Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. -- Mat 9:38
Basque Harvest
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Arrival in the Basque Region!

10/29/2015

 
This last week has felt like the culmination of many months of prayers, preparation, and traveling. We have finally arrived at our mission field and we are excited about beginning our ministry here. Thank you to everyone who has helped us make it to the field. For the next few weeks we will be living at my parents' apartment while we look for our own place.
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First Sunday in the Lazkao Church

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It was a great blessing to once again be a part of the worship services at the Lazkao church this past Sunday. The two other missionary families are out of the country for a while. We will be working closely with the Dodgens these next weeks in order to keep the various ministries going.

Welcome to Euskadi (The Basque Country)

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Jordan will have many cultural adjustments as she begins to set up our home and learns about the unique culture and customs of the Basque people.
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On Thursday, Jordan's parents and sister met us in Atlanta to see us off. Though it was hard to say goodbye, we are all thankful for God leading us to serve Him in Spain.
Prayer Requests and Praises

Praise:
-Our safe and uneventful trip to Zegama.

-The generosity of our friends and sending church, and their help in getting us to the field. 

Prayer requests: 

-One of our main prayer requests these next few weeks is our search and purchase of a used car. We are doing a lot of research these days and we are finding that a used car in Europe is quite a bit more expensive than a similar car in the US. (too bad we couldn't just bring our Camry over!). If you want to find out more about the kind of car we are looking for, and the prices we are finding, go here:
 www.basqueharvest.org/car

-Diligence and focus for Jordan's Spanish studies, as well as her testimony with her English students.

Commissioning Service and Departure to Spain

10/22/2015

 

Commissioning Service at Asaville

This past Sunday we had our commissioning service at Asaville. We enjoyed a bittersweet morning and afternoon of fellowship, as we said our goodbyes. After the morning service, there was a church wide lunch. We will miss our church family very much, but we are excited about this next step God is leading us on. Our church friends continually assure us of their prayers. We truly feel blessed to have a church family that is 100% behind us as we head to Spain.
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​Departure to Spain

Jordan and I will be flying from Atlanta to Madrid this Thursday (Oct 22). We should arrive in the Basque Region by Friday afternoon. We will be staying in my parents' apartment for the next weeks (while they are on a short furlough) as we begin looking for our own place. We will be jumping right in to the ministries at the Lazkao church. I will begin preaching for one of the morning sessions starting this Sunday.

​Support Update

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We are officially at 63% of our monthly support goal! Additionally, we have had several friends express their interest in supporting us. God is providing for us in unique ways. Two or three individuals in Spain have contacted me asking for English tutoring. Jordan will be able to pick up a few of these English classes which will be a great help financially. We are both rejoicing at God's provision! He has proved Himself very faithful these past months as He has burdened family and friends to support our ministry in Spain. To God be the glory!
(click on the picture, or visit www.basqueharvest.org/get-involved for more info about contributing to our ministry).
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This past month we have been able to spend some time with our family in Panama City. ​
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Jordan sharing her testimony at church on Sunday.
Prayer Requests and Praises

Praise:
-The Lord's provision of our plane tickets, and of added teaching opportunities in Spain.

-The generosity of our church family towards our moving expenses.

Prayer requests: 

-Guidance and provision as we look for a used car when we arrive. 

-Diligence and focus for Jordan's Spanish studies, as well as her testimony with her English students.

Our Visas Arrived!

9/17/2015

 
We got some great news this week. We have our Spanish Visas in hand! We can now make definite plans for our trip to Spain. At this point, our departure goal is around October 25th. Please continue to pray for the details surrounding our deputation and travel to Spain. It is exciting to finally be nearing the time for us to begin sharing the gospel with the Basque people. Pray that even now God would be preparing hearts to receive His Word.

Support Update

We are now at 54% of our monthly support. Please pray that God will continue to burden people for the ministry in Spain. We have just over one month left before we leave. It has been encouraging to see how God has provided for us thus far. God will provide! Matthew 6:31-33.


(click on the image for more information about our support)
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Deputation Travels

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Since moving out of our apartment in August, we have been on the road. In addition to sharing our ministry in several churches, we have been able to spend some time in Florida with Jordan’s family. A few weeks ago we met with Pastor Paul Mullen and enjoyed a great morning of services at Grace Baptist Church in Warner Robins, GA. 
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Last Sunday we had a break from traveling and were able to enjoy a day at Asaville. It is always a special time being home. It will be bittersweet when we need to say goodbye to our church family next month!
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While in Florida, I spent some time working with my father-in-law in his AC business. Here I am installing spray foam insulation in a house at the beach.
Bible thought: Some of Jesus’ last recorded words are found in Mark 16:15: “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” What are you doing today to share the good news of the gospel to the lost around your home, around your country, and around the world?


