After a decade of dedicated service in Asia, Ben, Manje and their children have recently transitioned to a new field of service. They have joined the SIM Peru team, immersing themselves in the local language and culture while building new relationships in their new city. Throughout this year, they will be praying and seeking the Lord’s guidance on where He wants them to serve in their new community. 

During their time in Asia, the family was deeply involved in student ministries, discipleship, mentoring, and partnering with the local church. Ben also served as the Field Director, focusing on developing leaders and expanding the team’s capacity. 

Despite the challenges of the past decade, the family acknowledges that “the Lord has continually been faithful.” Reflecting on their journey, they see His presence in every step, including Ben and Manje meeting and later marrying during their service. They both believe, “Our marriage was a grace gift from the Father. We come from two vastly different cultures and perspectives, but we are united in a passion for the grace of Christ and declaring His glory.” 

The couple sensed a change was coming, and after two years of listening and praying, they knew it was time to conclude their ministry in one field and prepare for the next. “It all started with a quiet prompting from the Lord, first individually, as it was just a whisper - which became a restlessness in our souls. We sensed a change was coming, but we were unsure of what this change could be. Would it mean a change in the team or the ministry focus or strategy? We were unsure so we took it to the Lord in prayer.”  

At the time, Ben had been the Field Director for seven years, helping the team navigate constant changes in ministry. Manje was also in a season of transition, adapting her mission role after the blessing of their two children. 

“As we shared our thoughts with each other, we realised the Lord had been speaking to us separately. So, together, we began praying in earnest, asking Him what He had for us. As we prayed, we reflected on the Lord’s faithfulness as He continued to remind us to trust Him with all we had sown into His field and team.” 

Ben and Manje felt that God made it clear their time in the country was ending. Another confirmation came when their son battled persistent pneumonia due to the harsh and long winters.     

“Once the Lord made it clear that the life on the steppes was coming to an end, we began to ask what was next. We were convinced that it wasn’t time to finish serving in overseas missions. As we searched for our next field, we returned to prayer. We prayed for clarity and began seeking counsel from leaders who knew us and the opportunities available. When the possibility of Peru came up, the Lord confirmed it. One key confirmation came when we spoke with a family in Peru about ministry life and the needs there. They told us that our inquiry was an answer to prayer—they had been praying for a family to come and replace them on the field. For us, this was one of many ways the Lord made His guidance clear. And so, with His leading, we stepped forward toward Peru.”  

Prayer has been foundational to Ben and Manje’s ministry – both from those who partner with them and in their own personal prayer lives. “When we’ve had great victories, we’ve given thanks, and when hard times have come, we’ve taken them to the Lord in prayer. And each time He has been faithful to answer.”  

PRAY: Pray for family as they adjust to their new life in Peru and prayerfully discern ministry opportunities. Pray for the team and friends they left behind in their former field of service.  

GIVE: Do you want to financially partner with the ministry of Ben & Manje? You can give by visiting sim.org.au/benmanje.