Winding down

We are now on the last part of the Lecture phase, we are now just preparing for outreach. We have less than a week left before we leave for Christmas Break. When we come back from break we head out to Morris, Illinois for two weeks of outreach at a teen evangelism house. On the 14th we head out to South Korea, where we will be doing work at churches, youth gatherings, Schools, and refugee camps. I am playing bass in 2 worship bands, acting in 2 dramas and assisting in anything else that is needed.


I am still in need of $700 more for the trip. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as I continue with this. I want my ministry to be fruitful, and I know God will do great things through me, but I need your prayers and help to do that.

I usually have my quiet time in the back part of the property, 40 acres of fields, woods, and mud. It has been raining the last few days, so It has been more fun having quiet times back there.

Thanks for your help
God Bless
-Ben

Update (sorry for the delay)

Hello everybody!

I am doing great here. We are on the last week and a half of the lecture/class phase of the DTS. on the 22nd I will be flying home for Christmas and coming back on the 30th. We leave for the US stateside outreach on the 3rd of Jan, and for South Korea on the 14th.
For the Stateside we will be going to Morris, IL. We will be doing work at a teen/youth mission there.
I am really excited about the outreach to South Korea. We will be speaking/preaching at churches, refugee camps, and youth events. Some of the people in our group will be teaching english. we have a few different dramas we have learned, and have formed two different worship teams. I am in two of the dramas and I am playing bass in both of the worship teams.
we have been recently learning about the "Father Heart of God" from a man named Tom Hallas. The teaching is about how God is our father, and has the heart and love of a father for us. This week we are learning from Lud Golz about sharing our testimonies and how we do that in a practical or written way.
I am having the time of my life here, the last few weekends we have planned events for the students in the school to do. Last week we had a Scavenger Hunt, we made different groups go around town and do different crazy(not illegal), weird, and fun things. This weekend we played "Underground Church". We hid "Bibles"(boxes with aluminum tape on them) and the two teams had to find the boxes and take them back to their bases without us tagging them with our "flower bombs"(stockings filled with flour). Since I was in the group planning the event I got to play as the "government" the bad guys.
I still need your help with a lot. I am still in need of your prayers as I continue through this time and outreach. It is very important that you pray for God to be released in all that I do. Pray that God will work in the hearts of those we talk to, and work with my group in unity.
I am in need of financial support. I am still in need of another $800 for my outreach costs. And I will be needing another $3,250 in order to cover the costs of my SOE Tuition. My address is on the right side bar on the site. Please pray for the outpouring of finances so that I can continue the work that God has sent me to do.

Thank you
God Bles
-Ben Collins

I'm Going to South Korea!!!

When we come back from Christmas break we will be headed out for the outreach part of the school. The first two weeks will be spent in the US followed by out other outreach choice. My outreach will be to South Korea From January 16 to February 16. We will be spending two weeks in Seoul followed by two weeks in Asan.
In Seoul we will be doing ministry in refugee camps, teaching at churches and teaching at youth events. We will be the second outreach from YWAM to go to South Korea, the people are very hungry to hear the work and very open to teachings.
Asan is the most significant part of the trip, we are being hosted by the mayor. He is hosting us and helping us to do teachings and teach English.
It will cost exactly $2,350 for the whole thing, and I am relying on him to bring it all in. So please Keep me in your prayers as I go on this journey.

God Bless
-Ben
This was our First Attempt at taking a group picture


This is my Group going to South Korea

Headed to South Korea

When the choices for outreach were listed I was amazed to see that South Korea was listed as one of the choices. God has always given me a heart for Europe and Asia. So for the outreach part of my Discipleship Training School I am headed to South Korea. It will cost about $2500 overall. so I need those funds raised and lots of prayer to go out. We will be headed out in Mid January and be back towards the end of February. We will be speaking at mega-churches, doing ministry at refugee camps and more. I am very excited about the whole thing.

There are two other groups headed out from my school, one is going to Brazil and the other is staying here in the US to go the Ghetto American Cities.

Please keep my whole school in prayer as we go through classroom teachings and training

God Bless
-Ben

Missions outreach choices

The Leadership prayed about where to go on outreach, and it came down to three choices.

Brazil

Ghetto America,

South Korea

Before I came to YWAM I felt like I should go to either Asia or Europe, but for some reason the ghetto US cities stuck out to me just as much as South Korea. So I am praying about it, but i believe God is calling me to Korea. So please keep me in your prayers

God Bless
-Ben Collins

Second Week.......Classes and normality

This week we began the regular schedule day and classes. our schedule is pretty easy to go by:
7 - breakfast
8 to 9 - intercession (Mondays and Wednesdays) and Base Prayer (Fridays)
9 to 10 - Quiet Time (personal Bible study time)
10 - Class
12:15 - Lunch
1:15 - Work Duty time (I got Grounds Maintenance)
3:30 - Class
5:15 - Dinner
8 - Small group meetings (Tuesdays)
9 - Dorm Devotional (Wednesdays)

The speaker this week is Elaine Allegretto, who is speaking on relationships and the Biblical basis and root of them. Monday she talked about human need for relationships and biblical basis for having them with others. It was nice to see from a Biblical point why we befriend others and how we should treat EVERYONE. Its interesting thinking about how the lack of relationships can cause problems and how relationships can influence people in different ways for good or bad. Tuesday we talked about the covenant of marriage, how it was originally a binding agreement between two partys, and how it has changed and is misused in modern society. Today (Wednesday) we talked about unhealthy sexuality in relationships and the different ways that plays out in a persons life. This afternoon we talked about lust and the problems with it, and the difference between attraction and lust.

