TCK essay contest winner: God's faithful, even when we're friendless
Autumn Irons was 15 she and her family moved to Poland. The Irons family partners with the Polish church, hosting Bible studies and prayer groups while Polish church members conduct the meetings so as to give them experience and encouragement in their ministries. The family also is involved in international outreach, including serving in an English-language service conducted within their Polish church. Autumn loves Poland’s beautiful scenery and lovely architecture, and her great friends. “Life in Poland is all about building personal, long-lasting, meaningful relationships with friends and family,” she says.
By Autumn Irons in Poland —
After living in the beautiful country of Poland for three years, there are many unexpected situations that have arisen in my life, each ranging from mild problems to serious issues. One such serious issue, from which I learned a lot, happened about two years ago.
I was invited by some fellow missionary kids to go to a youth conference in a town I had not been to before. I alone was invited, as my sister was not old enough to be able to come to the retreat, and, as it was about an hour and a half away, I had some hesitations. The conference was to be entirely in Polish and, at the time, I did not understand much of the language. I did not really desire to go; mostly because I did not feel that I was good friends with the people who invited me. But I prayed about it and felt that the Lord was telling me to go.
From start to finish, I felt miserable and alone. Unbeknownst to me, my friends had also invited someone else and when I met up with them to travel to the conference, I quickly learned that I’d be playing third wheel. Throughout that weekend, I felt restless and lonely and grew more and more impatient to return home. More than once, due to my rollercoaster of emotions, I was on the verge of tears, wondering why God had told me to come. The conference lasted three days, but it felt more like two weeks.
However, God’s light of love and peace and joy shined through the darkness the Enemy was trying to ensnare me in. I met some really friendly girls who did not mind speaking in English to me and who were really kind. I learned a little more about the Bible from one of the lessons taught in English. And, above all, I drew closer to the Lord. In the times when I felt that I was at rock bottom, I would pull out the Bible my mom had lent to me and I read comforting Scriptures, all about God’s constancy and providence and unfailing love.
I never expected that, in agreeing to go to the conference, God would use that time to teach me more about Himself. He became my Great Provider, my Sustainer, my Best Friend, my source of hope. In those moments when I felt like all my “friends” had left me, I sought and found peace in Psalm 121, where it reads, “The Lord will keep you from all harm — He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch your coming and going, both now and forever.”
I learned much about the Lord and myself during that conference. And I am still reminded of the valuable lessons He taught me when I look back. I know that the Lord will never leave me nor forsake me.
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Choosing a Missions Organization: Why SEND International Stands Out “Why should I be a missionary through SEND International?” Jenna, a new missionary in Eastern Europe, shared with us what she appreciates about working with SEND. The highlights for her are: - Devotion to prayer - Diligence in communication - Commitment to development - Intentionality in accountability Prayer “Back in September of 2022, the Lord reconnected me with SEND after I had met them a year prior at the Moody Bible Institute. However, before he would sign me up for anything, my Missions Coach encouraged me to pray. He said something to the effect of, "I know that you've been praying on your own for a long time. But as the Church, we are not called to walk alone. So, you and I won't talk for about a month unless you have questions. I want you to go pray with 5 or 6 others from your church about where God is calling you." That October, more than 10 friends prayed with me and we saw God answer as He directed me to Romania. From February 2024 to November 2025, I had the pleasure of being a part of team meetings in Romania with my SEND colleagues. Our meetings were four hours long, two for prayer and two for business. This has been the minimum for our team. There are also prayer meetings with the local churches we partner with, among smaller groups within our team, of course prayer with many of you across the pond, including those at our US office. The organization was built, has been sustained, and continues to run on prayer. This is my favorite thing about SEND. Communication As I mentioned above, we have a two hour block for business / ministry details in each of our meetings. This provides consistency across our team which works alongside three different churches and in a variety of ministries. It also helps us to communicate about the need for change or growth, alongside what is working well. In addition, my team director also meets with each of us, allowing us to communicate needs, considerations, and prayer requests. I've also enjoyed getting to work with SEND workers outside of my immediate region . We receive emails with the minutes from the Europe leadership team, Friday communications from our international director, and information regarding projects that affect our work among the unreached. In December of 2024, our international director at the time wrote a note to my parents for the first Christmas that I was gone. If nothing else had convinced my mom yet, this did. He took the time to care for me, but also to care well for the parents that were sending me (What it meant to my dad and mom for him to do this well has been one of the greatest ways I've been supported.). I also have some pretty wonderful regional directors. These people have prayed alongside us (while also serving in their own countries of service), they have taken time to come visit and encourage our team, and they have also taken the time to encourage the people in our churches. Development SEND has provided much in the area of development and care (spiritually, physically, mentally, and emotionally). At our regional conference (every three years), there have been medical check ups available, counseling options, and time for connecting with others on the field with similar experience. At our conference last October, I connected with a missionary who served overseas for many years, and is now serving on the administrative side of SEND. She has met with me since then for mentorship and has also invested much of her time recently in preparing a retreat for the singles across Europe. Accountability Over the years I have read and heard amazing stories of how God has worked through missionaries. God has done great things and great things He is still doing! However, people who have committed their lives to the Lord in this way are not “super Christians”. We are still humans with the same struggle against flesh that others have . A major challenge is in being isolated -- living in areas with little to no presence of other believers to sharpen them can cause many difficulties. SEND has been a great resource in this area too. Through my team, I have an accountability partner that I meet with monthly. When my regional director came to visit, he and his wife spent a day with me and asked intentional questions about how I lead, handle conflict, and how I am growing in general as a Christian. In addition, my teammates share their wisdom with me on a regular basis. These things and more have assured me that SEND International is a highly valuable organization and I'm excited to partner with them in service to, for, and with our great God! Interested in being sent by SEND?
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