"Thats ok, we will draw pictures to give to the stewardess, pilots and people in the airport while we wait. I want people to know Jesus loves them so we can draw a cross and write on each picture." Arrow our five year old explained cheerfully.

"Yessss!!!" Given our three year old spirited daughter agreed.

As a family of four we were flying from Birmingham to New York City to "be on mission". We were scheduled to speak three times on behalf of Vapor Ministries at a partnering church in the city. That morning we left home at 4am and now found ourselves in the airport on a long layover with flight delays and heavy eyelids.

My husband and I found a food court with plenty of seating and we deeply sighed as we sat down with our children. And thats when Arrow's response reminded us...Mission isnt just the destination we are headed to...its in the Middle too.

The kids sat, coloring picture after beautiful picture. Messages of Jesus' love written on each page. They joyfully passed out pictures to "unseen" airport workers, fellow travelers, weary stewardess & tired pilots. The responses were incredible; "I needed that today", "25 years working at this airport and thats the best thing thats ever happened to me", "Im taking that home to hang on my refrigerator", "Will you pray for me?" "I am so touched"....on and on it went.

Even if we never made it to our destination (and we eventually did that evening) we engaged in meaningful, eternal mission...our children leading the way to the Glory of Christ.

-Audrey McElveen