By Sophia Marcum
Ben and Evania Moser graduated from Bluffton High School together in 2011. I had the chance to catch up with them about their lives together since then!
What did each of you do for school after graduation?
Evania: I went to Rhodes State College to get my Associate Nursing Degree.
Ben: Well I initially went to BGSU for my freshman year of college and majored in Criminal Justice and then transferred to Bluffton for Youth Ministry after my first year of college.
What are you up to now?
Evania: I am currently attending online classes at Ohio University for my BSN. I am also working at Blanchard Valley Hospital.
Ben: Now I am still at Bluffton University in my last year getting a double major in Youth Ministry and Business Administration. I just finished a 2 year internship at Ebenezer Mennonite Church as the Co-Youth Director with Jaden August and Collin Reid, now I am working at UPS.
You both traveled to India this summer for an overseas immersion trip with Ebenezer’s youth group. What type of work were you doing over there?
The trip was an opportunity for the young people at Ebenezer to learn about the culture, the religions, and the people of India. The trip was focused on learning from the people we came into contact with. We had an opportunity to see how Indian organizations were helping educate the villages in India. We got to see minority groups and their struggles along with seeing their triumphs. The focus of the trip was really to learn, and I feel we all walked away learning many things.
What were some of your favorite things about Indian culture?
We loved the people. Their devotion to their beliefs was evident in their daily lives. The way they did life was different than ours, but it was a different that taught us a lot. Getting a chance to walk through a day in their shoes was really eye opening.
Do you have a favorite story from the trip?
Evania: We walked to a nearby village, where there was school that a missionary had built. We got to teach, and play with the kids. After school the missionary asked us to squeeze into a room and pray over the spiritual battle that goes around the school. We began to pray, we had brothers pray in Hindi, English, and Spanish. It was amazing the feel the power of the Lord presence, and whatever language that was prayed, our amazing King knew what we were proclaiming in His name.
Ben: One Sunday morning I went to a small church with a few students and it was a real experience. The room was about the size of a small classroom, I’m guessing 20 by 30 feet and it was packed out with over 40 people on it, with everyone on the floor sitting. In front they had all the instruments and components to make up a band and they rocked out in this tiny church squeezed together they were praising the same God on the other side of the world. Talking about this is cool, but living it was even more meaningful. We also learned you never complain about hard pews after sitting on the floor for a church service.
Outside of this trip are you actively involved with youth group leadership? If not, what are you involved with/what do you enjoy doing around town?
We were so blessed to work with great people at Ebenezer, and we will continue to volunteer at the church and around as much as we can. We enjoy going on bike rides, walks, playing Frisbee and hanging out with family and friends.
Do you have a favorite Bible verse or one that speaks to you at this point in your life?
Evania: Colossians 3:17 has been the verse that seems to be getting brought up, which the Lord is really trying to teach me. No matter what I do, whether here in Bluffton or far away doing missions, I should be proclaiming the Lord.
Ben: The Greatest Commandments have continually been challenging me, to Love the Lord and to Love others. In words it is so easy but to live like this is where the struggle is.
On your first date, where did you go and what did you do?
We went on the classic Bluffton date. We walked up to the Dari Freeze got some ice cream, then walked and talked on Evania’s porch.
How did Ben propose?
Ben had just gotten back from Mexico, and asked if we could go out on a fancy date, so we dressed up and when to a fancy restaurant in Findlay. Then Ben took me around Bluffton to all the “important places” for us. First to the Dari Freeze, for our first date, then the village park for when Ben asked me to be his girlfriend.
The final stop was the Ebenezer old sanctuary. We both found that place to be peaceful and comforting. It was also the place that we said our first “I love you’s”. Arriving at the sanctuary our song was playing, and the front was lit. We walked to the front where Ben gave me a letter, and proposed! He did such an amazing job.
What are some of your favorite places to go in Bluffton together?
We are big fans of the nature preserve, the bike paths, and the coffee shop. We spend a lot of time hanging around Bluffton together, so we make our rounds.
This question is for Evania. If Ben was president of the world for a day and could implement one change, what do you think he would want to change?
I think Ben would do everything in his power to end sex trafficking. That issue gets us both fired up.
Now Ben, if Evania was president of the world for a day and could also make one change….what do you think she would change?
I’m not too sure, but whatever she would do it would be for the broken in this world.
Was he/she close?
Evania: Ehh. Sorta!
Ben: She was right!!
Leave a comment to wish Ben and Evania luck as they continue to learn and live out their passions together!
