Blog

Traveling with mom

31/03/2026 15:33

Thank you for praying for our travels. We are doing a lot of hours in the car, and we need God's grace. So far, God has helped us to enjoy traveling.

Please also pray for our health. We have been in a lot of pollen in our travels. Mac, is especialy struggling with either cold or allergy symptoms.

Here is my most recent update to our church family, which summarises this past week and gives our travels plans. Thank you for your prayers which avail much.

Church letter, 31 March,

Good evening church family,


Praise the Lord for Resurrection Sunday coming this Sunday. Please do your best to invite and encourage others to attend with you. Please also pray for God's blessings upon the day. 

We are scheduled to be in Superior, Wisconsin at Calvary Baptist Church this coming Sunday. Superior is very far north and will be our most northerly location on our furlough. Please pray for safety for our travels. There are two different blizzards forecast before our arrival. Sunday evening is 4 hours South in Antigo, Wisconsin.

We are enjoying special family time as we travel. We arrived at my mom's in Des Moines on Monday. Mom is traveling with us for a little bit. She came with us to my home church (where dad pastored for 27 years) in Hudson, WI. Both meetings on Sunday went very well. (We were at Faith Baptist in St. Paul for the PM service.) We are now at my brother's home in Galesville, WI.  We are using this as our base for the next week. Tomorrow night we have a meeting at the church Pastor and Mrs. Barba started in Menomonee Falls Wisconsin. We will also stop by Maranatha Baptist University and see our 3 nieces who are students there.

In church news, we rejoice with Marco, Bronwen and Raphael in the safe arrival of baby, Leo. Praise the Lord! I would have mentioned this praise last week, but wanted them to have time to announce his birth. 

As I conclude this update, I want to thank you for your prayers for our travels and ministry. God's hand has been very evident. We miss you all and are thankful that each week is one week closer to our return. We are also thankful for the Barbas ministry in our absence.

Praying for each of you and praying for special Easter services at SFBC. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to let us know,

Pastor Ben

Matthew 28:6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

The pics are of the lake near where I grew up and the Mall of America.





In Des Moines....

25/03/2026 09:37

Thank you for praying for all of our travels and our many ministry meetings. Here is the latest news which I sent to our church this morning. Please continjue to pray for grace for our church and for the Barbas as they minister in our absence.


Good morning all,


We have traveled a lot since my last church update. We are now in the Central USA in Des Moines, (Pronounced - ''di moin'') the capital city of Iowa. My mom grew up here and she now owns a home close to her family home where grandma still lives. We have a lot of extended family here and are enjoying catching up with some of them. 

Our trip north was broken up into 3 days of 6 hours drives. We still have a 5 hour drive north to Hudson, WI where I grew up. We have a meeting at my home church this Sunday AM. Some of you met Pastor Dan Stertz, and his wife, Mary. He is the pastor at Bible Baptist in Hudson. We will have SS, AM and an afternoon service in Hudson. Sunday evening we will be about 45 minutes away at Faith Baptist in St. Paul, Minnesota. Next Wednesday we will be in Menomonee Falls, WI at Falls Baptist Church. That is the church which the Barbas started over 50 years ago.

God continues to bless our travels and ministry. We enjoyed being at Nolensville Road Baptist in Nashville this past Sunday. Their church sent a group to help us work on our church building. It was a blessing to thank the church for their help in our big work project. 

The weather has been interesting this Spring. We have had days in the mid 30's and days that barely got into single digits. It's really been a weather roller coaster. We saw snowfall last week and also hit high temperatures that Scotland never reaches. God's creation is amazing and God is reminding man of His control over the thermostat.

We love hearing from you. If you have any news or prayer requests, please send them our way. We are praying for each of you,

Pastor Ben

Psalm 19:1-3 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.  Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.


In Des Moines....

25/03/2026 09:37

Thank you for praying for all of our travels and our many ministry meetings. Here is the latest news which I sent to our church this morning. Please continjue to pray for grace for our church and for the Barbas as they minister in our absence.


