With over half of our itineration behind us we are at 70% of our fundraising! Join us at One Church Columbus with Pastor Greg Ford. And please become part of our support team by signing up to support us monthly, we need your help!

Furlough 2011-2012 has Officially begun! On the road from General Council Jon shares an itineration update.

A final update from Argentina as we return from our first term ready to share with our US partners all the Lord has done for us and has in store for our second term.

We want to make sure that everyone knows about our e-news archive; just in case all you see is the video podcast. To subscribe to our e-news e-mail list send a blank e-mail to news-request@thewellborns.com with the word “subscribe” in the subject line.

*Click here for a printable version

Radio Vida & Vida TV is on the Air!

About a year after arriving in Argentina we were beginning to see the first fruit of our labors. We had been investing time in CFC (Centro Familiar Martinez) in both their media ministry program and in the Elementary school. The girls had really appeared to have become adjusted and enjoying their time in school and with friends. We were feeling good but also like there was something more we wanted to do before ending this short 2-year term in Argentina. We both agreed in prayer that God had something more and that we would know it when we saw it.

Last summer, fall for us, fellow missionary Rocco DiTrolio called me and asked if we could meet for coffee. We sat down at a local coffee shop and he began to tell me how he had been in the process for over  a year to obtain a Radio & TV transmitting license. This is not an easy task in Argentina; in fact some have said it was impossible for a Christian station to get their own license. But for Rocco after months of paperwork and applications they had finally gotten their license. The only problem was it was 3 weeks before their scheduled furlough! They literally had most of their house packed up and were about to leave the country. Rocco asked if I had any interest in helping and of course I jumped right on it and told him that we had been sent here for such a time as this. Coincidently, the Radio & TV Station is located 14 blocks from our home in San Isidro!

A very long story short, we have spent months setting up 107.3 FM “Radio Vida” (Life Radio) and Channel 10 “Vida TV” (Life TV) in San Isidro Buenos Aires. We are currently on the verge of purchasing a bigger TV antenna and transmitter. We will be leaving for furlough on June 20th and the DiTrolios will be returning in August. By that time they will have the remaining funds to purchase cameras, microphones, lights and all the other equipment needed to run a TV & Radio station.

Media Ministry Training Seminar at CFC Martinez

We were honored to be able to work with the CFC Media Ministry team while hosting an 8-part seminar on Media in Ministry.

We had nearly 30 in attendance as we spoke about the importance of media in ministry and it’s place in the modern church. Many of the students were first-time volunteers from within the church who have since been working as part of the CFC Media Ministry team.

After spending a lot of time in the classroom the group had the opportunity to film and produce a
video that was used in various church services.  Click here to see the 2-minute video that the group produced.

2011-2012 Furlough / Itineration

After 2 years in Argentina we are returning home June 20th for our 1-year furlough. As missionaries we are honored with the opportunity to testify first-hand to our US congregations & partners of how God is moving today in missions.  In the  short time we have been here God has accomplished so much, but we know our work here is not yet complete.

We need to raise a real “work budget” so we can fulfill the plans the Lord has for Media Ministry in Argentina. Please consider helping us monthly. If you would like to have us speak for your church or group please e-mail us at argentina@thewellborns.com or call us on our home VOIP 417-459-4118. Hopefully we’ll have time to be with all who will have us!

We have been so blessed to be a part of what God’s doing, thank you for your monthly support and prayers!

Many Blessings, jon.

A banner design for “Alto Impacto” (High Impact) the Jr. High youth group at CFC, Martinez.

A prayer card design for missionaries Don & Melba Exley.

We are EXTREMELY excited to announce the kick-off of a new Radio & TV Station in San Isidro Buenos Aires. (107.3FM “Radio Vida” & “Vida Television” CH 69) Both stations are located in a pastoral training facility run by missionaries Rocco & Ellen DiTrolio.

A couple banners I designed for King’s Castle Ministries Argentina.

Here’s a banner design I made for the King’s Castle Missions Trip to Haiti; the text is in both Spanish and French-Creole.

Welcome Baby Joshua!

When we found out that Michelle was pregnant we were worried because the previous pregnancies were complicated with
Pre-eclampsia and Hypertension so we began to pray.  We knew that it would be difficult for her to be bedridden so far away from family to help out. We are overjoyed to announce that Joshua went full-term and was born with no complications. Praise God for his miraculous hand.

