Thursday, December 09, 2010

Fall Festival


Our church has a local outreach we do in the community, and we had a blast w/ the kids and many others who came! Look how warm we were. :-) Gotta love SC weather!
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Sheriff Caleb


Watch out! I'm comin' to get you!
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Guess how many M&M's?


Can you guess how many? Caleb guessed 50--so daddy just added a zero to it. At the end of the night...guess who was the closest? We were! There were 490 M&M's... Needless to say, we're still working on those M&M's these days. Don't want to overdo it now. :-)
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Saturday, November 20, 2010

Another church closer

Our trip to New York last month was a wonderful time for us as we saw Becky's relatives as well as Ben's, and we were able to visit with all of our grandmothers and Ben's one living grandfather. It was a very special time for us to reconnect with family.
This is Ben's paternal Grandmother (Bacheller). We don't have pictures with Becky's grandmothers or Ben's other grandparents because we had misplaced our camera at the time.

During our visit, we were able to visit two churches and share about our ministry in Brazil. One has committed to financially being a part of what God is doing in Brazil, the other is interested in hearing more about what God is doing there. Please pray for God to continue increasing the number of those who will commit to seeing God fulfill His work among the Brazilian people in spreading them around the world as missionaries. Thank you for your partnership in the gospel!

Ben, Becky, & the boys.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Fun at the zoo

We went to the zoo on Saturday and had a blast walking around, seeing all the animals. I (Ben) love the way this picture turned out (I had the settings wrong--too much light), but I love the way the colors turned out, and just the look and feel of it. Of course, I took it again with the right settings, but Caleb wouldn't cooperate with such a great smile the second time around.
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Rudolph already?


I've been hunting already this season, but I just can't seem to find the deer. :-) Then we visited Numpa in NY and met Rudolph. Caleb and Samuel loved meeting him!
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Saturday, October 30, 2010

October Prayer Letter

For those of you who don't get this by email. Please pray with us! Thanks for your partnership in the gospel!
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Monday, September 20, 2010

Labor Day in NY




















Caleb, Samuel and I (Becky) were able to go to see Nana and Numpa in NY a few weeks ago. We also saw Aunt Erica, Uncle Josh and Stephanie. We had a wonderful time in the cold weather horse back riding, playin with the dogs, going for walks, blueberry picking and fishing. It was a wonderful weekend to be together, we were only sad Ben had to stay in SC.
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Saturday, September 18, 2010

Camping in NC!


We went camping with our church family last weekend in Pisgah National Forest, NC. What a wonderful time! Who cares that it rained most of the time...we put up some tarps for a roof and played games, ate good food, and had a grand ol' "wet" time!
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Mommy

This picture says it all. Samuel really loves his mommy. It's such a wonderful thing to hold a baby (though he's quite large) in your arms, and even more special when that baby holds to you like Samuel did in this picture, it's a reminder to us of the privilege and responsibility to raise our kids in and for the Lord. They are his, we just get them for a time.
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Our Cat Bela

Sometimes you just have to sit back and relax, ya know? Our cat, Bela, has been teaching us a few lessons in this area. She can be pretty feisty, but she sure does know how to relax. I walked out the door today to change the car oil and she was across the street just sitting there by the mailboxes. I guess she's found a new spot to relax...well, as long as nobody checks their mail. :-)
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Samuel & Ben

This was a couple of weeks ago when Ben wasn't feeling well. Samuel has a way of lifting one's spirit with his beautiful smile and cute laugh.
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Engouragement


Our church has begun the 40 days of prayer and fasting for us and several other missionaries trying to raise support to get to the field for the first time. It has been so encouraging to have the support of our church body and so many of you who have committed to praying for God to move in people’s hearts and get us to Brazil. God is showing His faithfulness and His plans to us, keeping us focused on the goal He has called us to: equipping and sending Brazilian missionaries. Jesus told His Church to ask the Lord to send laborers into the harvest…we are ready to go to the Harvest; now, may His Church ask for us to GET to the harvest! Right now we are waiting on God’s  timing. Will you continue to pray that God would make this time soon? We often hear from our Brazilian brothers and sisters: “So, when are you guys coming for good? ” And we have to answer that we wish could have been there yesterday, but we are waiting for the Lord to use His Church to provide the way.

