Bachellers in Brazil

Change of plans...

2012-01-31T11:29:00.001-03:00

What was supposed to be a nice outing with the boys today turned out to be a visit to the urgent care center for Caleb...all because he decided it would be a good idea to jump from one end of the couch to the other...never mind that the "other" end of the couch was practically bare wood that had long ago lost its padding..
The worst part? He dove head first...or shall we say, NOSE first? At least nothing broke in his nose or face...just a bad hit to the nose...At least it was a relatively quick visit to the hospital and there was some history/old architecture at this hospital.

January update

2012-01-13T08:26:00.003-03:00

People and hard work...

2012-01-05T21:21:00.002-03:00

Today we had a man, José (Zé), do some yard work. I saw him working on the neighbor's yard and we needed work done on ours, but we don't have any tools here, they're all stored away in Anápolis, the city we'll be moving to this next summer (winter here in Brazil—we're in the southern hemisphere!). So, I asked him how much he'd charge to do our front yard, he gives me the price, and says he could do it today. So, anyhow, after he's done with the neighbor's yard, he comes over to ours and starts working. What would have taken me an hour or less took him about 2.5 hours. Now, he did a great job, in fact, a marvelous job! It was so funny to me (not frustrating, but funny, yes!), how as he worked during this time, I could hear him out the front window talking every now and then...to people who were passing by. Was I frustrated at this? Well, back in the US, possibly...I've got that old American hard-work mentality built-into me...after all, I sold Bibles/books door to door to pay for college, no easy task. However, I wasn't upset at him at all...and here's why I thought all this to be so funny: I understood what was happening. As Zé was working, many people would pass by, and they know who he is...he works as the grounds crew guy across the street at an apartment building property. Everyone knows him, and he knows everyone too! So, people would say hi, or he'd say hi to them, put his elbow over his hoe, and catch up on the latest with them...for 30 seconds or so. Then he'd get back to work. A few minutes later, someone else would stop by, and the same thing would happen again. It was so funny for me to observe a cultural practice (a very GOOD one a that) in “real-time”. It's a cultural lesson I'll hopefully learn the easier way. I've 'known' the lesson for my whole life...studied about it in college and seminary, but merely 'knowing' isn't enough, I've got to 'practice it'. So today I have seen it afresh: “In Brazil, people are more important than time.” This is a value that Brazilians have which puts us Westerners to shame. It's a biblical principle that we would all do well to learn. Thanks Zé for sharing the Brazilian culture with us today.

Glory to God!

2011-12-29T15:16:00.001-03:00

Hello all! We wanted to follow upregarding our urgent email requests from a couple weekends ago. We would like to sharepraises with you. It’s fun seeing God DO things on behalf of His people, butit’s even better when we can all praise God TOGETHER as the BODY of Christ!Thank you each and every one of you who prayed for us (don’t stop!), and alsoto those who replied with encouraging emails. God is indeed GOOD, and we praiseHim—to God be the glory!

Regarding our requests:

Repairs on the house finished quickly, early this week. We moved in on Thursday, the 15^th, our target date—this is amazing for a latin country! The city did the sewer work promptly! What is more, our new landlord is a believer—what a blessing!
Packing our things to move them out of the apartment in time. We got everything out on time—somehow we accomplished it! Now for the unpacking and organizing in our new home.
For the boys—they are stressed too! They are much better having more room to run around at this house, and loving it!
Energy, especially for Becky—she's 7.5 months pregnant! She’s gotten through this week ok, and is learning to slow down a bit. But keep praying for energy!

Regarding our “touchy” situationthat began all this…we now have a better understanding of the whole thing andcan see how it was clearly a spiritual attack on our family. We ask you to keeppraying that the Lord would protect us and allow us to stay focused on thetasks He has for us during this time in language school.

This next week we are excited tohave Ben’s parents and sister with us for Christmas time. Also, Becky’s classeswill restart on January 9^th–she’ll have about a month of classesbefore the baby arrives.

We thank you for your prayers,support and encouraging words! This last week we have sensed the Lord’s peaceand presence in our daily activities—we know it is because so many of you werefaithfully praying for us. Thank you!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Ben, Becky, (Noah), Caleb, Samuel& Boy #4.

Growing through trials

2011-12-11T17:03:00.001-03:00

Hi all,

We come to you asking you to pray veryspecifically once again. Without going into too much detail, a littleover one week ago, after consulting with our mission, our family hadto vacate the apartment we were in due to a “touchy situation”.So we spent a week visiting some TEAM colleagues a day's driveaway—this was much needed and an enjoyable and restful time for ourfamily. We returned to Campinas Saturday (the 10^th) withthe plans of (1) house-sitting temporarily for some friends onvacation, (2) moving our belongings out of our apartment, and (3)moving into our new residence, all by the 15^th.

However, the owner of the house we aremoving into suddenly has had to do major sewer line repairs, and nowit depends on the local city government to finish the job. This meansthat we may or may not be able to move in by the 15^th,this Thursday. You can imagine how stressful this is for all of us,the kids included. Becky and Caleb both had to miss their last twoweeks of school, we weren't able to connect with a church small groupwe had been so looking forward to, and we lack the stability of ourown place (again)! So, please pray for us this week in this way:

Repairs on the house finished quickly, early this week.
Packing our things to move them out of the apartment in time.
For the boys—they are stressed too!
Energy, especially for Becky—she's 7.5 months pregnant!

As we process all these developments,Becky and I said to each other today at lunch: “This is hard...ourlife has been hard... Can you even remember a time that is wasn'tlike this?” We remembered a couple of times in which there was calmin between the storms...but we sense that this is another spiritualattack on our family. We have been through so much in the past 10years or so, but we know that when we are in the center of God's willfor our lives, trials will come. James 1:2-4 tells us to “Considerit pure joy...whenever you face trials of many kinds...”

Friends, we cannot say that we are fullof joy right now, but we CAN tell you that we are persevering throughthe trials. God wants us to grow in perseverance (with joy intrials—that's still sometimes HARD to do), so that we can be matureand complete... We don't know about you, but we want to be completein Christ, and mature in Him! So, we CAN have joy that the Lordcounts us worthy...and this we DO ask and pray for.

So, lastly, please pray for JOY for usin these trials...it is not the first one, and we know it will not bethe last one, because we are committed to persevering in our faith,just like you are called to do too! We look forward to sending you abelated Christmas update from our “new” home come January.

Persevering through trials...

Ben, Becky & the boys.

Beep beep!

2011-11-22T15:26:00.001-03:00

Samuel today having fun all by himself!

Going to market part 3

2011-11-14T21:47:00.001-03:00

Going to market part 2

2011-11-14T18:20:00.001-03:00

This is outside the market...

Going to Market part 1

2011-11-14T06:00:00.000-03:00

Latest prayer letter

2011-11-07T13:39:00.002-03:00

2011-11-05T21:50:00.001-03:00

So, most of you were right! It IS indeed an anteater, but it's specifically the Lesser Anteater, a "medium dog sized" animal, a beautiful animal! But, as a friend of ours mentioned who has cared for one before, they are VERY messy animals! Thanks for all the guesses!

Can you guess what animal this is?

2011-10-25T16:15:00.000-03:00

As we ask in our prayer letter...tell us your guess...reply below the picture in the COMMENT section. In a few days come back for the correct answer! We'll show you a full-body picture of this beautifully unique Brazilian animal.

