Hi praying friends,

This week has been full of meetings! Have you ever had meetings you have finished and wondered, "Was that even worth the time I invested in responding to the meeting invite?" I hate that kind of meeting!

This week, our meetings have been really productive - helping us be sure that we are approaching 2024 with a good understanding of who we are focused on and what problems we are engaged in solving AND looking back at the final quarter of 2023 to see if there are iterative changes we need to make as we move forward.

Next week, we will put together our 2024 Road Map based on the time we spent in the meetings this week.

Many of us also recently took the IDI, and had a seminar on that tool yesterday - so my head feels especially full of valuable and helpful information, reviews, etc.

Here are some prayer requests:

1. Pray for us as we set our road map for the coming year. Some of the challenges are:
2. We will be sending two staff members off, which decreases our capacity.
3. Picconatto's have a 4-month home assignment starting in September.
4. We have a history of taking on too many projects.
5. Please pray for Elissa's back. Thanks to those who have been praying for her health, some days she is better than others - but today was another day of frustrating pain.
6. Several people on our team are working really hard in the final push for the book we are hoping to launch at the end of February. Please pray for them!
7. We are hoping for more interns in the coming year. Please pray!
8. Envision Berlin is one of 3 Envision sites helping relaunch the Residency program. Residency is an excellent program for people who are pursuing full-time overseas ministry. Our 2-year program will prepare people for service, help them earn a Master's Degree, and get them involved in on-the-ground ministry. Please pray that we find a great first cohort!

Blessings,

mike