"Science Experiment" Day 42 - Mainz Germany

The last 14 days here have been a complete blur. With project camp and everything in between. Before I try to organize my thoughts on all of those events I want to tell you a story.

This is a story of my awesome ingorance/arrogance and Gods provision. What did I do that was so foolish? My friends, if you have a wound and you think it might need stitches - go to the doctor. Even if you do not actually need sticthes the visit is worth your time. If you ignor a wound and a week goes by without signs of improvement than you are an idiot and you need to go to the doctor.

Some of you may remember hearing about me falling on the stairs in a recent blog. Though the wound was not that impressive I now know I should have gone to the doctor.

For those of you who know me well enough you know that I fall quiet offten. To be honest I have ignored far worse flesh wounds and gotten away with it in the past....

...not this time though.

It never healed, it only got more and more infected. Then the infection spiked. Gross really. Swollen, unique fluids, inflamed, hot to the touch, the whole nine yards. So I did what I should have done a while ago, I went to the doctor.

Day one took six hours. I got X-rays and blood tests. Both affordable and both telling good things. The bone was fine, and the infection hadn't spread into my blood yet. The doctor asked me to come back the next day. They would need to remove the infected area. To save money he suggested they do it as an out patient procedure, but when I returned the next day the doctors no longer felt that was an option. The infection had worsened, the plan was to removed the infected area around the wound and under my skin then streach my skin and stitch it shut. I would need to stay in the hospital for two days to make sure that infection didn't set in again since some bacteria may be left.

Ok here is the miracle. Other than the fact that despite my not going to the doctor when I really should have I wasn't sick from infection yet. There is no way I could have afforded this opperation. Just the two nights stay would run me over two thousand dollars. Fimiliar with my situation and wanting to help the doctors designated me a "science experiment" and all the costs of the opperation were covered.

Today I have little pain, just a few stitches where the billard ball sized chunk of shin skin used to be, and on Saturday I might not even have those. My credit card is about $500 heavier from the checkups and pre opperation costs, but that is much much lighter than I ever imagined.

A huge thanks to...

God, all things for the good...
The German doctors, although I could not talk to anyone while I was there their generousity and skill were great hospitality.
Natanja, my faithful translator who enabled every conversation.
The anastesialogist... you do good things
Marco my room mate for those two days. Thanks for the good laughs and broken english. Marco also fell on stairs. He broke his right arm which is now also infected badly. He has had multiple opperations and has been there for about three weeks now. Pray that he regains full mobility of his hand. He is in the picture above.
My parents... sorry to call you one night leaving a voice mail saying that I am going to the doctor tomorrow and then not contact you again for three days. Promise I had not planned on staying! Love you guys!

Please pray that the infection does not re-surface and that I can loose the pretty blue stitches Saturday.

"Ty Forrest Johnson!" Day 28 - Mainz Germany

Last night as my head hit the pillow my outlook dinged signaling that I had an email. I rolled over and checked to find a text message from my sister Paula. "They r inducing me tonight. Should have a lil one some time tomorrow. Hope u r ok!"

At 4:15 am Mountain Standard time Ty Johnson was born :)

I now have two neices and two nephews, but Andrea is pregnant which will bring the gender tie breaker! I'm hoping for a boy, girls have had the majority for as long as I can remember in this family.

So today we thank God for Ty Johnson and pray for all the things his life will be.

Here are my parents, now proud four time grandparents.

And a few days later...

"Culture... Adjustment" Day 27 - Mainz Germany

I don't like the term culture shock, I think that for most people it's a cultural adjustment.

If it's a bad adjustment then it's culture shock.

Over these last few days 100 some volunteers have arrived. It's been a beautiful chaos as God continues to moves despite us. As I take these people on their jet lagged tours I get to see through there eyes what I saw only a month ago for my self. There really are a lot of different things worth mentioning about Germany, so I thought I'd take some time to talk about it.

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As I read the other Blogs of my amazing friends who God is using to do outrageous things right now like Andrew http://www.andrewinindo.blogspot.com/ and Jonathan (and Sarah) http://wellofbethlehem.blogspot.com/ I feel influenced to write deeper more reflective and informative blogs.

... but I'm way too tired.

Because at the end of the day I get on and read their blogs instead. Ha.
So instead of summoning thoughts deep from my heart I bring you... this. (In no special order)
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1.The German Shelf. This is a special one. Apparently some time ago there was a widespread sickness in Germany that was easily identified in the early stages by examining ones poo. This influenced the German toilet design. It's like an American toilet in every way except that a porcelain shelf is built in to hold your poo on display until you have examined it. Then when you flush it is hopefully swept away into a tiny hole. Moral of this story, Germans must like looking at their poo. This toilet is especially hard for us men because any attempt to stand and pee will result in a violent splatter. Thankfully a "do not stand and pee" sign is posted above the toilet as a reminder.

