Dear Praying Friends,

Did you hear about the German farmer whose pig was eaten by a bear the same week as his cow stopped giving milk? Yeah, it was a Wurst-Käse scenario. Ok - I did not promise in the subject that it would be a GOOD German pun!

Last week, Elissa and I were able to visit Battle Lake Alliance Church - it is always fun for us to go back to churches we have been to before and give people an update about what God is doing.

Tonight we head to Word of Life Alliance Church. Since they are in the Twin Cities, this means that we will not need to pack a suitcase and overnight anywhere. That is a fun change of pace.

Next week, we will be off to Crown College for their Global Impact Fest. Thank you for your prayers for the preparation. We have 4 of 5 messages written and are in the process of refining them.

It is budget season for your international workers in the Alliance. This is always both an exciting and time-consuming time for us. On the one hand, it is really exciting as we look back over the last fiscal year and see what we have been able to accomplish. It is time-consuming, especially on the Envision side of Alliance Missions, because the way we do ministry does not always fit neatly into the budgeting forms we are given. We also do a lot of special things at Envision Berlin - like publishing books, which come with its own unique list of expenses and income streams. Please pray for us as we get our budgets finished - and pray for other Alliance workers who are doing the same thing!

Here are a few other prayer requests:

1. The next two weeks are going to be especially full for us - both with speaking responsibilities and planning and financial responsibilities for Envision Berlin. We are really feeling the load this month!
2. Pray for a complete return to good health. I am still coughing and sniffing. I have not quite shaken all the lingering effects of whatever illness I came down with.
3. It is hard to live with two homes, and we feel homesick for both when we are away. This week there is some extra homesickness for Germany.
4. Pray for our friends in Berlin, especially those from immigrant backgrounds. There will be an election on Sunday, and regardless of the results there have been some things said and done that make our friends from different countries, including those who have become German citizens, feel less secure, wanted, and loved. Please pray for them - and for our colleagues who are ministering to them.

Blessings,

mike

PS - for those who are new to the list - you can sign up here for a short series of emails that will tell you more about our story!

PPS - In the coming fiscal year, the Alliance is asking Elissa and me to raise an additional $5,134.00. If you are already giving to the GCF and/or to our support - thank you!! If you are not currently giving to support global missions and would like to know more about how you could support us directly or give to the GCF - please reply to this email! We would love to talk with you and help you find ways to partner with God in His work!