Getting to know us...part 2

2011-10-23T14:55:00.000-03:00

Here's the next part of our video series...this is Caleb riding his bike on October 12th, his birthday. We went to a local park (Parque Taquaral, in Campinas, SP) for him to try out his bike. The city of Campinas closes some streets in the city on Sundays from 7am to 1pm, and on holidays too...this is to allow for bikes and runners (and families!) to have some space to walk and run and play in the city of asphalt... Notice all the people around us...it's crazy! But, wonderful that so many people get OUT of the house/apartment they live in... October 12th is a special holiday in Brazil... Children's Day..everyone has the day off to celebrate kids. It's fun that this is also Caleb's birthday, he will always have his birthday off from school here in Brazil! So, enjoy the video, and get to know us and our surroundings a bit WITH us. Thanks!By the way, Samuel wasn't too happy this day...he wanted his own bike to ride!

Caleb's 4th Birthday!

2011-10-23T14:17:00.000-03:00

For Caleb's 4th, birthday, Becky made cupcakes in the shape of an icecream cone--that's what Caleb requested!

This is what Caleb got for his birthday...a bicycle! We actually bought it a few nights before we left the US, took it apart that same night, and packed it in one of the 27 bins we brought with us! Much cheaper to do that then to buy a bike here... He LOVES his bike!

And here Caleb is demonstrating his climbing skills...AND falling skills.

This peacock was one of many that are at this park...the boys loved hearing them! They are VERY loud, in case you've never heard one up close.

So, it was a wonderful October 12th for Caleb, and all of us, as we celebrated his 4th birthday!

Getting to know the Bachellers in Brazil

2011-10-15T19:22:00.001-03:00

Part 1 of our new video series..."Getting to know the Bachellers".

Home Sweet Home!

2011-10-09T13:25:00.001-03:00

The boys just walked up the stairs to our apartment and are happy to be home.

Our Apartment...

2011-10-09T13:22:00.001-03:00

This is our apartment in Campinas, Brazil where we are living for Becky to go to language school. We are on the third floor and have an older, spacious apartment. The bottom picture is the view from our bedroom window. Yes, that's construction...just in case the boys don't wake us up early, the trucks will :-)
It has been an adjustment for us getting used to city living but we enjoy walking to the park, market, school, and just about anywhere we need to go.

Ready for school!

2011-10-08T22:06:00.000-03:00

Caleb started school two weeks ago and has come to love it! He goes three mornings a weeks to a little pre-school that is all in Portuguese. The teachers have been great with him, using English words only when necessary. Caleb usually goes to school on Tuesday, when they have special extra classes in bodily expression (aerobics/dancing), Thursday (Music, instruments and library), and Friday (show and tell) .
Above photos: Caleb is ready for school! But of course, Samuel doesn't want to be left out! In Brazil, as in most other countries around the world except for the US, kids have to wear uniforms every day (I, Ben, did growing up here in Brazil). Below, Caleb is with two of his friends at the entrance to the school; the other photo is Caleb in his school room--very American, he's EARLY! :-)

Settling into life

2011-10-01T23:17:00.001-03:00

So we have now been in Campinas, São Paulo state, for two weeks. What a whirlwind it has been...then again, when is it NOT a whirlwind to move? Even still, it's a new culture (yes, for me, Ben, it IS), a new language (again, yes, it really is), and almost everything unfamiliar to us in a big city. Last time we lived in a city this big was when we got married in 2003 and lived in Fairfax, VA, right outside the beltway of the crazy area of Washington, D.C.

Anyhow, since we've been here, it has taken a week and a half to get our phone & internet set up. As soon as this happened (this was last Monday), our car started having problems. It's very interesting to me that God uses every little thing to draw us to Himself. We were praising God that we finally had contact with others via our phone and internet, yet could we praise Him even while the car busted each day this week?? Yes, every single day. Last Sunday, the car started making a horrible noise when I put the gear in Reverse (manual gears here). By Monday afternoon, I couldn't drive the car backwards because reverse wouldn't work without me forcefully holding the gear in place all while it's loudly grinding and popping out of gear. So I took it to a mechanic guy we were referred to, a believer, and he fixed it for a LOT cheaper than he should have. Tuesday, the front left tire started wobbling really bad, so bad that I thought maybe a steel cable or something busted within the tire...so that night I started to take off the tire and found that it wasn't on TIGHT! So, I tightened those lug nuts. The next morning, Wednesday, after dropping Becky off at language school and Caleb at his school, the tire started wobbling again. So... I took it to a tire place that afternoon and he "tightened it" himself and "guaranteed" that it wouldn't happen again. So far, so good. While there, I had him do an alignment on the wheels b/c the car was pulling hard to the right when going over 65mph (100km/h here in Brazil). Come to find out that the front right tire was leaning (in or out, I don't remember, I just said FIX IT please). Thursday we went to a large park as a family (Lagoa Taquaral, Campinas, SP--look it up!), and parked. When we left, the front bumper had gotten stuck on the cement curb that we pulled up over (oops). Guess what happened? Yep, it almost completely got ripped off, hanging only by the front top of the fender. That's why I always carry DUCT TAPE in my car! So...we got that fixed yesterday, Friday. Today, Saturday...well, nothing yet, and I'm not getting in the car until tomorrow...I could use a day off from car troubles.

Does God laugh when this stuff happens? I think it's more that He wants US to laugh when this happens. And, actually, this week, I HAVE been able to laugh at all this... In fact, I laugh to myself, thinking: "Welcome to missionary living"...and it's only the beginning. I should have taken pictures of all this stuff this week, but being as busy as we have been, there ARE no pictures. But, there ARE pictures of an outing we did today, Saturday, to the local Ecological Zoo Park, it's a zoo type park that you walk through to see all the animals in semi-captivity. Many native to Brazil, many from around the world. The climate in Brazil allows for many other tropical, sub-tropical and semi-arid animals to do well here year-round. Take a look at the pictures! Or look at them to the right of this webpage.

Keep in touch...let us know you are reading/praying!

Ben, for the family.

Ready, Set, ...Wait!

2011-09-08T21:31:00.001-03:00

So often, that's what it feels like in a culture where “time isn't money”. Here in Brazil, people are the equivalent to what this expression is stating. Time is what matters in our American culture...here in Brazil, and many other places in the world, it's not the time that matters but the relationships developed. Yes, we have prayed for a speedy resolution to all our times of waiting this last month. However, God is showing us that there are some cultural values that are quite Biblical here in Brazil that we Americans can learn from: people matter more. Great lesson to learn and live by, since God often uses our relationships with people to draw them into a relationship with Him.

Once we arrived in Brazil one month ago this week, we had to wait a lot...wait to find the right car, wait to find the correct apartment/house for language school, wait to get our bank account, debit cards, driver's licenses, etc. That's what we're doing right now...waiting for our licenses to be transferred to Brazil. Interesting fact: it currently costs a Brazilian $1500 to get a driver's license, along with much paperwork and hours of driving school; for a foreigner to transfer their license to Brazil it costs $300 and is much less of a headache, though it still takes days and days.