2. The signs. This brings me to another point. German signs are very graphic. Perhaps to help communicate in a multilingual world; most everything is drawn. This was most graphically displayed by the "no dog poop sign" (sorry it comes back to poo)

3. Beer. Drinking is as much a part of the German culture as you have heard, which was an unusual adjustment. It's very different to see a teenager drinking a beer in a public place.

4. Closed?!?! Many stores close at 8pm every night. Only restaurants, bars, and gas stations (maybe something else.) The same places are also closed all Sunday. I think I like this a lot. It's hard for an American to see such a thriving economy with so much leisure time, isn't relaxation a third world thing??? Taking Sunday to spend with your family is a beautiful thing, I don't care if I can't go shopping.

5. Small Cars. Here I thought my SUV was small...

6. Fast Cars. How do small cars go that fast? I love autobahn system. It relies on people being GOOD drivers instead of SLOW drivers for safety. If you're caught driving too close behind someone or weaving between lanes you will likely loose your license. BUT - you can drive fast, and in some areas as fast as you want. Statistics suggest that the German Autobahn is rather safe compared to the American highway.

7. The garbage system. I need to learn more about this. Germans claim to be hard core environmentalists. I have some theories as to why this is, but that's for another post. From what I hear they incinerate the waste they don't recycle... and I don't know how I feel about that. But they do recycle - a LOT. Oddly enough I've pretty much done the German trash system for the last two years at my house by recycling. The usual, glass, plastic, compost (Thanks Paul and Andrew) paper, aluminum. The one difference is that Germans separate and recycle "packaging" The trouble in America is that packaging is usually recyclable but it's impossible to separate because it contains plastic, paper, and aluminum. I.E. a juice box. So, I like this.

8. No Beef, but the pork and lamb makes up for it.

9. Festivals… at least in the town I’m in there are a lot of festivals for very little apparent reason. I love it. It’s summer, so let’s fill the streets with tents and eat brats and on the last night we’ll have fireworks! Then wait a week until the next festival.

10. Churches. I ran into a couple from the states and they asked what I was doing. When I told them I worked with a group that helped start new churches they laughed and with sarcasm said “I can see that there is a real need for more churches.”

They had a good point. There are a lot of churches, and they’re beautiful. More like museums than houses of worship they tower their historic peak high over the city. Every night at 6pm the bells brashly bellow out echoing the walls Mainz, they are impossible to ignore.

When we explain to Germans what we do their reaction is quite different. “Oh! Are you a cult?” For most Germans Christ and the church is a thing of history; a thing to be explained and gawked at, a thing to attract tourists and snap pictures of.

So there is a long post for you all… and hopefully it made you think and laugh! The list goes on and on, and I love it. Now… back to work.

"Calm Before The..." Day 24 - Mainz Germany

Tomorrow is the day the 70 volunteers arrive from the US. Then 40 European volunteers arrive on Monday.

I can't express to you the amount of work that we've done in preparation. I haven’t left the HQ in three days. I spent more than 10 hours a day at my computer, and I am by no means alone. The team is in this together.

I'm really proud of some of my work.

• A packet that will be given to some of the pastors who are coming.
• A rather complicated fundraising plan.
• The budgeting system for Project Camp.

It's not my "sweet spot" but it's really good work, by doing it I grow as leader and also really help spread the good news of Christ throughout Germany.

Today is the calm before the storm.

It would be our day off, but there is still so much to do. Still we have all taken slightly lighter load today as we brace our selves. We will need a second wind, caz it's show time. The next 16 days are going to be awesome. God is going to do beautiful things in this city through His people.

This morning we prayed through Isaiah 40:31 - That God would be our strength, please pray with us.

"Internet Day!" Day 21 - Mainz Germany

This morning as I walked down to join the team for breakfast our side door buzzer went off. Someone was at the door.

A middle aged German gentleman with graying hair and a cleanly shaved face stepped inside with a sack in his left hand. He was the internet man.

To communicate to you the excitement of our team as they rushed from the breakfast table would be nearly impossible. Many of us have had limited contact without loved ones since moving into the Hotel. In passing conversation we would often discuss that the hotel didn't feel like home... not until we had internet.

It was also crippling to our massive workload. Without being able to email we lost access to our network of resources back in the states. We also were not able to check website resources for information on the city or even email out to the campers who will join us in only a few days now unless we drove the 40 minutes to the Frankfurt location where there was internet.

So, today, we praise God for internet.

On a similar side note - yesterday a large bottle of water was knocked onto my laptop. Seriously delaying all of my work and threatening to never work again.