Good morning all,


We have traveled a lot since my last church update. We are now in the Central USA in Des Moines, (Pronounced - ''di moin'') the capital city of Iowa. My mom grew up here and she now owns a home close to her family home where grandma still lives. We have a lot of extended family here and are enjoying catching up with some of them. 

Our trip north was broken up into 3 days of 6 hours drives. We still have a 5 hour drive north to Hudson, WI where I grew up. We have a meeting at my home church this Sunday AM. Some of you met Pastor Dan Stertz, and his wife, Mary. He is the pastor at Bible Baptist in Hudson. We will have SS, AM and an afternoon service in Hudson. Sunday evening we will be about 45 minutes away at Faith Baptist in St. Paul, Minnesota. Next Wednesday we will be in Menomonee Falls, WI at Falls Baptist Church. That is the church which the Barbas started over 50 years ago.

God continues to bless our travels and ministry. We enjoyed being at Nolensville Road Baptist in Nashville this past Sunday. Their church sent a group to help us work on our church building. It was a blessing to thank the church for their help in our big work project. 

The weather has been interesting this Spring. We have had days in the mid 30's and days that barely got into single digits. It's really been a weather roller coaster. We saw snowfall last week and also hit high temperatures that Scotland never reaches. God's creation is amazing and God is reminding man of His control over the thermostat.

We love hearing from you. If you have any news or prayer requests, please send them our way. We are praying for each of you,

Pastor Ben

Psalm 19:1-3 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.  Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.


1 month down, 2 to go

18/03/2026 10:27

We praise the Lord for His grace in our furlough travels. We have now accomplished one month of our three month furlough. We have greatly enjoyed our time at each church. If it wasn't for our desire to be with our church family, furthering the work God has for us in Scotland, we would be happy to have a longer time with all of our supporters. 

This past Sunday we were at Harvest Baptist in Spartanburg. Benson and Christina work at this church. Benson was taken on as a part time music pastor by the church last year. We enjoyed sharing the testimony of God's leading in Sunday School. We did special music and Katie played an offertory. And, I preached the morning message. Afterwards we enjoyed a fellowship meal with several in the church.

We then headed two hours South to Orangeburg, SC. That church was also a blessing to us and we enjoyed a meal with the pastor and his wife after the service. We then drove three hours back to Lattimore, NC to my sister's home. We arrived at midnight and enjoyed an hour's fellowship with ALL of our children. We are enjoying having all the kids here for a few days. Kay Lee and John drove over Sunday afternoon and will be heading back tomorrow.

This coming Sunday AM, we are at Nolansville Road Baptist Church in Nashville. We will spend the week in Des Moines with my mom, before heading further north. Thankfully, the blizzard warning was last week and not this one coming. Saturday is supposed to be 84 degrees in Des Moines! Yikes! The weather is very interesting this year.

God's goodess has been very evident. We are thrilled with His many blessings. Thank you for praying for our travels.



1 month down, 2 to go

18/03/2026 10:27

We praise the Lord for His grace in our furlough travels. We have now accomplished one month of our three month furlough. We have greatly enjoyed our time at each church. If it wasn't for our desire to be with our church family, furthering the work God has for us in Scotland, we would be happy to have a longer time with all of our supporters. 

This past Sunday we were at Harvest Baptist in Spartanburg. Benson and Christina work at this church. Benson was taken on as a part time music pastor by the church last year. We enjoyed sharing the testimony of God's leading in Sunday School. We did special music and Katie played an offertory. And, I preached the morning message. Afterwards we enjoyed a fellowship meal with several in the church.

We then headed two hours South to Orangeburg, SC. That church was also a blessing to us and we enjoyed a meal with the pastor and his wife after the service. We then drove three hours back to Lattimore, NC to my sister's home. We arrived at midnight and enjoyed an hour's fellowship with ALL of our children. We are enjoying having all the kids here for a few days. Kay Lee and John drove over Sunday afternoon and will be heading back tomorrow.