Transitions
We've been in transition for a few years now, as you know. Unfortunately, a lot of transition is a normal part of the missionary life. Since we arrived in Anápolis, Brazil, we've been staying with Ben's parents while looking for a car and an apartment/house to rent for language school and completing lots of paperwork. We have also unpacked all of our luggage so we could repack what we will need for the next 6-9 months in language school in Campinas, Brazil. This has taken may hours of organizing and downsizing. We were able to find a good car that will fit our growing family and with the help of some Brazilian friends (remember it is all about relationships here) and lots of prayer, Ben signed a lease for an apartment near the language school for three months. In December, we will be able to move to a house, also close to the school, that will give us more space when the baby comes. We'll be down in Campinas probably until around May or June of 2012 for Becky to complete language school. The school, called Interclass, is well known and has an excellent reputation in Brazil. They are also very flexible and have told us Becky can decide how many hours per week she would like in class depending on the needs of our family. While Becky is studying, Ben's role will be to take care of the boys and find ways to get them out and exposed to Portuguese. After language school, we'll move back up to Anápolis where we'll find housing once again and begin our ministry here. Please keep us in your prayers with all these transitions.

We'd also ask you to pray for the boys, especially Caleb, in adjusting to life here. It has been difficult for him, but we think we're finally seeing some improvement. He is starting to pick up on some Portuguese words and is getting used to hearing Portuguese more often. We are thankful that there are two other missionary families with young children where we are staying right now. The kids all know Portuguese and have been an encouragement to Caleb that he also will one day understand everything that is going on. Every day we take the boys out to play at the park and Caleb learns new words as he interacts with some Brazilian friends he has made. We are still trying to decide whether or not to put Caleb in a Brazilian pre-school in Campinas for his development and growth here. One way or another, he will soon start swimming lessons: they will help get his energy out, make friends, and learn the language. Samuel is quite young still to comprehend the language barrier. We are trying to use more Portuguese with him at home so he will gradually learn to understand. He loves keeping up with Caleb and especially riding with him on their tricycle. Caleb sits in the front to pedal while Samuel rides on the back holding on for a wild ride!

As you keep our family in prayer during this time please also pray that the final 5% of our monthly support will come in. We trust God to provide for all our needs and know He will bring in all the support needed to live and minister here in Brazil. Thank you for your prayers and support. Please look on our blog for updated pictures and more information. We have our American phone connected at all times and you can call us anytime at our South Carolina number: 803-233-3608. Thank you again for lifting us up in prayer, we are so glad to have you as a part of our “ground crew”.

Ben, Becky, (Noah), Caleb, Samuel & Baby #4 Bacheller.
(803) 233-3608Anápolis, GO Brazil
Skype/Twitter/Facebook: bbbacheller

Boys concentrated

2011-08-28T10:37:00.001-03:00

Untitled, a photo by bbbacheller on Flickr.

The boys were playing off in a corner in the yard, making "collections."

Jumping on the trampoline

2011-08-28T10:35:00.001-03:00

Untitled, a photo by bbbacheller on Flickr.

Caleb with Uncle Micah, Socks, and Nessie in the background.

Caleb with Socks

2011-08-28T10:05:00.001-03:00

Untitled, a photo by bbbacheller on Flickr.

Caleb was jumping on his Aunt Joy's trampoline, and Uncle MIcah's dog came up with him to jump! Here they're relaxing.

Brazilian?

2011-08-18T16:28:00.002-03:00

I grew up in Brazil, I speak Portuguese, and I look Brazilian. You wouldn't think it would be THAT difficult for me to adjust to life here in Brazil, right? Well, that's where you'd be wrong. In fact, that's where I'm wrong if and when I assume it should be a piece of cake for me to readjust to life in Brazil. Sure, it helps that I speak Portuguese, and that I can more easily get around as compared to someone who doesn't speak the language or look Brazilian. However, in the 15 years that I've lived in a country other than Brazil, I've become much more American than Brazilian. Here's why:
-I finished high school in the US (English)
-I lived with an American family for 6 months before college
-I went to an American college where there were no other Brazilians to speak the language with me
-I married an American (best decision in my life other than accepting Christ as my savior)
-I worked at American jobs (speaking English)
-I did my M.Div. in English
-All my adult life has been in English and in the American church and culture. My understanding has grown in and of the American context, but put me in a foreign context (even though I look, speak, and sometimes think in Portuguese), and I'm a fish out of water. Yes, that's right. I admit it: I'm a REAL missionary here in Brazil. I have to learn it all over again, or most things, for the first time.

Take, for instance, our attempt at opening a bank account this past week. Yes, it took a whole week. That's Latin America for ya. We went to the bank, but b/c we don't have paystubs with us (we just got here a week ago), we can't open an account. So, for whatever reason, the bank has a deal with the post office that you can open an account through them without proving income. So, we go to the post office. Come to find that the each post office only opens accounts for a bank at a certain address, so, we go to a different post office, hoping to get an account closer to where we'll live. We get there and find that that post office now opens account for a bank at a different address and none of the post offices now open accounts for the address we would like. So, we decide to go ahead and just open an account anyhow. Then, as we're going through the process/paperwork, the worker finds that we can't open a joint account b/c my wife doesn't have a certain ID #, so we have to start THAT paperwork, and go get that number the next day at a governmental office across town, and then after waiting a long time, we do that and return to another post office the next day to complete the bank account paperwork. We get it all filled out with the worker, and he tries to print it off to finalize it, and says that the printer's not working. So, we have to do it all by hand (at least HE did that part and we came back after lunch). All this with a very energetic 3 and 1/2 year old and a 17 month old, and with Becky feeling nauseated all day b/c she's pregnant. Furthermore, even though I speak Portuguese, I never did any of this business stuff when I was 16, so this is all new for me in Portuguese.

Sometimes I feel like it would be easier if I didn't speak any Portuguese at all, because it brings frustration when I can't understand or communicate easily, even though it seems as if I should (at least to the Brazilians around me). All in all, it's a blessing that I DO speak Portuguese, but it's good to recognize that I am, after all, an American missionary in a foreign context. In this way, I'll be able to learn more than I would if I assumed the position that I "knew it all". Happy learning then, Ben.

Talk back to the missionary:
Do you know of someone who's been in my shoes? What was it like for them?

Arrived in Brazil!

2011-08-11T16:18:00.003-03:00

Long overdue update

2011-07-01T23:19:00.000-03:00

First off, if you don't get our regular emails, you need to know about Becky's trip to Brazil a couple of weeks ago. She went for about a week, in order to renew her Permanent Visa to live in Brazil. Caleb and I (Ben) have until October (you might remember that I took Caleb to Brazil in October 2009 by myself to deal with Visa issues?). Anyhow, Becky went with 9 pieces of luggage, each almost 70 lbs! Wow! Yes, crazy, we know...but we are not shipping anything to Brazil. If it doesn't fit in the luggage, it's not going with us. Sometimes we wish we'd ship, but we decided that for now it's not worth the headache with all the paperwork and complications involved with it, including the customs fees and "hidden charges" that might "pop up"! Anyhow, she went and came back safely, though much more tired than when she left...and the following message/email below is what we sent out a couple of days ago.

Dear praying friends,
Thank you for your prayers! Becky’s trip went very well! She never lifted a single piece of the nine large 70 lb. bins she took to Brazil with her! Our good God provided two people at each point to do the work for Becky—isn’t our God SO GOOD?!? Thank you for lifting her trip up to Him in prayer.

