Friday, November 30, 2012

November Update

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November Update, a set on Flickr.

Hey Everybody! We've made it six months out here! God's grace has truly been sufficient! A lot happened this month, but we'll try to sum it up in some kind of a orderly/succinct fashion for you guys!

The Bible College semester is over. The students ended strong, and we sent them all packing on the 21st. We really saw the Lord do a work in each of their lives, as they all left different from when they first arrived. Everyone grew close together, and we already miss them. It was a great group! We are very privileged to have been able to live with such an awesome group, and minister to them practically and spiritually. It was a LOT of work around the clock with no breaks or weekends (24/7)... We've heard the Bible College semester being likened to grabbing hold of a speeding freight train & your hair catches fire as you hold on for dear life! Then 90 days later it comes to a screeching halt!!!! =O It's true! Haha! But it was so sweet! The semester was followed by Thanksgiving, where Gabriella and I shared a very sweet meal and time with the Christianson family - good food and good company! Gabby was a whirlwind in the kitchen preparing pies, ham, casseroles, and mashed potatoes; God has really blessed me ;) Pastor Jeff and his son were in Israel ministering to the Bible College students in Jerusalem, but had to come back early because of the recent conflict there; they made it back on time for Thanksgiving.

Gabriella is a whirlwind in the Kitchen AND in the Children's ministry. She has organized and is running a Christmas program with the kids. She has them singing and practicing; the program will be Sunday morning December 16th - ***please keep her and the children in your prayers.*** She really wants to bless the church/people with a sweet Christmas program. She just loves those kids so much!

Before the Bible college students left, we did some more outreach and evangelism with them. I meant to get more pictures, but it's hard getting random people to pose sometimes =) But it was very fruitful. I got to lead the college kids in evangelism and give them basic instructions, and some stuff that I've learned along the way. And it was an awesome time! We waited for the kids at Glenwood Springs High School to get out from school, and we began to share the Gospel of Jesus with them! We got to pray with and lead about 6 kids to the Lord. ***Please pray for those young people and for follow-up opportunities.*** We also shared the Gospel in the downtown/main street areas, and shopping center. Jesus is the MAIN Light of the world, but He has us here as little lights for Him... so let's shine for Jesus!

Now that the semester is over, we are again able to spend more time and energy focusing on the church, visiting with folks, and being witnesses for Jesus in Glenwood. We've gotten so much exposure in the last several months. The church has grown noticeably in that time. But we do pray for the Lord to continue to add to the church; not for numbers sake, but because there are so many people that need to know Jesus and what He has done for them! And there are not a few Bible-teaching churches in this area; Calvary Chapel is unknown to 99% of the people out here. ***Please pray for the people of Glenwood!***

SNOW!! We got our first big snow storm! What a blast! Snowball fights... snowman... hot cocoa, and all the works! We've adjusted so much to the cold! But the worst is yet to come! =) We're not worried! =) The property is winterized. I've learned how to live in the mountains in the winter, and how to operate all the equipment - tractor/snow blowers, etc. So when the snow storms hit... I get to work - ***please pray that we don't lose any toes to frostbite.. Haha and that the Lord keeps us safe this winter & accident free!***

Well, so far, we've learned so much! One of those things is how to economize and budget! Hahaha! And God is so good! He gives us everything we need! We are VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD to seeing our family & friends for Christmas! We've begun counting the days, and are SO EXCITED! We also updated out prayer request page - we covet your prayers! Blessings,

In His Service,

Adriel & Gabriella

Monday, October 29, 2012

October Update

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October Update, a set on Flickr.

Wow! We can’t believe it is already the end of October - the month flew by! We have been very, very busy with the Bible College and Church. By God’s grace we have continued to grow and be stretched in many areas. God is doing a great work out here in Glenwood!