This coming Sunday AM, we are at Nolansville Road Baptist Church in Nashville. We will spend the week in Des Moines with my mom, before heading further north. Thankfully, the blizzard warning was last week and not this one coming. Saturday is supposed to be 84 degrees in Des Moines! Yikes! The weather is very interesting this year.

God's goodess has been very evident. We are thrilled with His many blessings. Thank you for praying for our travels.



Back to SC

12/03/2026 19:55

The Lord blessed us with safety as we traveled much over the past ten days. We had such a good time with all of our supporting churches. Thank you for praying for our travels and ministry.

On Monday of this past week, we did an extra ministry trip. Our oldest two children and their spouses have all worked at the Bill Rice Ranch and the West Branch. We drove up Monday to visit the Ranch and enjoyed a tour with Matt and April Downs. They were so kind to take time to fellowship with us and show us around.

After leaving the Ranch, we went over to the headquarters of the Sword of the Lord. What a joy to see a facility and meet staff who are having a great impact in God's harvest field. On Tuesday we visited a third ministry which is very special to us as we visited the Baptist World Mission headquarters in Decatur. BWM is our mission agency. We have been with them since the Autumn of 2005. We praise God for His grace in keeping BWM strong both doctrinally and practically. They are a huge help to all of their missionaries and we are thankful to have them behind us.

This weekend we will be with Benson and Christina at their church, Harvest Baptist in Spartanburg. Sunday evening we will be at Orangeburg Baptist Tabernacle. On Monday, Kay Lee and her husband, John, are heading over to meet us in Lattimore for a family time. This will be the first time we have been all together since Benson and Christina's wedding. We are looking forward to making some precious memories.

We are hearing good things from our church in Scotland. Please keep the Barbas in prayer as they continue to fill our shoes in our absence. We very much appreciate their labours.

Thank you for keeping up with us and for praying for our family and ministry!


Back to SC

12/03/2026 19:55

The Lord blessed us with safety as we traveled much over the past ten days. We had such a good time with all of our supporting churches. Thank you for praying for our travels and ministry.

On Monday of this past week, we did an extra ministry trip. Our oldest two children and their spouses have all worked at the Bill Rice Ranch and the West Branch. We drove up Monday to visit the Ranch and enjoyed a tour with Matt and April Downs. They were so kind to take time to fellowship with us and show us around.

After leaving the Ranch, we went over to the headquarters of the Sword of the Lord. What a joy to see a facility and meet staff who are having a great impact in God's harvest field. On Tuesday we visited a third ministry which is very special to us as we visited the Baptist World Mission headquarters in Decatur. BWM is our mission agency. We have been with them since the Autumn of 2005. We praise God for His grace in keeping BWM strong both doctrinally and practically. They are a huge help to all of their missionaries and we are thankful to have them behind us.

This weekend we will be with Benson and Christina at their church, Harvest Baptist in Spartanburg. Sunday evening we will be at Orangeburg Baptist Tabernacle. On Monday, Kay Lee and her husband, John, are heading over to meet us in Lattimore for a family time. This will be the first time we have been all together since Benson and Christina's wedding. We are looking forward to making some precious memories.

We are hearing good things from our church in Scotland. Please keep the Barbas in prayer as they continue to fill our shoes in our absence. We very much appreciate their labours.

Thank you for keeping up with us and for praying for our family and ministry!


Back to SC

12/03/2026 19:55

The Lord blessed us with safety as we traveled much over the past ten days. We had such a good time with all of our supporting churches. Thank you for praying for our travels and ministry.

On Monday of this past week, we did an extra ministry trip. Our oldest two children and their spouses have all worked at the Bill Rice Ranch and the West Branch. We drove up Monday to visit the Ranch and enjoyed a tour with Matt and April Downs. They were so kind to take time to fellowship with us and show us around.

