What Do The Backstreet Boys, ACDC, And Benjamin Have In Common?
Monday, March 26, 2007

What we have in common is one glorious night at Wheaton College during the Senior Banquet. Me and 8 other guys from the French House fullfulled our life dream of playing a live rock show in front of all our friends. I feel it is absolutly necessary to post this video for posterity's sake, for your enjoyment, and so that other people can back me up when I'm 60 and tell my grandkids that yes, I too was once cool.

Posted by Benjamin Washam 9:23 PM 3 comments  

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Opportunity for Leadership
Wednesday, March 14, 2007

I have a cool opportunity to co-lead an internship here in Minneapolis with my fellow InnerCHANGE apprentice, Janelle. It looks like we will have three young adults coming out for the summer to experience life and ministry among the poor, and to join the rhythm of InnerCHANGE as an order.

I don't know many details, but I'm excited about the chance to take a leadership role with the team to share the difficult joy of working incarnationally among the poor with new people. I'm being flown out to San Francisco this weekend for a few days of leader orientation, and I should have some more details to share after that.

Posted by Benjamin Washam 2:37 PM 1 comments  



Golden Eagles
Saturday, March 10, 2007

This past week I joined Golden Eagels, an after school program run by the Minneapolis American Indian Center. The MAIC is the social and cultural "hub" for American Indians in south Minneapolis.

Each Monday from 4:30-7:00pm I get to hang out with a group of 5-12 year olds from the neighborhood. After a cafeteria style dinner together at 4:30, we split up the time with homework help time, game time in the gym, and a talking circle with special guest speakers and activities.

The theme this month is Alcohol, and the guest speaker for my first talking circle was Mike the cook, who told the kids his story of struggling through alcoholism and how it had affected his friends and family. A bunch of the kids chimed in with stories of their own about family members dying as a result of alcohol. At 7 and 8 years old it was normal to have multiple family members dead as a result of alcohol. At one point Mike was explaining how alcohol was introduced to Indians with the arrival of white people and their "whiskey." I was sitting in the circle nodding my head in ageement when I realized I was the only white person in the room! It was an ironic moment that was not so much awkward as it was meaningful. After that a little girl raised her hand and innocently asked Mike "what would it have been like if the white people had never come?" Again I looked around the room, but all eyes were on Mike. He explained how the environment would probably be in much better shape, and that you might be able drink straight out of the rivers and lakes. I thought that was a terrific answer, considering his audience. :-)

This is a fantastic opportunity not only to meet local kids and have regular interactions, but also to learn about Native culture and values alongside them.

Please pray that I can form relationships of trust with these kids, and that my presence with them would be the presence of Jesus. Pray that I would have compassion and discernment in how to love these kids well, and how best to respond to the issues they face everyday.

Posted by Benjamin Washam 10:39 PM 2 comments  

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Ice and Light
Monday, March 05, 2007


Is the above picture

A: a moutain range
B: the trough of a huge sea swell
C: a waterfall frozen in time

If you guesed "c," you were correct. Saturday I visited Minnehaha falls, a 60ft. frozen waterfall located only a few miles south of my house that I didn't even know existed! Here are some shots I captured.








Posted by Benjamin Washam 4:09 PM 7 comments  

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The Death Of A Car
Wednesday, February 21, 2007

My Jeep, Mary, is dead.

In just over nine months she twice carried me and all my physical possesions across the country without a fuss, until, at the ripe old age of 210,473 miles, she passed on. That was yesterday - I was on my to read meters for work when she popped out of gear, never to go back in again. It seems she died of a severe case of disagreement between her many gears.

To find out why she was named Mary, you have to watch this Irish tv commercial where the inspiration came to the former owner, my college roomate, Mike. The phrase "come on, Mary!" was used often enough to get the car started or to make it up a big hill.

The picture at the top is of Mary and I at the Badlands in South Dakota during my road trip from Chicago back to Yakima, WA after I graduated from college. If you look closely in the picture (click on it to zoom in) you can see all my stuff crammed in the back and the tip of a lone close hanger sticking up in the passenger seat.

This is sad news as it feels like I have lost a long-time friend. But more than that - it puts me in a predicament as far as transportation goes. I just started this new meter reading job last week, and I need a car to continue working. (I can't afford to not be working right now!) I have been overwhelmed by the amount of people who have said I can borrow their car when I need it. I am hugely grateful to them, but at the same time, I am still praying that God would provide a more permanent form of transportation. I am thankful for the extra years that God seemed to stretch out of this vehicle when she should have stopped many miles ago.

