Back Home Blog and Big News!

It has been one week since arriving in the Atlanta, Georgia airport! One week to acclimate back to the way of life back here in America. Let me tell you it was weird! Weird has been my go to word for describing how I feel coming back home! The roads, highways, people, restaurants, comfort, and so much more are just a taste of what has been different to me since being back. 2 months is not that long a time but it is enough to acclimate to the way of life wherever you are living. I learned that first-hand. I’ve been saying to those I’ve talked to about this trip that “I popped the bubble”. What I mean by that is that I popped this metaphorical bubble that I had that described everything about life to me. I used to see in black-and-white but now I feel as if I can see just a little more clearly. I encourage everyone to look within and ask themselves if they have popped their metaphorical bubble. The bubble that tells them that this is how life is and has been and will be for the rest of time. I can attest that life is very different outside of America.

Other than the weirdness and comforts I didn’t have, the transition back home has been smooth. I’ve been able to see some family and friends that got to hear a taste of what I saw, and did while out of country. Talking to them helped me fill the longing I had for them! Eswatini, and South Africa changed my life. Spiritually that is. They helped me unlock inside of me what I feel I had always been reaching for. I learned how to undeniably obey and lean on the Father. I learned how to better talk to the Son, and I learned how to more clearly listen to the Holy Spirit. I learned that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit are my friends. I can’t wait to go further with this friendship, which brings up the second part of this blog!

Drum roll please……

I am currently signed up for The World Race January 23′ trip!! I felt that 2 months was not long enough of a time to answer this calling I have in me. The trip will be for 11 months and I would be ministering in 6 different countries!!

The first stop will be the Dominican Republic! It comprises of about 10.74 million people with 57% being Catholic and 23% Protestant. The Dominican Republic is a Spanish speaking country that shares an island with Haiti and is around 500 miles from the island of Cuba and is around 250 miles from Puerto Rico! Baseball is the most popular sport in the Dominican Republic and the people love music and dancing! “The Dominican Republic is a tropical Caribbean paradise. From the coastlines to the spectacular mountainous beauty, you will discover a collision of cultures on this island where European, African, and Caribbean peoples once converged. Its colonial history has marked it in many ways, from Spanish cathedrals and fortresses to the ethnically diverse people. The people are friendly and warm, and you’ll surely witness how God is moving in amazing ways to bring the Dominican people into a deeper understanding of His love.” With a vision to see wholistic transformation, the four main focuses will be medical, education, church advancement, and nutrition. After the earthquake in 2010, the country became a refuge for thousands of displaced people. Although known for its vast sugar plantations, the nation’s economy depends on tourism. Political corruption is a lasting issue, along with the expanding gap between wealthy and poor.

The second stop will be in Guatemala. The focus is on Church activation, discipleship, and community development! “As a long-standing Adventures in Missions base, the staff in Guatemala places a focus on these three principles: serve, disciple, send. They seek to empower locals through community development by meeting physical needs with water filters and stove installation, creating discipleship opportunities, and ultimately, having the goal of sending Guatemalans to the nations. In a country with a high rate of malnutrition, meeting physical needs remains an important part of the ministry.” With a population of about 16.58 million people, it is also a Spanish speaking country! Roman Catholic, Protestant Christian, and Non-Religious Mayan Beliefs are the three main religions in Guatemala. “Known as “The Land of Eternal Spring”, Guatemala is one of the most beautiful and diverse countries in Central America. Tourists travel from all over the world to climb its volcanoes, drink its coffee, and zip line through the rainforest. However, the true beauty of Guatemala is its people. Gripped by poverty, the people of Guatemala hunger for the Kingdom of God. The majority of Guatemalans practice a form of Catholicism, and it’s estimated many also mix in ancient tribal religions and cultural traditions into their faith.”

While in the field in Eswatini, I had this conversation with a local Swazi man that explained to me that by knowing the local language of someone else’s country, you can really connect with them on a real level. That resonated with me for a couple days and while thinking about this trip coming up in January and where I will be going, I felt this tug on my heart from God to learn Spanish before I go to the Dominican Republic and Guatemala. Or at least do my best at learning as much as I can. During these next 5 months at home here in America I plan to do just that. Over the past week since being home I have been diving into Rosetta Stone, and Duolingo (language learning apps). If anyone reading has any helpful tips about learning a new language, I ask that they please post it in the comments!!