After leaving the Ranch, we went over to the headquarters of the Sword of the Lord. What a joy to see a facility and meet staff who are having a great impact in God's harvest field. On Tuesday we visited a third ministry which is very special to us as we visited the Baptist World Mission headquarters in Decatur. BWM is our mission agency. We have been with them since the Autumn of 2005. We praise God for His grace in keeping BWM strong both doctrinally and practically. They are a huge help to all of their missionaries and we are thankful to have them behind us.

This weekend we will be with Benson and Christina at their church, Harvest Baptist in Spartanburg. Sunday evening we will be at Orangeburg Baptist Tabernacle. On Monday, Kay Lee and her husband, John, are heading over to meet us in Lattimore for a family time. This will be the first time we have been all together since Benson and Christina's wedding. We are looking forward to making some precious memories.

We are hearing good things from our church in Scotland. Please keep the Barbas in prayer as they continue to fill our shoes in our absence. We very much appreciate their labours.

Thank you for keeping up with us and for praying for our family and ministry!


Note to church

03/03/2026 08:57

Thank you for keeping up with our family as we travel in the USA. God has given us safety and has blessed our ministry opportunities with each church family. 

I just sent the following update to our church family....

Good morning church family,


We are now in Dothan, Alabama. Sunday morning the Lord gave us the opportunity to participate in SS and the morning service at Perry Hill Road Baptist Church in Montgomery AL. The people were very kind and have a great interest in what God is doing at SFBC. 

On Sunday evening as we headed to church we picked up Ashlyn (Missionary Kid (MK) from Canada) who came on the mission trip to our church about a year and a half ago. She is a student at Pensacola Christian College. (This college is more like a University offering the same degrees with 4 year programs.) Katie played an offertory at church that night, Nelson and I sang a duet, we shared a testimony and showed the video, Nelson played his pipes after church, and we enjoyed great conversations with the church family.

Last night Katie planned a pizza party for our family, 4 students at the college, and two staff members. Each of these are from families that are dear to us. We had a special time together.

We arrived in Dothan AL last night at 9:30 PM and are staying in a very nice prophets chamber until tomorrow morning. Tonight we will have a church service with the church here, Victory Baptist. Tomorrow night we will be at Green Pond Baptist Church in Green Pond, AL. Please pray for the power of God, upon these meetings.

Thanks for keeping us before the Lord as you pray for our travels and ministry. We are praying for each of you,

Pastor Ben

Psalm 77:11-13 I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. [12] I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. [13] Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?





Note to church

03/03/2026 08:57

Thank you for keeping up with our family as we travel in the USA. God has given us safety and has blessed our ministry opportunities with each church family. 

I just sent the following update to our church family....

Good morning church family,


We are now in Dothan, Alabama. Sunday morning the Lord gave us the opportunity to participate in SS and the morning service at Perry Hill Road Baptist Church in Montgomery AL. The people were very kind and have a great interest in what God is doing at SFBC. 

On Sunday evening as we headed to church we picked up Ashlyn (Missionary Kid (MK) from Canada) who came on the mission trip to our church about a year and a half ago. She is a student at Pensacola Christian College. (This college is more like a University offering the same degrees with 4 year programs.) Katie played an offertory at church that night, Nelson and I sang a duet, we shared a testimony and showed the video, Nelson played his pipes after church, and we enjoyed great conversations with the church family.

Last night Katie planned a pizza party for our family, 4 students at the college, and two staff members. Each of these are from families that are dear to us. We had a special time together.

We arrived in Dothan AL last night at 9:30 PM and are staying in a very nice prophets chamber until tomorrow morning. Tonight we will have a church service with the church here, Victory Baptist. Tomorrow night we will be at Green Pond Baptist Church in Green Pond, AL. Please pray for the power of God, upon these meetings.

Thanks for keeping us before the Lord as you pray for our travels and ministry. We are praying for each of you,

Pastor Ben

Psalm 77:11-13 I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. [12] I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings. [13] Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?





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