We have been talking a lot about love in and out of class. Loving like Christ is willing the highest good for others even when you get nothing in return. This applys to everyone for people around you and for Christ.

Its amazing going through such basic things and then taking it in like its new information, because God shows you where it applys to your life.

I am having a wonderful time here. The People are great, always very friendly and loving towards you. most people around here have had the same problems so they know what it is like and sympathize with it.

Please keep my in your thoughts and Prayers. I am still in need of major financial support for my outreach and for the tuition and outreach funds for the School Of Evangelism.

Thank You
God Bless
-Ben Collins

Oh My God

"Oh My God"

Oh my God, look around this place
Your fingers reach around the bone
You set the break and set the tone
Flights of grace, and future falls
In present pain
All fools say, "Oh my God"

Oh my God, Why are we so afraid?
We make it worse when we don't bleed
There is no cure for our disease
Turn a phrase, and rise again
Or fake your death and only tell your closest friend
Oh my God.

Oh my God, can I complain?
You take away my firm belief and graft my soul upon your grief
Weddings, boats and alibis
All drift away, and a mother cries

Liars and fools; sons and failures
Thieves will always say
Lost and found; ailing wanderers
Healers always say
Whores and angels; men with problems
Leavers always say
Broken hearted; separated
Orphans always say
War creators; racial haters
Preachers always say
Distant fathers; fallen warriors
Givers always say
Pilgrim saints; lonely widows
Users always say
Fearful mothers; watchful doubters
Saviors always say

Sometimes I cannot forgive
And these days, mercy cuts so deep
If the world was how it should be, maybe I could get some sleep
While I lay, I dream we're better,
Scales were gone and faces light
When we wake, we hate our brother
We still move to hurt each other
Sometimes I can close my eyes,
And all the fear that keeps me silent falls below my heavy breathing,
What makes me so badly bent?
We all have a chance to murder
We all feel the need for wonder
We still want to be reminded that the pain is worth the thunder

Sometimes when I lose my grip, I wonder what to make of heaven
All the times I thought to reach up
All the times I had to give
Babies underneath their beds
Hospitals that cannot treat all the wounds that money causes,
All the comforts of cathedrals
All the cries of thirsty children - this is our inheritance
All the rage of watching mothers - this is our greatest offense

Oh my God
Oh my God
Oh my God

End of Orientation week

It has been a week so far since I have arrived here in TX, and it has been a wonderfully long week. To me, the people are what makes this place so great. So many people who love the Lord and try to show him daily. The difference in the attitude daily is great. This week has only been orientation week and we mostly have focused on what happens around here. we have had a few teaching so far from different staff on the base. Josh (Yosh) Langer, the leader of the YWAM school of Worship, came and did a teaching on Worship. The leader of the YWAM D.C. base, Jason Hershey came in to talk to us about Intercession and what it means to be an intercessor. Stephanie VanDyke talked about identity and the difference in the identity that satan gives us verses what God truely thinks of us as an individual he created.

Next week we start regular classroom teachings with Elaine Allegretto. So I am really looking forward to seeing what God will do in this next coming weeks.

I am also really excited about Kip Gaines coming to teach at our school. He has been in Israel, he used to be the leader for this school, and he is a really great teacher.

As far as funding goes. I have two thousand left for tuition on the next school, so I am still in need of more funds for tuition on the next school and outreach times. So please be praying for me and my finances.

Love you all
God Bless
-Ben

We are in relationship

just thought this was funny. In the lobby of the dorm there is a statue of Jesus and its missing its arms. so i put it next to me the other day and one of the guys took this picture.

-Ben

traveling sept. 28

On the road again. It is now about 1pm eastern time and 12 here in central. We passed Louisville about an hour ago. We have been on the road since 6AM eastern time, so we are about 7 hours into the trip. I would like to thank you all for your prayers and support, It has been an quick and easy trip so far. My tuition has been covered so far, now I am working towards the funding for the missions outreaches. Thank you very much

-Ben

We have reached the hotel that we set as the halfway point at about 5 central time. we have settled into our hotel rooms and are resting. We plan to continue driving at 7 tomorrow.

-Ben

I have arrived at the base. I unloaded at my dorm, and there are only a few people here so far. I am really excited about this.

-Ben

My YWAM address.

I have the Address for me at the YWAM base.

Ben Collins (DTS)
P.O. Box 3000
Garden Valley, TX. 75771-3000


I head out on Friday, so please keep me in your prayers as I travel.

God Bless
-Ben

Change of Address

I have had a personal change of home address and would like to share it.

