Around the World
The Christmas Barrel
Christmas for our family was always centered around family. Parents, siblings, grandparents, cousins, aunts, and uncles all gathered together for a time of sharing, laughing, and just plain fun. Throw in a huge meal and a few gifts shared around a Christmas tree, and our Christmas traditions were pretty much complete.
When we left the U.S. bound for Liberia, we thought we knew the sacrifices we would have to make. We had already made many of them: selling our home, liquidating most of our material belongings, and leaving behind friends and family. There couldn’t possibly be more to give up, could there?
As Christmas quickly approached that first year, we soon found out that what we had left behind was a minor annoyance in comparison to the intense poverty that surrounded us. We had known that our first Liberian Christmas would not resemble our American Christmases, but the thing that surprised us the most was the reactions of our children. We did not expect God to show us their hearts in such a special way. We had expected plenty of comments about how much they missed family, Christmas cookies, our huge traditional meal, the Christmas tree and decorations, and of course, the presents. The Liberian Christmas that lay ahead of us would not consist of any of these things in the manner to which we were accustomed. However, not one complaint was uttered from our children about what they did not have. They found themselves so heavy hearted by the extreme poverty we had been so engulfed by for the previous four months that our American Christmas somehow seemed petty and frivolous to them. We found them frequently stating that they did not want anything for Christmas.
Seeing that their Liberian friends lacked the basics of food, clothing, and healthcare, our kids would feel guilty facing them if they themselves were enjoying any item that was not a necessity. Our children’s hearts were torn. As a parent, it was heart-wrenching to watch them walk through this struggle. It seemed like such an adult issue to face. We wanted to rescue them from this pain, but what a beautiful work of art God was orchestrating within their hearts. We could not think of a better Christmas gift to receive than to watch God grow compassion in the hearts of our children. It was truly humbling to watch.
Like other parents, we enjoy the chance to surprise our children on Christmas. Thankfully, our Liberian Christmas included a huge surprise for our kids. It came in the shape of a big, blue barrel weighing close to 300 pounds that arrived just a few days before Christmas. We referred to this barrel as our “Christmas barrel.” The kids had no idea what was inside. We had warned them that the barrel was not packed with Christmas gifts but rather items we needed and tools that could help us with our ministry to the Liberian people. They didn’t care; their minds were still filled with excitement and anticipation for Christmas morning.
On Christmas morning, the barrel was opened and a variety of items began to spill out all over the counters and floor. Whoever would have thought that our kids would be so excited for basic necessities to keep life and ministry in Liberia moving forward? What a blessed Christmas it was.
Since that day, we have had the chance to discuss with our kids their thoughts. Ian shared:
Christmas was always me wondering what I was going to get instead of how I was going to encourage or bless others. Christmas in Liberia made me realize how much we have been blessed. It’s not about what we are getting; it’s about what we are giving. That’s why Christ came, to give up His life. He wants us to do the same, to shine His light and to help others.”
That pretty much sums up the reason for the season and the reason we are in Liberia: to be a light to shine for Jesus, to share His love and the gift of eternal life with our Liberian family. As Christmas comes this year, we are thankful that God has called us to Liberia to serve. We can think of no better place to be than right where He has called our family. If you would like to support the Welches, go to bit.ly/MVPwelch
By Jessica Welch
Jessica Welch is a woman consumed with her faith, family, and missionary life currently serving in Liberia, West Africa. She is currently using her passion for teaching and her training to manage the homeschool activities of her three beautiful children. Jessica looks forward to using that same background in the coming months in Liberia as she and her husband, Drew, begin work on the learning center in Liberia.
In parts of Nigeria today, land is no longer just a livelihood – it’s a battleground. In search of increasingly scarce water and grazing land, semi-nomadic Muslim herdsmen are moving their flocks south into areas already inhabited by Christian farmers. This encroachment has intensified conflict, resulting in thousands of deaths, the displacement of millions, increased kidnappings, and deepening ethnic tensions. This is the environment in which Open Bible’s ministry continues day after day.
Despite these challenges, the Gospel is advancing.
Okon Obot, Open Bible’s Superintendent in Nigeria, shared the following story with me:
Recently we held an evangelistic crusade in one of the affected regions. Despite security concerns, people came looking for hope and peace. Evangelistic crusades remain a powerful and effective way to share the Gospel in village communities where fear and uncertainty are a part of daily life.
