I am writing this with 30 minutes to spare on Thursday, November 25.  Thanksgiving for all my American friends.  And to my Canadian friends, real countries don’t celebrate it in October (kidding…love all of you).  My mom has once again prodded me into blogging (are we sensing a pattern here?).  So I figured I will be sharing what I am thankful for and a couple other things.  So here we go.

I am thankful for my family.  They put up with a lot of crap from me and still love me.  Even when I don’t really deserve it.  Or at least feel like I don’t.  My parents are two of the most awesome people in the world.  I love my brother and can’t wait to meet my nephew next month.  I am thankful for some incredible friends.  I am starting to realize they care for me for who I am not what I can do.  Since moving, I have heard from more of them than I thought just letting me know they miss me.  I am thankful for a job.  I am able to pay the bills and am slowly getting out of debt.  Slower than I thought, but it is what it is.  Of course, the fact that I have a good job doesn’t preclude me from still looking back in TN.  That’s home.  Virginia just doesn’t feel like it.  But I can afford to be a little more selective.  I have a job right now I really enjoy.  I am thankful for a merciful God.  He’s helped me through a lot this year.  We laid some old demons to rest.  I still have some to work on, like we all do, but I’m getting there.  I am immensely grateful for the country of Haiti.  You gave me a purpose.  One I had been searching for.  Never expected it.

Ok, recent things that have gone in my life?  My iPhone broke.  needs a new LCD screen.  I can do it all for $50 myself.  $50 more to send it off and get fixed.  Attempted fixing it when I thought it was just the glass.  But it’s the actual LCD screen.  So I am sans my iPhone.  Using an el cheapo phone that my fried Shannon sent me to use (also very thankful for that) in the mean time.  I am leaning towards letting someone else do it.  Then it’s guaranteed to be fixed.  So anyone who wants to donate to my cause can message me :D.

Ok, one more bit of news.  I am starting a blogging series!  Now, it likely won’t be until January.  As it kinda really works as New years resolutions.  Which I never really do.  But these are some things that I was really leaning towards anyway.  They’ve been a while coming as I have been growing over the last year.  Kinda excited.  We’ll see.  I may start sooner.  Ok, that’s it.  I’m tired.  goodnight.

Good evening everybody. It’s 5 PM here in Richmond. I am taking the opportunity to write this here at work because, well, it’s really slow. I know I said I’d write more, and I have been slacking on that. It’s mostly because I don’t feel like anything specatcular is happening right now. I am essentially living life like everyone does. One day at a time. But my mom asked me to write again, and we all know that if mama ain’t happy, no one is.

Ok, so here’s what I’ve been up to since the last time I wrote. I am out of training at work and on the floor. I like the job so far. Can be a bit stressful at times (can’t they all?) but the people I work with are great and every one is super helpful if I have a question. And I have quite a few. Most of the time I am just confirming that what I thought I needed to do was the correct process. So we’re good there. I am working the evening shift, which I like. It pays a bit better and things are just a bit more laid back. My position here is High Value Disputes. So disputes for customers who spend a LOT of money with us each year. It’s interesting to see how people spend, for sure. The term “living simply” doesn’t even enter their vocabulary. Of course, at one point of my life, I wanted to be just like them. I wanted the great paying job and being able to buy whatever I wanted, whenever. it’s the American dream, right? Now, that’s entirely less of a priority for me. I used to want the new car. Heck, I BOUGHT the new car. Even when I really couldn’t afford it. Now, I just purchased a car for $800.00. A 1989 GMC Jimmy (the little one, for those of you who knew there were two sizes of them). It only has 130,000 miles, so pretty happy about that. Needs some work, but I think I can do most of it. As long as it can get me to and from work and the occasional longer trip, I’m ok.

Personally, I am doing fairly well. I found a church here in Richmond I have been attending semi-regularly. I check out other churches, but keep ending up back at this particular one. Mechanicsville Christian has some great pastors (at least the ones I’ve heard) and are very theologically sound. Not the friendliest place so far, but hopefully that will change. I believe I will end up there for the short term. It’s nice it’s only 5 minutes from my house, too. Most every church I have attended since I was 18 was at least a 20 minute drive. This is a welcome change of pace, for sure.

