5/8/2022

Hello Friends,

A few updates and prayer requests  for this week.

UNITED AWAKENING BAPTIST CHURCH (Congolese) – After not being able to visit with this church since January I spent the day with them last Sunday. It was a great celebration of ordination of an associate pastor for the church.  Other churches in this network came and we celebrated with choirs, scripture, preaching and prayer.  PRAY for this growing congregation to grow deep in their faith and to be a bright light into the Congolese community in Knoxville.  Congolese are the largest group of refugees to be resettled into our county this year. PRAY for the provision of a van in good condition as the few people who have a car in the church make multiple trips to bring people to church and then again to take them home after the service.  This is an urgent and great need for growth of the church. PRAY for people who are willing to be a part of an English Language Learners program we want to start with the church. We need teachers, assistant teachers, and childcare workers.

BRIDGE REFUGEE SERVICES – resettle refugees coming into the States in the cities of Knoxville and Chattanooga. They are a non-profit but receive government funding. Their current Executive Director has announced her retirement.  We ask that you PRAY fervently for the selection of a new Executive Director.  ASK God for someone who is a strong believer to be selected.  The current, soon to be retiring Ex Dir, has made some guidelines that limits the involvement of believers and the church through their organization. We are engaging refugees in other ways. We want to do more in their first days of arrival and to work more easily with the organization.   Thank you for joining us in this prayer.

KCAB – PRAY for the work of our associational staff as we seek to know how to best serve our churches to further God’s Kingdom in this place. PRAY for wisdom as we seek to be sure we have God’s vision for today and for the future. PRAY for Spiritual Awakening in Knox County and beyond. I am trying to re-vision and seek better avenues or ways for the work God has called me to here. Please PRAY for me to put aside distractions, seek God fully and hear from Him about the future and His work here.

EMERITI M RETREAT – I will fly to Orlando on Monday, May 16th.  I have a few days of free time to enjoy the city and visit my niece & her family. On Wednesday afternoon I will join other Emeritus  Ms for a retreat. I am so looking forward to time with my mission family and catching up.  PRAY for this time together.

KATIE – Update – They have diagnosed her cancer as Aggressive B Cell Lymphoma.  She has received her first chemo treatment.  PRAY that the treatment will bring complete remission.  PRAY that her body tolerates the treatment.  PRAY for her husband, Jeremy, their 3 boys, and the extended family caring for them on this journey.

WHITNEY – update from last week – They discovered the infection to be at the site where they removed the brain tumor.  They cleaned it out and closed the site again.  She went home for a night but had to return to the hospital last night.  PRAY for healing, strength and peace. PRAY for her medical team to have wisdom and insight for the right treatment. PRAY for husband Travis, 2 teenage daughters and extended family.

FOOT UPDATE – Last Thursday I saw my surgeon again.  He was very pleased with the progress of healing.  I am now wearing regular shoes (he said no shoes from Walmart : ) and need good support). I  can also drive again. I have gained a new appreciation for the ability and freedom to walk and drive. This is 2 weeks earlier that the original plan.  There is still some healing to be completed to be 100% but it is close. There is a bit of pain/soreness and swelling with walking on it. That should improve with each day of walking and PT. Thank you, my friends, for supporting me on the journey.

Thank you for your prayers and support for the ministry and for me personally.  Please let me know how I can pray for you.

 

Bonita

 

GIVING – if you would like to make a gift toward salary or ministry needs, please see the info below. Your financial support allows me to continue to be On Mission in Knoxville. THANK YOU!! Financial gifts for support of salary or ministry budget may be sent through one of the following ways.

On website at https://www.kcab.org/

OR

VENMO – @KCAB21

OR

Knox County Association of Baptists

For Nations & Neighbors

  1. O. Box 11028

Knoxville, TN 37939

April 30, 2022

Dear Friends,

The Lord is gracious and good all the time!  Some days are easy to celebrate, and others are challenging. In all things we praise Him and trust His work for those who love Him and seek to follow Him.  I pray that each of you will know the Lord in a personal relationship and His goodness in your life.

MINISTRY UPDATE

MINISTERING TO REFUGEES – This lunch meeting was this past Thursday.  Our presenters did a great job of sharing vision, updates, practical ways to engage & minister, and resources.  We had 34 persons from 19 churches/organizations.  Pray for more engagement, expanding networks and more churches to get involved in ministering to the nations among us.

HISPANIC ENGLISH LANGUAGE CLASSES – We have one more teaching class this Wednesday night and then on May 18th a family night of celebration to close out this year.  Pray for this special time and that we can continue to share the love of Christ and encourage our students and their families.

MEETING WITH CHURCHES – I continue to have many opportunities to meet with leaders (paid and lay) from our churches to do demographic studies, consider strategies for reaching their community, encouragement, and training. Pray for God to bless these times for the growth of His people and His Kingdom. Ask that I might have wisdom as I work with them and plan other ministries to assist our churches in the future.

TRAVEL

MAY 16-21 – I will be flying to Orlando for an Emeriti ‘M’ Retreat on 18th-21st.  I am going a little early to visit with family in the area.  Ask that this time will be a time of fun with family and friends.  Ask that the time with former co-workers will be filled with good re-connections, hearing updates from around the world and inspiration for continuing to reach the lost wherever God puts us.

SPECIAL PRAYER REQUESTS

I know that each of you have those who are important in your family, friends and co-workers that are facing challenges. In the last couple of weeks several of these in my life are facing great challenges.  I ask your prayers for each one listed below.  If you have those in your life, please email and I will be glad to pray for them.

Whitney – a friend and wife of co-worker was recently diagnosed with glioblastoma.  This weekend she is in the hospital with an infection that is yet to be discovered where it is coming from.  Please pray for the discovery of the location and type of infection, treatment and quick resolve. Pray for the treatment and journey with Glioblastoma.  Whitney is married to Travis and has 2 teenage daughters

Katie- a friend whose family has been great supporters and close friends for most of my time as an M.  I met her and her husband when they teenagers. Now married with 3 young boys they are faithful servants. This week she was diagnosed with cancer.  Tests are still being run to discover the specifics needed to determine treatment.  We do know it is very serious.  Please pray for answers from tests, development of an effective treatment, peace of heart and mind in the midst of the unknown and for her family.

Co-workers – 3 former co-workers from my overseas company I retired from have entered hospice this week.  Dan, Doug and Bill.

 

SURGERY UPDATE – Things have progressed well.  Last Tuesday my PT doctor said I had met all the protocols for full weight bearing without the assistance of a walker or scooter if I had my boot on. I am walking on my own 2 feet if the right one is in a boot. YEAH!!! This is ahead of schedule.  Thank you for your continued prayers.  I will be going back to the surgeon this Thursday, May 5. At that time, I hope to discover how much longer I have to wear the boot and when I can begin to walk without it which means to also driving myself again.

Thank you for your continued partnership in His work.

 

Bonita Wilson

GIVING – if you would like to make a gift toward salary or ministry needs, please see the info below. Your financial support allows me to continue to be On Mission in Knoxville. THANK YOU!! Financial gifts for support of salary or ministry budget may be sent thru one of the following ways.

On website at https://www.kcab.org/

OR

VENMO – @KCAB21

OR

Knox County Association of Baptists

For Nations & Neighbors

  1. O. Box 11028

Knoxville, TN 37939