The girls are excited about having a new little brother and have been such big helpers.

Thanks for your prayers and support.

Your missionaries to Argentina,

The Wellborns

Jonathan, Michelle, Alexis, Isabella & Joshua

Better Reception: Announcing our iPhone App

We want you to stay connected to our ministry like never before! We are extremely excited to announce our iPhone App, a great way to connect with our ministry!

Throughout our itineration process one of the things we kept hearing over and over again was that churches and supporters want to be informed. For that purpose we created our Electronic-Newsletter (e-News). Not long after arriving in Costa Rica we began our Video-Podcast; many pastors have mentioned they have shown our videos in church services.

Today we are combining all our forms of communication into one app.

Our free iPhone App is available by clicking here.

Also you can search “wellborn” in the iTunes “iPhone Apps” section.

Download, Follow Us, Contact Us!

Feel free to share this app with your friends.

Thanks for your prayers and support.

Your missionaries to Argentina,

The Wellborns

Jonathan, Michelle, Alexis, Isabella & Joshua
Click Here to View our E-News archive

We are thankful for a team of friends who stand with us every step of the way.

We are so honored to be representing you in Argentina!

Jonathan, Michelle, Alexis and Isabella

A brief video for the Ministry of Castillo del Rey Argentina for use at the 2010 Argentine General Council. Featuring some of their “success stories”.

A simple highlight video we produced for King’s Castle Argentina highlighting their 2010 national missions trip to Haiti.

A shirt for King’s Castle El Salvador Guardians of the Vision centering around the theme of the year “Code Jericho”.

Open Doors

We live in a country that has a great mix of antique and new design. Today as I walked down the street I was noticing all the antique doors and how each door was hand-crafted and is different in it’s own way. I felt the Lord speaking to my heart about how just as each door was made to fit each home so was our call to Argentina; hand-crafted to fit the need we are finding here. In the coming weeks we will be sharing with you many of the ministry opportunities we are finding here in Argentina.

Over the past 17 months we have walked through many doors; it’s exciting that the doors we had prayed to open for the past 4 years have finally opened.  When we came to Argentina we had a very personal word spoken over our ministry “that we were called to Argentina to do a specific task and not to stray from it.” Pioneering a ministry that is so new to the church in Latin America has been an adventure. Our prayer that the Lord would bring us individuals who share our vision for Media Ministry has been coming true and we have joined in establishing a network of Media Ministers.

One partner, Diego, said “It’s not a coincidence that I met you Jonathan and that one of the leading Christian Media representatives in Argentina left his last job because he feels the burden to partner with multiple ministries. Gabriel shares our same vision; a call to equip the church with media ministers. Trained young professionals utilizing the art of media to multiply the message of local ministries.”

For the past month we have met with a group of young talented Christian professionals creating a network of learning and shared talent to realize the ministry of Media in the church. These individuals are so excited to find their place in the church. Just as I felt 10 years ago, unsure of how God could use my gifts and talents in media and in missions. I have met and shared with so many pastors and students who desire to reach more people thru the channels of Media. God has been faithful in supplying the people. God told us to “GO” we obeyed and have been blown away by His faithfulness.

We can’t believe that our term is coming to an end, when we feel like we are just getting started. We are planning on coming home to itinerate in June 2011 and we would like to start booking services for June 2011-June 2012 now. The closer we stay to a 365 day furlough the smoother the transition will be on the family.

*Please help us book services now for June 2011-June 2012 so we can stay on track with the kids school schedule and transition.

Contact us at our e-mail argentina@thewellborns.com or call us on our VOIP at 417-459-4118

Your Missionaries,

The Wellborns

Jonathan, Michelle, Alexis & Isabella
Click Here to View our E-News archive

Drop by Michelle’s classroom as she teaches english to K-6th Grade at Martinez Christian School.

A 2-minute invitation video we produced for Don & Melba Exley inviting MAPS teams to come work on their church building project.

Another Shirt for Castle Argentina, “I am not ashamed of Jesus” on the front and “This shirt is illegal in 52 countries”

This was a shirt design for King’s Castle Argentina for their national missions trip to Haiti. The front says, “New Life In Jesus” in haitian Creole; the theme of the trip.