**We interrupt this (not at all) regularly scheduled blog to inform you I am an UNCLE!!! My brother is the proud papa of a baby boy named Matthew Joseph!! I just got the text from my dad. baby is 21″ long and 9 lbs.

Ok, let’s see what else is new. I was dating a really awesome girl for a while, but we realized we want different things in life. We broke up and it was the most civil break up I’ve ever had. We remain friends and I am still thankful to know her. Oh, and the bar has officially been raised for future ex-girlfriends. I received a couple of lovely parting gifts from her. She had a spare dvd player and I needed one, so she gave it to me. She also got me the Who Wants to be a Millionaire DVD game. She thinks (and I agree0 that I should re-try out for the show. So I’ll get practicing and try again inext season.

OK, I think that’s it. I should go back to work….

I am writing this from the encouragement of my friend Amanda, who said she enjoyed my writing while in Haiti and suggested I start up again, and seeing as God continues to work even post Haiti, I shall do so.  For those who aren’t aware of my going ons since I returned, let’s start with that.  Upon my return to Tennessee, I began to earnestly look for work.  Unfortunately, I was unable to find work.  There were definitely a couple of moments of “God, I gave up half a year to serve you in Haiti…throw me a freakin’ bone.”  And of course, that never takes the shape of what you think it will.  A friend of mine, David (Amanda’s husband), worked for Capital One in Richmond, VA, and suggested a couple of positions I might qualify for.  I applied, got a phone interview and was told “we’re really interested in you for one of the positions….but you need to come in for an interview.”  Well, crap.  I can’t afford to go out for an interview without a guarantee.  No money for a plane ticket.  No money for gas for a car.  Heck, no car.  Got rid of mine before Haiti because I simply couldn’t afford it.  So I wrestled with/prayed about what to do and finally felt a peace to just move.  Now, of course, there still presents the “how do I get there?”  And once again, God provides.  My friend Ash travels a lot for work and has tons of airline miles.  He cashed them in for a one-way on Southwest to Norfolk, VA, where I was able to be picked up by Dave and Amanda and taken the appr 90 minutes back to Richmond.  Now, I know what you’re thinking (or maybe you weren’t really thinking it, but work with me here…), “Getting there is fine and dandy.  Where are you gonna live?  How are you gonna get to a job if you get one?”  Well, it just so happened that David’s parents have a basement apartment that they would allow me to live in and get settled rent free.  And a spare vehicle I can use (just gotta put gas in it).  Isn’t God amazing?  Yeah, I thought so, too.  So on August 24, I flew out to Virginia, had an interview August 26, got hired and started September 20.  In the mean time, I found some temp work with a moving company.  Things definitely were looking up.

I just finished my second week at Capital One.  The company seems great to work for and I am thankful for the job.  Even more thankful for 4 paid weeks of vacation each year.  This will allow me to visit my family and friends in Tennessee multiple times and also will allow 1, maybe 2 weeks in Haiti in 2011.  The time I spent there awakened something inside me.  I have always been the guy who bent over backwards to help others.  And loved doing it.  It’s who I am.  So spending 3 months being able to serve others was amazing.  I know for sure that God isn’t done with me serving.  For not ever considering myself a missionary, I can legitimately see myself doing it full time eventually.  It’s exciting and daunting at the same time.  Those three months in Haiti changed me.  In a good way.  I’ll have more thoughts on that soon, but for now it’s time for dinner, so I will have to come back (you all know how I am with food….)

*This post was written June 13

It’s right at 5 PM Central time and I am currently in an airplane flying to Chicago.  As many of you know, I wasn’t scheduled to depart Haiti until June 24, but the death of my last remaining grandparent means my trip had to be cut short.  As much as I know I was down there doing God’s work, my family is important, and they need me now.  The work there isn’t done, but my major project is darn close.  I am confident the team there now will fix it.  Nick and David are both very capable and Nick has been my right hand man on this for the last month so he knows how I want things done.  I discussed the finishing of the house with him and David and Pastor Lafleur.  The house WILL be done.  Of this I am confident.  But I was reminded about King David.  His job was not to build the temple; that was reserved for his son, Solomon.  So what did David do?  Drew up plans and got all the materials together.  Solomon just had to do the work.  God apparently had someone else in mind to finish what I started.  As disappointing is that is, the groundwork is laid, the plans are drawn up, the materials are ready.  It just has to be finished.  My God is a FINISHER.  That house will serve the church and community admirably.  I am blessed to have played a small part in it.

