Ben’s Blog – Teaching Adventures

2026/06/10

Gifts we want to give our children

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.

Child playing piano

Gift 01

The ability to create music

Music is a language of its own. We want our kids to know how to make it — not just listen to it.

Student studying with ambition

Gift 02

A strong work ethic and ambition

We want them to show up, to try hard, and to care about doing things well — whatever they put their hands to.

Children learning a language

Gift 03

The ability to communicate in more than one language

Language opens doors — to people, cultures, and places. Exposure to more than one is a gift that keeps giving.

Saving money wisely

Gift 04

Wisdom in using financial resources

Not just how to earn money, but how to steward it well — with generosity, patience, and good judgment.

Family hiking in mountains

Gift 05

A sense of adventure and love for beautiful places

We want them to get outside, explore, and develop a real sense of wonder for the world God made.

People caring for one another

Gift 06

A desire to love God and love others

Above everything else on this list, this is what we want their lives to be shaped by.

Person thinking critically

Gift 07

The ability to think well

Discerning truth from deception — especially in news, media, and the arts. We want them to be thoughtful, not just informed.

Child sleeping peacefully

Gift 08

Self-discipline in screens, food, and sleep

The basics matter more than we often admit. We’re trying to help them build healthy rhythms that will serve them for life.

Gift 09

Strong family roots and ties

We want them to know where they come from and to feel deeply connected — to us, to each other, and to the story they’re part of.

Gift 10

The opportunity to study what they love

We want to provide for them the opportunity to learn something they would love to do for a vocation that has meaning and blesses the world they live in, this often includes college and we want them prepared for that.

Open Bible

Gift 11

A love for God’s Word

Not just knowing it’s important, but actually wanting to read it. We hope it becomes something they reach for daily, on their own.

Child cooking in kitchen

Gift 12

Independence and basic life skills

Cooking, cleaning, sewing, gardening, building — and more. We want them to be capable, confident people who can take care of themselves and others.

This list isn’t exhaustive — but it reflects what we hope to pass on. We are on our kids’ team, every single day.

2026/06/10

Our Family Traditions

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 windowsill before eventually moving them outside to the garden. It’s a slow, hopeful kind of tradition. Spring is also when most of the kids’ birthdays fall, so it’s a season full of celebrations, birthday parties, and a lot of cake.

☀️ Summer

Summer is full. We do the Rollkuchen, slice into watermelon, and follow the Winnipeg Bombers (even from overseas). And camping at Blue Lake and Five Cabins is one of those anchoring summer traditions we come back to year after year.

🍂 Fall

First day of school photos — every year, no exceptions. Then Thanksgiving, which we love to share with Canadians (or really anyone who needs a table if there are no Canadians nearby). Pumpkin pie is non-negotiable. And when the mood strikes, we’ve been known to make a batch of homemade applesauce.

❄️ Winter

Hockey season means following the Winnipeg Jets. Come Christmas, the house smells like cinnamon buns — we make them every year. And New Year’s Eve? Fondue and a murder mystery envelope. It’s become one of those traditions that everyone looks forward to more than they probably admit.

🔄 All year long

Reading before bed. Reading the Bible at dinner — we did this more faithfully when the kids were younger, but it still shows up. Weekend adventures: hiking, biking, exploring wherever the road takes us. Weekend breakfasts like waffles, and an open-door policy for brunch. We love having people over. And every birthday, we sign each other’s birthday books — a small thing that adds up to something really meaningful over the years.

2026/03/06

A good day

While Ben was BBQing some hamburgers, he decided to do a little video.

2017/02/26

India

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 lots of simple practical application ideas. One day one man shared that his neighbor had recently parked in his spot and he was quite tempted to be angry. But instead, he practiced what he had been learning and went and talked to his neighbor and told him he could have the spot. Seems small but the people we were teaching had such a heart to grow and live it out!