Thank you very much for your prayers!

A Month of Transitions

8/13/2015

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Hello friends, the weeks are flying by towards our October departure goal!  Every week seems to bring us a step closer to Spain. This past Thursday we packed and moved out of our apartment. We will spend the next couple weeks with our family in Florida before returning to Greenville. A few of the highlights of this past month have been my ordination service at Asaville and our church meetings. Yesterday, on our way down to Florida, we were able to visit and present our ministry at Lake Russell Baptist Church in Elberton, Georgia. We had a great morning service and enjoyed making new friends there.  

People’s BC in Frederick MD.

We had an excellent weekend of services at People’s Baptist Church last month! We thoroughly enjoyed seeing our friends from past mission teams to Spain. Saturday evening we enjoyed a meal and fellowship with previous team members. On Sunday we had a full day of services. I was able to teach a Spanish Sunday School class, as well as preach and present our ministry in the morning service.

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Ordination Service at Asaville

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A few Sundays ago, I had my ordination service at our home church. It was a solemn, yet exciting time as the church leaders prayed for me and dedicated my life for the preaching of the gospel. Several of the church men gave a charge to me for my future ministry. Afterwards we had a time of prayer. 

Praises and Prayer Requests

We are now at 46% of our target support! Praise the Lord for His provision. We appreciate your prayers as we continue deputation.
-Our Visas. We are hoping to hear back soon from the Spanish Consulate.
-Upcoming church meetings in Georgia and Easley
(click on the image for more information about our support)

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Answers to Prayer!

7/7/2015

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Hello friends,

Jordan and I have several praises we would like to share with you! God has been answering your prayers. 

Trip to Spanish Consulate in Miami

After spending the 4th of July with our family in Panama City, we drove down to Miami for our appointment with the Spanish Consulate. On Monday morning we turned in our mountain of documents (see picture :)). The Lord blessed and everything was accepted without complications. Unless any issues arise, we should have our visas in plenty of time for our October departure goal. Thank you very much for your prayers for that process.

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Support Update

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Praise the Lord we have been promised about 26% of our target support budget! In the coming months we are setting up as many meetings as we can to share our burden for Spain. Please pray that the Lord would continue to lead churches and individuals to partner with us. For more information about our support progress, visit our support page.

BIO Training School

The last week of June we spent in Jefferson City, TN, with our mission board. This was their annual week-long training module for their missionaries. From Monday to Friday we enjoyed a busy schedule of teaching sessions interspersed with fellowship with other missionaries and speakers. 

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The theme was on excellence in ministry, with topics ranging from doctrinal teaching on holiness, to practical sessions on finances, health, and communication. 

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The Next Few Weeks . . .

Here are a few of our upcoming events. We would appreciate your prayers as we move closer to our departure.

July 12th Presenting our ministry at People’s Baptist Church in Frederick, Maryland.
July 19th Ordination service at Asaville Baptist Church (date changed)

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Ordination and Ministry Presentation

6/16/2015

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Hello friends!

Just wanted to give you a quick update of the past few weeks. It feels like things are beginning to pick up speed for our October departure goal. 

Ordination at Asaville

On June 2nd, I had my ordination council at Asaville BC. Pastor Drew, four other pastors, and the deacons met with me. Praise the Lord it went well. After about two hours of questioning, they gave their unanimous approval for my ordination. In two weeks there will be an ordination service at church. 

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I had the honor of having both of my grandfathers (Al Bonikowsky-left, and Flay Allen-right) at my ordination. They are both veteran missionaries, and have invested heavily in my life. 

Ministry Presentation at Asaville

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Last Sunday I was given the opportunity to preach and share our ministry plans at Asaville. Jordan and I have enjoyed getting to know our church family. We are very thankful for their warm welcome and interest in our future ministry. 

The Next Few Weeks . . .

Here are a few of our upcoming events. We would appreciate your prayers as we move closer to our departure.

June 22-June 26: We are attending a training week at our mission board (BIO) in TN. We are looking forward to instruction, preaching, and fellowship.
June 28: Ordination service at Asaville BC.
July 3- July 6: After stopping by to celebrate the 4th with Jordan's family, we will be driving down to Miami to turn in our paperwork to request our Spanish Visa. Please pray that the Lord would lead us to the right person, and that the process would go as smoothly as possible.

