A Wonderful Time of Year

Great Family Event, & Christmas Bible Readings

WOW!  Our Family Christmas Event was sooo much fun this past Saturday.  We decorated cookies and took family photos and ate the cookies we decorated and then ate some other cookies and… 

Hearing how all of our Christmas traditions began was incredible as well.  I had no idea that a Christmas tree had anything at all to do with Jesus…but it does!  If you missed out on the event, I have found out that you can order the dvd at http://www.buckdenver.com.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU to the Children’s Ministry and ALL of the volunteers who helped to make this event so much fun.  Pictures will be uploaded in just a few days so you can see all the fun we had.

Since I am on the subject of Christmas…  

We have found out that YouVersion has 5 Bible reading plans that are centered around the Christmas Story.  Why not choose one from the links below and read through the Christmas story this month?

Countdown to Christmas

Christmas Begins with Christ

Rediscovering the Christmas Season

The Christmas Story

Happy Christmas!
Pastor Ira

“I Left My Heart in Guatemala”

We never want to forget was God has done for us and through us. Kelsie Edwards, a teen involved in our Elevate High School Ministry, traveled with one of our teams to Guatemala this summer. She shares some of her experience here:

“Guatemala was my very first missions trip and the experience far exceeded my expectations. The most memorable part for me was the small and happy town of El Jurgallon, We worked there to complete a church, which involved a lot of sifting, digging, and endless assembly lines. I’ll be honest, spending time at the orphanage seemed much easier than this. On one of our breaks [in El Jurgallon], I met a little boy named Elliot, and from then on we became inseparable. On breaks we would split water and play any game his heart desired.
On Friday we dedicated the completed church and, as usual, Elliot and I were together. The time came that I dreaded the most: the team began to head to the bus for the last time. Elliot’s hand was wrapped around my finger and I began a very emotional good-bye. When I told him I was leaving, he cried, kissed me on the cheek, and gave me a big hug. In Spanish, he told me he loved me and that we would always be friends. I forced the knot down my throat and got on the bus. As we began to move, I looked back to see little Elliot running and crying after the bus. This little boy captured my heart and visiting his country changed my life. I hope God gives me the opportunity to go again next year and do more work for Him and see my friend. I am forever changed.”
- Kelsie

Remember to pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ in El Jurgallon, Guatemala.

New Guatemala Trip

We have just confirmed the dates for our next trip to Guatemala. It’s coming up quickly, so if you are interested, we need to know asap.

December 31 – January 6

The funds will need to be collected by late November.  We need at least 15 people to make a group. To download the application, click here. Email Pastor Ira with any questions at itowns@asbc.net.

God is using our church to make a huge difference in the lives of the people in El Jurgallon. Come with us and see it in person!

(photo by Kari Towns)

Guatemala – August 2011

This gallery contains 6 photos.

Last week, from August 13 – 19, 43 people went to Guatemala on our family missions trip.  The main goals of the trip involved completing the school in El Jurgallon (our adopted village), visiting the people of our village with … Continue reading →

Guatemala – July 2011

This gallery contains 12 photos.

This past week a group of 36 teens and leaders traveled to Guatemala. After a day and a half of travel, the team arrived at the Hope of Life compound in Zacapa, Guatemala. Then the real work began. Some of … Continue reading →