As my first missional trip, I was set with the plan to go to Ufa as a sponge, ready to absorb all the knowledge and examples I could from my fellow brethren and servants. I was certain my contribution and influence would be didactic at best, and because I had based my preconceived station on my lack of familiarity with missional outreach, I must confess a bit of timidity on my part entering into the Russian Federation for the first time. Yet, as I was welcomed into the homes and lives of my brothers and sisters, fellow followers and believers of our beloved King, I soon discovered a mutual curiosity and desire to truly know who I was, not only as a fellow Christian, but as an individual personality. Never have I witnessed a more genuine and heartfelt interest from someone else that truly came from a longing to bond our two societies together under the same banner of unified brotherhood and understanding. It was not until the days spent at the joint vacation time, where both our cultures were blessed to work as one people for one common goal, did I find God showing me that I was to be more than a sponge extracting the remainder of other’s experiences; I was not to be a shadow, but a member of the Body of Christ, with my own devotions and abilities to be employed with the others and performed for God’s great Work. And what a great Work indeed! For as ministers or servants, overall Disciples of Christ, where’er we go, we go as sowers of the Gospel. If there is just one person where the seed may be planted then it is a great Work worthy of a lifetime. As we went to serve at the joint vacation time this truth became more than evident as one young mother found, not by preaching or worshiping, but by living testimonies and daily illustrations of Christian uniqueness and distinction, a group of strangers and foreigners who had more sincerity, affection, and genuine compassion for her and her child because of the Truth in Jesus Christ, her heart and mind was opened to the seed of the Living Gospel. It was an immense blessing to observe God working on this young woman; it was also a great joy and humbling experience to one’s self to be reminded of our own story. For my part, the joint summer vacation time provided me the opportunity to reflect on how often I tend and care to the seed that was planted within me so many years ago. I am not pleased to admit that it was not until my time in Ufa and at the summer vacation time, did it become manifested in me that my seed also needed to be watered daily. I, like many of the families we encountered, needed the faithfulness and convictions of my brothers and sisters, but most of all the loving Grace of our Father, with just as much fervor and delight. Thus, I believe the Lord placed me in this missional outreach, for my own growth as well as the growth of others. It is not easy to set aside everything in one’s life and go marching into the missional field when our Father calls. Deadlines pile on the desk and professional commitments are extended, and not always with the most considerate of attitudes. Familial schedules are shuffled about, and household tasks are put on pause with a silent prayer through the lips as you board the plane, “protect my loved ones and let the plumbing hold.” However, I found with absolute confidence, that no matter where the Lord has taken me, He and He alone has gripped me into His embrace and security, and I have never felt safer in any endeavor I have ever been engaged into than when I am serving His purpose and fulfilling His Will. I am also blessed that the Lord has given me a strong family who recognize that the call to the ministry and mission of their husband and father is their call as well. For my beloved wife, my hallowed companion, my most cherished friend, and my children, conquerors of my heart; by their sacrifice and devoted patience I had found the strength, courage, and reassurance to go and serve in peace. Julian V.