Not only have people been praying for our support to come in but also for our personal needs.  You may remember that around this time two years ago Becky was using a wheel-chair due to the inflammation and pain in her hips as a result of Caleb’s birth. We didn’t know if she would fully recover, and the doctors said she’d likely never run again, and possibly not be able to have any more children. Well, guess what? You all know that Samuel was born in March of this year, and only a couple of evenings ago, Becky and I went for a jog! Yes, you read that right: a JOG! Becky can do a slow jog with me and not hurt during the run OR afterwards! Folks, this is amazing! We asked God to heal Becky, and we asked God to allow her to run again, and He’s answering our/your prayers! We are so thankful for your continual intercession on our behalf as we trust God and wait on Him.

So as we ready ourselves for the task, let us all keep focused: Christ’s NAME to the nations is our goal!

Friday, September 10, 2010

Vacation in TN. Back in August we went to Fairhaven Ministries in TN and had a very refreshing time as a family and with the Lord. Here are some beautiful scenes.
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Monday, September 06, 2010

RADICAL faith

Are YOU a radical? No, really, ARE you? I'm more and more convinced that you and I both should be quite RADICAL...that is, if we follow Christ like he expects us to. Radical in the sense that we are so different than the world around us that others will see us as a radical people. You see, if we really begin to read Jesus' word for what they are (truth), and not just a story or history, and if we actually listen to the Holy Spirit when he talks to us, God just might get ahold of our hearts and show us what it really means to follow Him.

So, why do we not follow Jesus? Why do we settle for the American Dream, as if it were synchronous with Christianity? Well, for many reasons, I believe. But I believe the biggest reason is comfort. We have come to believe that if we go to church, read our Bibles, work hard and honestly, and are "good people", we're good to go. Doesn't that make sense? God would not call each of us to a life of risk. We say: "The safest place to be is in the center of God's will." We think, "If it's dangerous, God must not be in it. If it's risky, if it's unsafe, if it's costly, it must not be God's will." This is how most western Christians think...and in fact, we have manipulated the gospel to fit our cultural preferences.

So, let me ask you a question: When's the last time you read Matthew 10:16-39?
Jesus was speaking to his disciples then, and to us today, saying:
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.
“But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; and you
will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
“But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that
hour what you are to say. “For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause
them to be put to death. “You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to
the end who will be saved.


So, Jesus said that HE was sending us out into the world as sheep (helpless animals, quite stupid, actually),
and that there would be wolves all around us (those wanting to devour and kill us). And Jesus says that we
Christians will be handed over to courts and they will scourge us...and that we'll be a testimony to the people.
So, my question for you, and for myself, is: if we are not suffering some form of persecution due to our faith,
does that mean that we're not really LIVING our faith? You see, there's so much more to this reality of
suffering for Christ's name...look at a few passages: Da 12:12, 13; Mt 24:9, 13; Mk 13:13; Lk 21:17, 19; Jn
12:12, 13, 15:18, 19, 20, 21; Heb 3:6; Jas 5:11; Re 2:10. Some of these deal with the end times, some of
them deal with now, today. So, it seems Jesus expects us to suffer IF we're following him.

When's the last time YOU suffered for your faith? Maybe it's simply ridicule, or maybe more. A friend of ours was killed in Afghanistan a few weeks ago because she was a Christian (one of the aid workers). She was
showing Christ's love to all that she met, regardless of who they were. She was murdered, point blank. Because she followed Jesus. She had counted the cost. She knew there was a huge risk in serving over there...don't think for a moment she hadn't thought about it. But, then again, who says we're supposed to THINK about any of this? Jesus is SENDING His disciples out into harm...and he tells us to endure to the end! Folks, this is very convicting, isn't it? It sure doesn't seem difficult for us Americans to "endure to the end" does it? Jesus said that "You will be hated by all because of My name." (Mark 13:13). Are you, am I, hated because of Jesus' name?

