Dear praying friends,

On Monday we picked up our new teammates, Joel and Kate Damon, from the airport - and our Envision Staff team grew to six people (Joel and Kate Damon, Stephen and Jennie Jones, and Mike and Elissa Picconatto.) We are super excited to have them join us.

So - what happens when new people move from the US to join a team in the new country? So, so, so much. Almost everyone lands exhausted - not just because of the long trip, but also because the last weeks have been full of what feels like a never-ending list of to-do's and good-byes. You are deciding what to do with a life-time of relationships and things - choosing what stuff to bring with you in suitcases, and are landing in another country with nothing.

For the Damons - we had a bed, a mostly functioning kitchen (but really old...) and a dining room table and chairs. So far this week we have:

• Gone to a hardware store and picke dup some tools, trashcans, and basic essentials.
• Gone to store to buy pillows, sheets, towels.
• Purchased a washing machine.
• Done that first grocery shopping trip - the one where you start buying spices, etc. because you don't have ANYTHING any more.
• Gotten started on a cell-phone plan and signed up for internet (which takes weeks (if you are lucky) to get connected, even in Berlin!)
• Talked with the landlord about paperwork needed
• Elissa is currently at IKEA with them as they look at kitchen, appliances, and other needed furniture.

THIS IS ALL SO EXHAUSTING, and remenber - no one is at their best in this moment as they are making decisions they will have to live with for awhile. So - pray for all of us as we continue the onboarding of new teammates, especially as we start to get team agreements, etc. in the coming weeks.

Please also pray:

1. That we can find good visa solutions for our interns.
2. Now that the plans have been approved, we will finalize some details with our architect and he will start looking for contractors to do the work. We are probably about 2-3 weeks away from starting to raise money for getting our new space set up. Can you start praying now that God leads people to give?
3. Several of our key projects have been delayed over the last year, and we are reengaging in setting timelines for how to get them accomplished - AND are wanting to not burn our team out. Pray for us to work in a way that honors God with our work and rest.

Thanks for yor prayers

mike