The theme of the crusade was “Arise and Shine,” and over 300 people gathered. By the end, sixteen people had given their lives to Jesus and fifteen were immediately baptized and welcomed into the church, each a testimony to God’s faithfulness.
A high point of the crusade was the reconciliation of a family of brothers divided for five years. Under the conviction of the Holy Spirit as the Word of God was shared, they chose forgiveness and were restored to one another. They returned to their homes with joy and peace.
In response to God’s work in their lives, the brothers donated a large piece of property in their village, Mbabuu, for the construction of a church building.
This is where the 2026 Global Harvest Offering, “Build Hope for Africa,” comes in. When we reach our goal of $200,000, Nigeria will be one of the recipients. Open Bible will partner directly with Pastor Okon to build a new church building in a place like the village Mbabuu.
This is more than a construction project – it is the next step of what God is doing. Despite hardship, churches in Nigeria are growing and new buildings are needed to serve expanding congregations and reach their communities.
Your gift to “Build Hope for Africa” can help provide a visible witness of Jesus in a region marked by instability and equip local leaders like pastor Okon to continue evangelizing where the need is great.
In a place where land is fought over, God continues to build His Church!
Snapshots of the vibrant ministry happening in Nigeria:
About the Author
Tammy Swailes is passionate about cross-cultural Christian education, so working with INSTE Bible College to disciple and equip leaders throughout Europe and beyond is a great fit! Tammy has lived in Europe since 1999 – first in Hungary and now Ukraine. Before that, she was in Japan, as well as Spokane, Washington. She now serves as INSTE regional director in Europe, assisting INSTE programs in five languages. Tammy has her undergraduate degrees in both Missions and Christian Education and a MA in Intercultural Studies. Photography, good coffee, multi-cultural experiences, and the family’s Yorkie are some of Tammy’s favorite things.
Have you ever wondered, What in the world are our Open Bible missionaries doing now? We wish we could visit every church or sit down over coffee and share what God is doing where we serve—but that isn’t always possible.
So this month, we’ve gathered brief notes from missionaries around the world. As you’ve read these updates from around the world, we invite you to pray for our missionaries—their families, their ministries, and the communities they serve. Please also share these stories with your church so others can join in prayer.
Use the interactive map below to see the updates:
Trouble seeing the map? Click HERE
About the Author
Tammy Swailes is passionate about cross-cultural Christian education, so working with INSTE Bible College to disciple and equip leaders throughout Europe and beyond is a great fit! Tammy has lived in Europe since 1999 – first in Hungary and now Ukraine. Before that, she was in Japan, as well as Spokane, Washington. She now serves as INSTE regional director in Europe, assisting INSTE programs in five languages. Tammy has her undergraduate degrees in both Missions and Christian Education and a MA in Intercultural Studies. Photography, good coffee, multi-cultural experiences, and the family’s Yorkie are some of Tammy’s favorite things.
Ask Open Bible pastors in Africa what the biggest problem in their church is and most reply with one word: REVIVAL! Just as Saul once ravaged the early church in Acts 8, our African brothers today face similar conditions: harassment, arrest, and even death for following Christ. But in the face of persecution, our churches are experiencing rapid growth in thirteen African nations. They’re calling for our help, not to alleviate the suffering, but to build new church facilities to serve their expanding congregations and communities.
The Global Harvest Offering of 2026 is “Building Hope in Africa,” and it is our opportunity to participate in this revival. In this initiative, we will partner with our missionaries and national directors to fund thirteen new church building projects across the continent. God is using faithful missionaries and nationals to plant churches, raise leaders, and reach communities with the hope only found in Jesus!
… in the face of persecution, our churches are experiencing rapid growth in thirteen African nations.
Our missionary partners are many: the Godwins, the Kopps, the Parkers, Okon Obot, Peter Mahoye, the Moores, the Welches, and our brothers and sisters throughout the Antioch Network.
Thirteen churches.
Thirteen countries.
One goal:
to raise the $200,000 needed to
cover the costs for all thirteen projects.
With over 230 Open Bible churches in the United States, we can meet the financial goal of the Global Harvest Offering if each church gives $875. Alternatively, just 2,000 people giving $100 this year would meet the goal. Your support in this effort helps build more than walls; it builds hope, community and the Kingdom of God. Look for the QR code or this link to give to Building Hope in Africa today. Thank you for your partnership to build hope for Africa.
