Ministry Updates 2 comments

Great news

By on August 10th, 2012

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thought.” Isa. 55:9

In August 2011 I left Spain to apply for a visa in the US. The visa would allow me to take up residence in Spain as a missionary. My plan was to stay in the US for the five months or so it would take for paperwork to go through, and my goal was to be back in Spain by that December. Now I’m in August 2012, and despite my strongest efforts I am still the States after a year. During this year the Lord has taught me much about trusting His timing. James 1:4-6 has become probably the most important passage in my life.

But, in His wisdom, God seems to be ready for me to return to Spain. This month I received a call from the Spanish embassy telling me that my visa has arrived. Lord willing, I drive to Miami next week with my brother Danny to pick it up. After that, I hope to fly back to Spain as soon as possible. I want to leave as soon as the flight season slows down.

Once I arrive in Spain, my goal is to immediately be involved in the ministry of the church in Irun. I hope to help lighten responsibilities for my grandfather Al Bonikowsky by preaching on Sundays & leading the youth group, etc. Please pray that God would continue to strengthen my own character as I move into greater responsibility.

Stateside, this month has been especially exciting. I spent a week counseling teens at Camp Challenge in Alaska. It was a thrill to be closely involved in young people’s lives once again, if only for a short time. And it was refreshing to see the Lord make real changes in young people’s lives. Please pray for one of the young men there. I had the opportunity to spend some good time talking with him, and I’m praying for God to work miracles in his life. The Lord gave me many new friendships in Alaska. I’m especially grateful to Brian and Josslyn Graham for their hospitality while I was there.

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Camp Challenge

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a great group of guys…

I’ve been able to enjoy spending much more time with my family, now that they are on furlough. We have had some awesome times with the whole family together once again, and I am so grateful for that. God has blessed me with a family that seems closer to perfect than any I’ve ever known.

20120729Also featured: Ethan Johnk, my sister’s fiancée

I have two specific prayer requests for which I’d greatly appreciate your attention. Please continue to pray for my friend Zack here in Greenville. He desperately needs the Holy Spirit’s work of salvation. Pray that God will allow my last few weeks in the US to be impacting.

IMAG0617Roofing co-workers

Also, please pray that God would continue to move my web design venture forward. I plan to finish a brochure with more information to send out soon. But for now, please pray with me for the Lord’s guidance and assistance. I believe God has given me a skill set to be used in a vocation to support my primary goal of fulfilling the Great Commission in Spain. One of my goals for my stay in the US was to see whether God wanted me to focus on web design as a trade. Business has been increasing lately, and I believe He wants me to continue with this focus. I think of Paul, who was first and foremost a missionary, but he was also a tentmaker by trade when financial needs arose.  Again, I hope to send out some more information soon.

As always, thank you so much for your prayer. It is invaluable.

God bless,
David
Ps. 34:3

Ministry Updates 2 comments

Alaska Trip

By on July 10th, 2012

The Lord opened up an unexpected opportunity very recently. I received a phone call from Camp Challenge (a camp outside Fairbanks, Alaska) asking whether I’d be willing and available to come and counsel at their upcoming teen camp. I explained that would love to do it. I wasn’t sure for a while whether I’d be able to afford the trip out, but God provided buddy passes for my flights. So I’m actually writing this from Alaska, as I get ready for camp next week.

imageAlaska, where it’s still bright outside at 11!

I hope to send out another update after camp is done including pictures and an account of what the Lord has accomplished. But for the meantime, I ask for your prayers that God would pour out His blessing this week, and give me wisdom as I invest time in the teens He gives me. I’m very excited to see what the Lord does.
This past Sunday I was was at Hamilton Acres Baptist Church here in Fairbanks, where I had the chance to meet Pastor Bruce Hamilton. The church owns and operates Camp Challenge.

imageHamilton Acres Baptist Church

Another update on my visa situation. One of the documents I took with me to Miami in May was rejected, and my grandfather and I had to go through a long process to get the right papers to replace it. However, it is all (hopefully) straightened out now, and it seems the end is finally in sight as far as getting my visa approved. I’m hoping to report soon that I’m going back to Miami to finally have my visa in hand. After that I hope to be back in Spain again, where I can start helping full-time at the church in Irun. I keep being reminded that God’s schedule for my life is often times very different from mine, and it has been encouraging to see Him work out recent details that once again show He is in perfect control over my circumstances. Recently some dear friends sent me a very generous financial gift. It was very timely and a huge blessing. It is always so encouraging to see the Lord provide for His children.

My parents recently returned to the US on furlough, and it has been a huge blessing to be with them again. I’m looking forward to spending time with my family while they are here.

Thank you as always for your prayers. I’m very excited to see what the Lord does this coming week at camp. Just like Paul begged the Thessalonians, “Brethren, pray for us!”

David
Ps. 34:3

IMAG0716My new Alaskan friend Christina!