This was the 2-minute version of an Itineration video for Brad and Rhonda Walz, Missionaries to Argentina.

A 2-minute itineration video we produced for missionaries Mark & Pat Kinney.

Last monday we awoke to the fresh morning air of the storm that had passed. Our neighborhood was filled with morning fog, something that doesn’t happen all too often.

After a quick inspection of our Speed the Light Truck for hail damage and finding none I hurried the kids off to school and returned home to start the day. Sometime in the afternoon I went on a walk to go pay some of our bills. I was shocked when I discovered the car park directly in front of our house had hail dings all over the roof and hood. I thought it was rather ironic that when I first heard the hail my instinct was to move the truck out to the street curb because there are large trees with many branches and leaves that I thought would protect the vehicle. Realizing that all the curbside spaces were taken I had no choice but to leave the truck in the driveway, a spot with absolutely no covering at all.

Again, I thought it was ironic that the one car in front of our house was damaged. However, as I walked down the street to pay the bills I began to realize that almost all the cars on our street were damaged, something was going on here.

Throughout the week Michelle and I have not stopped commenting on all the vehicles we’ve seen with major hail damage. At one stop light a truck just like ours pulled up next to us with 4 large cracks in the windshield and dings all over the body. It was like God was holding up a mirror of what could have been. I can’t express the emotions of grace that we’ve felt…over something as simple as hail damage!

We had heard from many people this week that Martinez was hit really hard. Family Christian Center is one of the churches we’re working with and is located in Martinez. As we drove to church yesterday we were shocked as we passed pile after pile of broken roof tiles carried out to the curb for trash pickup. We knew there had been a lot of damage but nothing had prepared us for the feelings we felt when seeing all the piles of roof tiles and damaged cars. Michelle even said, “it looks like some of the places we did relief work after the earthquakes in El Salvador”.

We praise God that we were spared from hail damage as we are once again reminded of the many incredible ways the Lord watches over us and protects us as we strive to live out our calling here in Argentina.

Your Missionaries,

The Wellborns

Jonathan, Michelle, Alexis & Isabella
Click Here to View our E-News archive

Happy Easter from theWellborns! Alexis & Isabella share the first Easter Story.

Special Blessings

I want to share with you some powerful miracles God has done in our lives.

I have to be honest with you.  I was at one of my “lowest times” just before Easter.  We were out of money, and I couldn’t give our girls a special Easter dinner.  We couldn’t even afford the basics!  We had also found out that by a clerical mistake in our budget, we didn’t raise the funds for Bella’s schooling, only for Lexi!  Not only was the school was pressuring us to pay the school bill, but it had also been raised 20% due to a government mandated salary increase for teachers (to off-set the current economic crisis in Argentina).

Then God provided a special blessing!  Someone sent us $100 “for Easter”.  Since we still had a couple of weeks before we got our monthly disbursement, we were cautious on how we spent every dollar.

I made a list for Jon, and he decided to walk for exercise.  He couldn’t believe it when he got to the store.  That day at the store they had a special promotion:  if you paid with a debit card, you got everything at a discount of 20 percent off.  He was able to buy more for the money! He ended up with more than he could walk home with.

When he went to check out, the cashier asked him how he was getting home with his groceries (kind of an odd question).  He said he was going to walk.  Then the cashier said, “Well, since you spent over 150 pesos we provide transportation home with your purchases.”

When Jon went out to the bench to wait for the transportation, no one was sitting there, but there on the bench was a bag of freshly baked bread.  He thought it was odd but he brought it home.  All I could think of was the verse, “Give us this Day our Daily Bread.”

God had provided in such a special way.  The bread was the exclamation point!

Yesterday, something unexpected happened.  We have a favorite deli restaurant that we enjoy going to just a couple of blocks from our house. A great Christian family owns it from our church, but we have stopped lately trying to save money. A couple Sundays ago I saw the owner at church and he asked where we had been. I told him we were waiting to get paid and were kind of strapped for cash.

Jon ordered everything he wanted, and even ordered empanadas (meat pastries) to take home to the girls for dinner. Jon didn’t hear him say this, but he told me.  “Well, we won’t charge you today.  It’s all on us!”  When we were checking out, I asked him why he was getting so much when the owner said it was free.  Jon was so embarrassed.  He would never have ordered as much if he had heard him.