Now, for another crucial request we have: we are practically ready to fly to Brazil. Almost all of our support is in (6% to go--please pray for ALL of it by the end of July, our target date), but we are still waiting for Samuel’s Visa to be approved. We have checked the status of his Visa process on the Brazilian government’s website, and it says that it has arrived in Brazil for analysis. However, it is still sitting on someone’s desk or in a bin under a pile of other Visa requests. We would like to leave at the end of July for Brazil, but we cannot do this without Samuel’s Visa in our hands. So, our request to you and to the Father is that He would cause the process to be sped up somehow… In fact, why not pray that someone would pick his paperwork out of the pile and simply complete and return it to the Brazilian Consulate in Atlanta for us to pick up? Is ANYTHING too hard for the LORD? Of course not! Will you please intercede and put this need before the Father with us? We thank you so much, and look forward to telling you how God will get the glory! It is all for HIM that we do this.

These days we are busy packing and doing paperwork, studying Portuguese (Becky), and spending time with the boys. We’d also ask you to pray for Caleb & Samuel as they begin dealing with the transitions now and in the next few months. We will be leaving Friday for two weeks to visit churches and start saying goodbyes. Please pray for safe travels. Thank you.

Quick Trip

2011-06-16T12:12:00.001-03:00

Dear friends, prayer warriors, and everyone reading this,

We wanted to send you a quick email with important praises and requests:
1) Praise God that we now have 94% of our monthly support committed! Thank you to all of you who have joined our team!
2) Praise that we were able to take some furniture and personal items to Becky's parent's house in New York; we got much needed refreshment during this time.
3) Please pray that we will get Samuel's Permanent Residency Visa to Brazil soon so that we can purchase our tickets.
4) Pray for Becky's trip to Brazil this Friday through Wednesday of next week. Why is she going to Brazil by herself? Because for her to keep her Permanent Residency Visa, she needs to step foot in Brazil at least once every two years, otherwise she'd lose it—she has until June 29th. If you recall, Caleb and Ben went to Brazil in October 2009, so they have until October of 2011 to get back to Brazil.
1. Specifics for Becky's trip: since we are not shipping anything to Brazil, she'll be taking 9 pieces of luggage, and 2 carry-ons with her (we'll take more when we all go in July, as long as Samuel’s Visa arrives). Pray that it will be a smooth trip and all the luggage will get through with her; pray for God to send just the right person help at the right time with all that luggage; pray that she'll make it through customs without difficulties.

Thank you for praying with us and for us! Our God is faithful!

Waiting

2011-05-26T23:50:00.000-03:00

So, would you say that you're good at "waiting"? No, I mean, are you REALLY good at waiting? How about when you're waiting for something you REALLY want to do, you have a burning desire to do, you're prepared, you're excited, ready to jump right in...but you have to WAIT. Hmm. Yep, that's what we're doing now...at least, we're beginning to wait. We applied for Samuel's Visa 3 weeks ago now, and according to their website, it should have come back by now, approved. At least that's what the website and their correspondence with us tells us.

Then I (Ben) begin to wonder...LORD, what are you trying to teach me/us here? AGAIN? Do I have to learn this lesson AGAIN? Well, just the fact that I ask the question gives me my answer...yes, again. We're never done growing, are we? God wants us to continue growing in holiness, more like Him--did you know that? It's so easy to forget it, isn't it? Especially when we think we're so busy doing "His" work.

Read what Colossians 1:9-10 says: "We...ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God..." (that's sanctification right there!)

So, as we wait, this Bacheller family, would you pray for us in this way? That we'll be filled with the knowledge of God's will in spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a way worthy of Him, to please Him in all things? We want to bear fruit, even while we wait.

Thanks...

Waiting, actively.

Visas, Language, & Prayer

2011-05-11T00:20:00.000-03:00

Caleb receiving his trophy!

2011-05-09T11:17:00.002-03:00

Caleb is enthralled with his soccer trophy!

Caleb playing soccer

2011-05-09T11:16:00.000-03:00

Look for Caleb, he's number 8!

Samuel playing with sticks

2011-05-09T11:13:00.000-03:00

Easter & Noah's homegoing

2011-04-26T16:30:00.001-03:00

Easter is sometimes sad, but more than anything it's a wonderful time for those who have Jesus Christ as their savior! This year, Easter was late, as we all know. But it also fell very close to the date we celebrate (and grieve) Noah's homegoing. April 21st was the date, four years ago, that Noah passed away unexpectedly from a massive seizure. The hope we have as believers in Jesus Christ allows us to actually celebrate that Noah is without pain and very much enjoying eternal life...we grieve that we cannot have him with us right now, but celebrate that we will indeed see him again in Heaven! You can celebrate with us as you watch this video to illustrate to our kids that Noah went first, but one day we'll all meet him again.
Noah's grave.
Right before releasing the balloons at the cemetery.

Soccer with neighbor

2011-03-23T11:07:00.000-03:00

At one of Caleb's soccer games, he played against a team which had his friend from across the street on it. He thought they were all on the SAME team! Oh what fun!

At the park

2011-03-23T11:04:00.000-03:00

This slide and park are right behind our house, so we go there often!

Samuel's 1st Birthday

2011-03-23T11:00:00.003-03:00

This was taken on March 1st, Samuel's birthday. He didn't know what to do with this cupcake and candle at first, but he eventually smiled and got to enjoy it!

Soccer Practice for Caleb

2011-03-23T10:59:00.002-03:00

We had Caleb join the local soccer league, run by a church in the area, they do a great job! After the first practice, I, Ben, joined as an assistant coach. Why not? It's more fun in the mix than watching!

Almost ready for Brazil!

2011-03-04T00:13:00.000-03:00

Snow in SC, again

2011-02-28T17:42:00.001-03:00

Yes, it DOES snow in SC, but not very often, and usually not enough to make a snowman! This was on January 10th. On the other hand, it is 82 degrees here today, February 28th!

Continuing our story from Christmas in Pictures

2011-02-08T00:05:00.000-03:00

So, you can see that we went to an indoor water park, which Caleb and Samuel really loved, but we also went SKIING! Caleb had a blast with daddy and mommy! He got "warmed up" with Ben, so when Becky took him, he just kept wanting to go faster and faster! Yes, he rode the lift all the way up...Becky was more scared than Caleb! (more because she didn't want him jumping from that high!) Good thing that boy's wearing a helmet!

71%...leave by June!

2011-01-29T13:04:00.000-03:00

Praise God with us! We are now at 71% of our monthly needs to serve in Brazil. God has been answering your prayers and ours! Here are some updates and prayer requests for us:

Ben quit his job as of Friday, January 28^th, to focus specifically on support raising; please PRAY for our remaining support to come in quickly this Spring so that we can leave for Brazil by June.
For a possible part-time job opening for Becky in nursing while we wait to get to Brazil—next week we will know more details—check our blog for more information.
For us to balance support raising, spending time as a family, packing, Becky studying Portuguese, and working.
For good times of fellowship and growth with the Lord during this busy time.
For our trip to Chicago from the 8^th to the 20^th of February. We will be visiting supporters and family along the way, and then have our final training with TEAM, our mission agency, from the 12^th-18^th.

Thank you all so much for your prayers and support; please keep these requests before the Father…and let us know how to pray for you, too.

Snow in Chicago

2011-01-15T18:31:00.000-03:00

So, we had some snow in Chicago...the kids all enjoyed it, though it was bitterly cold!

Christmas travels

2011-01-15T00:52:00.000-03:00

So, we went to Chicago for Christmas (and Wisconsin, and NY), as you can see the skyline of downtown Chicago here...we'll give you a pictorial tour of our time in the next couple of days...once we get them uploaded.

Our family and our tree

2011-01-15T00:49:00.000-03:00

Say CHEEEEESE!

2011-01-15T00:46:00.000-03:00

Our latest news! Merry Christmas!

