LW

Italia

We just got back last night at 11:30 from a long drive to Italy with the BFA boys volleyball team. We volunteered about a month ago when they needed two drivers to drive 9 boys to Aviano, Italy for their end of the year volleyball tournament. The drive without complications is about 8 hours. On the way there we saw our first snow of the season as we drove through the Alps. It was beautiful until it stopped us in a tunnel for about 45 minutes. We arrived in Aviano searching for the Air Force Base in the dark. We got there Wednesday evening and were shown our sleeping quarters for the next 4 days... a high school classroom floor. One of the perks of the trip other than spending time with guys we didn't know, was that we were able to meet our good friends Tim and Rachel (and Blaine) in Venice for the day on Thursday. Before you think to yourself..."rough life as missionaries"...just keep remembering the classroom floor in sleeping bags with 9 boys. That should make you feel a little better:-) We had a fantastic day in Venice since it was the only sunny day out of all the days we were there. We spent all day Friday and Saturday watching volleyball and walking in the rain to various gyms on the base. The BFA guys won their second game on Friday but it wasn't enough to advance them to Saturday's finals. We had to stay overnight to the next day because one of the seniors was taking his SAT's Saturday morning. I had the enjoyment of watching two Italian teams- Roma and Aviano compete in the finals. It was intense! First of all, they looked like 30 year old men, not like high school boys. Secondly, the atmosphere was heightened because they all speak Italian and are very animated on the court which makes it entertaining to watch. Thirdly, volleyball is just more fun when you have names on the jerseys like Da Viao, Roma, Divitario, Sage and Peppe. We ended up having to load up the vans before the championship game was over so I still have no idea which Italian triumphed. At the end of the weekend as we were leaving to drive the 8 hours back home Luke and I were asking ourselves if the purpose of the the trip was really served. I mean, we did fill a need for extra drivers, but we didn't really get to know the guys that well on the trip. As we pulled into the last 30 minutes of our drive we stopped at McDonald's because everyone needed a little pick me up. After the guys loaded in the van they all the sudden started having conversation with us and asking us questions...etc. All we could do was laugh when we got home at fact that we had been with these guys for 96 hours and in the last 30 minutes they decide to open up and engage in some real conversation. So far most of my encounters with the guys here at this school have been like that...spend a ton of time and they might throw you a little nugget to hold on to for a while until your next opportunity for interaction:-) At the end of the day we had the opportunity to at least start to get to know 9 guys we hadn't had contact with before and that made it all worth it.