Update

Well hello there everybody.

Just want to say that Mim and I are still together. Let that read as triumphant coz it is! I know that a lot of people thought that when a girl was finally daft enough to go out with David Beniston…that it would only last a few days well…here we are almost 6 weeks later and counting.

Don't get me wrong, it has NOT been plain sailing, I am certainly NOT an easy man to be friends with much less go out with and Mim has put up with a LOT and had to forgive a LOT. We were both given a word from 1 Corinthians 13 at the start of our relationship, the "Love keeps no record of wrong" and we've certainly had to live that one out, but God has been so great throughout it all and He has certainly been our sustainer. PLEASE DO PRAY FOR US at this formative time of our relationship. Though coping, we are both finding the long-distance really tough now and are counting down the days until we see each other again on Saturday 14th October.

I've been very blessed over the last few weeks in terms of accommodation as the Warden has let me stay in his house while he's been away on holiday. The space and freedom was just what the doctor ordered and my piano playing has certainly benefited from having a grand piano (panic not, it belongs to Lee Abbey, the Warden is not THAT highly pain!!!!) to practice on at a moment's notice. I wish I'd have had more time to enjoy it though, but with a 6.30am start and some late finishes, I guess at times it's just been "a bed" like anywhere else. Also at times, I felt under pressure (my own of course) to spend all of my spare time there e.g. not wanting to waste this gift for a single second and as always has been the case, David just does NOT do well on his own for extended periods of time.

I'm still plodding my way through in-depth prayer ministry and though intermittent, I know it's doing me the world of good. It is costly however and utilises and enormous amount of emotional energy. Please pray for me as I attempt to find a time for the next session and that I really do get through what I need to deal with, it's all big stuff but I know it needs to be done.

I hope that this newfound relationship doesn't put any of my gay friends off me, Christian and non-Christian alike who are still single. I'm still David and struggle with largely the same areas of my life I struggled with before. While I'm confident that Mim is "the one" for me and someone who will add to my ministry and all that God has planned for me (and vice-versa I'd like to think), it doesn't mean I've found "a cure" and don't need to be VERY careful with who I see, where I see them and how much time I spend with them. I covet your prayers for this also.

I hope all is well with you in your respective necks of the woods, please do drop me a line or ten when you get a spare 5 minutes…it's always very much appreciated.

Loads of love

David

P.S. Mim has agreed to come to the TfT conference so hopefully many of you will meet her there. And for my Leicestershire fans, Mim is hoping to join the Beniston clan in between Christmas and New Year for a few days…hey did you notice that? David is actually HOME for Christmas for a change!!!!! Well deck the floor with bows of holly and call me Charlie!