I completely disassembled it, piece by piece, and let it dry for a long period of time.... seems everything is ok! Praise God!

"Independence Day!" - Day 18 Mainz Germany

Phew....

I haven't had internet for a long time now, sorry about the lack in updates. Right now I'm actually sitting in Down Town Mainz on the ground next to an opera house that just happens to have wireless internet. Wonderful!

My fourth of July was pretty wonderful. Not to hard of a work day, followed by a relaxing evening of German lessons and BBQ in the river shore. The local US army base provided some much celebrated fireworks for us.

Things have changed a lot in the last week. The Hotel is closer and closer to being done and my workload is more and more switching to Project Camp preparation. There is so much to be done in the next week so please pray!

Well, I better get going...

Before I go, here is a picture of where I found the internet.
I'm sitting by the building behind the tree...
Mainz is a beautiful city, really. Today is my day off and I plan to spend it hiking through Mainz.
So.. off I go!

"Peace" Day 10 - Frankfurt

These last 24 hours have been exactly what I needed. Last night I watched the Spain vs Russia soccer game downtown in Frankfurt. It was a good time. Since I had the day off today I was able to sleep in, then this afternoon Josh and I went walking for a few hours... very relaxing. I simply wanted to write that I could remember this day of peace. I'm very happy I'm here, I love this team and I'm excited about the ministry ahead of me. God has some good plans, I'm sure of it.

"Hotel - Prayer & Praise" Day 9 - Mainz Germany

My first nine days here haven't been spent exactly how I expected them to be. You never really know what to expect here with Project Noah.

Last week the Mainz church plant accomplished some huge milestones. First of all, they purchased a hotel. That's right, a Hotel. This investment will play a critical role in the future of Project Noah as it supports the church plant in Mainz. It will be a Christian community and a busy headquarters.


Since I've landed here I've spent little time outside of the Hotel, waking up each day to start painting, cleaning, moving, whatever needs to be done.


Along side of me are many of the other leaders. It's humbling but before we can do anything else we must finish the hotel, and the progress is a huge encouragement.

Today we are all back at the office in Frankfurt, switching gears entirely. I'm brainstorming with other team members of events for project camp as well as new fundraising programs. There is so much to be done.

As you pray praise God for the Hotel, also we have secured the church meeting place (for their Sunday service). They will meet in a bar by the down town cinema, believe it or not. Also they are making good progress on the website which will also play a key role in moving things forward.


Oh and during project camp we will be inviting people in the Mainz community to "First Supper" a free meal :) we've secured our cooks and location - in the center of town right next to the Beer Fest!

Please also pray for our team, that as we constantly switch gears and change from planners to hotel renovators we would always work as one body with Christ as the head.


Also, Last night Germany defeated Turkey which means that Germany will be playing in the Euro Cup Final. Pray that Germany would win, because that would be an awesome experience :)

"Alles Gute zum Geburtstag!" Day 2 - Frankfurt Germany

I feel like I should post just because it's my birthday. I've been really busy though. Today I joined the team in renovating the hotel that will become Project Noah headquarters. As you can see... I painted the ceiling... Good stuff!!

Then the senior staff of the team took me out for schnitzel... that was pretty sweet.

Anyways. Tired. Much love.

Peace.

"Rugby and Soccer" Day 1 - Frankfurt Germany

"Do you play rugby football?" Asked the smiling 62 year old man as we stood at the luggage conveyer belt. It's funny being six foot six. When most people meet me for the first time in the states they ask if I play basketball so this was a refreshing change of pace. "No... I wish. You do though, right?" I smiled back. He laughed at my joke and referenced his age. "Not any more I don't!"

So went my first conversation in Germany. I landed yesterday afternoon after an unfortunately uncomfortable and sleepless night flight. I continued to stay awake and active until others had gone to bed that night. I don't believe in jet lag, it's like pulling an all-nighter during finals week that's all.

This morning I feel wonderful. Better than I've felt in weeks actually. There is a spring in my step, my posture is strong, and I'm eating healthy... Maybe I should play some Rugby!?

Nah.

I need to save my energy; it's become clear that there is a LOT of work ahead. Stay posted!

Pastor Philip Shares About Outreach in Mainz!

Germany!

So what's all this talk about Germany? That's right; God's calling me to ministry in Mainz Germany this summer. I'll be helping a ministry that supports new churches organize a ton of volunteers for two months.

I'm really excited because this trip directly corresponds to my experience, gifts, and passions. It’s a perfect fit and I can't wait to see what God has in store to meet the significant spiritual needs in Germany!

