(Written by: Pastor Doug Sandy)
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” Colossians 3:23-24 (New American Standard Bible)
Outside the rain is gently falling. From my hotel room, I hear the rush of cars and buses on the streets of Prague and the occasional chatter of another guest heading for the elevator. This is a quiet time. My only company now is the subtle whirring of the mini fridge sitting next to me. The solitude has given me time to think, reflect, and pray. Before I get into that, let me address the question that might be in your mind: “what am I doing in Prague?”
A simple answer to this question is that my industry job took me here for meetings. I have focused on representing my company well and making the most of my travels. But then again, perhaps God arranged the industry meetings to bring me to Europe for the sake of ministry. This past weekend, I had the opportunity to travel to Český Těšín for fellowship and ministry work. Both these aspects of the trip were so productive, I think the answer to why I am here must be that I am here for both. That is what I have been contemplating this morning.
For me, the Czech ministry has broken down most of the easy classifications I could apply to it. It isn’t a short-term mission, because we continue to be invested in the people that we meet throughout the year. Can I call it a ministry of encouragement, when my family and I get more encouragement out of the work than the people we meet? Now the compartmentalization between work and ministry has completely broken down too.
The conclusion that I have come to is that I should stop trying to classify this work into a neat and tidy box, but rather, just accept it as it is. God has provided this season of life that is characterized by working on both sides of the Atlantic, investing in people on both sides of the Atlantic, being loved by people on both sides of the Atlantic, and furthering the gospel on both sides of the Atlantic. It defies classification but it is wonderful, and I am thankful.
In a little while I will hop on the subway for a meeting with the editor of a Czech trade magazine. Following that, I will walk around the corner to lunch with Josh, Anežka and Krištof Deitz. I can’t think of a better ending to this amazing trip. I am happy to be returning to my family at home and I am looking forward to returning in less than five weeks.
Prayer Requests:
- Health of the mission team.
- Outreach to new students for the camp – there are about 12 open spots left now.
- Financial provision for both American teams
- Preparation for the trip goes smoothly.