Wrapping Up Home Service 

It’s hard to believe that my home service is almost over. After months of planning, I arrived in the States shortly before Putin invaded Ukraine. My travels have been long but joyful. I have flown 13,156 miles, driven almost 3,000 miles in a compact economy car, and enjoyed 840 miles with friends on a coach bus to Mission Central in Iowa.

What a joy it has been to bring greetings and gratitude from your Czech brothers and sisters in Prague. They are amazed and thankful that churches and donors care so much about bringing the Gospel to the most atheistic country in the world that they would financially and prayerfully support a missionary to work with them. I, too, am amazed at your faithful support.

I have enjoyed sharing my mission presentation with thousands of people around the country. At several of the churches and both LWML zone rallies, I was surprised by guest visitors who came to see me. But I also realize that some donors were not able to attend a presentation in person due to illness, time or travel constraints. I have missed you, too. So, I am planning a final virtual presentation on Tuesday, May 10 at 6:30pm (CDT) on Zoom. Zoom is very easy to use and all you need is internet access and a device—mobile phone, laptop or computer. I will share the same 30-minute presentation that I have given in person at churches and rallies, and there will be ample time for questions at the end. If you are interested in attending (no cost for you to use Zoom), please email me at Cynthia.Wrucke@lcms.org and I will send you the link to join me.

Thank you to all the people who coordinated my visits and helped me with technology set-up. I couldn’t have done this without your tremendous support. Thank you to my wonderful host families, who not only opened their homes to me, but also showed me their part of the world and what makes it unique. You are always welcome to visit me in Prague and allow me to return the favor.

As I prepare to return to Prague, I am excited to continue working with the Czech pastors and congregation in mission outreach. I am also looking forward to helping our church with the new task of supporting Ukrainian refugee needs.

I am also looking forward to more moderate weather, not having to drive a car, no window screens or mosquitoes, fresh fruit in my back yard, and lots of exercise distributing Bibles to the little libraries.

Of course, I will miss hearing and speaking English every day, as well as eating bacon and good burgers. Most of all, I will miss my family and friends that I leave behind in America, but I will take a piece of you with me in my heart. You will continue to be in my prayers as we serve our Lord in different parts of the world.

This month we remember God’s calling:

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 (NIV)

To download or print this newsletter, click on the link to download the entire newsletter.