New Host Family in Germany, The One Week Rule, and more!
February 2026 Newsletter
Hey everyone!
Welcome to the very first edition of our monthly newsletter. If you missed it, check out this piece we shared last week that explains what we’re up to. This space is all about pulling back the curtain on what’s happening in the Cross Exchange community. This month, we have a new host in Germany and a practical tip to make work exchanges smoother for everyone.
Let’s dive in!
Host Spotlight: Faith, Family, and Royal Rangers in Germany 🇩🇪
This month, we are thrilled to highlight our newest host! Located in a peaceful village near Limburg an der Lahn, this lively family of five (with three boys aged 11 to 15) is the perfect example of what it means to “share life” through Cross Exchange
The Atmosphere:
Their home is down-to-earth, full of humor, and deeply shaped by faith. They love games, music, laughter, and play!
What they’re looking for:
English Mentorship: The boys would love a traveler who can help make learning English fun and relational rather than a chore.
Hands-on Help: If you enjoy gardening, playing with cats, or small hands-on projects around the house, you’ll fit right in.
Royal Rangers: One parent is a leader in the Royal Rangers (think Christian scouting!). If you love the outdoors, teamwork, and being a role model for teens, there’s likely a place for you to jump in.
The Experience:
You’ll have your own private room to retreat to, but you’ll also be included as part of the family at the dinner table. They are looking for a student or young adult who shares their passion for Jesus and wants a real family connection, not just a place to sleep.
Curious about this stay? Log in to Cross Exchange to view and message all of our hosts!
Pro-Tip: The One Week Rule
By Trent Sikute
Committing to stay for multiple months (or welcoming a traveler for that long) can feel like a huge leap of faith. Even with proper due diligence, it can be hard to know if both parties will mesh well.
Our Recommendation: Agree to a “Trial Period.”
Before you lock in a long-term exchange, suggest a one-week trial period. Think of it as the “first date” of a work exchange. It gives both parties an easy off-ramp if the vibe isn’t right, and it takes the pressure off everyone. If the volunteer and host are both happy, you can extend the stay seamlessly. And if it isn’t a good fit, you have an easy way to address a challenging conversation.
I did this a few times during my travels, and even though I never had an issue where the off-ramp was needed, it was good to have just in case!
- Trent
A Note from Acts: Kingdom Connections
The Cross Exchange ethos is written all over the early church. In Acts 18, we meet Priscilla and Aquila—a couple who opened their home and their lives to a traveler named Paul. What started as a shared trade (tentmaking) quickly turned into a deep partnership for the Gospel.
That’s exactly the kind of Kingdom work we’re seeing through Cross Exchange today. Whether you’re welcoming a traveler into your home or tutoring English in a remote village, you’re stepping into the same kind of Spirit-led rhythms that defined the early church.
Like Priscilla and Aquila, our hosts are opening their doors to let the word of God increase, and like Paul, our travelers are finding that the best way to share the love of Jesus is through real, everyday relationships.
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2:46-27 (NIV)
Spread the Word
Cross Exchange is growing! We’re grateful that an increasing number of people are finding this platform through Google and AI searches. But, we don’t have a big marketing budget, so we grow when you tell your friends, your family, and that adventurous cousin about what we’re doing.
If you know someone who might be interested, would you forward this email to them? Every share helps our goal of connecting the global body of Christ.
Explore, Serve, Grow,
Trent & Bethany