Notes
Mike is joined by guests Joel and Kate Damon for a candid update on their journey preparing to move to Berlin as international workers with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. The episode centers around their experiences at the Alliance Council gathering and the support and sense of belonging they found within the Alliance community. Joel and Kate discuss how their appearance, including visible tattoos, helps them connect with people who might not feel represented in traditional church spaces, and how this has opened up meaningful conversations and opportunities for ministry.
The conversation also delves into the practical realities and emotions of preparing for a major cross-cultural transition. Joel and Kate share about building new partnerships with churches, navigating the fundraising process, the logistics of packing up their home, and the bittersweet nature of saying goodbye to friends and family. They offer honest reflections on managing stress, maintaining patience with each other, and finding peace in the midst of uncertainty. The episode wraps up with advice for others embarking on similar journeys, emphasizing the importance of community, open communication, and embracing paradox — the "yay ducks" and "yuck ducks" (pair of ducks!) — of cross-cultural transition.
Links:
Resources from this episode:
Videos and other traXcultures resources.
Follow Joel and Kate on Instagram: @joelandkateinberlin
Use this link to purchase the Cross-Cultural Transitions Handbook
Contact Envision Berlin about customizing the Cross-Cultural Transitions Handbook for your cross-cultural ministry organization.
Credits:
Regular Theme music by Mike Picconatto
traxcultures is recorded and produced by Envision Berlin
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Chapters
(00:00:00) - You're Now an International Worker!(00:04:49) - Unexpected Connection Through Faith(00:08:33) - Art Partnership with a Wyoming Church(00:11:31) - Hanging Out!(00:16:32) - Empracing Change and New Beginnings(00:19:17) - Fundraising Anxiety(00:22:39) - Podcast as Pre-Trip Resource(00:26:36) - "Future Joel"(00:27:46) - Embracing Life's Paradox

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