Missionary Photo Contest 2019 | SEND International

Missionary photo contest 2019: Honorable mentions

’The Difficult Path,’ by K.Z., undisclosed location

K.Z. and his wife have been in ministry for 16 years. They recently were forced out of the area where they had been working.

“Climbers were attempting to scale several rock walls while we were visiting the Garden of the Gods in Colorado. The size of the climber when compared to the huge rock wall that was before him is what grabbed my attention. I was drawn quickly to this scene because our current season in life (the unknown before us) is reflected in the climber’s task that was before him. Immense size, where to place your hands/feet next, what path to take up this rock wall, the climb/journey that seems impossible, the feeling of being alone, small, weak. I am thankful that even if most of those emotions that were stirred up for me in that photo are true, that I am not alone and the Lord will give daily strength and grace as he leads.”

’Sunlight Beckons,’ by A.K. in Taiwan

A.K. focuses on ministry among the Hakka people. “The sun glowed gold as I hurried through the city sidewalks. Suddenly, a bright light to my left caught my eye. Turning, I saw an alley full of scooters, a common enough sight in this busy Asian city. Yet the blinding brilliance of the sun that streamed beyond them seemed to beckon each of the scooters onward, out from the darkness of the alley and into the light. An almost surreal moment amidst the shadows of a concrete jungle.”

’Attentive Audience,’ by John Edwards in Japan

John’s main ministry is directing D House Sendai , a discipleship-focused missions exploration program. He and his wife, Susan, also serve at Tsubamesawa Church. They have been in Japan since 1993 and in Sendai since 2013 — they moved there about two years after the earthquake and tsunami that devastated the northeast Pacific coast region of Japan in 2011. “This photo was taken at the Iwakiri Jidokan, an after-school program/facility for the children of working parents. Susan and I, along with our D House interns, volunteered there. Here, Susan reads 'Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes' to the children, who had walked to the Jidokan from a yochien (kindergarten), which is why they all have matching hats. She had the children all participating as she read/sang in English. I was inspired because Susan was having so much fun and clearly the children were having fun, too.”

‘After-school Snooze,’ by Akiko Fujishima in Japan

Akiko and her husband, Mitsuo, returned to their native country of Japan as missionaries with SEND in 2001. They are involved in evangelism, with the goal to plant a church on the Oshika Peninsula, where the 2011 tsunami hit. Akiko took this photo during a trip to Tokyo. “I think this picture captures some aspects of Japanese society:
1) It is still safe for children to commute to school by train on their own.
2) Commuting time is long for adults and children as well.
3) Life in Tokyo is busy and is tiring.
4) People seem to be indifferent to each other (woman and man sitting next to the girl).
I hope this helps to bring more awareness of the tremendous spiritual need in Japan.”

‘My Walk to the Market,’ by Dave Benzel in Ukraine

Dave serves as Area Director for SEND’s team in Ukraine and teaches in seminaries around the country. He and his wife, Sharon, have served in Eurasia since 1992.

"Kiev is split by the Dnieper River. On the west side, where the city was founded over a thousand years ago, the land is hilly. The east side is flat and sandy, a flood plain. Once they started building bridges across the river, the city spread to that side. Along with the sand, there are springs; this small lake is one of the spring-fed lakes around which large apartment complexes have been built. It's called 'Sunny Lake' (Сонячно озера).

"The large grocery store right beside our apartment got closed because of legal disputes about the lease. So now when I walk to another grocery store (just over a mile), I walk around this lake—except in the dead of winter, when I can walk right across it! We have so many tall buildings all around us, when you are out walking you can't usually see very far, but around the lake you feel like you can gain a bit of perspective and see further.”

‘Tranquility’ by Darwin Stoesz in Japan

Darwin and his wife, Karen, have been career missionaries in Japan with SEND for 12 years. He serves as SEND Japan’s business manager.
"I went with a group of foreigners on a trip sponsored by the prefecture of Fukushima to let people know that the area is safe to return to after the nuclear disaster. Behind the hotel, I found this beautiful scene."

'His Marvelous Nature,' by Hannah Johnson in Slovenia

Hannah has served in Slovenia for two years. This island on Lake Bled is the country’s only island and one of Hannah’s favorite places.

"When I am looking to recharge and relax, a prayerful walk around this lake is a great option. Lake Bled is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful places in the world! The color of the water constantly changes—from turquoise blue to a deep aqua green—but is always breathtakingly clear. I pray that God will draw Slovenes to himself through his marvelous nature!"

‘Look for the Light’ by Hannah Munnerlyn in Japan

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Choosing a Missions Organization

By SEND media Team • August 4, 2026

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?