I found out yesterday from my parents my grandpa was down to “hours” and I needed to get home.  The unfortunate thing was I was already in Port Au Prince, picking up a team.  Which meant I couldn’t start making plans to get home until I got back to Jacmel and I could start in on calls to arrange things.  I arrived back at the hotel at 9:30, and immediately jumped on my computer.  Was definitely thankful the internet was working decently last night.  I called American Airlines to switch the flight.  I was hoping to get sent to Cedar Rapids, IA or to Moline, IL, as both of those were within two hours of my hometown of Burlington.  However, the cost of switching to one of those locations was $1100.  “But sir, I only have 1 seat available to either of those and if you take it, the plane will be full, so we have to charge a lot for that seat.”  Logic didn’t work, so I asked about Chicago or St Louis.  I could get into Chicago for $68.50.  Sold.  Gave them my debit card info and booked the flight.  The downside?  The plane left Port Au Prince at 9:15 AM.  Which meant I had to be at the airport at 7 AM.  Which meant leaving Jacmel at 4 AM.  Did I mention I didn’t start working on getting home until 9:30 last night?  Yeah, who needs sleep, right?  Anyway, I still had to figure out getting in to SE Iowa, which was a 4 hour drive from O’Hare.  Lenny wasn’t available until Monday.  So I originally thought about staying the night in Chicago.  I could fly a commuter plane into Burlington direct for $90.  Amtrak to Burlington was $66.  Amtrak to Galesburg, IL was $26, which looked like my best option, until God put to mind my friend Kevin.  Called him (at 11:30) and asked if he could pick me up at around 5 (was scheduled to land at 4:35), and I would pay gas and dinner.  He agreed.  Score!  Of course, things are never that simple and my flight out of Miami was delayed due to bad weather in Chicago, so now I won’t get in until around 6:15.  Sorry, Kev.  I owe you big time.

I want to take this opportunity to thank quite a few people who made the last 11+ weeks possible.  It’s like writing album liners!  I can include in-jokes that they’ll only get!  So here goes.  First of all, I would like to thank my Heavenly father for giving me the vision of the work (and for those of you who DO read album liners, isn’t that how it almost nearly starts?  Even if the subject matter of the record is about as far away from God as possible….).  I would like to thank my parents for their love and support, and especially my mom for her daily texts on how many days until I came home.  Made me smile.  I shared them with many-a team member.  I would like to offer a huge thanks to Darren Tyler as when I told him my heart to go, his answer was “let’s figure out how to get you there.”  And then Conduit covered my flights and lodging.  Your support to me, not only in this, but in nearly everything in the last 6 years that I have known you, has led me to having the most respect for anyone I know that I am not related to.  Proud to call you a friend, a brother, a mentor, a pastor.  God bless you, Shannon, and the kids.  Thanks to Conduit Church, New River Fellowship, Restore Haiti, Grace Bible Church, 90.9 WVYN, Dennis Ostrander and 89.9 in Burlington, Charley Hayes (and you internet radio show…sorry I can’t think of the name right now….), and everyone who prayed and supported me during this mission.  You made it possible.  So many of you donated and/or payed me way more than the jobs I did were worth (Lainie Stubblefield, I’m talking to you!).  You guys are way awesome!

