The Reconciliation of All Things

Reading up on water shortages in Chad, and a friend mentioned a website:  gmi.org , there I came across this useful infographic. Here's the nutshell: water isn't a natural resource, it's God's property and we are stewards of it. In Chad, Brazil, or our  own household. By the way, do you let the water run when brushing your teeth? Or do you only turn it on when to wash "it" all down the drain? Every little bit makes a difference! Read the parable of the talents: Matthew 25:14-30. Eu estava lendo sobre a falta de água no país de Tchad, na África do norte, e achei este mapa informativo que uma amiga me mostrou. Um sumário: água não é um recurso natural, e sim é propriedade de Deus, nós somos simplesmente mordomos. No Tchad, EUA, ou na nossa própria casa. Por acaso, você deixa a água escorrer quando escova os dentes? Ou a fecha a torneira da pia enquanto escova, esperando terminar para lavar tudo pra baixo? Cada pouquinho faz uma diferença! Leia a parábola d...

A practical way of Caring for Creation that we are doing at TEAM, opening doors to share the gospel! Check out this video.

One of my favorite things to do is to be outside in God's marvelous creation. Of course, even better than this is doing it with my family! Each weekend we try to explore someplace new in the area, a park, some trails, anything outside. So, here is a video and a photo of our last outing this past weekend.

I came across an article/documentary that was made about the c onflicts between the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the watermen of Tangier Island, Virginia, as well as farmers in Clearville, Pennsylvania, over the watermen’s harvest of blue crabs and the farmers’ land-use practices. This is a Creation Care topic that was dealt with in a very commendable manner. It is creation care because the environment, God's creation, that which we depend on, was being negatively impacted by people's practices, but it was also in turn having negative consequences on people who make a living off what God has given them. This is something we at TEAM care about--when the environment has a detrimental impact on people's lives, we want to step in to make a difference and share the eternal hope of Jesus in the midst of the pain and improve their lives physically and  spiritually. There was a dramatic transformation that took place among the Tangier islanders and Pennsylvania farmers from the ...

A coworker at TEAM forwarded this video to me the other day--very interesting! If you live in America, you can do this too, just need to have some land to do it! Imagine, a forest in your own backyard! Sure would help with cleaner air if we planted these all throughout our cities! The neat thing about it is that they are using native species, not invasive, non-native species, to do this. I love what we're doing doing at TEAM now with our Creation Care Initiative...take a look at team.org , "How we serve" and click on the Creation Care button.

Hi Friends! My goodness, it has been awhile since we posted anything here! Most of you probably know via Facebook or email updates that we've returned to the US per TEAM's request to fill a special assignment for our mission. It's a position in which finally, we can see God using so many of my (Ben) skills, interests, passions, and desires, all for His Kingdom, for His glory. So many of the experiences we've been through as a couple, as a family; so much of the training; so much of the international living and situations we have been through; and so many of the people, networks, and organizations we have developed relationships with; all these realities point to this role I am now beginning. Truthfully, I am excited and a bit nervous all at the same time. It's a dream job for me (although it remains financially dependent on our missionary support), and it gives our family more stability for the coming years of our children's schooling here in the USA. We defin...

Give thanks in all circumstances! Many times in life it can be easy to be overwhelmed by everything going on and forget to see how God is working in the midst of trials. The last three weeks have brought many trials for our family but we are so thankful because we have seen God's hand protecting us and providing for all our needs.  We know that our enemy wants to discourage us and do everything he can to threaten our ministry, marriage, and family. Even so, we have been reminded again of the importance of your prayers lifting us up. You are a vital part of our life here in Brazil, thank you for praying for our family. Please don't stop! Here is just a short recap of some of the things we have dealt with the last few weeks and the ways God has provided for us. -After Lilianna was born, Ben's Meniere's Disease kicked in and he was in bed for 10 days with dizziness and nausea while Becky was trying to recover from her C-Section. Yet, during this time, Becky's mom wa...