Im going to Haiti!!!!

As many of you know and to the surprise of many of you others, I am going on a mission trip to Haiti (for only a week) on MAY 1st!! Its coming up in just a few days!  :)  I want to apologize for not letting everyone know in advance. I definitely did not send out support letters for this mission trip; hence, many didn't know about it. It wasn't a for sure thing until I bought the tickets, less than a month ago....AND finally got my passport renewed a couple days ago. So now I'm pretty certain I'm going! :)

We will be helping people in various parts of Haiti that are in need of medical attention. As many of you know, the 7.0 magnitude quake that struck in Haiti on January 12, 2010 left 3 million people in need of emergency aid and about 1 million people homeless.

Many people have been asking me WHY I'm going or WHAT made me want to go. Honestly, lately I've just felt a tugging in my heart to reach out to people, to help out those that are less fortunate than I am, and to share my faith, too. I've been looking back on my four years of college, and I honestly don't see very many areas of my time devoted to helping people out--physically or spiritually. A couple months ago my bro was tellin' me about how one of our family friends, Dr. Gabriel Galofre, was going on a mission trip to Haiti to help people out. Inside, I immediately thought to myself I WANNA GO! So I prayed about it a lot and talked to my family about it and finally bought the airline tickets.

What I am asking for from everyone is to keep in prayer for me. If you have experienced the power of prayer, you know how effective and necessary it is for EVERY situation. I am asking you as a friend and brother in Christ to pray for the Holy Spirit to provide me guidance, direction and protection. This is actually my FIRST time leaving the country and embarking on a big mission trip like this...so I'm fairly nervous. However, I am putting my trust in the Lord!

I've always had some fear of sharing my faith with my non-believing friends. I guess I didn't want to face the possibility of losing friends or even get laughed at. But for some reason, as I've been building a closer relationship with Jesus within this past year, I feel like I WANT to step out of my comfort zone. I heard a super encouraging little quote from a new friend of mine, Sam Chan (quoting someone else), that really convicted me. It goes like: "Step out of your comfort zone...and into the Comforter." When I heard this I really got touched and wanted to just go out and do something that would make me feel uncomfortable! I think I've felt God calling me to go share my faith with people for a while now, but I've just always ignored the call. In Romans, Paul says, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes" (1:16). With all this said, I am stepping out of my comfort zone and reaching out...asking God to take my hands and use them according to His will....and to take my feet and lead them down the path He chooses.

I know God will be with me and will speak through me to reach out to others. "For the Lord gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding" (Proverbs 2:6). And as my uncle always reminds me, "Do not be afraid; only believe" (Mark 5:36). So I am trying something new; I am taking a step of faith. I pray this is a humbling experience for me; nevertheless, a rewarding one as well.

Through all this, I hope to bring God the glory. Also, keep in prayer "for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel" (Eph. 6:19).

I will hopefully be able to post a full report on my experiences a couple days after I'm back!!

Thanks for reading! Blessings to you reader!!!

"Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples!" (Psalm 96:3)

Ministries Involved:
Breathe Global Christian Outreach
True Vision Ministries

Some cool quotes:

"What have I actually done that proves my loyalty to Christ? How many times have I sacrificed my own well-being for that of others, in the name of Christ--this week, this month, or even during the last five years?" -Jimmy Carter's Sources of Strength.

"Strength is meaningless.
 Breath is meaningless.
 Life is nothing.
 Jesus is everything."
      -Mother Teresa

"Truth is immortal"     - Dr. Balthasar Hubmaier


"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose."  -Jim Elliot


"If you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed,
but praise God that you bear that name." -Simon Peter

The Touch of the Master's Hand

Someone showed me this poem, and I wanted to share it! :) Enjoy!!!

The Touch of the Master's Hand

"Twas battered and scared, and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But he held it up with a smile.
"What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,
"Who'll start bidding for me?
A dollar, a dollar - now who"ll make it two _
Two dollars, and who"ll make it three?
"Three dollars once, three dollars twice,
Going for three". . . but no!
From the room far back a gray-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening up the strings,
He played a melody,pure and sweet,
As sweet as an angel sings.

