Dear praying friends,

I might have glossed over a huge answer to prayer last week in my update. We have housing for our interns that are coming in April! In the housing market in Berlin, this is a huge deal. We also think we have workable solutions for our resident who is coming in May - solid places to stay for a little more than her whole first year in Berlin. Your prayers are a big part of this happening. Thank you.

We also had a friend of ours in Berlin send a long message last week, telling us that he is looking forward to us being back in Berlin so he can return to our house church after a lengthy absence. God is moving.

We are moving forward with our inquiries about renting some additional space. We have no idea what God has planned and have not seen the rental contract yet - but we sent over the required documents. Can you pray that if things continue to move forward, God also provides the 25,000 in rent and utilities and 25,000 in setup fees we will need for the first year?

It has been a challenging week - with some heavy conversations with multiple friends who are facing some serious challenges. In a week in which there are some real things to celebrate, I also find myself wrestling with lament, and cry with the Psalmist, "How long, O Lord." "But I trust..." (Psalm 13). I also find myself resonating with songs of Lament, like "Worn" by Tenth Avenue North and "Joy" Page CXVI. Friends, are any of you facing this mix of celebration and lament? How can we pray for you?

Here are some requests from us:

1. Interns and Residents will be heading to an intern training weekend at the beginning of April, and then heading around the world (including to Berlin!) to serve.
2. There is another public transportation strike in Berlin today and tomorrow, which is really very (VERY) disruptive for our boys and for our team in Berlin. Please pray for quick resolution to the contract disputes.
3. Our daughter is moving at the end of April! That will be hard for us, it has been great being close to her. Pray for her (and for us!)
4. Months ago I wrote to the German visa office to let them know that we are not in Berlin anymore. This is important because we will be out of the country for longer than 6 months on a valid visa. We were hoping to try to apply for a visa from the US this time, but we cannot apply for a new visa when our old visa is still current. Can you pray for them to process our old visa quickly so we can move forward?
5. We are headed to Echo, MN this weekend and then to Wadena, MN the first weekend of April. Please pray for continued safety and for good connections (and that God raises up workers for the harvest!)

Thanks for praying!

mike