Ben’s Blog
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Ben is leaving tomorrow for Ukraine so I thought it would be a good idea to send a quick overview of our summer so far and specifically ask you to pray for him as he goes. Here is a really quick run down with some photos (who wants to spend summer looking at a screen!)…
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We often tell our kids we’re on their team. Every choice we make is considering them. These are the gifts we’re working to give them — not wrapped in paper, but built into their lives. Gift 01 The ability to create music Music is a language of its own. We want our kids to know…
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Every family has a rhythm — those little rituals and recurring moments that, when you look back, end up defining your life together more than almost anything else. Here’s a peek at ours, season by season. 🌱 Spring Spring starts indoors for us — we plant seeds inside first and watch them sprout on the…
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While Ben was BBQing some hamburgers, he decided to do a little video.
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An incredible trip – wonderful hosts who really invited us in to minister, a hungry audience for our seminars who were passionate for God, and time for depth and growth as a team. First a short story and some comments and then if you’re interested, lots of details. During our study skill teaching times we include…
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Pics of India flashing on Flickr, click on “photos” above or here. Cassie’s famous video below.
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Below is one of those mass consumed articles about relationships. Of course its oversimplified and ignorant of the realities, the challenges and valleys that normal life experiences. But to celebrate my little girl growing up, I mean, she really isn’t a baby anymore. Even though it isn’t perfect, some of the great things I want…
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SBS (School of Biblical Studies) is a very intense 9-month program that takes students through all 66 books of the Bible, reading the whole Bible at least 5 times. Its not for the faint of heart but with such a challenge comes a depth of understanding of God’s Word. This is one of the most…
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Next time you see this error: “This document can’t be opened because it’s too old.” Here is the fix! I know this is an old thread, but I ran into the problem today. Apple support was only “Load it in the old ’09 and export it again”. They even suggested trying Microsoft products to…
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Recently I posted this picture to Angela. It was Feb 14, typically known as Valentine’s Day in Canada. A day to woo your woman, let her know your undying love for her, and pay out the roof for a rose or dozen. Well, here in Ukraine, Valentine’s Day hasn’t yet taken off (though it is…
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Can you guess what is hiding behind the big blue tarp? More to come soon. :)
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The foundation concrete is all poured and drying. There is plumbing running through it that will soon hook up to the septic field. Imagine two floors above this of windows and walls and you have the soon to be ready home for the Doerksen’s. We are really looking forward to this after already a month…
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With our recent return to Ukraine it seems highly appropriate to remind ourselves of what it means to adapt to the local culture, the do’s and do not’s if you will. So here are a few Don’ts Don’t smile at strangers. Historically, people tend to be suspicious and nothing says “i want something from you” like a…
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Hospitality comes from two greek words: Philao – φιλό is one of several words for “love” in Greek. Being a more precise language than English, classical Greek has a few different ways to express the word “love.” In this case, the word that is used means “brotherly love” or “to love like a brother”. Xenos –…
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Ukraine is on our minds again. My kids and I were building blocks with Jenga Tetris tiles and we put together a little Ukrainian flag. If you have a moment today, pray for Ukraine, Nigeria, and Israel. We forget that people all over the world are stuck in the middle of wars that many of…
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Getaway! Retreat! First time in 6 years we’ve both been away from our kids for more than one night. YAY for those that helped make it happen – family and friends! So what was a highlight for us? It definitely wasn’t the mosquitoes that could even put holes in stop signs (see pic). Just joking,…
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This is election weekend in Ukraine for a new president. Our eyes and hearts are looking there this weekend. If you have a few minutes, we’d appreciate your thoughts and prayers for the people and nation of Ukraine today and tomorrow! Paul Unguryan spoke about the current situation in an email announcement, “Today, Ukraine is going…
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Some friends have been asking what course I will be taking in Calgary in a few weeks. I’m really going to study under a professor, a man by the name of Tremper Longman III. Why is he so special? He wrote the book on the wisdom literature. I’m really excited to learn from him, even…
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This was the hospital that our youngest son was born in! Wow! Pray for Ukraine! What could push so many people to protest? What would it take for you to protest your prime minister or president? Exactly. Their president has not led the nation in fairness or sacrifice but out of selfish gain! Pray for…
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I’ve finally got a few minutes to get some of the pictures from our Turkey Ancient New Testament Sites Tour up. This first segment covers our travels to Patara, Myra, Smyrna (Izmir), Ephesus and Pergamum. I chose this picture, not because it is the best of the bunch. It’s actually just an ordinary picture, go see some better ones…
Teaching Adventures 