Where do you work?
We both went to the mission field in 1977 willing to live anywhere Jesus called us.
We now live in Hillsboro, near Portland, Oregon. Portland is so much like Bogotá, Colombia where we met and got married! We have also worked in Colombia, Venezuela, Australia, and the Mexican border.
Describe what you do.
We both coach, mentor and encourage.
Ben – I teach a number of subjects in a Spanish-speaking Bible Institute.
Marian - I disciple young women over the phone and over coffee. I have a passion for seeing Jesus work in their lives.
Why did you choose your ministry? What led you to that ministry?
At each stage of our lives God has used different people, organizations and experiences that caused us to seek Him more. We both started this process in about 1977 but from opposite sides of the world. Twelve years later we met in the capital city of Colombia, South America and in 1980 we were married.
When did you make the decision to serve in missions - how old were you?
Ben – I grew up as an MK (TEAM- Colombia) but when I was 15, in boarding school, I sensed that God was leading me into being a pilot with MAF in Papua New Guinea. As I followed this interest God stripped away the dream of being a pilot and directed me back to Colombia. A friend of mine did a 5,000-mile evangelism trek by bicycle with me. We cycled and preached through 10 countries and worked with 12 missions. After that, I was sure!
Marian – I grew up as an MK also (UFM-Papua New Guinea). First, God challenged me to live a life of purity and devotion to Him through my teens in summer camps. Missions came as a side product after attending Missionary Training College in Tasmania.
Why did you decide on serving in this way? Why missions?
Ben – It was just one step after the other. A little like climbing an old wooden ladder where you are testing out one rung at a time not knowing if one of them was going to crack, but always going up.
Marian – Being 100% convinced that if I followed God’s will that He would take care of the rest.
Have you had other occupations?
Ben –I have worked as a janitor, plumber’s assistant, construction,
Pastoral intern, water safety instructor, and a high school teacher.
Marian – Assistant to an Optician, Dental Nurse.
Hobbies, interests?
Ben – Photography, Biblical Archaeology
Marian – Travel, antiquing.
