My friend and I were talking on the phone, and she excitedly had the same questions many of you probably have.

"How is the move to Germany going? Have you joined any clubs yet?"

In the past few years, I have explained to many people that part of my longterm strategy is to join the sports and hobby gatherings that are a popular way of socializing in western Europe.

"Honestly," I responded, "I'm just trying to figure out how to use the washing machine!"

My primary goal this first year in Pforzheim is language learning. I have quite a few resources available, but the past few years there hasn't been a lot of space in my schedule while I was working full time, fundraising, and packing up my life.

I have certainly implented many of these strategies already - here is a picture of my kitchen - but no day is completely tied up in language learning.

When I was living in Illinois my pastor quoted his father-in-law as saying, "Wisdom isn't about knowing all of the answers; it is about asking the right questions."

A lot of my life right now is figuring out what those questions are.

And there are a lot of questions which go through my mind:

"Do Germans dress up on Easter?"
"How do I change the clock on my oven after daylight savings time?"
"Which products do I use to clean the bathroom?"
"Is the peanut butter here like the Jiff/Skippy I eat in the U.S., like the natural stuff I was served in Amsterdam, or like the dessert stuff they had in Japan that isn't a great source of protein?"
"Where can I buy garlic powder? Or should I plan to bring it back with me from the U.S.?" "Is Cheddar or Gouda the better deal in the grocery store?"
"Are there any poisonous snakes in Germany?"
"What are the nuances between the verbs 'putzen' and 'reinigen' if they are both defined as 'to clean' in the dictionary?"

This is a season of discovery. I am discovering how to live in Germany and in Pforzheim specifically. There is very little I can take for granted, and understanding how to navigate life with respect and love is going to be a big part of my next two years.

The Other Americans

Last September after visiting Pforzheim two separate people told me about an American missionary family living in this city. In October I contacted the missionaries and we communicated back and forth a bit over the past few months.

Upon arrival in Pforzheim three weeks ago I learned there are actually TWO American missionary families here.

What excites me the most about these families being here

...is not that I have someone I can ask questions of who is familiar with Pforzheim specifically, as opposed to my friends in other regions of Germany, although their information has been priceless.

...is not that I had a place to go for Easter dinner, although it truly was a sweet time of fellowship with both families.

...is not that they are beginning monthly international worship services that will contain a lot of English, as uplifting as it will be to have the opportunity to worship without trying to figure out what each word is.

No, what excites me the MOST about these two families already being here is that I believe God is in the process of doing something great in Pforzheim. I believe there is a reawakening of deep relationship and radical yearning for Him that is returning to Germany. I believe there is a key component Pforzheim has in the restoration that is about to come. And when I contemplate that God has against all probability called all of us here, to this city very few Americans have heard of, it affirms my belief that a new wave is coming. He is gathering the coals together to fan us into a flame.

Prayer

Because of how smoothly my transition has gone, I am very aware of how many of you are praying for me. Please keep praying! There are still a lot of challenges to navigate and a lot I need to learn!

My biggest prayer request is for a year-long visa! I entered Germany on a 90 day tourist visa, and if I don't get a longterm visa before June 17th, I have to leave the European Union for 90 days. I'm finding it difficult to put down roots when such uncertainty exists.

There are already so many ways God has cleared the path to all of the steps that have to precede this paperwork:

• the last of my documents - which had to be sent to Illinois, Mississippi, and Virginia to receive certificates of authenticity - arriving only two days before I stepped on the plane
• providing a lease on an apartment before I arrived, which allowed me to immediately begin applying for residency within the city
• improbably getting me a residency appointment at city hall within six days when it was estimated to take a month
• receiving a lead on a local court-certified translator who provided the German version of all of my official documents (14 pages) within a mere four days

He is the Way Maker, and I am so certain this visa can come within the 90 days! But please pray with me so we can rejoice together when this piece of paper arrives against all odds.

And know that I am praying for you! I am blessed by your prayers and by your partnership, and so I pray that God blesses you in turn.

With Christ's blessing,

Jil

P.S. I am so proud to be part of the Global Outreach International family. GOI is family to me, and I could not do any of this without them.

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