GREAT ADVENTURE MINISTRY UPDATE
Ministry Update: January 6, 2009
Contents in this Newsletter:
WHAT'S "BEN" HAPPENING?
Hello Friends!
Season's Greetings! No...Happy Holidays! Err...how about "Cold, freezing hellos from us to everyone!"? Okay...Merry CHRISTmas and Happy New Year!!
Looking back on 2008, we can see how God has cared for us and continued to lead us in His paths. God's leading is truly exciting, for you never know where He may take you. The Great Adventure continues, and we are awed at where we have been and are looking forward to what God has in store for our family and ministry.
On November 29th, we sang at Zion Lutheran's Christmas Tea in Crown, MN. Of course, being a Christmas tea, we had to dust off our Christmas song books and find favorites, and some non-traditional songs, which fit our group and style. It was somewhat of a struggle, but the Lord allowed us to find enough material to create a fun and reflective Christmas concert.
On December 13th, (Happy Birthday, Grandma!) we were honored to do our second Christmas concert at Pathways Community Church in Ramsey, MN. What a blessing it was to sing for everyone at Pathways; thank you Russell and Julie Benson for inviting us!
The Christmas music and events not only allowed us to expand our musical repertoire, but also add new and different instruments. For the first time, Sam was able to add a little percussion to our sound on his trap set. It was very effective for some of the songs we performed. Dad dusted off the old accordian his mother gave him (which she was playing when she went into labor with Dad a few years back!) and livened up our program with a polka! The Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at our home church, St. Stephen's, was Great Adventure's debut with a track, with your one and only (me) doing a solo. For those of you who wonder how I did (good, bad, or otherwise), don't ask me!
Before both concerts, some of us fell sick with either a cold or a fever. Thankfully the Lord saw fit to heal us so we were able to spread the Good News of Jesus' birth at Pathways and Zion. We are constantly in need of your prayers as we prepare for an event, for we are often subject to trials and attacks, strife and other difficulties. We appreciate support of our ministry through your prayers!
The next concert for Great Adventure Gospel Band is in February. See below for more details.
Again, we look forward to what God has planned for Great Adventure in 2009; if God brings us to it, He will bring us through it.
Happy New Year!
Blessings and Joy in the Journey!
Ben for the Crew
WHAT'S AHEAD?
If you would like Great Adventure Gospel Band to minister at your church or event, contact David or Kris today.
February 2009____
Please Note This
For several months now we as a family have been singing and sharing the Gospel of Christ. In that time a need has arisen for our family. When we go to an event, we take two vehicles. We can't ride together as a family, because we need space for our sound equipment and instruments, which also doubles our gas expense. Even with my expert packing, we still need to divide the equipment between two vehicles. This is not a pity-party story, it is our need. I hear, "So, you want us to buy a trailer for you, right? Or ship you enough money for one, huh?" Yes, that would be nice! But first and foremost, we ask for your prayers. We believe the Lord is calling us to this ministry. We do know and trust that God in His good time will provide for our need. If you would know of a lead on a trailer or want to talk specifics with Dad, go right ahead! - Ben
PRAYER REQUESTS
We covet your prayers! Great Adventure needs your prayers, for we all stand in need of the spiritual support of fellow Christians. Please pray:
OPPORTUNITY FOR SOME GREAT GOSPEL MUSIC
If you or anyone you know is looking for a great group to come minister to your church or community, don't call us! Just kidding. We have known of the Gospelmen Quartet for about two years now, and they are looking for some concert dates in Minnesota the weekend of July 1oth. They will be in Hinckley, Saturday, July 11th, and would like to fill in their open dates that weekend with some area churches. The Gospelmen are a high-quality Southern Gospel male quartet from Michigan, they really impress us each time we see them. They are a great bunch of guys with solid four-part vocals and the best message in the world, the Gospel of Christ. The Gospelmen are a professional full-time group, and are aflame about what they do. So if you are interested in hosting them for your church or community, please let us know.
