David's found lurrrrrrrv...and THIS time, it's reciprocated!

Dear All

Well, there is a big piece of exciting news before I fill you in on the rest of what’s been happening!

I now have a girlfriend! I hope that for those of you who know me really well this will equally exciting for you as it is for me! Her name is Miriam but everyone refers to her as Mim. She is 20 years old and about to embark on her third and final year at Aberystwyth University in Information & Librarian Studies. After this, she hopes to stick around Aber for a while as she has a great church and good network of support.

Mim first came to community as a summer worker in 2004 about 3 weeks after I did. She also came back last year as a summer worker and again this year (so unfortunately she’s leaving Lee Abbey on Monday!). I’ve probably asked her out at least once every year...but the important thing is...we’ve known each other for over two years and have a great friendship to base our relationship on.

We actually fell in love (well I did at least) during being on Host Team this year. I was leading it and although Mim wasn’t my co-leader, she really did hold the week together as far as I was concerned. It was my third “Roger Jones week” and this year it was Jail BREAK, but more about that in a mo.

It wasn’t a decision we rushed into and actually, it took 10 days for us to make that all-important decision as we both wanted to absolutely sure it was God’s will for us. We also wanted to be “by-the-book” as far as our developing relationship was conducted in publics and so we both “tired” (Mim more successfully than I) to not tell anyone about what “might” happen until we knew for sure and as soon as we did know, we booked an appointment to see the Warden (standard procedure for community relations at lee Abbey).

Anyway, so that’s the biggie. My family seem to be rather happy for me if a little shocked at first, but we’re not rushing into anything and we’re going to take it one day at a time especially given the fact that she lives 8 hours drive/train-drive away from Lee Abbey.

Anyways…The Roger Jones Houseparty went as well as can be expected but I did find the whole leading of it rather stressful. It was a relentless 8-day marathon and all in all most days worked out as an 8.00am start with a 12.00am finish! Despite my vowing not to audition for any solo parts this year (given the fact I had other things I needed to concentrate on) I ended up singing in at least 3 songs. Even though I had an increasingly soar throat throughout the week, I’m assured it went rather well and Roger and the CMM team were MORE than encouraging about my “performance” for want of a better word.

It was also great to catch up with Sally (Roger’s daughter who used to live on community and be a part of our Youth & Children’s Team) as well as other friends I have made from being on previous Roger Jones weeks. All in all an affirming if not challenging experience which I sure God will use in the future.

I should probably end it there before I waffle on any more.

Love to you all - Davio

Oh Happy Day....oh happy daaaaaaay

Hi Everyone,

I have been asked to not write a “depressing post” again. Well, good news…I hope this will be a cheery read!

Yesterday was the last day of an 8-day Host Team. It has flown by but has not been plain sailing. I had an absolutely excellent team – the friendships which I thought would be strained by the amount of time we would spend together actually seem even closer & deeper than they were before!

The week was of course “Jail Break” a Roger Jones musical which he presented and led with the help of his team. Whenever these wonderful people return to Lee Abbey, it’s always a joy and a privilege for me to work alongside them and they really are like friends to me.

Since I was leading the week (and my co-leader had only ever been on one Host Team before) I vowed I would not audition for any solo parts and might consider joining in with the choir if I had chance…well that lasted all of 5 minutes. My team encouraged me to audition and it clearly meant a lot to Roger that I did so…I did. I got a solo in 3 different songs (most of you will know that Roger Jones’ week “David” was my first Host Team, and that I rejoined the crew for last year’s musical “Angel Voices”) it seems like I sing more and more each year!

In the end, my very soar throat just about managed to pull off what was needed from me, but I resigned myself to the fact that it was for God’s glory, so whether or not I was happy with my “performance” was irrelevant, since for me it was an act of worship. Anyway, I’m told it went well, so I will graciously take onboard people’s comments and not always see the negative in what I do…or at least, I will try!!!!!

Singing in front of many people (not least those with whom I live and work and can’t escape from) was however the least of my worries this week. Trying to balance the expectations of some disappointed guests juxtaposed to what the guest speakers were expecting, alongside trying not to ask too much of community too often; proved one of the most difficult juggling acts I’ve tried to do during my time at Lee Abbey. In fact, mid-way through the week, I really did feel that whatever I said or decided to do really did offend at least one person. My team rallied me on though and some of our prayer sessions were unforgettable.

This will definitely be a week to remember for many reasons, not least since I’ve been asked by CMM (Christian Music Ministries) to consider keeping in touch with them for other singing opportunities in the future. Certainly auditioning as an understudy is something that seemed to be laid on my heart as the week went on.

This of course must be kept in perspective and set alongside the fact I’ve just heard back from the man I wrote to at London School of Theology. He seemed extremely encouraging not least in that he said that in many spheres, an NVQ 3 (albeit in hairdressing) is often considered to be the equivalent of an A-Level!!!!). Quite simply though, it was suggested that I try and arrange a day where I can have an “informal interview” and a good look around the place. Given the shear cost of being educated there, I’m leaning heavily towards the idea of just enrolling for a one-year course and seeing how I get on. All in all though, this is simply another step towards the door, whilst it may have opened a little, I still need to fully explore it before I can make any firm decisions!

Whilst returning to Lee Abbey’s severely altered leadership structure (what with so many of our key folks having left), I was worried I wouldn’t be able to carry on in my current role…but it seems everyone has pulled together and God has prompted several shifts in the way our leadership structure works. Holes seem to have been plugged permanently and things are looking hopeful. I will try and make sure that my former Centre Manager’s way or doing things and his standards are not lost simply because he isn’t here to check up on me!

All in all I feel God is continuing to draw out different gifts and passions that I have, I can get gloomy and downcast (as only David Beniston can) when I think I have too many choices, desires and directions and I wish I had a more concrete idea of which one to pursue, but I know that for now at least, I’m being used in God’s Kingdom, and times such as these are never wasted. Living on a Christian community is likely to be something that many people will never get the chance to do, and something that I may never be able to do again. So really, what can I feel except that it’s a privilege to be where I am!

Friendships seem to be good at the moment, both in and outside of Lee Abbey. Since driving home at least twice now, I’m increasingly confident in Gladys and her ability to carry me to all corners of the UK so if all goes well, I might be able to visit a few more of my other friends.

Please feel free to write, or e-mail, I’m much better at returning correspondence than starting it!

With lots of love to you all

Bye for now.