Interested in knowing more? Click on the picture of my support letter over to the left and give it a quick read. You won’t find a better explanation; I just don't think I can write any better than that :)

After you finish glancing over the letter I’m sure you’ll have tons of questions; and I'd love to give you the answers! Of course you can always leave a comment here on the blog or shoot me an email at sendingbenjamin@gmail.com – it’s great to hear from you!

(Really - it’s always a huge encouragement to hear from those supporting, thinking of, and praying for me.)

You can imagine how humbling it would feel to stand before people, share with them what you love, and ask them if they would be willing to financially support God’s work through you. Knowing that the economy is “down” and things are tight makes it even more humbling.

Still, if you believe, like I do, that this is the next step God has for me and that God has awesome plans for Germany; then consider giving financially the amount you feel is right and support Gods work in Mainz Germany by sending me to help.

Trusting in God for the funds mirrors the same trust we must have in God to establish a strong group of believers in Mainz. No matter our efforts, we cannot do anything of eternal value outside of Christ (John 15), but God does move - He IS the living God - and He calls us to trust Him in everything. With our time, money, thoughts, everything - It's kind of a David vs. Goliath thing.

If you're considering giving, I traditionally mail an information pack (including above letter) that shares about the trip and how to donate. If you would like one I'd more than happily send you one. Otherwise (for the sake of efficiency) you can click on the picture below to learn more about supporting financially.



As a reminder - all checks should be mailed to: Mission Corps 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64131-1213 They manage my funds keeps things organized and accountable, plus you can expect a tax deductable receipt.

The support process has been going good so far, but I’ve been extremely busy (and a little stressed) with full time summer school and an internship with the Human Resources department of SPEA. I just can’t wait until 100% of my time and energy is focused on ministry in Germany.

If you haven’t yet gotten or would like one of my letters let me know. Also make sure I have your email address and please check this Blog often for more information on what God is doing in my life.

If you’d like to meet me, I should be visiting my home church “Griffith First Christian Church” this (the 25th) to speak briefly about this ministry during the church service which starts at 10:45am.

Corner Stone

I had the honor of sharing about my upcoming ministry in Germany with Corner Stone church in Muncie Indiana yesturday. My father was a minister there for a number of years, and it was fantastic to visit.

It's such a loving and welcoming atmosphere, you feel like a member of a family.
A huge thanks to the members there, for their continued support, prayers, and encouragement.

You're in my prayers as well!

Never Say Goodbye

Original Post Date 7/22/07

I never learned to say goodbye in Kiswahili, I hope I never do.

This will be my last update from Kenya and I must keep it brief. I am writing to ask that you would all be in prayer as out team departs. Please pray that all connecting flights go smooth and that there are little to no delays. Pray that our final encouragements would be strong and lasting as we say goodbye to people we have come to love.

Pray for me as well, that I can continue to pursue the path that God has put in my life, that I may follow Him with all that I am.

Our flight leaves at 8am Kenya time Tuesday, which is close to midnight Central US time, and we should arrive in Chicago at 7:15pm central time.

My prayers go with you, Look forward to an extensive post soon!

Benjamin Wories

Pokea Furaha! (Take Joy!)

Original Post Date 7/18/07

Day 13 here in Kenya and it's hard to believe. Things have been going rather well and Youngsters for Christ Team has made our team very at home.

We've been busy too. We have visited a few high schools to do presentations, an out door outreach for a local church, and a little local evangelism. As I said before, all my free time has been spent giving guitar lessons to the YCT worship leaders. It's so awesome to see how God has taken a skill I gained in High school and used it here. The YCT worship team is currently learning "The Battle Belongs to the Lord", a song that really brings me back to my earlier days at Griffith First Christian Church.

The building is coming along well too :) We've been able to put in a stone wall that surrounds the base of the foundation. This is paramount as rainwaters can make slum structures wash away.
Continue praying for the construction of the center, there is still much to do! Also, please pray for our health. I've had many small challenges these last two weeks that slowed me down, from a twisted ankle to a persistent head cold. I do thank God though that the health challenges have all been minor.

To close out this email I just want to say that I'm learning so much. I'm so thankful to serve here and I can't wait to share more with all of you when I return. Every day our team has stories to tell, from people coming to know Christ after a conversation on the street to discussions about a part of the world we'd never thought we'd see.

Pokea Furaha!

Benjamin Wories

Kisses from Daisy

Below is a video clip of on of the more goofy moments in Kenya. I'm visiting the giraffe reserve where the Rothschild breed giraffe was saved. At this very special place you're offered the chance to get up close and personal with one of God's most creative creatures. Giraffe's are beautiful and bazaar beasts.

The Kenya schools would often take kids on field trips to this location, and for many of the
children in the Kibera slum it was the first time they had ever left the waste ridden homes.

...how will anyone Go ...without being Sent?

Romans 10: 14-15 - But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? and how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? This is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”