Though they have had the Bible for a long time, they tend to read it more like a newspaper – interesting but sort of out of touch with their own life. Some of the comments they shared with our hosts:
– “We don’t get Bible Studies like this in Mizoram, we need more of this kind of teaching where we can discover truth on our own.” Monica
– “Studying the Bible this way has broaden my understanding. After the seminar of Jonah I was so inspired that next day I told everyone I met about it.” Dr A
– I always heard about having a mind of Christ but only on the seminar of Philippians did I actually understand what does it practically mean. No one every preached it this way. No one before explained what it means.” Tete-a

Culture

Its been a few years since I’ve been somewhere so remote but it was such a great experience! I’ve seen and experienced many things in my life and so I was actually surprised by some of the things that I learned this time. One particular aspect was my own culture shock. They lived like normal people do everywhere but they still have a tribal outlook on life. Its quite stereotypical but when I think tribal I think of huts, spears and subsistence living. But they weren’t that at all. Yet the way they conduct meetings, relate to each other and live is tribal in outlook. They don’t do much in the way of greetings like “hey, how’s it going” because they see each other so much and they won’t do much in the way of good bye’s either. And meetings of any formality always start with a long preamble of important people who say something before starting, something like honoring the elders and leaders in the group. I saw this in church on Sunday, at a cd/video release party at the hotel we stayed at, and even in our teaching sessions. As tribal people, they share very willingly, so during the day we would walk into homes and invite ourselves over for tea and a snack. But the thing was, it wasn’t inviting ourselves over – it was normal, expected, informal. There wasn’t much of a hello, even when we didn’t know the people.

Teaching

The teaching situation was terrific. With our first audience we had a whole week with the same group, two full days and four evenings so we could really spend some time with them. We covered a number of books, taught Inductive Bible Study method and an Overview of the Bible. The whole province we were in is basically all Christian. Everything shuts down on Sunday (not even corner stores are open) and nearly everyone goes to church. But church is a shallow thing for most people, a ritual largely devoid of meaning and disconnected from their daily lives. A younger generation is growing up that probably won’t carry on most of the traditions as well. Amazingly, God has preserved them from Hinduism to the west and the Buddhism to the east and north. They are surrounded but God has a special plan for them and is preparing a revival of hearts there that he will send to the nations! What a privilege it was to go and encourage them, teach them some Bible study skills, and spur them on in their walk with God.

Our Team

As our team has had some shifts in people this last year, we really wanted to spend some time growing and teaching together. Well this was a terrific time. My favorite part of the trip was a personal sharing time where we all really opened up about our lives. And watching each other teach we really got to see each others gifts and unique personalities shine and to see how we can do better together. But it wasn’t all deep, we did a few fun things together too like hiking in the mountains, seeing some ancient Indian caves with carvings. The other really fun thing was eating together. We ate so many meals in different environments, home cooking, street food, a fancy dinner from our hosts and plenty of authentic food. Daniel likes it pretty spicy, Esther will eat with her hands like a local, Nadia will undoubtedly order something that doesn’t come out right, Sonya and Thelma love the veg and Sasha is ready for a nice bowl of soup.And me, I really enjoyed the variety. I was quite worried that the spicy would hurt me but my stomach was strong enough – thanks for all your prayers!

Yes, thank you for your prayers and encouragement! We can control for efficiency but it is largely the Lord who makes us effective and that comes through obedience and prayer!

2017/02/11

A Slice of Spice

Pics of India flashing on Flickr, click on “photos” above or here.
Cassie’s famous video below.

2015/05/222025/12/19

I want to be this for you Cas – Happy Birthday!

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 to be for my little (not-so-little) girl are:

Here are the 25 most-mentioned things that a daughter really needs from her dad:

1. Time (“To show interest and involvement in my life,” “To be available”).
2. Affirmation (“Approval,” “Praise,” “Hear him say out loud, ‘I love you'”).
3. Affection (“Hugs,” “Physical touch”).
4. Unconditional love (“For who I am regardless of my failures”).
5. Apologies.
6. Be proud of me (“To know I’m not a disappointment to him,” “No judgment,” “Less criticism,” “Faith in me”).
7. Tell me I’m beautiful (“Compliment me, especially about my looks”).
8. Talk to me and open up about himself, his pain, his faults, his hopes (“Let me see that he is human, that he fails, that he makes mistakes, and then show me how to make it right,” “Time alone where I get to know him and his childhood”).
9. Pursue me (“Desire to get to know me,” “Interactive conversation where he is asking me questions about myself,” “To actively seek me out and find out what I am doing, what I am interested in, WHO I am”).
10. Prayers.
11. To work on his temper so I can feel safe (“Not to crush my spirit”).
12. Not to change me (“To let me be me,” “Be accepted for myself—not for what I did or failed to do”).
13. Honesty (“I need him to be honest with himself. When he’s honest with himself, it frees him to be honest with me”).
14. Just listen.
15. Guidance.
16. Protection.
17. Sense of humor.
18. Teach me about things.
19. Be an adventurer … with me.
20. Instead of not being there, please be there (“Instead of handing me money, ask to come with me and take me shopping or out to lunch”).
21. Tell me you love being my dad.
22. Believe in me.
23. Never give up on our family.
24. Show me how a real man treats a woman.
25. Support my ideas and dreams.

Raw. Vulnerable. Honest. And every single response comes from a daughter’s heart longing for connection and relationship with dad coupled with love and affirmation from dad.

For the original article, visit drmichellewatson.com (“25 Things a Daughter Needs From Her Dad” by MICHELLE WATSON).

2015/05/09

SBS

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 unique Bible programs in the world because people actually study the Bible and not general theology or what others have said about it. The bible is ingested, providing spiritual strength for the students for their life and ministry. It is our privilege to be school leaders taking our students from Genesis to Revelation. You’ll hear more about our school adventures because we won’t graduate our students until just before Christmas!

2015/03/14

Apple’s Version Check

Screenshot 2015-08-14 15.02.35 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 convert it! Amazing! Anyway, if you’re interested, there is at least a hack to get it to work. Haven’t written a script to do this in general, but it worked for me.

1) Make a copy of your file, say blah08.key to blah09.key
2) in the new copy, blah09.key, control-click and “Show Package Contents”
3) There is a file called index.apxl (or possibly index.apxl.gz). If the .gz, then double-click and you get the without the .gz (and delete the .gz version)
4) Control-click the index.apxl, open with “Other” and choose TextEdit
5) In the big mess at the beginning (first couple lines), there is key:version=”72007061400″. Change this to key:version=”92008102400″
6) Save the file, and exit TextEdit
7) Rename the new copy, blah09.key, without the .key part – blah09. You’ll get a complaint about removing the extension – do it anyway.
8) Now it’s a folder! Control-click the folder blah09, and compress, making a blah09.zip.
9) Rename blah09.zip to blah09.key – again a complaint, but do it anyway.

Poof! Openable again!
Why Apple doesn’t include this easy fix, I have no idea.

2015/03/04

Will you be mine?

willyoubemine 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 becoming more popular). Instead, they celebrate Women’s Day, Mar 8. A day to woo your woman, let her know your undying love for her, and pay out the roof for a bakers dozen roses (here, you never do an even number … its just basically uncool). Flower shops are more common here than 7-Eleven’s or Starbucks back home – they dominate every corner with their beautiful displays of flora.

Since we’re always trying to learn a few new words in Russian, I thought it appropriate to include a few special phrases useful on this day. Try them out and let me know how it goes.

Ты прекрасно выглядишь – You look wonderful
Ты выглядишь моложе своих лет – You look younger than you actually are
Тебе идет этот цвет – This color looks great on you
Мне нравится твоя прическа – I like your hairstyle
У тебя прекрасное чувство вкуса – You have a great sense of style
Мне с тобой хорошо – I feel great when I am with you
У тебя заразительный смех – Your laughter is contagious
Я готов провести с тобой вечность – I am ready to spend an eternity with you
Я не могу на тебя насмотреться – I can’t stop looking at you
Я не могу отвести от тебя глаз – I can’t take my eyes off of you
У тебя очень загадочная улыбка – You have a very mysterious smile
Ты делаешь меня счастливым – You make me happy
Ты не перестаешь меня удивлять – You are full of surprises
У тебя прекрасное чувство юмора – You have a great sense of humor
Ты меня дополняешь – You complete me
С тобой легко разговаривать – You are easy to talk to

** In other parts of Europe, Women’s Day is a day to celebrate feminism and has some strong emotions attached. Here in Ukraine, it is more about simple love and celebration of women than about feminist ideals.