The music ceased and the auctioneer
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said: "What am I bidden for the old violin?"
And he held it up with the bow;
"A thousand dollars - and who'll make it two?
Two thousand - and who'll make it three?
Three thousand once, three thousand twice
And going - and gone," said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried,
"We do not quite understand -
What changed its worth?" The man replied:
"The touch of the masters hand."
And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and torn with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to a thoughtless crowd.
Much like the old violin.

A "mess of pottage," a glass of wine,
A game and he travels on,
He's going once, and going twice -
He's going - and almost gone!
But the MASTER comes, and the foolish crowd,
Never can quite understand,
The worth of a soul, and the change that's wrought
By the touch of the MASTER'S hand.

~Myra B. Welch

Never Alone

Do you ever feel like you're all alone in this world? Like you start thinking why God would even care about YOU when there are other millions of people out there? My little self in this gigantic universe...what difference can I make for anyone...especially to God? I know I've thought of these before. But a couple weeks ago, I found in Isaiah, God says, "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine" (43:1). Reading this verse, I must say, was possibly the most encouraging thing I had read for a while. God, the creator of the heavens and the earth, why would He call me...and by my "name"? Would He actually care to know me by my name? Well, God Himself reassures us by letting us know that He has redeemed us. "You are Mine." I find these few verses so very personal..."You are Mine." It just blows my mind thinkin' how much God loves each and everyone of us....PERSONALLY!

In Psalm 103, David says, "As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more" (15-16). David reflects on the worth of our human lives on this earth...so short and vain as it may seem when compared to the vast measures of this planet and the universe. And God having created this immeasurable existence knows us by our name. I find that pretty crazy! We have so much more value in His eyes than we think. After all, He did send His Son to this earth for US...for YOU...for ME--to set us free from the bondage of sin.  He promises His people saying, I love you, and I will be with you, no matter what happens. Jesus will never leave our side. The wonderful Lord just asks, "Seek My Face" (Psalm 27:8) and the rest He will take care of.  David goes on to say, "But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him" (16). From no beginning to no end...TRY MEASURING THAT!!!

With that said, my fellow friend, I just ask that you put your trust in the Lord. Know that He is always by your side! When in trouble or distress, call upon His name! There IS power in the name! Don't believe me?? Well, just try it when ya need it! :) Just know that He will forever love you...no matter what you do or think!

Blessings to you reader! :)


"The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?" -Psalm 27:1

Evidence of the crossing of the Red Sea

This is already posted on my FB, but I thought it was really cool. Check it out!!! Ohhh...and, I lost the references for the page...oops. Rookie mistake!! :)

Pharaoh's Drowned Army


Confirmation of the actual Exodus route has come from divers finding coral-encrusted bones and chariot remains in the Gulf of Aqaba. ONE of the most dramatic records of Divine intervention in history is the account of the Hebrews' exodus from Egypt

The subsequent drowning of the entire Egyptian army in the Red Sea was not an insignificant event, and confirmation of this event is compelling evidence that the Biblical narrative is truly authentic.

Over the years, many divers have searched the Gulf of Suez in vain for artifacts to verify the Biblical account. But carefully following the Biblical and historical records of the Exodus brings you to Nuweiba, a large beach in the Gulf of Aqaba , as Ron Wyatt discovered in 1978.

Repeated dives in depths ranging from 60 to 200 feet deep (18m to 60m), over a stretch of almost 2.5 km, has shown that the chariot parts are scattered across the sea bed. Artifacts found include wheels, chariot bodies as well as human and horse bones. Divers have located wreckage on the Saudi coastline opposite Nuweiba as well.

Since 1987, Ron Wyatt found three 4-spoke gilded chariot wheels. Coral does not grow on gold, hence the shape has remained very distinct, although the wood inside the gold veneer has disintegrated making them too fragile to move.