Gospelmen's website: www.gospelmen.com
TICKLE MY FUNNY BONE!
It's winter time in Minnesota! Recently, we received a foot of snow in Braham. We didn't have to wish for a "white Christmas" this year, we got one whether we liked it or not! During this time of year, we like to stay informed about the weather, so we'll often consult our weather radio for the latest news about the skies.
One evening a few weeks ago, Mal (visit the About Us page on our website for more info on Mal) was listening to his radio when Caleb, age five, came into his room.
"I just heard the weather," Caleb announced to Mal. Mal nodded and waited for him to continue.
"Mal, they said on the radio that we are going to get FIFTY-FIVE feet of snow," said Caleb triumphantly. "Fifty-five feet of snow."
Mal smiled at him. "Well, I'm not sure if we will get fifty-five feet of snow; that's quite a bit!"
"I heard FIFTY-FIVE feet," said Caleb, defending his cause. Mal didn't press the issue.
After a moment, Caleb shook his head slowly and sighed.
"Well," he said, with a slight pause, "then all I know is that it will be 17 ounces outside."
I guess we have to work on inches and degrees with Caleb! Is that required for a Kindergartner?
FAVORITE CHRISTMAS MEMORIES
Ben interviewed everyone about their favorite Christmas. Some know the meaning of brevity in their answers, while others' memories had to be edited for length.
CALEB: "I remember the year before last year." (Ben: "Why?") "Because I do."
JAYME: "Last year (2007), because it was only a year ago.
SAM: "Last year (2007), because we got a bunch of Thomas the Tank engine stuff."
LEESHA: "The Christmas of 1999, all of us kids were assigned (at random) to buy another sibling gifts. I truly enjoyed being able to be a giver, and not totally a getter. My assigned person was Whitney. I bought her a Beanie Baby dog and a book. The funny thing I remember was Dad putting a weight in the package, making it heavier than it really was. Whitney had no clue what she was getting!"
TAYLOR: "I remember the Christmas of 1998 because I received an ugly Ken doll for my doll collection-how traumatic! (Ben: "Want to share another Christmas?") That wasn't good enough? All right. It was the first Christmas in our travel trailer. We were in California and I was convinced we weren't going to receive any Christmas presents (how much stuff can you stuff in a 33-foot travel trailer?). A few days before Christmas, we were shopping at a store and I saw a movie I really wanted. Since I was sure we weren't getting any gifts, I begged for the video-something I rarely do (trust me!). Mom eventually bought it, and I admit I felt guilty afterwards for begging. Christmas Eve morning came and the dinette of our trailer was covered with Christmas gifts. What a surprise"
BEN: "I remember the Christmas of 2001. We discovered on the floor of our living room, a pile of toys, socks, coloring books, and the like. My first thought was Mom and Dad had bought the toys for poor kids and were going to give them away. I was a little envious because I saw a Lego set which had taken my fancy. But when Dad and Mom woke up and were questioned, they said the toys were for us. When Dad finished his work before the weekend, he discovered in the back of his car a plastic garbage bag filled with the toys. We think a man from Dad's work had bought the toys for us because he was concerned for us kids; Dad's hours had been cut (he was a small aircraft mechanic and the aircraft industry was affected by the 911 attacks). It almost brings me to tears...all I can think of is that man's generosity and my unworthiness. On top of the gifts given by the man, we were blessed with presents from Dad and Mom. God did not only bless us with His mercy, the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ, but also with His grace and every blessing that comes from above."
KRIS: "I remember a Christmas around the age of sixteen, my mom and dad bought me a classical guitar. I was totally shocked!! I have always wondered how they picked it out. I also remember my mom receiving a huge ice-fishing spear. I think she was totally shocked!"
DAVE: "Every dad has a stay up late in the night story...We still lived in Blaine, MN when I found myself staying up into the wee hours of the morning assembling a rocking horse, just like the ones Kris and I remembered when growing up - springs and all. The smiles of the kids the next morning and the many pretend miles traveled on it made it all worth while."
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