Posted by Benjamin Washam 9:44 PM 2 comments  

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All In A Day's Walk
Wednesday, February 14, 2007

A few snapshots from my first two days on the job as a meter reader:

-Having a lady call the police on me because she didn't believe I was a meter reader. (The neon reflective vest that says "meter reader" and giant meter reading PDA that looks like a cell phone from 1991 weren't enough to convince her.) And don't worry, I outran the police.

-Seeing numerous pitbulls, bulldogs, german shepherds, and rottweilers, along with a million other dogs out in yards I was supposed to enter - and none of them attatched to my body! Why do people buy these dangerous guard dogs when in the same neighborhood people also leave their garage doors open all day when they're at work????

-Getting stuck in the snow in my Jeep

-Being gone for work from 7:30am to 7pm and realizing most people who commute do this every day....

Posted by Benjamin Washam 8:47 PM 2 comments  

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Eureka! A Job!
Saturday, February 10, 2007

u-til-i-ty, (yōō-tĭl'ĭ-tē); n. pl. u·til·i·ties, from L. utilitatem (nom. utilitas) "usefulness, serviceableness, profit,"

  1. The quality or condition of being useful; usefulness: "I never imagined myself finding utility in working for a utility company" -Benjamin M. Washam (1983- )
  2. A commodity or service, such as electricity, water, or natural gas, that is provided by a public utility.
This is not a desk job, or a warehouse job, or a retail job, or even a delivery job! I have entered into the nebulous field of a "meter reader." You might have seen one of these curious men or women sneaking around your house during the week with a PDA in one hand and pepper spray for aggressive dogs in the other. Please don't harass them; better yet, why not offer them a glass of hot chocolate and some warm cookies? It could be me....*

The biggest challenge at this point besides rabid dogs will, of course, be the cold. With average daytime temperatures still negative, I am having to outfit myself with fancy equipment like "wool sox" and "three layers of long underwear." One neat little trick they recommended is called yaktrax, which is basically a pair of removable snow chains for your feet. Pretty cool.

So I'm now employed with RMR Services, a independent contractor that works with utility providers in the Twin Cities Metro area to install, repair, and read meters for gas, water, and electricity. Basically, I'll be doing a short commute out to the suburbs, parking my car and walking 10-12 miles a day house to house recording gas, water, or electric meter reading. The pay is great, and the hours are flexible! If nothing else, it will help get me in shape to hike the Pacific Crest Trail in the summer of '08 if for some crazy reason I decide to join my cousin. (Why not?)

(photo credit 1) (photo credit 2)

Posted by Benjamin Washam 7:26 PM 2 comments  

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OK Computer
Monday, February 05, 2007

The power source WAS the problem, and I am now back in business! (The business of keeping this blog updated, that is.)

Posted by Benjamin Washam 5:12 PM 1 comments  

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The Death of a Computer. Resurrection?
Sunday, February 04, 2007

My desktop computer died the other day, which is one reason why it's been so long since I blogged. I was zooming around the earth looking at mountain ranges in Venezuela or something on Google Earth (shameless plug) when my computer skipped the blue screen and went straight to black. The internal workings slowly spun to a stop till there was an ominous silence in the room. I tried everything, including power switch CPR (Continuously Pressing Repeatedly) and the occasional kick under the desk.

Upon further inspection and slightly invasive surgery under the metal skin, I determined I needed expert help. The PC 911 speed dial saved on my cell phone cleverly connected me to my computer genius friend from back home. Within a few mintues and a quick electrical jumper test involving pulling out wires and using spare paper clips, I determined with his help that it must (hopefully) be the power supply, a $25 fix.

Tomorrow is D-day; the power supply comes in the mail and if it works, I'm golden. If not, my New Computer Fund is about 3 years late in starting, and blogging will become less a test of my discipline and more a test of my roomate's generosity. I'll update tomorrow how the operation goes.

P.S. As an added note, I think the world should know that it was -40F here the other night, and daytime temperatures are only slightly better. For those of you who don't know, this means that when you step outside your front door, you feel immediatly a strange warm sensation in your body. This is called shock. Within a few seconds it wears off and all of the tiny hairs inside your nose instantly freeze, turning into mini ice-daggers that make it painful to breathe. Any exposed skin looses all feeling and the slightest movement of air (including breath) against it feels like an electric sander with #40 grit paper. Why do people live in Minnesota again?

Posted by Benjamin Washam 4:27 PM 1 comments  

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Deserts of Snow and Voices of Silence
Wednesday, January 17, 2007

(photo credit)
The Russian word for desert is "poustinia." In traditional Russian culture, poustinia not only refers to an isolated, arid landscape, but it also means a special place, usually some sort of rough cabin, set apart for a man or woman to go and meet with God in intensive solitude. In previous centuries in rural Russia, it would not have been strange for a man or woman, compelled by the inner-voice of God in their spirit, to leave everything in their life behind for a time and with permission from the local bishop, go construct a poustinia, and wait on the Lord.

