Frequently Asked Questions

1. When are you leaving? We have been telling people, "October, probably..." then it turned to "November-Dec timeframe..." and now we simply say: "when our support (funding) is there." We met with a German Consulate in Cincinnati recently who recommended we bring a letter proving a substantial level of funding from the U.S. in order to be approved for a VISA.
2. How long will you be there? Until the beginning of August 2008. Ken is applying for a full-time job at universities beginning in mid-August. We're open to other timing, but for now this is what we see.
3. Are you going to work while you're there? Ken will be making art. Leilani won't work as a nurse. We will be working full-time to help build up the church in Berlin. We will be joining what God is already doing in East Berlin. He has deposited in us some of His heart for the German people. Basically, He loves them so much and is saying, "the old is past, the new has come!"
4. What are you going to do, specifically? Our role seems to be one of sharing the words and dreams, encouraging the German leaders who are there long-term, and praying for the Holy Spirit to come, sparking the beginnings of His demonstration of His power to a people who have no framework for belief in God. (The majority do not know who Jesus is, eg. that Christmas has anything to do with Him!) Also, Ken's been invited by the Vineyard Church in Berlin to make art and make friends with artists in East Berlin. He has already seen how paintings can bypass the verbal language realm and communicate deeply with the viewer. We're now excited to see how God will use this gift to communicate His messages of hope and freedom through imagery and installation.
5. Will Ken teach art in the universities? Not at this time. We were very open to the idea of working in the university system, but the grants, scholarships, and job opportunities are simply not available at this stage. We anticipate that one day we will have such opportunities. For now we sense is it right to let others know of God's call to Berlin, our need for an income, and invite them to join in. Looks like God wants this one to be a "group effort!"
6. What do your kids think? Nathan says, "It'll be like reading a huge, new book! New people, new language, new surroundings, new way of doing school...I've "read" the book on America, and now it's time to start another." Jesse has been hesitant to leave his pets and friends, although last week he was brainstorming ways to make money so we could leave. Evan enjoys the bits of German he's learned and really liked the chocolate we brought back. For almost 6 months he's been expectantly asking when he will get to go to a German school.
7. I give a tithe and offering to my local church. Why should I give money to you? We found a great article by the Navigators called "4 Myths about Giving." See what you think! http://www.navpress.com/EPubs/DisplayArticle/1/1.88.8.html
8. Why Berlin? Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." We were initially a bit baffled when it seemed that God was highlighting Germany. After all, Ken is nearly fluent in Spanish and we have a built-in love for latin culture after living in Miami, FL for several years. However, it became clear through our dreams, prophetic words from others, and our own prayer times that God was giving us a heart for Germany; more specifically, East Berlin. After our 9-day trip in Sept it's now clear that we love the people and have a purpose for being there. (see #5 above!)

A Real Blog

Hello, friends. Ken and I are back in the States...and reconnected to the internet. Note to selves: never leave home (the country) without a laptop. Our team leaders kept up a wonderful blog about the week's events in Berlin. We hope you enjoy it!http://web.mac.com/jody_nixon/iWeb/Berlin%202007/Berlin%20Intro.html

Departure Countdown

It's Saturday...and we leave on Monday. My mind is spinning...laundry, soccer games, packing, taking Airborne, maps, instructions for the boys, cleaning for the potential renters tomorrow night, getting the word out that a window to move has opened (and we need money and pledges to move). Copying health records, passports; insurance and bank set up for Germany; art and university contacts in Berlin. Still looking for a map. Printing gallery packages, fixing siding, taking vocab quizes...and did I mention the bamboo in our back yard? "Do not worry about your life...But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Mt. 6:25, 33) Thank you, Jesus, for teaching the people that day, and for reminding them to write down your words, so I could be reminded today. Praying for the church there/our group going, turning my mind toward loving God, choreographing prophetic worship dances for the kids we'll meet at the Kinderfest next week, asking God to come...here, there, in us, in them. ---Leilani

how dreams become reality: sensing God's plans to bring freedom to the German people

We are excited to finally "broadcast" the vision with which God has entrusted us! Many of you who know us may be surprised to find out exactly how we arrived at the point where we are ready to walk away from our home and lives in Oxford, Ohio, and spend almost a year in Berlin, Germany. Let's just say that we were surprised, too, when we first sensed that He wanted to send us to a place that we associated with words like: "holocaust", "cold", "stern", "depressing"... and so on. He's already changed our hearts as we read the promises He's saying are specifically for them. Tune-in to our next blog and hear about some of our recent dreams and visions. We feel honored to have a glimpse of what we think He may be doing in wonderful Deutschland, and have much to share...