Building a Life for Ben

Friends and family,

By God’s design, Ben was brought into the lives of many of us in the Eagle River Valley, including those at Mountain Life Church and Vail Christian High School. His life has already been a blessing to those around him. Though many circumstances in Ben’s life have not been ideal, he has persevered through it all. He is self-motivated, quiet, hard-working, and he loves Jesus. Ben loves meeting new people, serving others, and has a joyful heart and a positive outlook on life. After enduring numerous difficult circumstances, Ben found himself in the foster care system in Kansas. He made his way to Colorado to live with relatives, and this situation got him connected to Mountain Life Church and enrolled in Vail Christian High School.

Ben quickly became involved as a volunteer on the Audio/Visual team at Mountain Life Church where he met a remarkable man of God. Ethan Olson became a friend and mentor to Ben when they met working in the sound booth at church. Through this relationship, Ethan came to see the amazing young man that Ben is. Ben’s story is an inspiration to so many, and especially to Ethan. When Ben’s living situation with relatives changed, his new community joined forces to keep him in the valley. God called Ethan in a unique and humbling way. After much prayer, Ethan felt strongly led by the Lord to intervene and is now completing the certification requirements for becoming a foster parent. Ethan will marry his fiancée Zoe in September, and together they will mentor and parent Ben until he is no longer in the foster care system. They desire to continue building a lifelong relationship with him.

With an endeavor like this, it takes a village. Many people have been reaching out to ask how they can help. We desire to help cover some of Ethan, Zoe and Ben's expenses as they begin this new life together.

Ben is working multiple jobs to help pay for schooling and expenses. This, along with the generosity of Mountain Life, VCHS and others, has already helped to start chipping away at some of these expenses. This Go Fund Me would help to assist this family with rent, basic living needs for Ben, and the remaining balance for Vail Christian High School for this year. Our goal is to raise $35,000 in the next 12 months, with a goal of the first $17,000 by August 15. Thank you for your support and consideration.