Shipshewana!

At the beginning of October, we hit the road to sing and share in one of our favorite towns, Shipshewana, Indiana. We also performed a few concerts in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan on the way to and from Shipshewana. 

Singing "How Firm a Foundation."

In an area that is home to many Amish, the "Amish Wedding Song" was a favorite.

Taylor played exceptionally well, despite having jammed his finger in a door a couple days before the trip. Somehow he managed to chord with only three fingers!

Some of the ladies reconnected with a few friends for food and fellowship.

Our fearless leader passionately challenges fathers and men wherever he goes.

Precious family moments.

The perfect picture of determined grit, blank surprise, and wide-eyed expression.

At our last stop in Michigan, some friends graciously provided a delicious soup and salad buffet. With touring finished for the year, it's off to harvest, manure hauling, Bible Bee, and CD preparation! 

"O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth." --Psalm 105:1-5

2018 Family Camp Recap

Thanks to all who joined us for Homeschool Family Camp 2018 a few weeks ago! The Lord blessed in remarkable ways. At Family Camp, we experienced an unforgettable time of learning, growth, fellowship, and fun!

Our theme this year was Except The Lord Build The House: Building Godly Generations By God's Blueprint. Through the morning and evening sessions, we learned what God's Word has to say about marriage, parenting, family structure, our purpose, family relationships, and much more! 

In the afternoons, attendees enjoyed fellowship, swimming, 

hiking, resting, volleyball, and other fun activities. 

Homeschool Family Camp ran for two consecutive weeks, with mostly different families each week. 

Some of the young men did a SEAL workout one morning.

An afternoon breakout on scams, deception, and self-awareness.

The 3rd Annual Homeschool Family Camp Arm Wrestling Competition was a big highlight!

This year, we had a first ever Mother/Son and Father/Daughter session one of the mornings.

We also had a father-daughter session.

Mr. Yoder memorably demonstrated how the giraffe proves intelligent design.

Mr. Wissman gave practical talks on various aspects of family life. In this session, he
presented a powerful illustration on the dangers of peer groups.

Reconnecting with family.

Storytime.

Tug-of-war!

Family volleyball.

Precious family moments.

Mighty Mighty Scoop Noodle Challenge!

Liz with her nephew, the ineffable Wallace Bradford.

Thanks again to the Wissmanns and Bowers for joining us in this endeavor! Thank-you to all who came and made Homeschool Family Camp 2018 a reality!

Does your family need to be encouraged, strengthened, and refreshed? Prayerfully consider joining us for Family Camp 2019! You can attend either September 3-8 or September 9-14, 2019. We would love to have you join us! For more information, send an email to iowafamilycamp@gmail.com.

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. --Psalm 127

October Tour

We're hitting the road again for six days! We would love to see you at one 

of our concerts in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, or Michigan.

Tour Dates

2...Caswell Family Farm, Stockton, IL, 7pm

3...Grace Baptist Church, Madison, WI, 7pm

4...Fall Crafters Fair, Shipshewana, IN, TBA

4...Bluegate Theater, Shipshewana, IN, 7pm

5...Fall Crafters Fair, Shipshewana, IN, TBA

5...Bluegate Theater, Shipshewana, IN, 7pm

6...Fall Crafters Fair, Shipshewana, IN, TBA

6...Bluegate Theater, Shipshewana, IN, 7pm

7...Pleasant Lake Church, Pleasant Lake, IN, 10:30am

7...Grand Rapids Baptist Church, Grand Rapids, MI, 6pm

14...First Baptist Church, Seymour, IA, 9:30am

14...Immanuel Baptist, Bethany, MO, 6:30pm

"Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten 

strings. Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise." -Psalm 33:2-3

Another Grandbaby Is On The Way!

We are excited to announce that another grand baby is on the way! Mitchell and Bryn 

are expecting grandchild #4 in mid March!

Mitchell made the "announcement" while praying before one of our family get-togethers. In 

that prayer, not only did he bless the food, he also thanked God for another Bontrager to come 

next year, at which point happy tears and shouts of joy erupted from all sides of the table!

We are thrilled with them and can't wait to meet the little man or lady!

Here is one of the first pictures.

"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate." -Psalm 127:3-5

Turning Hearts Recap!

On September 3rd, we hosted the 16th Annual Turning Hearts Celebration at our family farm.

The week before saw us busily preparing.

Before the event, we enjoyed fellowship with friends and the speaker.

We enjoyed getting to know our speaker, Flip Benham.

Carson oversaw the hay rides.

In the afternoon, people enjoyed conversation, football, hay rides, and the Iowa farm.

Flip Benham gave two stirring challenges.

We ended out the evening with a concert.

"And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children 

to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." --Malachi 4:6