2014/11/15

Whats Hiding?

Can you guess what is hiding behind the big blue tarp? More to come soon. :)

2014/10/13

Foundation Finished

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 living in an apartment in the city.
Thank you to those who have partnered with us, this project is especially exciting for us but everyone here is watching it come together as they also dream about the future of ywam ministry here!

2014/10/09

A little Ukrainian Culture

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 great big smile. Actually, though many people have been taught to be wary of strangers, deep down Ukrainians love people and are ready to help out. We see this in a million different ways every day!

Don’t visit people empty-handed. It really doesn’t seem to matter what it is, its the thought that counts. But if you are bringing flowers for the lady, never buy an even number – even number bouquets are reserved for the funerals.

Don’t expect to be done with a meal quickly. If you are invited for dinner, expect to be around for a while. But don’t worry, the food will be great! Expect lots of sour cream, mayonnaise, potatoes and eggs.

Don’t put your feet on the coffee table. Is this really ever ok unless you’re with the most comfortable of friends?

And a few Dos

Do get dressed up, even if you are not planning anything special. Differences between Canada and Ukraine are vast in the fashion world. To keep it short, save the sweat pants for walking around the house and going to the gym. Jeans with a nice casual top are pretty safe except for those important meetings.

Do expect to pay more for some things. Once you start talking English, any unwritten prices tend to be a bit more. So make sure you have some info ahead of time or invite a friend along to keep things straight.

Do Hope! Though there have been many challenges for this new country and its people, there is much to hope for. As a people they are recovering from years of authoritarian government, this takes time and perseverance. Ukraine will do better than just survive – we know that Ukrainians can thrive!

Do shake everyone’s hand. Well not everyone. As a man, you’ll feel very awkward shaking a woman’s hand here. But don’t skip anyone when its time to say hi, even if it means interrupting a lively discussion.

Of course, this isn’t a complete list, but it’s a start. Do you know any Ukrainian cultural tips that could help us?

2014/07/19

Phileo Xenos – Loving the Stranger

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 – ξενος which makes up the second half of the word we render “hospitality” actually means “stranger” or “immigrant,” and is where we get the word xenophobia which is the fear of strangers/immigrants.

Most people have never really experienced hospitality, as opposed to being entertained. When you’re invited to your friends house for the game, go out for dinner together and your friend pays then you’re being entertained. Few of us have ever been in a strange place without our credit card or a hotel reservation with a restaurant.

But some of you have. You went on a short-term missions trip. You probably went to build a house or do some skits. The people were poor, much poorer than you. But after your program you were invited to one of the homes of the congregation. It wasn’t lavish, even if they were the wealthiest family in the church. They brought out some soft drinks and ice. Maybe a plate of fresh fruit. And you sat around making smiles and gestures to try and communicate with them while waiting for lunch. Someone brought a fan to cool you down a little. Lunch was a specially cooked chicken and lots of rice or corn. You ate first and your hosts only had a little at the end. Compared to back home, it really didn’t seem like much. But you knew, this was the best meal anyone in the whole village had made in months. And they made it for you.

That is hospitality. You, a stranger, are welcomed into someone’s home, welcomed to the best they have because you come in the name of the Lord Jesus. Maybe you’ve never experienced something like that. But if you have, you might know what its like to accept a costly gift from someone who doesn’t have anything to give. Even though its nothing to you, you treasure it because it cost so much to the one who gave it.

We might not be strangers to most people who invite us over for dinner or dessert or out for coffee. But our time at home has been an experience in receiving hospitality. One family makes a special meal for us, another prepares a fancy dessert, a stroller for our youngest, another takes our eldest to get a pedicure, another prays for us daily. Maybe sometimes you don’t hear thank you from us because we forget or we’re busy or whatever. I hope you know that we thank God for you. Every person that shares with us shows us the love of God, shows us that they care about us but also that God cares about us because he hears the prayers that you don’t. Thank you!

