Past Short Term Trips
First Pres offers many opportunities to serve beyond Boulder, the most common being a short term mission trip. The First Pres Short Term Missions Ministry exists to mobilize people and resources through short-term mission experiences for the purposes of communicating the love of God in Jesus Christ, strengthening the commitment of God's people to Christ's mission in the world, advancing the completion of world evangelization and meeting the needs of suffering people in the name of Christ.
We see God continuing to send people out for short term mission trips (six months or less) as we develop new partnerships, continue providing work groups to some of the already established areas such as India and Mexico and provide group trips to support our long-term missionaries as needed. We will stay open to God's leadership in what He would have us do and where He would have us serve.
The First Pres congregation is encouraged to participate on short term mission trips as part of a team or individually. Additionally, the congregation is given the opportunity to provide monetary and prayer support through their regular giving as well as specific giving for trip participants. We will continue to encourage every member of the church to prayerfully consider being involved in some part of the missions ministry of our Church.
Scroll down or click the pushpins on the map below to read about past short term trips and ongoing partnerships.
Acuna, Mexico / Casas por Cristo March 22 - 26, 2010
During Spring Break, through a cross-cultural partnership with Casas por Cristo, families from First Pres had the opportunity to build a home for a Mexican family in the border town of Acuna. In just four days, the team transformed an otherwise empty lot into a safe and secure home - complete with cement foundation, electricity, windows, doors, drywall, and insulation. For pictures of this trip, please go to our photo galleries. Contact Chris Miller for more information.
Palestine / Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation March 1-14, 2010
HCEF is committed to the presence and well-being of Palestinian Christians in the Holy Land and to developing the bonds of solidarity between them and Christians elsewhere. This organization works to raise awareness of the “Living Stones” of the Holy Land, who are descendants of the very first Christians of Jesus’ time. By raising awareness of the challenges and oppression they live under every day, HCEF works to develop relationships, and offer encouragement and hope.
A group of 15 people are traveling to the Holy Land March 1 - 14. Among their mission activities in Bethlehem, will be working with an Orphanage, helping children and elders in a hospital, and participating in student and faculty programs at Bethlehem University Follow their trip on this blog.
University Students serve in many countries around the world during Spring and Summer breaks. To learn more about upcoming trips and see photos of past trips visit the 
.
Trapichitos / Agros International April 6-10, 2010
Agros International is committed to breaking the cycle of poverty for rural families in Central America and Mexico by enabling landless communities to achieve land ownership and economic stability. The Agros development model is holistic, sustainable, and focused on long term results which serves to break the cycle of poverty in its forms.
A small group from First Pres went with a group from Agros in Seattle to celebrate with the people of the village on the day 59 families received the titles to their land.
In the lush central highlands of northwestern Guatemala, 87 families of Ixil Indians live in the village of Trapichitos. Through a partnership between First Presbyterian Church of Boulder and Agros International, the village has been able to break the cycle of poverty, create a sustainable economy around the production of coffee, and rebuild after a devastating 30-year civil war. In the last 9 years it has become a peaceful community where families can truly thrive.
Liberia / Global Strategies June 9 - 16, 2010
The Mission of Global Strategies is to implement international strategies to prevent HIV infection and care for those affected by HIV by means of strategic alliances with those who share in a compassion for alleviating the suffering of women and children.
St Joseph’s Catholic Hospital is at the center of Global Strategies HIV Prevention work in Liberia. St Joseph’s provides testing, counseling and treatment for the prevention of Mother to Child transmission of HIV. Over the past 3 years St Joseph’s has become a leader in the Country of Liberia for HIV prevention.
In an effort to further support St Joseph’s HIV prevention mission and help them to continue to be a national leader is this work we are forming a short-term mission trip to Liberia in January 2011. We want to address three areas through a week of training and mentoring in the areas of processes for facilities management and maintenance, accounting and book keeping, and water treatment/analysis along with maintaining support for changes to strengthen the judicial system in Liberia.
Kenya / Life in Abundance October 2010
A First Presbyterian Church team went to Kenya, Africa in the last half of October 2010. The purpose of the trip was to further our partnership with Life in Abundance (LIA).
For pictures of this trip, please go to our Photo Gallery.
The mission of LIA is to empower local churches to serve the poor using a holistic approach for community transformation. One group of pastors and churches we are working with is located in a slum area of Nairobi called Kibera. People in the Kibera slum often go without education, clean water and sanitation. Through the LIA programs they receive education, health care, and an opportunity to thrive.
This trip provided training, encouragement, program assistance, and building our relationshp with LIA staff and the churches.
The trip leader was Rich Freitas at 720-771-8242 (mobile) or 303-684-8197 (home).
Further information aboout Life in Abundance is available at http://liaint.org
Contact Information: For more information about short term missions contact the Missions Department at 303.402.6427 / .