2010-12-14T23:56:00.000-03:00

Fall Festival

2010-12-09T01:44:00.000-03:00

Our church has a local outreach we do in the community, and we had a blast w/ the kids and many others who came! Look how warm we were. :-) Gotta love SC weather!

Sheriff Caleb

2010-12-09T01:43:00.002-03:00

Watch out! I'm comin' to get you!

Guess how many M&M's?

2010-12-09T01:43:00.001-03:00

Can you guess how many? Caleb guessed 50--so daddy just added a zero to it. At the end of the night...guess who was the closest? We were! There were 490 M&M's... Needless to say, we're still working on those M&M's these days. Don't want to overdo it now. :-)

2010-12-09T01:43:00.000-03:00

Another church closer

2010-11-20T18:15:00.000-03:00

Our trip to New York last month was a wonderful time for us as we saw Becky's relatives as well as Ben's, and we were able to visit with all of our grandmothers and Ben's one living grandfather. It was a very special time for us to reconnect with family.

This is Ben's paternal Grandmother (Bacheller). We don't have pictures with Becky's grandmothers or Ben's other grandparents because we had misplaced our camera at the time.

During our visit, we were able to visit two churches and share about our ministry in Brazil. One has committed to financially being a part of what God is doing in Brazil, the other is interested in hearing more about what God is doing there. Please pray for God to continue increasing the number of those who will commit to seeing God fulfill His work among the Brazilian people in spreading them around the world as missionaries. Thank you for your partnership in the gospel!

Ben, Becky, & the boys.

Fun at the zoo

2010-11-10T01:02:00.000-03:00

We went to the zoo on Saturday and had a blast walking around, seeing all the animals. I (Ben) love the way this picture turned out (I had the settings wrong--too much light), but I love the way the colors turned out, and just the look and feel of it. Of course, I took it again with the right settings, but Caleb wouldn't cooperate with such a great smile the second time around.

Rudolph already?

2010-11-10T00:55:00.000-03:00

I've been hunting already this season, but I just can't seem to find the deer. :-) Then we visited Numpa in NY and met Rudolph. Caleb and Samuel loved meeting him!

October Prayer Letter

2010-10-30T23:47:00.000-03:00

For those of you who don't get this by email. Please pray with us! Thanks for your partnership in the gospel!

Labor Day in NY

2010-09-20T17:47:00.000-03:00

Caleb, Samuel and I (Becky) were able to go to see Nana and Numpa in NY a few weeks ago. We also saw Aunt Erica, Uncle Josh and Stephanie. We had a wonderful time in the cold weather horse back riding, playin with the dogs, going for walks, blueberry picking and fishing. It was a wonderful weekend to be together, we were only sad Ben had to stay in SC.

Camping in NC!

2010-09-18T22:49:00.000-03:00

We went camping with our church family last weekend in Pisgah National Forest, NC. What a wonderful time! Who cares that it rained most of the time...we put up some tarps for a roof and played games, ate good food, and had a grand ol' "wet" time!

Mommy

2010-09-18T22:32:00.000-03:00

This picture says it all. Samuel really loves his mommy. It's such a wonderful thing to hold a baby (though he's quite large) in your arms, and even more special when that baby holds to you like Samuel did in this picture, it's a reminder to us of the privilege and responsibility to raise our kids in and for the Lord. They are his, we just get them for a time.

Our Cat Bela

2010-09-18T22:29:00.000-03:00

Sometimes you just have to sit back and relax, ya know? Our cat, Bela, has been teaching us a few lessons in this area. She can be pretty feisty, but she sure does know how to relax. I walked out the door today to change the car oil and she was across the street just sitting there by the mailboxes. I guess she's found a new spot to relax...well, as long as nobody checks their mail. :-)

Samuel & Ben

2010-09-18T22:19:00.000-03:00

This was a couple of weeks ago when Ben wasn't feeling well. Samuel has a way of lifting one's spirit with his beautiful smile and cute laugh.

Engouragement

2010-09-18T22:16:00.003-03:00

Our church has begun the 40 days of prayer and fasting for us and several other missionaries trying to raise support to get to the field for the first time. It has been so encouraging to have the support of our church body and so many of you who have committed to praying for God to move in people’s hearts and get us to Brazil. God is showing His faithfulness and His plans to us, keeping us focused on the goal He has called us to: equipping and sending Brazilian missionaries. Jesus told His Church to ask the Lord to send laborers into the harvest…we are ready to go to the Harvest; now, may His Church ask for us to GET to the harvest! Right now we are waiting on God’s timing. Will you continue to pray that God would make this time soon? We often hear from our Brazilian brothers and sisters: “So, when are you guys coming for good? ” And we have to answer that we wish could have been there yesterday, but we are waiting for the Lord to use His Church to provide the way.

Not only have people been praying for our support to come in but also for our personal needs. You may remember that around this time two years ago Becky was using a wheel-chair due to the inflammation and pain in her hips as a result of Caleb’s birth. We didn’t know if she would fully recover, and the doctors said she’d likely never run again, and possibly not be able to have any more children. Well, guess what? You all know that Samuel was born in March of this year, and only a couple of evenings ago, Becky and I went for a jog! Yes, you read that right: a JOG! Becky can do a slow jog with me and not hurt during the run OR afterwards! Folks, this is amazing! We asked God to heal Becky, and we asked God to allow her to run again, and He’s answering our/your prayers! We are so thankful for your continual intercession on our behalf as we trust God and wait on Him.

So as we ready ourselves for the task, let us all keep focused: Christ’s NAME to the nations is our goal!

2010-09-10T22:24:00.000-03:00

Vacation in TN. Back in August we went to Fairhaven Ministries in TN and had a very refreshing time as a family and with the Lord. Here are some beautiful scenes.

RADICAL faith

2010-09-06T00:42:00.001-03:00

Are YOU a radical? No, really, ARE you? I'm more and more convinced that you and I both should be quite RADICAL...that is, if we follow Christ like he expects us to. Radical in the sense that we are so different than the world around us that others will see us as a radical people. You see, if we really begin to read Jesus' word for what they are (truth), and not just a story or history, and if we actually listen to the Holy Spirit when he talks to us, God just might get ahold of our hearts and show us what it really means to follow Him.

So, why do we not follow Jesus? Why do we settle for the American Dream, as if it were synchronous with Christianity? Well, for many reasons, I believe. But I believe the biggest reason is comfort. We have come to believe that if we go to church, read our Bibles, work hard and honestly, and are "good people", we're good to go. Doesn't that make sense? God would not call each of us to a life of risk. We say: "The safest place to be is in the center of God's will." We think, "If it's dangerous, God must not be in it. If it's risky, if it's unsafe, if it's costly, it must not be God's will." This is how most western Christians think...and in fact, we have manipulated the gospel to fit our cultural preferences.

So, let me ask you a question: When's the last time you read Matthew 10:16-39?
Jesus was speaking to his disciples then, and to us today, saying:
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves.
“But beware of men, for they will hand you over to the courts and scourge you in their synagogues; and you
will even be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles.
“But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for it will be given you in that
hour what you are to say. “For it is not you who speak, but it is the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause
them to be put to death. “You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to
the end who will be saved.