But lest you think your gift ends with us, don’t. When we live in Kyiv and invite someone over, they enjoy your hospitality, they share in your gift. They see that Jesus cares for them too. Usually we say thank you for sending us.

Today we say thank you for giving us your hospitality and for using the things you have to love us! Thank you for loving us like brothers!

2014/07/14

Ukraine

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 them have no wish for. Most people just want to live in a safe place, without oppression or significant injustice, jobs to make a living and opportunities to enjoy their lives and give a good future to their children. Some have resorted to war in hopes of gaining those things, but most are stuck in the middle of a war that they have no desire for. If you have those things, thank God for them and remember that you probably did nothing to deserve them. You are living in privilege.

As for Ukraine. Pray with me that God would bring peace, would stop all those surrounding nations that are trying to use Ukraine for their own benefit. That God would hear the cries of the average person and stop the oppressors. Ukraine, put your hope in the living God. Cry out to him, he hears you!

2014/06/24

Kerith Pines

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, but they really were overly plentiful. Back to the highlights, it was great to have some counselors to talk to about stress and ministry who experience the same things and could both sympathize and challenge us personally. It was refreshing to enjoy my best friend once again without the pressures of raising 3 little ones. We got a few great resources on feeding the love relationship we have with our saviour – because its not our work that pleases him, he loves us for who we are, not what we do. And the intimate dinner our hosts put on for us was a lot of fun too as we reminisced over nearly 12 years of marriage all over the world.

So to those who offered prayers, finances or childcare, thank you so much!

2014/05/24

Pray for Presidential Elections

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 through trials and is in a crisis caused by many negative factors and external destructive forces. All these factors lay a heavy burden on the shoulders of each and every Ukrainian family. Because of this, many people are in confusion and fear. In these hard times we need help and protection from the Lord to overcome the current challenges. Now only nationwide prayer to God can save our country and bring peace in the hearts and pick up the alarm.”

2014/04/30

Tremper Longman III

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 if the topics aren’t my favourite. For a more complete list of his publishings, check here.

2014/02/19

Pray for Ukraine!

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 Ukraine!

If you want to see events live on video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_LFrMcoEm4#t

Twitter English Updates:
https://twitter.com/euromaidanpr

Online English News:
http://www.kyivpost.com/content/kyiv/euromaidan-rallies-in-ukraine-feb-19-live-updates-337098.html

2013/11/13

Turkey Pics (Segment 1)

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 here or click on pics. I chose this picture for what it represents.

Where you see just a couple blocks of stone and a large pillar once stood one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world! We are talking one of the most prestigious and famous temples known from the time of Alexander the Great (323 BC) through most of the Roman Empire (268 AD).

Here stood the famed Temple of Artemis (if you click there you can read about it on Wikipedia).

The simple lesson I learned? That no great thing, no accomplishment survives forever. Things come and things go but God remains from eternity to eternity. And through Jesus alone are we invited to spend eternity with him. We don’t worship buildings or riches or strength or fame or ideas. They too will fail and fall. Only the Lord is eternal and he alone is worthy of our worship.

2013/08/02

The Right Kind of Happiness

This is a super interesting article from the Economist blog concerning what kind of happiness brings health. The premise of the experiment was what kind of pleasure brings health, is it basically selfish pleasure or selfless (giving to others) pleasure. Past experiements show that both bring roughly equal happiness to a person. And we know happiness generally affects ones health. So do both types of happiness generate the same health benefits?

Here is a simple quote,

“Dr Fredrickson, an expert on positive emotions, has long known that happiness benefits health and leads to longer lives. Similarly, she knows that both hedonic [for self] and eudaimonic [for others] pleasures generate feelings that people describe as “happiness”. A simple syllogism, therefore, suggests happiness does indeed bring health and longevity. But, because of the overlap between the happiness-generating properties of both hedonic and eudaimonic pleasures, she had until she conducted this study found it impossible to determine whether both are able improve physical health and longevity, or whether only one of them can.”

Psychosomatic medicine_ The right kind of happy _ The Economist