Yesterday felt like stepping into the eye of a hurricane—except the eye never quite arrived. From the moment we woke up, the day unfolded in a frenzied flurry of activity that only a mission trip can produce.
While Chris and Anna headed out to gather food and last‑minute supplies, I stayed back at the apartment with the rest of the family to rework my evening talks and tie up loose ends. Even in the quiet moments, which were few, there was a sense of movement—people coming and going, and plans shifting as quickly as we could make them.
By afternoon, we shifted into singing rehearsal for the evening’s “caroling” portion of our program and  ironing out the details of what we had been calling the “Surprise Event.” The name stuck partly because even we weren’t entirely sure what the evening would hold. Plans here have a way of coming together at the last minute, and yesterday was no exception.
A special highlight was Aidan’s arrival for supper. Seeing him again—older, more confident, clearly shaped by his months here in the Czech Republic—was a gift. It felt like a small reunion in the middle of the bustle.
And then, as it so often happens, God wove all the loose threads together. The evening program blossomed into a Christmas party at the “Sandy House”. We gathered on couches, played games, “went caroling” in our own playful way, read the Christmas story from Scripture, and even celebrated with a birthday cake for Jesus. It was simple, joyful, and full of the kind of warmth that reminds us why we’re here.
Today we pack up and head to camp, where the craziness is almost guaranteed to continue—but so, we trust, will the blessings.

Prayer requests:

• A successful launch of camp
• Clear presentation of the gospel
• Sensitivity to the leading of God’s Holy Spirit
• Health and unity for the combined team