So, Jesus said that HE was sending us out into the world as sheep (helpless animals, quite stupid, actually),
and that there would be wolves all around us (those wanting to devour and kill us). And Jesus says that we
Christians will be handed over to courts and they will scourge us...and that we'll be a testimony to the people.
So, my question for you, and for myself, is: if we are not suffering some form of persecution due to our faith,
does that mean that we're not really LIVING our faith? You see, there's so much more to this reality of
suffering for Christ's name...look at a few passages: Da 12:12, 13; Mt 24:9, 13; Mk 13:13; Lk 21:17, 19; Jn
12:12, 13, 15:18, 19, 20, 21; Heb 3:6; Jas 5:11; Re 2:10. Some of these deal with the end times, some of
them deal with now, today. So, it seems Jesus expects us to suffer IF we're following him.

When's the last time YOU suffered for your faith? Maybe it's simply ridicule, or maybe more. A friend of ours was killed in Afghanistan a few weeks ago because she was a Christian (one of the aid workers). She was
showing Christ's love to all that she met, regardless of who they were. She was murdered, point blank. Because she followed Jesus. She had counted the cost. She knew there was a huge risk in serving over there...don't think for a moment she hadn't thought about it. But, then again, who says we're supposed to THINK about any of this? Jesus is SENDING His disciples out into harm...and he tells us to endure to the end! Folks, this is very convicting, isn't it? It sure doesn't seem difficult for us Americans to "endure to the end" does it? Jesus said that "You will be hated by all because of My name." (Mark 13:13). Are you, am I, hated because of Jesus' name?

As if this weren't convicting enough, Jesus emphasizes all that he's been saying/teaching to the disciples when he says that "He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it" (Matthew 10:39). And later on, the Apostle Paul also writes about this aspect of suffering persecution due to bearing Christ's name: "Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." 2 Timothy 3:12
I think it's high time that we lose our lives in Jesus so that we can find them. We have made our American Dream equal to a life of following Jesus, whereas Jesus doesn't ever promise comfort in this world, but on the other hand, he promises suffering and persecution. The American Dream is NOT the answer, and it's NOT synchronous with true Christianity. We need to keep our heads and hearts in Scripture so that we can understand the culture we live in, and remember what the point of this life is: to spread the gospel to all nations.

Now before you think I'm on my "high horse", you need to realize that God's still working on this in my life right now. But, the thing is, I'm convicted by the areas of my life that need change. I'm praying and asking God to do just that: to change me and make me more like Him, e-v-e-r-y s-i-n-g-l-e d-a-y.

How about you? What's your response to the Words of God in Scripture? Where are you at in your growth with understanding God's call on your life? Don't suppress the Holy Spirit, listen to Him and let God work in your heart! I pray He keeps working in mine and transforming me into His likeness more and more.

Please refer to David Platt's recent book: RADICAL, Taking back your faith from the American Dream. There is a lot in there that has got me thinking...and it will do the same for you too!

Remember how to Trust?

2010-08-20T16:42:00.007-03:00

These days we're thinking about Brazil, and about getting there...we have questions about when we'll leave the US to fly to Brazil, when our full support will come in...when God will begin the next step of our lives. We're not sure, but we DO know that He wants us to trust Him in all things. One very practical way God reminded us was a couple of weeks ago when we took a family vacation and went to the mountains in Tennessee. We went to this beautiful waterfall (as you'll see below if you click on the video) and we were able to swim and relax there... While swimming and playing, Caleb demonstrated to us what God expects of us. Caleb places complete trust in me, as his daddy, to catch him and care for him. Do I/we place my/our complete trust in my/our Father to catch us and take care of us? We sure want to!

Caleb on his bike!

2010-08-18T23:36:00.000-03:00

Samuel & Lily

2010-08-18T22:30:00.000-03:00

Samuel with his friend, Lily, in Greenville during our 4th of July visit.

Look at that face!

2010-08-18T22:18:00.000-03:00

July 4th weekend we went up to visit friends in Greenville, SC. It was 10 degrees cooler than Columbia! Here's Samuel, thinking about something...we just don't know what. :-)

Goodbye's

2010-07-11T19:47:00.000-03:00

Last month, Caleb, as well as Becky and I and Samuel, had to say goodbye to our dear friends, Brock & Nicole Mathison, along with their two kids, Nathan & Gracie. Nathan has been Caleb's best friend since birth--it's a difficult thing for a missionary kid to do..all the transitions they (we) have to go through. Nathan too is becoming an MK, he's going to Kenya with his family, while Caleb will go to Brazil with us. Please pray for these kids' adjustments, that God would use the challenges for their good and His glory.

"Tropical South Carolina"

2010-07-08T18:59:00.001-03:00

Well, there are two things that remind us we're in South Carolina: tropical sized spiders, and sunflowers that wilt in the hot, humid sun of Columbia, SC. This spider greeted us at the entrance of our front porch when we returned from a weekend trip to Greenville, SC. And the sunflower below we grew from seed--it is now about 10 feet tall. Yep, 10 feet tall.

Would it suprise you to know that Columbia is making itself known as a place that is "Famously Hot"? Yes, indeed! When you are driving on the highway toward Columbia, you will see a billboard every once in a while that says "You're getting hotter...", reminding one of the games we used to play as children...hotter...hotter...colder...really really hot!!! (remember?) The billboards then proudly proclaim Columbia, SC as a wonderful vacation spot, with the words: "FAMOUSLY HOT". Now, who in the world would want to go to a place that is FAMOUSLY HOT? As if the recent 110+ weather here in anything different than what we're already used to...right? The rest of the East Coast might be hurting...but not Columbia, we're famously hot and proud of it!!

So, when are you coming to visit? :-)

Thankfully, we love our temporary home...where I'm going for eternity will be perfect weather...the sun will always shine, but I'm pretty sure it won't be "famously hot". :-)

Wonderful Smile!

2010-06-20T23:28:00.000-03:00

The Hand of God?

2010-06-01T23:26:00.000-03:00

Today was a long day for me, Ben. Not to mention it was for Becky too, with the boys at home. Caleb's a handful, especially when he "tries" to help mommy with Samuel by sticking the nose suction thingy up Samuel's throat when mommy looks away briefly to answer the phone. Caleb's such a "helper"! :-) Most of the time though, Caleb REALLY IS a big helper, and he'll even sing a song with the following words, all in tune:

I'm a helper

I am big, I am strong

I can help you all day long.

If you need me

Just call my name

You'll be glad I came to help you...

You'll be glad I cAAAAAme!

Sometimes Caleb will switch the words on the "If you need me" line and sing innocently:

"If you need me, just call YOUR name..."

What a silly guy.

So, for me, Ben, it was a long day, but it was a good day too. God reminded me today that He's in the business of preparing me and Becky for His plans. As you might know, I work with refugees who come to the USA from other nations, seeking refuge from the persecution or danger they are in. Right now, we have many Iraqis and Burmese. Some are Chr.istians, some are Mus.lims, some are Bud.dhists. Regardless, today I was doing an Orientation for this new family, not from Iraq nor Burma, but another place which we do not have any interpreters for in the Columbia, SC area. Talk about culture shock for them, having not a single soul who speaks their language! Anyhow, I had to find a person who spoke a language which only one of the family members spoke, who then interpreted to his family, and then back to the other interpreter and then to me in English. Wonder if the message got across? Well, I've been doing this for a few months, and most of the time it does. If not, their body language usually gives it away, or I'll find out weeks later they didn't understand something...but that's rare. So, I spoke to/with the family for three hours today in three languages, kind of: English to another language, to another language, and then back to me once in a while if they had questions. It was interesting.

