Recently, we were asked to provide a little bio of our family with the purpose of “getting to know us”. How do you summarize four lifetimes of not only people and places but more importantly values, beliefs and raison d’être?
31 years ago, a missionary family who loved to sing lived in Brazil. Shortly after their arrival they welcomed their third child and second boy, Benjamin or as they affectionately called him, Benje. It was in Brazil that Ben learned to ways of the Lord, how to be a son and a brother and he learned how to sing.
Meanwhile, just over 8500 kilometers north in a small town called Tsawwassen a little girl was living an entirely different life and yet learning all the same. She learned the ways of the Lord, how to be a daughter and a sister and she learned how to sing.
In 2000, their worlds collided in the most unsuspecting (or most obvious) place – a little town called Three Hills, home to Prairie Bible College. Knowing that God had brought them together they married after graduation and moved to Vancouver, BC. During the next four years, Ben completed his second BA in Music from Trinity Western University and worked as a music director at an Anglican Church while Krista worked in banking. In 2007 they were blessed with a baby boy, whom they name Jakob Xavier and when Jakob was just one year old, upon completion of Ben’s time at TWU, they moved back to Alberta for Ben to assume the position of Executive Director at the local arts school. In 2009, they were once again blessed with a baby, this time a little girl named Ella Freda. With a busy house, Krista left the bank and began working at their church as the Worship Arts Coordinator.
Masters studies had always been a dream for Ben, so in 2011, they packed only what they could fit in suitcases and moved to England where Ben was accepted to read Choral Music at the University of Cambridge. That year was like a dream you hoped would never end. Ben revelled in being immersed in hundreds of years of tradition and scholarship, being taught by giants and saints and having opportunities to conduct some of the best choirs in the world. And Krista found peace in a slower pace, caring for her children, walking the cobble stone streets and sitting in parks and coffee shops. Jakob went to one of the best schools in England and loved every minute of it while Ella never lacked for activities or support, not to mention mom’s attention. As the year came full circle, the pull was back home to the West Coast.
So here we are living in Ladner, BC. And it is good to be home, reunited with our labrador retriever Sören. Jakob and Ella have settled nicely into Kindergarten and Preschool, friends, being doted on by their grandparents and long walks on the beach. Ben continues to make a way for himself in the Vancouver Choral scene, conducting a German men’s choir and working towards the launch of his latest project Oculus Chamber Choir. Krista works at St. John’s Vancouver infusing the office with her flare for administration, creative talents and stellar dutch blitz skills. She is also working towards a Master’s degree in Interdisciplinary studies from Trinity Western University with a focus in Canadian political history….
But all of this, I dare to say, says little of who we actually are (aside from a little crazy…which is probably true.) So here is the what you really need to know…
Ben loves popcorn, he makes it almost every night. He is horrible at strategic board games but knows tonnes of useless trivia. And Ben has a way of making everyone feel at ease.
Krista’s love language is food. She loves jazz music, jigsaw puzzles and photography. The water is home and when she grows up she wants to save the world.
Jakob is one of the most compassionate 5 year olds I have ever known. He loves to talk about space and learn about dinosaurs. He wants to travel to Brazil almost everyday and can’t understand why this is not possible.
Ella has refined taste and prefers expensive cheese, spicy food and strong coffee. She takes every opportunity she can to play the teacher at school and boss her older brother around. She gives the best hugs and makes the world a better place just by being in it.
But most of all we love Jesus and want to serve him with all we are. He is our Saviour and reason for life.
We have a lot of stories to tell and if you wish, you can read about them at www.kristaewert.com We welcome you there.
Leave A Reply