Also, please pray with us that the Lord would lead us to the right ministry partners over the next few months. We are confident that if we are seeking first Christ's kingdom, He will provide for everything we need.

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It's Official

5/14/2015

 

Baptist International Outreach

Hello Friends! Last Thursday we met with Pastor Drew and drove up to Jefferson City, TN for our approval meeting at Baptist International Outreach. After spending time sharing our testimonies, call to ministry, and answering questions about our mission plans, the council approved us as missionaries.
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Plans for Departure to Spain

Many missionaries spend several years on deputation in order to raise full support for their ministry. However, we believe the Lord is leading us to Spain in October. Please pray that the Lord would lead us to the right ministry partners. 

A Word About Finances

We have come up with a target budget that we are praying the Lord will provide. If our visas come through, we are taking a step of faith and moving to Spain in October. We believe this is of the Lord, and that He will be faithful to provide for us. One of my heroes of the faith, Hudson Taylor, wrote "God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply."

I plan to continue working at my construction job as much as reasonable throughout the summer and early fall. We will apply whatever support comes in during this time to our outfit and passage expenses. 

If you are interested in more information about partnering with us financially, visit our support page.

Church Plant in Urretxu

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This picture was taken at our church in Lazkao last week. For many years while growing up in the Basque Region, our small congregation would pray for 13 target cities in the surrounding area. These days we have about 15 believers who commute to our church from Urretxu, one of those target cities. One of our desires is to help this group transition into their own church ministry.

Moving Forward

4/19/2015

 
Hello Friends! Jordan and I are moving forward in our preparations for church planting in Spain. A few weeks ago we went up to Jefferson City, TN to have our formal interview with BIO (Baptist International Outreach).  We spent several hours talking, answering questions, and getting to know the mission board staff. In a few weeks we will be returning for the approval meeting. Once we are officially accepted by the mission board, we will begin raising support for our ministry in Spain. Our goal is to return to Spain this year. 

Asaville Baptist Church

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Our relationship with our home church has been a great blessing. Two weeks ago we had a special sunrise service, breakfast, and Easter Cantata celebrating Christ’s resurrection. Pastor (Uncle) Drew and his congregation have been very supportive of our preparations for Spain. We are discussing the possibility of my ordination this summer. 

Mission Board Interview

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We spent several hours talking with John Yingling, Terry Childers, and David Peach.  

Graceview Children's Church

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A few weeks ago Jordan and I had the opportunity to visit Graceview Baptist Church and teach the childrens’ church about missions.  

Prayer requests:

Our visa paperwork. The visa application process is complicated and time-consuming. We need to collect a number of documents (many of which need to be translated, notarized, apostilled etc.) within a specific timeframe.
Jordan’s Spanish studies, and well as possible TESL certification for me.
    

Thank you very much for your prayers!

Danny and Jordan

Open Doors

3/5/2015

 

Asaville Baptist Church

Since this past fall, Jordan and I have been attending and serving at Asaville Baptist Church. My Uncle Drew Martin is the pastor of this growing ministry. We recently joined the church and we look forward to how God will grow this relationship. The people have welcomed us with open arms and are supportive of our ministry goals and plans. We are thankful to have a church family to be a part of as we wait for the Lord's leading.

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Recently we met up with some of our future co-workers! We are excited about once again serving alongside Mike and Madelaine Dodgens. 

Survey Trip to Spain

12/30/2014

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Hello friends,

This month Jordan and I had the opportunity to take a brief survey trip to Spain. The main purpose of our trip was to gather information for our visa paperwork that will allow us to live in Spain. While there, I had the opportunity to talk with an English academy that sounded very interested in hiring me as a part-time teacher this coming fall.  As the Lord continues to lead us towards taking a tent making approach to mission work, we grow excited about getting to Spain much sooner and also making ministry contacts through the work at the English academy. Teaching will only provide us with part of our needed income. Over the next year, we will be praying that the Lord will provide for the remainder of the support needed to live and minister in Spain.

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Living Hope BC in Lazkao

It was a special blessing to be with the Lazkao congregation for their Friday fellowship and Sunday services. Our plan is to partner with the Lazkao church in the coming years in order to plant a daughter church in one of the surrounding cities. 

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Our ministry website is www.basqueharvest.org. If you are interested in more information about our future ministry plans, or would like to follow our journey to Spain, check it out.

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