The Lord has been blessing the church so abundantly! We did two more Sundays in the park until we were forced to head inside because of the cold weather. It was such a neat opportunity that the Lord used to reach the lost and to get people familiar with Calvary Chapel. Our first Sunday morning in the building was with great joy! There was a new stage that Adriel and two other men at the Church built as well as new lights and different equipment that we had been in need of - it was awesome! We were also able to have children’s ministry in their own class room for the first time- the kids loved it! Not only is the physical building coming together but more importantly the body of Christ is being built up! Just this past Sunday two more people put their trust in Jesus and were saved! One of the girls that received the Lord had been invited by one of our Bible College students; we had been praying for her in our intercessory prayer time at the Bible College for a month! Praise the Lord that He heard our prayers!

God is so good! We have seen such growth in the Bible College students; we are amazed at the difference we see in their attitudes and their desire to serve. They have been very active in serving at the church helping in worship, hospitality, greeting, sound, and children’s ministry! They only have three weeks left here, and we are sad to see them go, but excited that they are able to go and pour out all that they have learned by being a light and witness to their friends and family back home.

We are already praying for this next upcoming Spring semester that the Lord would bring students who desire to go deeper in their walks with the Lord, learn more about His Word, and are willing to sacrifice normal comforts to seek Him without distraction in the mountains! We are also very excited for the Holidays - Thanksgiving and Christmas! Our Children’s ministry is going to be putting on a Christmas Program in where they will perform in the main sanctuary in December; practices start next Sunday! We have begun winterizing the property and have more winterization still!

*Need: We are in need of someone to join our team (support staff) who has administrative experience! **Our winter plow truck has a blown engine, and may only last one or two storms - hopefully =)

There is much going on, and much more to do, both at the church, and here at the camp/Bible College! Thank you all for your support and prayers! We love and miss you all, and are praying for you!

Sunday, September 30, 2012

September Update

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September Update, a set on Flickr.

Hey everyone! Greetings from the Rocky Mountains! Fall is in full swing! The leaves have changed colors and it is breathtaking! Once they start turning yellow – there’s no stopping it! The temperature has been dropping, and we have already started to see snow on the higher elevation mountains around us! Wood has been split, kindling has been “hatcheted,” and we have begun firing up the wood stoves at camp for warmth in the mornings! It’s just beautiful!

The Lord is really moving in the lives of the Bible College students! There is such a sweet unity on campus as we are all growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus. A particularly fruitful class has been Biblical Theology, where the students are learning so much good doctrine/teaching, and are growing in their walks with Jesus. Good theology is so important because the more that you Know God, the more you will love Him, and the more that you love Him, the more you will trust Him –and that’s what He wants!

We have also taken on several projects at camp, and have begun to winterize the property as the first big freeze is happening this October (per Farmer’s Almanac). The donkey’s corral is complete, and they are loving their new home. =)

Gabby and Jenny (Pastor Jeff’s wife) JUST arrived in California. They are there for a pastor’s wives conference in Murrieta! Although she would love to see everyone, it’s a time-sensitive, work trip… But we are extremely excited to see you all in December!!!!!! =D They return Wednesday night (10/03). Please pray that they will be blessed and refreshed while at the conference. I miss my wife, already!!!!!! =)

We just had our LAST outreach service out in the park today! It was awesome, and has been an awesome 9-or-so weeks! Many people got to hear the Good News of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Please pray for those who made decision to give their lives to Jesus; that they will walk with Jesus and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord!

*Please pray that the Lord will give Pastor Jeff & his family an open door to live closer to the church in Glenwood; *please pray for him as His arthritis has been acting up in his knee. *Please pray that God will bring people who need to hear the Gospel and surrender their lives to Him. *Please pray that the Lord will also being team members to join in this ministry as the labor is great, and the workers are few. *Please pray that the Lord will continue to provide for us. *And please pray that the Lord will give us more and more grace – every single day – to be faithful & diligent to what He has called us to. We are laboring much, “…yet not I, but the grace of God with me.” -1 Cor. 15:10

We love you all, and remember you always in our prayers!

In His Service,

Adriel & Gabriella