This morning Chris and I woke up to our alarm—an unexpected blessing for two jet‑lagged travelers who weren’t entirely sure what continent their bodies thought they were on. Outside, the rain was still falling lightly, just enough to blur the edges of the morning and make everything feel a bit slower, a bit softer, as we got ready for the day ahead.

We’re staying at a pension—a spare suite tucked inside a restaurant—down the hill from where our Czech team is meeting. It’s about a ten‑minute drive, and Josiah Venture arranged for us to borrow a car from another missionary. Thank you, Tomáš. From there, it’s only a short walk up to the main meeting area in Malenovice. Everything here is close, connected, layered in a way that makes the whole place feel like a small village built around ministry.

For me, the most meaningful parts of the day weren’t the big sessions or the high‑energy moments. They were the times when our Czech team gathered separately, away from the movement and noise of the larger conference. In those smaller circles, Chris and I were able to have deeper conversations with the full‑time missionaries serving here—real stories, real challenges, real hopes. Relationship‑building is slow work, especially when your brain is still fighting jet lag, but today felt like a step forward. Better focus, clearer thoughts, more genuine connection.

The theme of the day was making disciples who make disciples. Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 2:2 came up—the reminder to pass on what we’ve learned to faithful people who will pass it on again. It’s simple, but it carries generations inside it. And Hebrews 12 added another layer: Jesus as the model for our ministry, the one from whom we draw our strength, the one we keep our eyes on as we serve. Those reminders landed well today.

By evening, the conference shifted gears. After another round of excellent worship, the program turned light‑hearted—dramas and “infomercials” poking fun at the quirks and challenges of ministry life. When people serve in environments as demanding as these, laughter isn’t just entertainment; it’s encouragement. A way of saying, “We’re in this together.”

We’re tired again tonight, and heading to bed early. Hoping a solid night of sleep gives us the energy we need to stay present tomorrow.

Caio for now,
Pastor Doug