This last weekend I attempted four days of poustinia in the barren winter woodlands of central Minnesota. The nearest town was named St. Francis, incidentaly. My shelter had graciously been built and maintained by the third order of the Franciscan Brothers at Pacem In Terris. My hermitage had a gas heater and a few sparse furnishings. I took warm clothes, a few books, and a flashlight for the biffy.

The only noise for four days was the occasional crack of water freezing inside a tree that would shatter the silence and make me jump in my chair. The sub-zero temperature and blanket of sound-absorbing snow turned my world into a black and white photograph - all the colors were faded to a grayscale pallette, and the world I could see was frozen still. I could not sense the slightest movement of a single twig on a tree. When I sat still, the only thing that reminded me time had not stopped was the beating of my heart. At night everything was wrapped in pitch darkness except for the sky, which emitted a faint pure glow from the stars that pierced its canopy.

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.
Psalm 42:5

It was into this setting that I entered, trying as best I could to have no agenda whatsoever, only to be still and wait expectantly in faith on the Lord. As the hours and days passed by, boredom and impatience slowly merged into a peace. The constant disturbance of waves started to subside over the deep pools of my soul, and I was able to catch momentary glimpses into the true desires of my heart - desires that were holy becuase they were the desires of God himself. I believe all people who have responded to the call of Jesus and recieved His gift of the Holy Spirit have these desires placed in them by God. One of the roots of our discipleship and transformation into Christ-likeness is to grow into these desires by quieting the raging sea around them of the expectations of others, wounds and failures, intellectual knowledge, insecurities, and our weakness towards ignoring God's reign in our minds, hearts, and actions.

Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
Matthew 16:24

It was this verse that I sensed as the response to my question: "Jesus, what do you want me to do?" I realized how precious these years of my life are right now, and how my singleness is not a burden, but a blessing of singleness of heart towards Christ! I recieved no insight into the future, no direction for this year or next; only an invitation to a journey inward, an invitation into a courtship with the Lord Jesus Christ. The goal is a divine union; the result is true compassion for all people. This is the desire of my heart.

My prayer is not for them [his 12 disciples] alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
John 17:20-23

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
John 15:5

Posted by Benjamin Washam 7:21 PM 3 comments  

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Back in the Saddle Again

The saddle I speak of is not Gene Autry's, though sleeping out every night where the only law is right might not be too bad either. No, I'm back in the saddle of searching for work. I waved goodbye to Target last Tuesday when my seasonal employment was ending. I realized that my hours weren't going to change from all evenings and weekends, which doesn't work well for me and the apprenticeship. I left in good standing, and now I'm back on the streets of Minneapolis and cyberspace to find another part time job.

My goal in this search is not simply to supplement support coming in from family and friends, but also to find a way to meet people in the neighborhood and start to build friendships of trust.

A few leads:

>Meter reading for gas and electric companys: This would involve driving out to the southern suburbs and running through winter weather and people's yards to collect usage data. I could work 2-3 days a week and make more than I was at Target!

>MasterWorks: This is a business/ministry in the city owned by a Christian guy who tries to employ and offer job training to guys who have a hard time finding steady work. Many of the employees are in a discipleship type group as well, and there are usually a lot of Native guys.

>Desiring God Ministries: This is John Piper's non-profit that distributes his books, videos, and other teaching materials, as well as a resource website. Their offices are located on the edge of Phillips, and they might be looking for part-time media/video editting help.

Please be praying that God leads me to an opportunity that would connect me with the people God wants me to minister to.

Posted by Benjamin Washam 1:04 PM 0 comments  

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Silence is Golden, Especially if that Silence Reaches My Mind
Thursday, January 11, 2007

I've been looking forward to my team's contemplative spiritual retreat for a long time and it has finally arrived! Today I leave for Pacem In Terris (peace on earth) in St. Francis, MN. I will be away for a four day period of silence, listening, reading, resting, praying, music making, and simply BEING with the Lord in a one room hermitage out in the woods. Sounds like torture to some, and in some ways, at least for the everyday thought patterns in my mind, it will be torture, even unto death. I am praying for a renewing of my mind, and continued transformation of my identity from my false self to who I am in Christ.

I've only done this once before, and that was during my InnerCHANGE internship in San Francisco the summer before last. Those three days at New Comaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur gave me just a taste of the joy and refreshment that come out of setting aside time like this for the Lord only. Until Sunday, I will be unavailable for contact.

Posted by Benjamin Washam 10:31 AM 2 comments  

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