As if this weren't convicting enough, Jesus emphasizes all that he's been saying/teaching to the disciples when he says that "He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it" (Matthew 10:39). And later on, the Apostle Paul also writes about this aspect of suffering persecution due to bearing Christ's name:  "Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." 2 Timothy 3:12
I think it's high time that we lose our lives in Jesus so that we can find them. We have made our American Dream equal to a life of following Jesus, whereas Jesus doesn't ever promise comfort in this world, but on the other hand, he promises suffering and persecution. The American Dream is NOT the answer, and it's NOT synchronous with true Christianity. We need to keep our heads and hearts in Scripture so that we can understand the culture we live in, and remember what the point of this life is: to spread the gospel to all nations.

Now before you think I'm on my "high horse", you need to realize that God's still working on this in my life right now. But, the thing is, I'm convicted by the areas of my life that need change. I'm praying and asking God to do just that: to change me and make me more like Him,  e-v-e-r-y   s-i-n-g-l-e   d-a-y.

How about you? What's your response to the Words of God in Scripture? Where are you at in your growth with understanding God's call on your life? Don't suppress the Holy Spirit, listen to Him and let God work in your heart! I pray He keeps working in mine and transforming me into His likeness more and more.

Please refer to David Platt's recent book: RADICAL, Taking back your faith from the American Dream. There is a lot in there that has got me thinking...and it will do the same for you too!

Friday, August 20, 2010

Remember how to Trust?

These days we're thinking about Brazil, and about getting there...we have questions about when we'll leave the US to fly to Brazil, when our full support will come in...when God will begin the next step of our lives. We're not sure, but we DO know that He wants us to trust Him in all things. One very practical way God reminded us was a couple of weeks ago when we took a family vacation and went to the mountains in Tennessee. We went to this beautiful waterfall (as you'll see below if you click on the video) and we were able to swim and relax there... While swimming and playing, Caleb demonstrated to us what God expects of us. Caleb places complete trust in me, as his daddy, to catch him and care for him. Do I/we place my/our complete trust in my/our Father to catch us and take care of us? We sure want to!

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Caleb on his bike!

Samuel & Lily

Samuel with his friend, Lily, in Greenville during our 4th of July visit.

Look at that face!

July 4th weekend we went up to visit friends in Greenville, SC. It was 10 degrees cooler than Columbia! Here's Samuel, thinking about something...we just don't know what. :-)
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Sunday, July 11, 2010

Goodbye's

Last month, Caleb, as well as Becky and I and Samuel, had to say goodbye to our dear friends, Brock & Nicole Mathison, along with their two kids, Nathan & Gracie. Nathan has been Caleb's best friend since birth--it's a difficult thing for a missionary kid to do..all the transitions they (we) have to go through. Nathan too is becoming an MK, he's going to Kenya with his family, while Caleb will go to Brazil with us. Please pray for these kids' adjustments, that God would use the challenges for their good and His glory.
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Thursday, July 08, 2010

"Tropical South Carolina"

Well, there are two things that remind us we're in South Carolina: tropical sized spiders, and sunflowers that wilt in the hot, humid sun of Columbia, SC. This spider greeted us at the entrance of our front porch when we returned from a weekend trip to Greenville, SC. And the sunflower below we grew from seed--it is now about 10 feet tall. Yep, 10 feet tall.

Would it suprise you to know that Columbia is making itself known as a place that is "Famously Hot"? Yes, indeed! When you are driving on the highway toward Columbia, you will see a billboard every once in a while that says "You're getting hotter...", reminding one of the games we used to play as children...hotter...hotter...colder...really really hot!!! (remember?) The billboards then proudly proclaim Columbia, SC as a wonderful vacation spot, with the words: "FAMOUSLY HOT". Now, who in the world would want to go to a place that is FAMOUSLY HOT? As if the recent 110+ weather here in anything different than what we're already used to...right? The rest of the East Coast might be hurting...but not Columbia, we're famously hot and proud of it!!