To Pastor Lafleur who said yes when I suggested a “blanc” come and hang out in Haiti for 3 months.  Even when he wasn’t going to be there the entire time.  You trusted me to help further the ministry you started, and for that I am eternally grateful.  You helped challenge me in ways I never imagined, and probably didn’t even realize you did it.  Blessings to you, my brother, and I will be back to Haiti, for sure.  Next time, we’re gonna fix the sound system right, and allow the ministry to keep growing.  Thanks to Theresa Swain, for handling the logistics of getting me there.  You made my life so much easier.  You rock.  To Pastor Rodrigue, Fedony, Dave, Julie (and all the girls in the kitchen), you took me in and took care of me.  So thankful for all of you.  To Patricko, Leminson, McDonald, Gabby, et al, thanks for your help on the work.  Patricko, I stopped giving you my iPod because you sang loudly.  And worse than I do.  Even worse than my dad.  No bien.  Love you, though, brother.  Nick, you were so much help.  So thankful for your friendship.  Caleb and Caleb, thanks for showing me around Jacmel (especially for pointing out Lewis’s Chicken!).  Made being there easier. Blessings to you and your ministry.  To Rodrigue, Marie, and everyone at the Loving Light, you provided a place to stay, showers, laundry, breakfast (and sometimes more meals, and internet.  You were my home for 3 months.  Made things so much easier.  So blessed.  To all my friends on teams, both old and new, thanks for giving me the opportunity to serve along side each of you.  To Victoria, Gwen, Deborah, Juli, and Stephanie, you blessed me more than I ever thought a group there to do a women’s ministry ever could.  In 5 short days, you loved on me and challenged me in so many ways.  Couldn’t be prouder to know you and call you family.  Steph, you are hands-down the best clown ever.  Loved watching you work.  Lastly, and certainly not least, I want to thank all the kids in the community.  Jemica, Gaelle, Evanson, Clifford, Felix, and so many whose names I couldn’t keep straight (there are a LOT of you!), you made me smile every single day.  I loved nothing more than to walk onto church property and here a dozen little voices yell, “Ben!!”  You melted my heart.  What I did is because I, and God, KNOW you are the FUTURE of Haiti.  And it’s going to be a great future.  I am glad to be able to sow seeds so you can harvest them.

Ok, I want to close this out with a recap of what I did while I was down there.  I tore down a house that wasn’t salvageable (a Forward Edge team is rebuilding it this week!!), cleared rubble, built a temporary school so kids could continue to learn, helped out with health clinics (Julie Wendt, didn’t I just look hot in my blue poncho?), built bunk beds, (mostly) finished the house, tore down the church and helped build a bigger one (how awesome is it when the church grew so much it couldn’t house all the people anymore?!?), played escort for every team coming into Port Au Prince, went through the sound system to find what cables didn’t work, learned some Creole, played with a bunch of kids, and I KNOW I am leaving a bunch of stuff out.  Plus I got closer to God through the process.  When you don’t have a lot of people to talk to you hear from God.  Learning to live simply so others might simply live.  Thanks to all of you again for joining me on the journey, and thanks for reading.  God bless!

Hey all.  Happy Memorial Day.  Before we get into our not-so-regluarly-scheduled blog with all sorts of sarcastic comments and somewhat witty remarks (or, in a couple of instances, actual insightfulness!), I want to take the opportunity to thank any one who has served in the military for the country I love and call home.  Both of my grandfathers served in Korea and my Uncle Jim was in the Air Force.  I have the utmost respect for anyone who has put on a uniform and served.  God bless each and every one of you.  I think about you often, and I want to let you know my prayers are with you always.

OK, so painting.  We started painting last Monday.  And apparently did’t get the mix right, so what we started had to be redone.  Pastor Rodrigue wasn’t happy with the color when he saw it, and since it’s his house, well, it makes sense he ought to like it.  Thankfully there is a guy that goes to the church that mixed the paint for the house that the color ideas where taken from, so he came over today and sowed us how much of what colors to use.  Now I know what a few of you are thinking.  A week went by before he came over?  Yeah.  It’s the rainy season.  And it rained all last week.  Painting n rain just doesn’t work.  But we got started again today, and everyone seems happy with the color this time around.

So what did I do with my down time last week?  Well, I figured I would need a job after I get back from Haiti so I started looking for one.  The process is a little slow.  I was hoping someone would email me with “I love your resume.  You start July 1!”  But that didn’t happen.  Not that I expected it to (though that would have been awesome.)  I have a couple that I think are interested in me, just talking to people that work for them (SO much easier finding a job if you know someone already employed there).  Both of those would require moving.  Which I am ok with if it’s God’s will.  Both of those would be good jobs, which is all I’m really looking for.  Other options involve a cdl and driving a tour bus.  I am confident God will open the right door.  I have a lot of friends in Tennessee, and it would be difficult to leave, but God knows my needs.  And if my needs are met elsewhere, so be it.  He’ll take care of me.

Ok, one last report.  The walls and roof are on at the new church.  They should be pouring the floor soon.  Got to have service in the new building yesterday.  Pretty cool!