LIFE AS A BONTRAGER

3.01.2021

Grand-baby #9 Is On The Way!!!

Jeremiah and Allison are expecting a baby in late spring!!! We are thrilled about this new life and the sweet addition it will make to our family!

"Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord and the fruit of the womb is his reward."

Psalm 127:3

2.22.2021

May Enrichment Opportunities!!!

We are so excited to announce that Mighty Men Camp and Young Women's Retreat will be happening again this year! For all of those who haven't heard about these amazing opportunities, here are few details!

MIGHTY MEN CAMP(Village Creek Bible Camp)-$167

On May 13-16th Denver would love if you joined him and his amazing team of staff for a weekend in May in which you will be prepared for life, adversity and manhood. You will be stretched outside of your comfort zone physically, mentally, and spiritually. You will discover what it means to truly be a mighty man of God in your discipline, character, passions, pursuits, and conversations. There will be convicting sessions, stretching activities, outstanding "man food" and fellowship with other men! Sign up soon and mightymencamp.org to receive the early bird discount!

YOUNG WOMEN'S RETREAT(Eastern Iowa Bible Camp)-$275

Susanna Helferich (Jeremiah and Praise's sister) will be hosting a young women's retreat the same time as Denver's camp. This is an AMAZING experience of discovering who you are meant to be as a young women of God. You will be encouraged, strengthened, and motivated through sessions, small groups, girl time, delicious food, and lots of fellowship with like-minded young ladies!

2.16.2021

Winter Tour Part 1

We have been enjoyed traveling, singing+playing, meeting new people and seeing old friends this past month! Here's a recap of the first part of tour!

Singing at our first stop in Missouri!

After concert fellowship.

Joe got to celebrate his 21st birthday while on tour!

Making practice fun by, well... being a bit dorky!

Rebecca diligently practicing her bass!

Mom and her two cousins who came to our concert

After getting to know this sweet lady after a concert, she offered to take us shopping and out for lunch!

History class with Denver!

We got to spend a few days with our dear friends and enjoyed fishing, doing projects and relaxing!

Rebs dishing out some of her amazing puffed pancake!

Family dinner at a Prophets chamber!

When the basketball court is locked you just um...

Spending time with other families is always special!

Brainstorming during practice!

Rook on an off night.

Friends at concerts!

We enjoyed having a friend jump in for a song at one of our concerts!

Selfies!

Fellowship with the Pastor's family the day following a concert.

Birthday dates!

"Call unto me and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not."

Jeremiah 33:3

2.08.2021

Our Tornado Adventure!

Some of you may have heard about a tornado that hit Fultondale, Alabama on Tuesday evening. Well, we got to be a part of it in our little home on wheels!

Dad and Mom went on a date that evening, getting back out to the bus around 8:30p.m. After their date, Dad pulled out of the Outback Steakhouse parking lot and drove across the street to Target. We all went to bed for the night and were all on our way to dream land by 10:00, with the exception of Joe and Denver. (Denver was reading in his bunk and Joe was playing guitar in the trailer where he stays.) Around 10:45, we started waking up to the sound of the rain, wind, hail, and the big crash of the trailer flipping over to its side-yes, with Joe in it! Denver quickly called Joe's phone, but in the midst of the trailer mess and chaos, Joe had to find his ringing phone. Denver was worried because Joe did not answer right away. Finally, Joe called Denver assuring him that he was alright. While Mom called 911, someone else opened the middle room door of the bus to behold glass everywhere and rain streaming in through the windows and the air conditioner covers that had blown off above the bus. Wow! In the midst of panic, fear, and schock there was also peace in knowing that God was in control! The firefighters came and rescued Joe while the rest of us proceeded to put on shoes we could safely pick up glass and wipe up the rain dripping in the bus from every direction. We are incredibly thankful for the Lord's protection over us! We are also grateful for the srangers who came with ropes and trucks to help us turn the trailer over again as well as the repair shop nearby that so quickly and efficiently put in the new windows and windwhield. We also appreciate the many offers of friends nearby and far away to help in anyway needed. And again, thanks to all of you who pray for us. We are very blessed.

Hudson faithfully cleaning up glass.

There were six broken windows, which were able to be replaced very soon afterwards at a shop not far from the scene of the tornado. We are thankful to the Lord for the quick replacement of the windows!

The flipped trailer.

Some helpful men flipped the trailer back for us!

This window was "still in one piece", but not really!:):)

This is the hotel right beside where we were parked. Wow!

We had an amazing crew of guys who put our windows back in for us.

Long story short, with the exception of a few repairs that still need to happen, we have most of the damage fixed and are back on the road again!

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea...God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right ealry. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth."

Psalm 46:1-2, 5, 7, 10