Ben Ward

July 31, 2008March 10, 2015

New York City

Olivia and I were in New York City this past week to see if it’s where God wants us. We stayed with our good friend Millinee in Inwood (North Manhattan). She was so gracious to let us stay 10 days!! I talked with two Churches about possible Worship Leader positions. One would be towards the first of the year and one is open now. The one that is open now is different from where I’ve been recently, but the spirit of the people was so sweet. I went to two of their services on Sunday and was able to taste a little bit of what they are about. The Lord will show us what is right.

After getting back to Nashville, Olivia and I are confident that New York City is the place He has for us next. We don’t know what that may look like, but we know He wants us to go there. Olivia is beyond excited and so am I. We are looking for an apartment now. We thought we had secured one before we left, but it didn’t work out. We are scouring the Web and will probably go back next week to find a place. It is crazy! If you find one you like, you’ve got to get your application in immediately or someone will be right behind you to snatch it up. They want more info than a mortgage company. Just pray that the right thing will open up and that we’ll just wait before the Lord for the right one.

July 18, 2008March 10, 2015

Lebanon Day 25-30

My last few days in Lebanon were a whirlwind. I finished teaching the music classes. They were awesome and the students did so much. Great fellowship, too. The culmination was Sunday when Michel was ordained. I’ve uploaded several pics on Flickr. There were about 100 people there. So many testimonies of Michel and Nouna’s ministry and impact. They actually had to be cut off for time. I pray the Lord allows me to have that kind of influence and favor.

Pics

I’m back in Nashville now. The trip back ended up being about 30 hours. They didn’t have enough fuel to fill up the plane in Beirut, so we had to fly to Cypress and fuel up for the flight to Frankfurt. That made us late for the flight to Chicago, etc., etc. They did bump me up to business class for the nine hour Chicago flight so I could be with Keith. It was amazing! The seats were like beds and the food was great and never ending :). It is great to be back with Olivia. We’re headed to New York City tomorrow to see if the Lord wants us there. I’ll try to post a wrap up of the Lebanon trip in the next few days. Thanks for reading!!!

July 17, 2008March 10, 2015

Lebanon Day 24

Wednesday we went to the album release/press conference for top Arabic recording artist Grace Deeb. She is a part of the Tent of Praise and a precious believer. We were in downtown Beirut and there were many photographers and music video people. I don’t know his name, but it looked the Ryan Seacrest of the Middle East was there hosting :). I texted Olivia that I was going to be famous in Lebanon because of all the pictures and videos taken of our table. They even asked my name! It was great fun.

Thanks, Grace, for inviting!

Pics

July 11, 2008March 10, 2015

Lebanon Day 23

Tuesday Michel took me to Byblos. I love historical places like this. Some consider this to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. The people are even mentioned in the Old Testament as bringing the Cedars from Lebanon to help construct Solomon’s Temple. As you can see from the pics, it’s mostly ruins now, but what ruins they are. The size of the stones…unbelievable. We noticed a Star of David carved into one of the stones, and the Temple refrence makes sense. Anyone else know the story? You don’t see many Stars of David in Lebanon.

Pics

July 9, 2008March 10, 2015

Lebanon Day 21-22

Sunday night and again Tuesday night I went with Keith to Abundant Life Church in Beirut. He spoke and I sang two songs. The people received me and the songs so graciously. Wonderful young people who wanted to talk about music and worship. Afterwards the pastor took us to another great Lebanese feast that lasted until two in the morning. The Lebanese love to eat!

The Lord is so amazing and so wonderful. He gives us good gifts. He wants to give us good gifts. So often I feel like it’s a stretch to think that the Lord would want me to have the desires of my heart, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. He desires Himself to give me the longings of my heart — he put them there in the first place!

More tomorrow…

July 8, 2008March 10, 2015

Lebanon Day 20

Saturday we travelled to the South to visit some families that Michel and Nouna worked with during the war in 2006. They were amazing and it was so moving to sit with them and hear their view and stories. Lots of Arabic coffee and good, in season, watermelon. On the way down it was fascinating to see all the sights from thousands of banana and citrus trees to the UN peacekeeping troops and vehicles, to the ancient cities of Tyre and Sidon.

Pics