So, when are you coming to visit? :-)

Thankfully, we love our temporary home...where I'm going for eternity will be perfect weather...the sun will always shine, but I'm pretty sure it won't be "famously hot". :-)
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Tuesday, June 01, 2010

The Hand of God?

Today was a long day for me, Ben. Not to mention it was for Becky too, with the boys at home. Caleb's a handful, especially when he "tries" to help mommy with Samuel by sticking the nose suction thingy up Samuel's throat when mommy looks away briefly to answer the phone. Caleb's such a "helper"! :-) Most of the time though, Caleb REALLY IS a big helper, and he'll even sing a song with the following words, all in tune:
I'm a helper
I'm a helper
I am big, I am strong
I can help you all day long.
If you need me
Just call my name
You'll be glad I came to help you...
You'll be glad I cAAAAAme!

Sometimes Caleb will switch the words on the "If you need me" line and sing innocently:
"If you need me, just call YOUR name..."

What a silly guy.

So, for me, Ben, it was a long day, but it was a good day too. God reminded me today that He's in the business of preparing me and Becky for His plans. As you might know, I work with refugees who come to the USA from other nations, seeking refuge from the persecution or danger they are in. Right now, we have many Iraqis and Burmese. Some are Chr.istians, some are Mus.lims, some are Bud.dhists. Regardless, today I was doing an Orientation for this new family, not from Iraq nor Burma, but another place which we do not have any interpreters for in the Columbia, SC area. Talk about culture shock for them, having not a single soul who speaks their language! Anyhow, I had to find a person who spoke a language which only one of the family members spoke, who then interpreted to his family, and then back to the other interpreter and then to me in English. Wonder if the message got across? Well, I've been doing this for a few months, and most of the time it does. If not, their body language usually gives it away, or I'll find out weeks later they didn't understand something...but that's rare. So, I spoke to/with the family for three hours today in three languages, kind of: English to another language, to another language, and then back to me once in a while if they had questions. It was interesting.

So one of the interpreters, a "brother" in our "family", said to me during one of the breaks we had in translation: "Man, Ben, you have an interesting job...wow....wow." I smiled at him, saying, "Yeah, ****, I do, it's tough sometimes, but I like it, and God's preparing me to send Brazilians to all the cultures I'm learning about as they come through here. These people we're talking to here today don't even know it, but God is using them to send Brazilians overseas."

Do you understand the implications of this? While Becky and I wait to go to Brazil, God is "redeeming the time", making use of this time of raising our support base to better prepare myself and Becky to understand more cultures of the world; once we get to Brazil, I/we will have been exposed to so many more cultures than I could have visited in person, and sometimes never visited, such as Burma.

Thus the title of this post: "The Hand of God"? He's got His plans, and they are ALWAYS good plans for His Kingdom and His glory.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Update

Hello all! Sorry for the lapse in posting. We've been trying to catch up on our sleep, of course, but we've also been preparing for travels. As I type, we are in northern Virginia with friends, support raising, sharing about our ministry in Brazil, and visiting with friends. It has been a wonderful time, actually quite relaxing for us, which has been much needed on our part. The toughest part is driving all day w/ a newborn who's gotta eat at regular intervals. A regular 8 hour trip now becomes an 11 hour trip or so. It doesn't really matter though b/c we're making memories as a family!

Regarding getting to Brazil, we're inching closer and closer! We are now at 63% of our outgoing/transition expenses (that's what GETS us to Brazil) and 41% of our monthly needs (that's what KEEPS us in Brazil). God is good. He's called us and we keep plugging away at sharing what God is doing in the world through the Brazilian Church, and how you and we can be a significant part of this missions movement! Keep praying!

Ben, for Becky and the boys.

Thursday, March 11, 2010


Our sweet boy, Samuel Isaiah Bacheller.
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Smiles


One of Samuel's first smiles, at 7 days old. He is such a good baby and such a
blessing from the Lord.
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We are so thankful that Becky's mom has been able to stay
with us for Samuel's first 10 days. She has been an amazing help
around the house and has done many special things with Caleb
to help him in adjusting to having a new brother. We are so thankful
for the sacrifices she made to come and share this special time.
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