| Dear friends, |
| During this season of remembering and celebrating Jesus coming in human form to save mankind, we also take time to look back over this year of 2023, to remember and celebrate all the “great things He has done for us” (Ps 126:3). Here are a few highlights of our year: |
January
| Bonding with the SFC family of workers at annual SFC Prayer Weekend in Helsinki, Finland, remembering God-given opportunities, reporting on mission across the continent, retooling focused prayer for student ministry, reviewing the non-profit association, returning to our geographical stations of ministry refueled for the next year |
February
Reconnection with long-time student ministry colleagues Curt & Sara Hobbs in Sarajevo and a new connection with a Bosnian pastoral leader to reflect on partnering with the national church in reaching students with the gospel
March
Serving the student ministry groups and local church on Reunion Island through preaching, teaching and leadership training
April
Celebration of our son David’s graduation from university in Waxahachie, Texas
May
Discovering student ministry needs and collaborative possibilities in French-speaking Canada and beyond
June
Helping to launch a new student ministry partnership between SFC Albania and Tulsa Chi Alpha from Oklahoma, USA
July
Annual SFC-Europe CONNECT training conference near Cologne, Germany
August
Family vacay time with stops in Switzerland, Italy and France, along with student ministry colleague meet-ups
September
Coaching and preaching at New Hope International church in Espoo, Finland
October
Family visit and teaching on secularism in N. Africa
November
Hosting CONNECT ’24 planning weekend with colleagues who are all-in regarding the vision of student ministry in Europe
December
European Union Prayer Breakfast, in Brussels, Belgium, promoting prayer, Christian fellowship, and like-minded service in the halls of European power
Also thankful to celebrate 35 years of life together this December.God has been good, indeed!
As we look to 2024, we ask you to please pray that we would discern direction from the Lord in these areas:
- Josiah’s future plans as he finishes his high school credits this year,
- new and varied ministry opportunities & invitations,
- the continued transition of leadership for SFC-Europe,
- a shortened itineration time of travel in the spring/summer of 2024.
Thank you for your prayer and support that have carried us through these open doors of ministry as well as grieving the recent loss of Dina’s mom. Even in our moments of sorrow and loss, we have experienced first hand how the Lord is near to the broken-hearted, and for this, we are also grateful.
We pray that you may also experience EMMANUEL – God with us – during this season of Christmastide and into the new year.
Joyeux Noël & Bonne Année 2024!
With much love and appreciation,
Blair, Dina and Josiah Bonin