So one of the interpreters, a "brother" in our "family", said to me during one of the breaks we had in translation: "Man, Ben, you have an interesting job...wow....wow." I smiled at him, saying, "Yeah, ****, I do, it's tough sometimes, but I like it, and God's preparing me to send Brazilians to all the cultures I'm learning about as they come through here. These people we're talking to here today don't even know it, but God is using them to send Brazilians overseas."

Do you understand the implications of this? While Becky and I wait to go to Brazil, God is "redeeming the time", making use of this time of raising our support base to better prepare myself and Becky to understand more cultures of the world; once we get to Brazil, I/we will have been exposed to so many more cultures than I could have visited in person, and sometimes never visited, such as Burma.

Thus the title of this post: "The Hand of God"? He's got His plans, and they are ALWAYS good plans for His Kingdom and His glory.

Sunday School

2010-05-24T20:50:00.000-03:00

Here's a video of Caleb in Sunday school the other day. Hope you enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-z8zZb0724

Early May

2010-05-24T18:54:00.000-03:00

Outing to the Botanic Gardens in Columbia, SC

2010-05-24T18:42:00.000-03:00

Our April Update--Read n' Pray!

2010-05-01T00:26:00.000-03:00

Update

2010-04-27T11:43:00.001-03:00

Hello all! Sorry for the lapse in posting. We've been trying to catch up on our sleep, of course, but we've also been preparing for travels. As I type, we are in northern Virginia with friends, support raising, sharing about our ministry in Brazil, and visiting with friends. It has been a wonderful time, actually quite relaxing for us, which has been much needed on our part. The toughest part is driving all day w/ a newborn who's gotta eat at regular intervals. A regular 8 hour trip now becomes an 11 hour trip or so. It doesn't really matter though b/c we're making memories as a family!

Regarding getting to Brazil, we're inching closer and closer! We are now at 63% of our outgoing/transition expenses (that's what GETS us to Brazil) and 41% of our monthly needs (that's what KEEPS us in Brazil). God is good. He's called us and we keep plugging away at sharing what God is doing in the world through the Brazilian Church, and how you and we can be a significant part of this missions movement! Keep praying!

Ben, for Becky and the boys.

2010-03-11T14:01:00.000-03:00

Our sweet boy, Samuel Isaiah Bacheller.

Smiles

2010-03-11T13:59:00.002-03:00

One of Samuel's first smiles, at 7 days old. He is such a good baby and such a
blessing from the Lord.

2010-03-11T13:57:00.000-03:00

We are so thankful that Becky's mom has been able to stay
with us for Samuel's first 10 days. She has been an amazing help
around the house and has done many special things with Caleb
to help him in adjusting to having a new brother. We are so thankful
for the sacrifices she made to come and share this special time.

2010-03-11T13:50:00.000-03:00

Caleb loves being a big brother and asks all the time to hold "his baby".

2010-03-11T13:44:00.000-03:00

Our first family picture at home when Samuel was 2 days old.

2010-03-11T13:41:00.000-03:00

Here are a few pictures of Samuel's first 2 days.

Same boy??

2010-03-07T23:27:00.001-03:00

Look at these two pictures...we were looking through our pictures of Noah and Caleb and Samuel. Can you tell if these are the same boy? Take a guess! Hint: it's not the same baby...

On the left is Noah at two weeks and on the right is Samuel tonight at almost one week of age! Brothers indeed!

Samuel Isaiah Bacheller

2010-03-01T17:24:00.000-03:00

He's finally arrived, safe and sound, and doing well. He came out at 8 lbs and 15 ounces, 20 3/4 inches long. Becky is recovering well, and Samuel's eating plenty.

Snow in South Carolina!

2010-02-22T00:43:00.000-03:00

This was two weekends ago here in Columbia, SC! The last time there was 7 inches of snow (or any real amount of snow for that matter) was 2002 I think...about 4.5 inches. This was wonderful! Problem was, no one knows how to drive in snow in SC, and there weren't really any snowplows around...I think I saw two on the road later that day (they must have come from Virginia or something! :-))

No more hackers!

2010-02-02T00:59:00.002-03:00

Well folks, we figured it out. No more hackers allowed here! Thanks for your patience!
Ben & Becky.

ABC's

2010-01-25T17:52:00.002-03:00

Caleb has learned his ABC's! Wow! 2 years and 3 months...nice!

Another birthday away...

2010-01-15T17:46:00.000-03:00

Another birthday has passed (January 4th) in which our first son, Noah, cannot be with us. If he were here, he would be 4 years old. Can you believe it? Wow! Sometimes it is difficult for us to imagine what life would be like with him and Caleb. Caleb is so big and strong--having Noah too would be something!

So we celebrated Noah's 4th birthday with Caleb by making a birthday cake, singing happy birthday, watching videos of Noah's life, and going to the cemetery where one day, when Jesus returns for those alive and those who have died, their bodies will rise and we too will meet Jesus with them in the air! Oh, what? Don't believe it? Read Thessalonians 4:16-17.

We can't wait to see Noah again, but especially to meet Jesus face to face and worship him for what he has done for us! To God be the glory!

Preparing for baby brother...

2010-01-14T16:21:00.003-03:00

So as the due date approaches for our 3rd boy (March 10th), we're getting ready for his arrival. Before we knew that this was going to be a boy, we were hoping for a girl..but ya know, if you have the same sex kid every time in a row, it makes it easy with clothing, toys, room colors...for instance, I (Ben) am the 2nd boy in the sequence of 5 boys in a row that my parents had (until my sister showed up at # 6--surprise!), it was neat because we boys could wrestle with each other, with dad, and we all went through the same stages as boys. Some of us more rebellious than others, of course, some of us needing more TLC (tender loving care--aka, "discipline") than others (yes, that would be me). The only thing that you have to put up with is "hand-me-downs"...unless, of course, you're the first one in line! Man, my older brother was lucky...:-) By the time my younger brothers got the hand-me-downs, they were out of style! Lucky for us that we were missionary kids (MK's) overseas and that it didn't matter so much to "fit-in". MK's already don't fit in, so learning to adjust to a new environment is part of "growing up" for us. So, anyhow, we are excited for this next boy to be born...and he'll probably arrive on the 1st of March since we have to have a C-section due to Caleb's delivery two years ago (remember? He was 11.7 lbs at birth....yes, natural birth!). We tend to produce large kids it seems.... However, we don't have a name picked out. Does that happen to you other parents out there? Becky and I had two names picked out for our boys (Noah, and Caleb), and we've used them up...what now? This guy was supposed to be a girl! Well, that's not what God said. We need another boy. Yes, NEED. God knows best, all the time, so we'll leave that to Him. But still, we need a name. Preferably a Bible name...first and middle. Any ideas? Write us back and let us know! Maybe we should take a vote? :-)

Keep in touch folks!

Ben (for us all).

Christmas Update

2009-12-19T12:37:00.000-03:00

Follow up from Vertigo

2009-11-28T16:09:00.002-03:00

Well, I (Ben) am pretty much back to normal now, thanks be to God. The doctor is running some tests, but I feel pretty good and can function normally now at home and at work. Thank you for praying for me and our family during the last two weeks--it's tough when you're flat in bed or the couch almost 24 hours a day!

On another note, we had a wonderful Thanksgiving here in Columbia, SC, with perfect weather! Mid to high 60's and sunny! Here's a picture below of Caleb with his buddy Nathan's football helmet.
We are so thankful for God's provision in our lives, and for your friendship, prayers and support. How about you? What are you giving thanks for during this specifically American Holiday?