And before we left, the owner offered to help me buy produce at bulk discount prices.  He goes once a week to buy food for the deli.

In the afternoon, I had to go to the store to buy cleaning supplies.  I always hate to buy them because they are so expensive.  But I made my list and headed to the store.  I couldn’t believe it.  That day only, all cleaning supplies were on sale!  If you bought one at the regular price, the second one was at a discount of 70 percent off.  I came home with bags of cleaning supplies.  Jon asked me why I had so much.  He couldn’t believe at what I was able to get.  It has never happened before!

Today, I’m sitting out in my backyard, amazed at God’s provisions.  It is starting to get cold in Argentina.  Our seasons are opposite to the USA.  But I need to take a picture of the lovely purple and pink flowers growing all over my wall.  I’m smiling, remembering something Bella said the other day.

When we were raising our funds in the USA we would often pray with the kids for our future life in Argentina.  One day as Bella prayed for our house in Argentina, she asked God to give us a house with pink and purple flowers.  I told her I would plant flowers at our new house, but I had forgot all about it.

Just the other day as we were outside in our backyard, Bella said to me, “I’m so happy God gave us the house that we prayed for, a house with pink and purple flowers.”

I looked at the wall around our yard.  It is full of pink and purple flowers.  God answered Bella’s prayer!

We are all amazed at the special blessings God has been sending our way.  We still need a miracle for Bella’s education.  But somehow, I believe God has the answer on the way!

Thanks for your prayers and support.

Your missionary to Argentina,

Michelle Wellborn

The Wellborns

Jonathan, Michelle, Alexis & Isabella
Click Here to View our E-News archive

Pastor Terry Kirschman, Bethel Temple A/G Canton Ohio, shares the story of how we met during itineration and the God-appointed conversation we had that day that was one of the most significant confirmations in our call to Argentina.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gsLZOJ0TJg

Our first video report from Buenos Aires!

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
- Matthew 6:26

As we’re preparing for this holiday season we can’t help but reflect on all the Lord has done to get us to Argentina. However, as I sat and labored over our personal financial crisis this morning I couldn’t help but notice a mother bird swooping down into our backyard searching for worms. I imagine her babies are in the nest waiting to be fed and time after time she came back to the same place only to find more worms waiting.

As missionaries we are many times like that mother bird searching for supplies for our ministry.  Many times we feel like we go back to the same “yard” for help. And often we feel like children asking over and over again for help. However, we consistently find that as we are faithful to our call the Lord is faithful to supply for our needs.

Right now there are many needs in our new ministry. Our 2 biggest needs by far areequipment to work with (tools of our trade; a camera, microphones etc.) and a one-time cash offering to help balance out some of our unexpected financial needs upon our arrival to Argentina.

The global financial situation has changed extremely since we were first approved almost 4 years ago. And working with a budget that was set over 4 years ago has been challenging. We also have had numerous unexpected cash needs that were not included in our budget. All of these issues have affected our work budget which in turn limits our effectiveness.

Numerous factors have driven us into the red and we need a miracle offering to get back within our budget. If each one of our supporters would give a one-time offering of $50 or more that would help us regain balance in our work budget.  Our goal financially is to return from this term debt free. Can you help us meet that goal?

We know that just as the mother bird finds the food that her babies so desperately need so to the Lord will provide for us and you will be a part of it.

The fastest way to help us financially is by giving a secure on-line donation through AGWM’s website. Please pray with us for this miracle and if you are lead to be a part of this miracle you can do so by clicking HERE.

Thank you for everything you have already done to get us to Argentina and thank you for continuing to be a part of what God is doing in Argentina, Latin America and the world.

Have a Merry Christmas and May God give to you the Christmas Miracle you have been praying for!

Celebrating Him!

Jonathan, Michelle, Alexis and Isabella Wellborn

The Wellborns

Jonathan, Michelle, Alexis & Isabella
Click Here to View our E-News archive

The Wellborns

Jonathan, Michelle, Alexis & Isabella
Click Here to View our E-News archive

Partnering with the Character Connex ministry we work in the Linda Vista School. A place where over 20 years ago Michelle, along with her parents Don & Terri Triplett, frequently ministered with King’s Castle.

