Greetings from Deutschland

Greek for Dinner in Berlin

(updated 4:30 ECT) We have made it safely to Berlin. We unfortunately were not able to sleep on the plane rides from D.C. To Brussels, or from there to here.   While in Belgium, Keli and i had Belgian waffles - in Belgium :)

We were greeted by Patrick & Jamie Nachtigall at the Berlin airport after the easiest transition/arrival into an international airport that we have ever had.  They took us from northwest Berlin to the southwest to their home.  There, Zach and Audrey (who arrived on Monday) were waiting for us--it was a great reunion with them.  The Nachtigall's home is great and is also serving also as our meeting center for the 3W Team meeting.  Grace has been in her room working on homework -- it is helpful that she can't really talk to anyone until late at night due to the 7 hour time difference.

Last night, after our arrival, we attempted some brief rest before a wonderful team dinner at a great Greek restaurant near the homes of the Phillips and Varners.  We were glad to see them again, as well as the Simpsons who came in from Bulgaria not long after we arrived.  We took a train from the Nachtigall's home toward downtown where the Phillips and Varners live--a short bus ride finished the commute, before we all met up and walked a few blocks to the restaurant.  After a wonderful meal, we went back and got a glimpse of the apartments.

The commute back had to be early to be sure that Marco (Patrick & Jamie's son) had to get to bed as he had school this morning.  This was actually good for us, though we would have loved to interact longer with our teammates, but we were fading fast after too many hours without sleep.  We held on long enough for a brief Skype call to the boys, before falling into a deep & much needed sleep last night. For the moment, we appear to be on schedule here on Central European Time, but we'll see how long that lasts ;)

We have finished meetings today, and will soon have a cookout dinner together, continuing our bonding and mutual encouragement as teammates.  I hope to take more pics as the days go on so that we can give you a glimpse of Berlin and the team interactions.  Of course, all of this is just leading up to the bigger, important journey to Egypt Friday morning

thank you for your continuing prayers on our behalf...