What comes to your mind when you think of summer? In SEND Europe, summer is a scrapbook of uplifting stories and core memories. A student from the Czech Republic helps teach English in Romania. A group of students from Croatia encourages a church in Poland. A multicultural team serves at a community center in Spain

How is it that we can get so excited about a 12-game sports season, something that passes by (pun intended) so quickly, and yet many hearts hardly quicken when someone challenges us for the eternal work of the kingdom?

Home. So much meaning can be felt in this one word. While most of us have heard and believe sayings such as “home is where the heart is,” there are also some elements of security, stability, and familiarity that we long to experience when relocating to a foreign land.

Living and ministering as a missionary in bush Alaska has its hardships and difficulties. You learn many new skills and things you never had to do before. Such as how never to leave the snow trail in spring.

When pursuing missions as a 22-year-old, a big concern I had was my ongoing struggle with depression. Even though dark thoughts plagued me on and off since early high school, I never talked about them with anyone. I remember one summer day before my sophomore year of high school, looking out my bedroom window and feeling despair settle over me.

As children and parents alike enjoy this season of dress up and goodies, it is easy to relegate the spiritual realm to child's play. This past year held two examples of the varied, yet futile tactics of our enemy to prevent God’s Kingdom advances.

We came to Thailand with the long-term plan to join a church planting team to reach the Shan people with the gospel. Because we only moved here about a year ago, our current focus is learning the language and culture and settling into our new life and community here. These are important days of learning and preparation that are laying the foundation for the ministry God has prepared for us in the years to come.

The paths into cross-cultural ministry can be as unique and varied as the people who God calls to serve him in his global harvest. The Holy Spirit knows us and knows how to move in his followers as they contemplate cross-cultural service. David knew this and marveled,

We asked SEND missionaries to reflect on the lessons they've learned over the course of their service. Specifically: "Looking back, what is one piece of advice you'd give yourself if you were starting off as a new missionary again?" Their responses provide insightful perspectives for those embarking on missionary work.

A few weeks ago, we attended an international conference for those working with Muslims. We heard many wonderful stories of Muslims coming to Christ. One attendee shared, “I have had several Muslims who recently came to our city call me, saying they heard I was a Christian and asking me if I would disciple them!” This was amazing to hear! We rejoiced together as we were reminded of God’s ability to draw people from the kingdom of darkness into his wonderful light.

My wife and I were just a couple of months away from leaving for home service when the above post from the Operation Japan Prayer Facebook page captured my attention. Around this time, COVID had significantly reduced our ministries with D House interns unable to enter Japan. Most outreach activities in our house and our church were canceled for the foreseeable future.

How Missions has Changed Over the Last 30 Years in Japan 

Taiwan: Vision 119

Christmas play offers a new twist on an old story

Big 'K' Thinking

Missions teams in SEND

Team Chiayi village outreach

Stories connect with Central Asian culture

Free from fear

English helps build eternal bridges By a worker in Central Asia “Are you teaching English classes in my city?” “Can you fit my niece into your teaching schedule?” “Can you come to our town and help our church start an English club as an outreach?” I hear questions such as these on a regular basis. People’s longing to learn English reveals their desire to live better and to get ahead in the world. It is such a passionately felt need here in Central Asia that my heart breaks every time I have to tell someone that my schedule won’t allow me to add any more private students or that I only have time to teach in one city. Teaching English opened the doors for me to come here, but what’s keeping me here is realizing that teaching is an excellent way to build bridges to Christ by first building relationships with my students. These relationships give me the privilege of being let into my students’ lives in a non-threatening way, which leads them to want to know me personally. Then, when they feel more comfortable, they ask me about my faith. Recently I had the privilege of sharing the hope of Christ with two of my students. That’s what this is all about. Since the government here actually encourages its people to learn English, the invitation has gone out for more English language teachers. For us, it’s an open opportunity to build bridges that will last for eternity. If only more English language teachers would come! At present, I am the only person on our small team with the time and training to teach English as a second language. If you are interested in seeing God at work in this part of the world and have some experience in teaching the English language, then come help build bridges to Christ through ESL! If you’d like more information, connect with a missions coach by filling out the Get Started form.

Louis' story

English clubs talk turkey, and more By Lois Thorpe and Kellie Benge in Kiev, Ukraine — A few days before the fourth Thursday of November, students from several of SEND’s English clubs in Kiev gathered for an American Thanksgiving celebration. Overall, 45 Ukrainians from seven English clubs attended the outreach event. Some of SEND’s clubs are connected to churches; others are not. In fact, about 15 of the attendees had never set foot inside an evangelical church. The groups dined on traditional Thanksgiving food, including a 35-pound turkey that had to be pushed home from the market in a baby stroller. Enjoying the 35-pound bird. Since Thanksgiving’s roots are connected to freedom of religion, the program focused on the origins of the holiday and the opportunity to give thanks to God for what He has given, which naturally brought in elements of the gospel message. Speaker Jerry Benge explained that the Pilgrims faced persecution and had to sell everything they owned before they left for North America. They risked their lives, both on the trip and as they settled in their new land. They placed a high value on having a personal relationship with God instead of just following the state religion and traditions. Jerry ended with a question: "What was so important to the Pilgrims that they would risk their lives for it, and is there anything that important in your life?" Feedback for the event was very positive. One student responded that the closing words made him stop and evaluate the purpose of his life. Attendees tried their hand at making turkeys. Several of the clubs will go on to host Christmas events, where the message of Christ will be clearly shared. Pray that the Lord will prepare the hearts of those who will attend.

Many leave winter retreat wanting to know more

Disaster Area

SEND opens library with eternal focus

What do I mean by the word "church"?