The hope for future expeditions is to explore the deeper waters with remote cameras or mini-subs.

(ABOVE GILDED CHARIOT WHEEL - Mute witness to the miracle of the crossing of the Red Sea by the Hebrews 3,500 years ago. Found with metal detector. *Coral will not grow on gold)

1. Coral-encrusted chariot wheel, filmed off the Saudi coastline, matches chariot wheels found in Tutankhamen's tomb

2. Mineralized Bone - One of many found at the crossing site (above center). This one Tested by the Dept. of Osteology at StockholmUniversity , was found to be a human f emur, from the right leg of a 165-170cm tall man. It is essentially 'fossilized' I.e. replaced by minerals and coral, hence cannot be dated by radiocarbon methods, although this specimen was obviously from antiquity.

3. Chariot wheel and axle covered with coral and up-ended. Exodus 14:25 "And took off their chariot wheels, that they drove them heavily:....."

Solomon's memorial pillars

WHEN Ron Wyatt first visited Nuweiba in 1978, he found a Phoenician style column lying in the water. Unfortunately the inscriptions had been eroded away, hence the column's importance was not understood until 1984, when a second granite column was found on the Saudi coastline opposite -- identical to the first, except on this one the inscription was still intact.


In Phoenician letters (Archaic Hebrew), it contained the words: Mizraim (Egypt); Solomon; Edom; death; Pharaoh; Moses; and Yahweh, indicating that King Solomon had set up these columns as a memorial to the miracle of the crossing of the sea. Saudi Arabia does not admit tourists, and perhaps fearing unauthorized visitors, the Saudi Authorities have since removed this column, and replaced it with a flag marker where it once stood.

How deep is the water?

THE Gulf of Aqaba is very deep, in places over a mile (1,600m) deep. Even with the sea dried up, walking across would be difficult due to the steep grade down the sides. But there is one spot where if the water were removed, it would be an easy descent for people and animals. This is the line between Nuweiba and the opposite shore in Saudi Arabia

Depth-sounding expeditions have revealed a smooth, gentle slope descending from Nuweiba out into the Gulf. This shows up almost like a pathway on depth-recording equipment, confirming it's Biblical description "...a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters." (Isaiah 43:16)

The Bible writers frequently refer to the miracle of the Red Sea crossing, for it was an event which finds no equal in history.

The Hebrew prophets describe the sea at the crossing site as "...the waters of the great deep ...the depths of the sea..." (Isaiah 51:10).

Knowing the exact spot to which the Bible writers were referring, what is the depth there? The distance between Nuweiba and where artifacts have been found on Saudi coast is about 18km (11 miles). Along this line the deepest point is about 800m (2,600 feet).

No wonder that Inspired writers of the Bible described it as the mighty waters. And no wonder that not a single Egyptian survived when the water collapsed in upon them.

NUWEIBA BEACH - The spot where the crossing began. The Saudi side also has a beach area of a similar size (See approximate path.)

Model of depths at crossing site.
THE EXODUS ROUTE - With the correct crossing site in the Gulf of Aqaba

Newbie Blogger! :)

Hello! My name is Ben! So these past six or so months, God's been working wonders in my life. I've been thinking about starting a blog for weeks now and I'm finally here! I mainly want to use this blog to share my daily life--things that take place throughout my day that touch, encourage, inspire or bless me. I believe God can and does speak to his children and wants to bless each and every one of us...if only we believe. I am here to share uplifting and encouraging things and to share MY beliefs and how they effect my everyday life! I don't quite know where this blog will end up. Regardless, I think its good for me to write down things that come to my mind. Its a good way of reflecting on things! I'd also like to include Bible verses here that touch me and possibly even talk about them a little bit. All this I am doing for the Glory of God...and For His Kingdom. Okay well, here's my first blog ever! :D

Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him. Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart. -Psalm 2:12, Psalm 119:2

Blessings to you reader!!

-Ben