5 Artists from 5 countries who all call Berlin home (and they all shared in our gallery!)

Dear praying friends,

Last night we had our monthly Art O'Clock event. At this event we give 5 artists 5 minutes each to talk about their works and to take 5 minutes of questions from the audience. It's been fun to watch the event grow after being started by a resident (shout out to Rachel!), maintained by interns and residents (go Anna and Josh!) and is now a fixed appointment on some members of our growing communities calendar.

People keep finding out about it in fun ways! Last night we had guests who found out about the event through Meetup, artists shared who came first to another event we host (Drawing and Coffee), or who got connected to us through friends (one art-lover connected an artist with Elissa who connected the artist with me..), or stopped into the gallery during open hours (where they usually are greeted warmly by Elissa), and others get connected as we meet artists in our daily life.

So - last night we had a Mexican, Russian, Canadian/Armenian, Ghanaian, and German artist share. The German artist is older, and it was amazing to watch some of the younger artists connecting with her to share some of the routines she has or advice she has to young artists.

It was so fun to hear the artists share, but one of the greatest parts of this event for me always takes place after the last artist has shared and we close the evening - and people don't leave. They stay and talk with each other and with us and find a place in this sometimes very lonely city where people are there for them.

One artist who shared for the first time last night told one of our staff, "So, I have found a new home." Amazing.

Thanks for praying for us as we build community and love others because God first loved us!

Here is how you can continue to pray for us:

1. Caleb is visiting a school this week that offers a Master's program he is interested in. Pray for him as he thinks through next steps.
2. The fundraising project for our gallery renovations is still a high priority. God has been so gracious and has moved some very generous people and churches to give. We have received some very generous gifts. Pray that God continues to put our ministry on people's hearts.
3. We have a short-term team from Crown College coming in a couple of weeks. Pray for us as we make final preparations!
4. My mom's recovery hit a bit of a speed bump with a bad reaction to a medication. She was taking the medication because of some nerve pain as her arm is healing, so the reaction to the medication means that she can't take what the doctors were hoping would limit the nerve pain. Can you please pray that God heals her arm quickly and that the nerve pain goes away?

If you have any prayer requests, let us know! We like having the opportunity to left up your needs, as well.

Blessings,

mike