Another opportunity to work with “Piedad” (or Latin American Child Care) in the city of Heredia. After two other programs in the same area we were really starting to connect with some of the kids there.

Merry Christmas 2008!

Thank you for all your support and for helping us minister in Costa Rica as we work our way to Argentina. Soon we’ll post a new podcast episode from our Christmas Party with the LACC students in Heredia.

This year we are excited to be with the Triplett family in El Salvador for Christmas. We are all going to be home in El Salvador this Christmas, it’s been a long time since we’ve all been together in El Salvador! After this Christmas we’ll be in Argentina and the rest of our family will be spread out in El Salvador, Nicaragua and the United States.

Being a missionary kid you have the hardest time with the question, “Where are you from?” because you really aren’t sure. Michelle was born in Ecuador, raised in El Salvador and technically North American going to Argentina, but inside she feels like she is from El Salvador.

We were at the beach the other day and in the pool and our friendly 7-year-old daughter Alexis went up to this family and began playing with their children. We overheard the mom ask Alexis in Spanish, “Where are you from?” and Alexis said, “El Salvador”. They laughed. Then they said “No, where do you live?” and she said, “Costa Rica” and they laughed. Then they said “No, where are you going after this?” and she said “Argentina”. The family kept laughing and Alexis came up to us and asked “Why are they laughing at me?” And we looked at her and said, “because you are unique, you are special.”

The same day Michelle’s mom went up to our four-year-old daughter Isabella and asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up. Isabella said “Um, a ballerina!” Terri said, “you don’t want to be a missionary?” Isabella said, “Grandma, I’m already a missionary.”

Our girls have a very unique childhood but they are adapting well to all the changes. We have four more months at language school in Costa Rica and then Lord willing we will depart on another adventure on our way to Argentina.

God bless you this Christmas season and remember us in prayer when we come to your mind. Hope you have a White Christmas, ours will be white but not with snow rather with firework ash that falls after thousands of fireworks go off on the 24th at midnight!

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year…2009 here we come!

With Love,

The Wellborns
Jonathan, Michelle, Alexis, and Isabella

Jonathan, Michelle, Alexis & Isabella
Click Here to View our E-News archive

p.s. Stay connected with us! In case you missed it, check out our video podcast.

1) iTunes users can subscribe to our podcast by clicking here or by searching the iTunes store, keyword “wellborn”.

2) You may also view the files on our GodTube account by clicking here, however the videos are slightly more compressed.

3) All other users can view the RSS feed by clicking here, on this page you can also right click and select “save target as” to download the episodes to your computer for smoother playback.

*If you’re using another podcast management program here is the longform .xml link:
http://www.jonathanandmichelle.com/podcast/podcast.xml

Subscribe now! More podcasts and updates to follow!

Happy Thanksgiving 2008!

We were trying to choose one of the many things we are thankful for to share with you and there are so many that we couldn’t pick just one. However, when I picked Lexi up at school yesterday she showed me her special drawing where the kids had to pick one thing they are thankful for, she chose flowers.  I guess as a child it’s easy to narrow down the favorites

As we look back at the last year and all the blessings it held we are eternally thankful to you (our supporters) and all the churches, family and friends who helped us get through itineration and helped get us back on the field…truly a miracle.

We pray you are able to spend time with your loved ones and truly enjoy this holiday season kickoff!

Thank you for getting us back on the field, keeping us on the field and for allowing us to follow our calling.

Blessings,

theWellborns

Jonathan, Michelle, Alexis & Isabella
Click Here to View our E-News archive

p.s. Stay connected with us! In case you missed it, check out our video podcast.

1) iTunes users can subscribe to our podcast by clicking here or by searching the iTunes store, keyword “wellborn”.

2) You may also view the files on our GodTube account by clicking here, however the videos are slightly more compressed.

3) All other users can view the RSS feed by clicking here, on this page you can also right click and select “save target as” to download the episodes to your computer for smoother playback.

*If you’re using another podcast management program here is the longform .xml link:
http://www.jonathanandmichelle.com/podcast/podcast.xml

Subscribe now! More podcasts and updates to follow!

We get a chance to work with some friends from El Salvador in Desamparados, Costa Rica; a suburb of San Jose.

A “Piedad” outreach in Heredia, Costa Rica led by Michelle and a team of missionaries from the language school.