Our bags are packed, and we’re each passing the time in our own quiet ways as we wait for our ride to the airport. At 1:00 a.m., we’ll begin the long trip home. The Sandys and Andrew Carson will part ways for the journey—Andrew heading first to Munich, then Denver, and finally Phoenix; the Sandy family traveling through the Netherlands, then on to Los Angeles before the last short hop back to Phoenix. Aidan, leaves from Prague. If all goes well, by the end of the day we’ll all be home.

But even with travel looming, today was far from a lost day for ministry. This morning, Chris and I spent time with our friends Marcel and Silvie, looking at an apartment and sharing life together. Later, our whole team gathered with the youth for lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a long, relaxed stretch of time with them at the church building. We ended the day with a visit to another family’s home—and even welcomed three more friends who stopped by to see us. It was full, rich, and meaningful.

One of the biggest misconceptions I had before stepping into international missions was the idea that there are “mission activities” (like camp) and then there are “non-mission activities” (like coffee with friends or casual visits). But the longer I do this, the more I see how untrue that is. Anything we do, anywhere we go, is mission work. God is always active—always drawing people to Jesus—and He invites us to join Him in that work in every setting, every conversation, every moment.

So as we prepare to return home, it’s good to remember: the mission isn’t ending. It’s simply changing locations. We look forward to being “on mission” again with you soon.

This is Pastor Doug signing out.
Merry Christmas, Veselé Vánoce, and God bless!