Have you ever had a day so full you can’t quite believe it all fit inside twenty‑four hours? That’s what the last stretch has felt like since my previous post—one moment tumbling into the next, each carrying its own weight.

Last night followed the familiar rhythm: dinner, worship, and an evening program. Each night has had its own flavor, but this one highlighted the ministry targets for every country where Josiah Venture serves. The countries came up one by one, in the order JV first began its work there. It was with a real sense of pride that Chris and I stood with the Czech Republic team as the first country to the stage. A moment of celebration, yes—but also one of recognition. As the oldest JV country, Czech sets an example for the others. After us came Poland, then Slovakia—nations in the heart of Europe. Then Slovenia, Estonia, and so on. Each country with its own culture, needs, and dreams.

For me, the most powerful moment was Ukraine.

In the United States, it’s easy to forget that Ukraine is still at war—and not one of its own choosing. This isn’t a political statement; it’s simply a heartbreaking reality. Ukraine has a large Orthodox Christian population, and Josiah Venture has been quietly expanding the kingdom there since 2006. Many of the workers were moved to tears as they shared—grief, exhaustion, courage all woven together. I found myself weeping too, both for their suffering and for their bravery. They were the only team to receive a standing ovation. We cannot afford to let our hearts harden. We stand with these courageous brothers and sisters in Christ who endure so much for the sake of the Gospel.

Tonight’s evening program took a different tone—confession, repentance, and dedication to the task ahead. Another powerful moment, and one I pray bears real fruit in the months to come.

But woven through all these mountaintop moments has been quiet encouragement. Perhaps my favorite part of the conference has been the informal time with our Czech team during meals. There are between thirty and forty of us here, each with an incredible story—stories with Jesus at the center and hope for the Czech Republic as the goal. These conversations have been grounding, inspiring, and deeply human.

Today Chris and I also met with a top leader in the organization to talk through how we move forward in joining the team. Our role doesn’t fit any existing model, so we’re moving cautiously—wanting to help, not accidentally break something that already works. But it appears the final hurdles are behind us for the first steps. Applications should be arriving soon by email. I’ll share more when the pace slows down a bit.

For now, it’s time for sleep so we can be rested for the conclusion of the fall conference and our trek to the apartment in Český Těšín tomorrow.

Caio for now,
Pastor Doug