Ben’s got Vertigo, again.

2009-11-21T22:42:00.001-03:00

It’s been over 6 years since I last had it (Vertigo), but it hits hard when it comes. I feel so dizzy, unable to stand up on my two feet w/o feeling like I’m gonna teeter over. Ever had that feeling? Well, it’s not fun, I can guarantee you that. The medicine they give you is to counteract the nausea I feel all day, but it makes me drowsy, so I can’t even read or really type that well…what I do best during these days is sit here (really lay down in bed or on the couch) all day, in and out of consciousness and dizziness. Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? Well, Lord wiling it will pass soon. I’ll go to an ear nose & throat specialist this coming Tuesday…it’s been a bummer being sick at home these days…it’s been since Sat. night last week I’ve been feeling this way. Hopefully I’ll get better soon. We’d appreciate your prayers as I wait for healing and ask God for healing as well.

Thanks!

2009-11-10T19:58:00.002-03:00

This is an email we got from Krista, Justin's wife, and his condition:

Thank you for your prayers. We noticed an improvement in Justin’s condition just hours after calling the States and informing you all so that you could be praying! God is so good! Please continue to pray for Justin as he is still quite weak and definitely not at 100%.

We are in N’Djamena, the capital, and had planned to be here this week for a week’s break. Just to clarify, Justin was not hospitalized. We had/have some fun things planned with the boys and hope we can still do some of them during our break, but so far we have just been taking care of Daddy! He’s thankful he’s been so sick in a place with electricity where there are overhead fans.

Again, thank you so much for your prayers. We are blessed most of all to serve a God who loves us and hears our prayers and also to have such a strong support team behind us!

Krista for the family

Pray for Justin Clermont

2009-11-08T11:00:00.002-03:00

Hi folks,

Want to pass on an urgent prayer request: our good friend, Justin Clermont, missionary in Chad, has contracted some strain of malaria and is in the hospital there. All we know is that his body is not responding to treatment/medicine, and his wife, Krista, is concerned. Please pray for immediate response to the treatment, and that God would quickly intervene and make him well. Malaria can be quite serious depending on the strain. Their work in Chad is crucial--training Chadians as missionaries to their own people. Thank you for your intercession. I will post more as I find it out.

Ben & Becky.

Fall Festival

2009-11-02T22:47:00.000-03:00

These are some pictures of the Fall Festival our church did in the neighborhood next to our church. Some of us dressed up as Bible character and took pictures with anyone who wanted to!

But here specifically is Caleb with his buddy Nathan after we were all done w/ the pictures.

Boy or Girl? Can you tell?

2009-10-21T17:18:00.001-03:00

In good Bacheller tradition, we're going on our third boy... :-)

Our October Update

2009-10-15T22:08:00.003-03:00

Caleb’s Birthday

2009-10-12T23:21:00.000-03:00

Sorry we’ve been slow at posting the last couple of months. We’ve been quite busy. Last week we were in NC for a conference (Sharpening Your Interpersonal Skills), which was very useful and will be useful for the future too. Before this, however, was an even more significant aspect of life we need to share with you: Caleb’s 2nd Birthday! Enjoy the photos below!!!

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Amazing, huh? This is NO FEAR!

2009-10-12T12:23:00.001-03:00

Support and God's timing...

2009-10-07T00:24:00.001-03:00

As you may know, my wife and I are in the process of raising support to go overseas as missionaries. It’s a difficult task, if you look at it from a human perspective. It can be discouraging, depressing, and defeating all at the same time—and then you get a surprise donor in the middle of that quagmire you were wallowing in which actually lifts your spirits and reminds you that it’s not because of you, but because of HIM that you’re doing this thing called support raising…and since He’s called you to the task, He’ll provide the way, in His time, if we’re faithful to obey Him from beginning to end…oh, no, not obedience during the support raising process—I’m talking about our lives on this earth, obeying Him from beginning to end.

And you know, in the process of struggling through these human emotions of mine, trying to trust Him through it all, I think I’m beginning to understand a bit how the whole thing works…yet because it’s a God thing, I really haven’t even scratched the surface…which is really the way it should be. God knows all; in comparison, I know nothing.

Here’s the point… I’ve heard many a person (including myself at times!) say that they wish they were super wealthy so that they could give a whole bunch of money to missionaries to get them to the field. I’m starting to believe that this really doesn’t happen because of a couple of reasons:

First: it wouldn’t be God-honoring. How so, you might ask? When we have plenty at our disposal, our own resources, and give out of our plenty, it would help many missionaries, sure, but not in the way that God has generally asked us to give. God desires sacrificial giving on our part, not because He can’t use the abundance He provides to some of us in the Church, but because when we give sacrificially, we honor the One who provided in the first place, trusting Him to continue providing for us. When we give sacrificially, it honors God because we are in a way saying that He is enough—He will provide!

Second: How many of us really think that if God blessed us according to our selfish desires (lots of money), we would really be responsible enough to give it back to Him without keeping some for ourselves? I myself say that I would manage it well; but, really, would I? I have come to believe that if God wanted me to be a wealthy man, He could have done so in whatever way He pleased, knowing that I would be a good steward of a vast horde of material resources. However, as it looks right now, I’m not independently wealthy, and I don’t plan on being so anytime soon. So, I think I’ll continue to trust God to provide for my needs while I give sacrificially to missions in my church and to other missionaries out of the little that I have.

Disclaimer: If by any chance you are reading this and are indeed a wealthy Christian—please give back to God! Yes, out of the plenty that you have, but I challenge you to do more…to give sacrificially out of your plenty, not just comfortably out of your plenty. I believe this is one way we grow in faith: trusting God with everything.

We're Good to Go!

2009-09-27T00:28:00.000-03:00

At least we think…we’re good to go. We’ll know for sure in about three (3) months.

What an amazing intervention by God! After making an appointment for this past Monday morning to fill out the proper paperwork in Brazil, the man in charge said that we couldn’t do the process with him that morning. Even still, he took us into his office at the Federal Police in Anapolis, Brazil, and talked to us. After looking at Caleb’s Visa and the paperwork, he of course noted the mistake, and said that he couldn’t do the paperwork—we’d have to return to the Brazilian Consulate in the United States and start the process over. I pointed out that the Brazilian Consulate corrected their own mistake, but he said: “Sure, they did, but to what document does this correction apply? It could be to any document…” Such was the attitude of the man we were working with. Anyhow, after he said this, he was silent, staring at the documents. I put my head down, as did my mother who was helping with Caleb during all this, and we began to pray fervently, asking God to work in this man’s heart and in the whole situation. After what seemed like an eternity of silence, but was really only about 4 minutes probably, I looked up and saw that he had begun filling out the paperwork!!! Can you believe it?? He then proceeded to tell me that he didn’t know if it would go through all the way with the error, but that he was going to try—I told him we were going to pray that it would go through without problems! So, in about three months I can call that office in Brazil and see if Caleb’s Visa and Permanent Residency for Brazil have been approved, or if we’ll have to start all over again. Please pray with us that it will go through!

All in all, Caleb and I had a good trip to Brazil and back, though I am still trying to catch up on sleep—I don’t sleep well on airplanes overnight, especially not when I’m holding a kid the size of Caleb on my lap for eight (8) hours! But God is good, and we continue to trust Him for all our needs, large and small.

You can also expect a larger update in the regular mail from us soon, probably in a week or two. Keep in touch! And thanks for praying for us!