I am now at

20 Greenview Drive
Dover, Deleware 19901

I will try to get my YWAM address up as soon as possible

thank you
-Ben

New update. 8/14

a month and a half to DTS and I couldn't be more ready to finish work and head out.

as Far as money goes I have $4600 so far and still in need of at least $5400 more to pay for everything.

I really have appreciated the prayers so far. Life has been going smoothly as a get more towards the time to leave. God has been putting encouraging and helpful people everywhere I go including at work.

Please Keep up the support. my mission for Christ is driven by your help.

God Bless
-Ben

July 10, 2007 Update -Good Lord, the Lord is Good-

Hello Everyone!!!!
Sorry I haven't written in a while. I have been working full time and have not had much free time.

So far I am up to $3500 in sponsorship funds. I really appreciate all that people have done for me, it really helps. I am still in need of $6500 more to pay for both schools and outreaches.

Please keep me in your prayers. I cannot do this without you!!!!! Pray about what God will to to and through me and what he will do to and through others around me. Pray for hearts to be opened and lives changed, both in the classroom and on the mission field.

God never ceases to amaze me. Two years ago When I was headed to Mexico I didn't think that I would be able to raise enough money for me to go ($1000), but he supplied enough for me to go and two other people I knew that weren't able to afford the trip. Last year when I was going to Chicago and he supplied me with the funds to take that trip. This year it looks like I will mostly be supported by those who believe in me and in what God is Going to do.

God Bless you all.
-Ben

P.S.
Please pray for my friends (whose names I can't mention). They are fostering a child who it seems may go back to its parents and a bad situation. Pray that God reveals all that is hidden and shows the situation for what it really is.

Actual Missions Letter

On a Mission

From J. Benjamin Collins

7697 Mayfield Road

Chesterland, OH 44026

(440)-729-4395

Hello!

Ever since I went on a

summer mission team experience two years ago with 'Youth With A Mission' (YWAM) in Tyler Texas, I have felt that God has been calling me to return to Tyler to further my training and serve in leading mission outreaches.

I will be returning to YWAM Tyler, TX for Missions training and outreach from Sept 30, 2007 to Aug 19, 2008. I will be attending the Discipleship Training School (DTS) and the School of Evangelism (SOE). Each school has a 3 month classroom training period, followed by an eight week outreach. Each School costs $3345 for training and another $2000 for the outreach costs. This is a major step in my life and I would like to have you involved in what the Lord will do through me.

How to be involved / help

I can't do this alone! I need your help. I am hoping that you will be a part of this mission endeavor through your prayers and financial support. As the Bible says, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent?” (Romans 10:14-15a NIV)

Every donation counts, and will be very much appreciated. If you or your church can help, you can make any checks payable to “Ben Collins” and note that it is for “YWAM missions”. Send them to my home address listed above.

Most importantly, I need people who will commit to pray for me and the mission work regularly from now through the time of my return.

Thank you in advance for being part of my support team!

Your brother in Christ

J. Benjamin Collins

YWAM, Tyler

Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Tyler, Texas has been on the cutting edge of missions mobilization for more than 25 years. As an international, interdenominational mission, our emphasis lies in three areas: evangelism, training and mercy ministry.

For Updates and Information

For more information about YWAM and its mission please visit my blog for site links. I will be sharing pictures, thoughts, and messages about what is going on with my training and outreach. The address is:

http://bensywamblog.blogspot.com/

Though I will still be mailing update letters, this site will have constant updates and pictures of my activities .

Money Update

I am still in need of help for the funding for my trip. My Church is now able to receive all the support sent. So you are now able to use it as a tax write off.

Make checks payable to "Chesterland Baptist Church" with a seperate memo: "For Ben Collins, YWAM"


Send donations to:
Chesterland Baptist Church
12670 Chillicothe Road
Chesterland, OH 44026

Thank you all soo much.

Don't forget to pray for me. It is very Important.

thanks
-Ben

My Calling

I believe that God is calling me to go to YWAM this year and take the Disipleship training school and school of evangelism. After those two schools I will be attending the University of Northwestern Ohio A.K.A. UNOH. At UNOH I will be majoring in Automotive technologies and Alternative fuels. After school I plan to work for a number of years, and later return to YWAM to work there on staff full time. Vehicles are a major part of everyday life, that is part of what I believe my mission to be. I believe that is what God has called me to do with my life. I will be in need of support at that later time because I will be in missions full time. Prayer will be the big key, for what God will do in and through me on the missions field.

Thank you
-Ben

payments

ok, so it looks kinda strange to be sending them directly to me. plus there is no tax writeoff. I am trying to get it so that it can be sent to me through my church.

I found out that somehow it can be considered londering going through a non-profit organization to pay for an individual. so we are trying to work out the kinks so that that can happen.

Please keep me in your prayers
-Ben

May Update

I will be sending out missions letters soon. I am in major need of monitary support and prayer. Please consider me in your daily prayers.

-Ben

This is my Ywam Share blog

I will be using this as my blog for updates during my experience of Ywam. I will be trying to update it as much as possible. i will try to share my experiences and pictures with you.

Please remember to PRAY for me during my time spent. Financial support is needed, so if you are able pleae pray about it.

thank you