The third stop will be in Romania. The focus is on church planting, church development,  and relationships. “Remaining a consistent partner with Adventures in Missions, Hope Church, located in Romania, works to lead their communities to the hope of Christ by meeting spiritual needs through preaching the Gospel and by meeting physical needs. With a particular focus on church planting, you’ll serve alongside an established ministry with a large network of staff and churches in place to continue on with relationships. In addition to a church planting focus, Hope Church places an emphasis on kids and youth ministry by engaging the younger generation with the Gospel. With influence in different parts of Europe, Hope Church continues to see the Gospel advanced.” Romania has a population of about 18.81 million people. The language in Romania is Romanian! Eastern Orthodox 82%, Protestant Christian 6%, Roman Catholic 4%, and Other 8% are the main religions in Romania. “Romania is in the heart of Eastern Europe. The country is home to many Romanians who are familiar with the Orthodox Church and Roma people who are among the least reached in the country. Among both groups, faithful Romanian missionaries are evangelizing, discipling, and planting churches and people are starting to choose to live for Jesus. With the war in Ukraine sending many to seek freedom and help in other countries nearby, Romania has seen many refugees come through its borders needing help. Another focus here will be to help the Ukrainian refugees in whatever way Jesus tells us to.

The fourth stop will be Albania! “This nation is still working to find its identity after communist rule. One effort to emerge that you might know of is that there is many colorful buildings. Race teams will help our partners spread the Gospel and plant churches in local communities through building relationships with locals. This month there will be a focus on reaching predominantly Muslim communities through English education. Teams will also get the opportunity to visit prisons and share the Gospel through teaching English as well. No matter where you are this month, you will get the opportunity to share your hope in Christ by joining people in their daily lives.” With a population of just under 3 million people, it is much smaller in population to the other countries I will have been to. The language here is Albanian and the the religions comprise of Islam 70%, Albanian Orthodox 20%, and Roman Catholic 10%. “Albania, one of the countries Paul visited on his third missionary journey(So COOL!!), is in Eastern Europe. Though it declared independence in 1912, this small country was occupied by both Italy and Germany during World War II, lying behind the Iron Curtain and under Soviet rule until 1989. Not long after the fall of the Soviet Union, conflict on the Balkan Peninsula tore families apart once again. It is a nation of rich history, natural beauty, and people who know the meaning of pain.” The people of Albania need to know the freedom and hope that comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ and I plan to show them that freedom!

The last two countries are Eswatini, and South Africa, and since I just got back from those two I won’t spend time discussing them! 

I think that it is in God’s plan for my life to have the opportunity to go back out to the nations and spread the gospel of the Living Jesus Christ. I think he wanted me to dip my toes in the water with this 2-month trip and allow it to get me ready for the 11-month trip coming up in January. I implore you all to not read this as a goodbye blog but to read it as a just getting started blog. I have many more months ahead of me of fundraising, learning Spanish and diving into a deeper understanding God’s character through scripture, bible studies and commentaries. I ask that you come along with me over these next few months and help me fundraise not just by giving a donation but by getting in contact with me and asking about this past journey and the one to come and helping to give me more contacts to spread this calling to. I don’t just want to ask for money. I know full well if God wants me to go on this journey for 11 months then he will most assuredly provide every penny. So I ask you to listen to that tug or pull on your heart and help me help other human beings in the world learn more about JESUS CHRIST. There is nothing else in life that I want to do more than teach others about his love and grace. I ask with my full heart to help me do this.

• Will you choose to join these missionaries as they reach their towns, region, and continent with the Gospel?
• Will you share the beautiful truth that there is so much more to this life with people in Guatemala?
• Will you share the freedom life in Christ with people who need to know Him?

I think everyone, including myself can deeply benefit from a deeper understanding of who God is and how much he LOVES us. It is such and honor and privilege to call ourselves Christians (Christ followers), but deeper than that it is such an honor and privilege to be called to the nations and spread this Good News to anyone and everyone I can! I am so blessed and thankful to have this opportunity and can’t wait to share it with you in this coming year!

-In Christ, Ben:)