Potter's Inn at Aspen Ridge Update!

Potter's Inn at Aspen Ridge began as a dream and vision that we believe the Lord placed in our hearts to build and provide a place; a respite, a sacred retreat where small groups and individuals come come to renew their hearts and restore their souls. This is a place of beauty, intimacy and adventure.

We are grateful to share that our initial goal of asking the Lord to provide the funds needed to enter a legal contract to transfer ownwership to Potter's Inn is going to take place on December 15, 2005, Lord willing!

Join with us in thanksgiving as we share that over $300,000 has been raised and pledged in our intitial efforts. We are so very thankful.

You can take an on-line tour and see pictures, check availablity and a virtual tour of the property by going to: www.hvr.net The name of the property is called Heaven View Ranch. The current owners will continue to manage the property for us as we move into a transition plan. You can consider yourself invited at any time to come now to enjoy this sacred place.

Update November 27 on Potter's Inn at Aspen Ridge

The total pledged and given to Potter's Inn at Aspen Ridge is $292,500. Our goal by December 1 is to have raised a minimum of $300,000. The balance needed will be secured by a loan. Any amount given over $300,000 will allow us to do renovations to the barn for a meeting room and build an outdoor pavilion for meetings, outside dinners and sitting by an outdoor fireplace.

We sincerly appreciate your interest, your gifts and your enthusiasm. We are very, very close. Do join us in prayer in the next few days asking for the need to be met. We are thrilled with our progress. Every day, we hear from the Potter's Inn friends across the world who are joining the adventure. College students, a 94 year old woman from Washington State, friends from England and around the world are joining our invitation to help. We are so fortunate to hear from so many friends who want to help across the United States. Thank you very, very much.

To make a donation on line, please go to our home page at www.pottersinn.com and click on Donate to Potter's Inn. Or, you can mail your gift directly to Potter's Inn. Gifts received by December 1 will be applied to the closing on December 15th. Stock transfers are also accepted. Please call us with questions.

Tending the Lambs in Ethiopia: a mission of Potter's Inn

Steve and Gwen went to Ethiopia, October 3-19 to provide soul care for leaders and to share the message of transformation of the Divine Potter's Hands. Steve shares with a woman potter who is socially regarded as the lowest of all people groups about the love of God. We were able to lead a group of Christian leaders on a 5 day Soul Care retreat at a beautiful mountain, lakeside retreat operated by SIM near Addis Ababa.

The Christian workers benefited from times of soul care, devotion, fun and creativity. Our team of six people led the retreat. Bill and Grace Harding of SIM and George and Connie Blake of MTI in CO went with us to provide leadership.

The Potter's Inn provided a hands-on experience for the ladies on the retreat to make their own "Beloved Braclet" as a reminder of our time together and to especially offer the Christian workers a loving reminder of their true identity as God's beloved daughters.

The need was great and we are envisioning future trips to meet the need and invitations that were extended to come and help from both national leaders who are eager for soul care and missionaries.

Our time away only strengthend our resolve to move forward with our vision of having our own small, initmate retreat center called Potter's Inn at Aspen Ridge. We came home feeling completely confirmed that we are on the right path that God has ordained for us to walk.

Joining the Adventure at Potter's Inn at Aspen Ridge

As a supporter and friend of Potter’s Inn, we hope that you will prayerfully consider making a commitment to this exciting project. Your investment will greatly help and be very much appreciated. Here are the plain facts.

Purchase Price of Property: $435,000
Legal Fees and Study: $ 10,000
Renovation of Barn/Pavilion $ 55,000
TOTAL NEED by December 1: $500,000
Amount Given by 10/19/2005: $260,000
Amount Remaining to date: $240,000

To receive a complete prospectus on this investment in eternity, let us know and we'll be happy to send you one right away.

How the need can be met:

Please consider either of these two options:
One Time Gifts: by December 1, 2005. (For example, if 100 Friends of Potter’s Inn gave $1,000 in one time gifts, $100,000 would be given.)

Monthly Gifts: Begin November 2005 and continue for 13 months through December 2006. (For example, if 100 Friends of Potter’s Inn pledged $100 for 13 months, $130,000 could be given in 2006.)

Above all, do join in prayer with us asking the Father for wisdom as people consider their part in this endeavor.

Please call or write with questions.

Potter's Inn
6660 Delmonico Drive
Suite D-180
Colorado Springs, CO 80919

Tel: 719.264.8837

Prospectus for Potter's Inn at Aspen Ridge is Ready!

We have prepared a 10 page brochure outlining complete details in our plans, goals and details of Potter's Inn at Aspen Ridge. This prospectus is available by requesting a PDF downloadable file or by mail. Please email resources@pottersinn.com and request which kind of format you would like.

Potter's Inn at Aspen Ridge News

August 21, 2005

There's much to be done in the journey ahead in order to secure this wonderful property for our retreat center. It's a complicated process that lies ahead of us navigating between asking donors and interested people to help us raise the money to buy the property. We meet with City Planner to begin the process of applying for our "Conditional Use Permit" the week of August 22. Details are being brought together now, to help us "tell the story of the Potter's Inn" by preparing an attractive booklet which will contain pictures, stories of people who have benefited from the ministry and a straight forward appeal for donations.

We would ask for you to help us get the word out and that you keep checking this BLOG for the latest information. Pray for God's blessings on this tremendous opportunity. Our goal is to raise the contracted price of $435,000 in commitments by donors. We will need an additional $65,000 for legal fees, renovation of the Barn and contruction of an outdoor pavilion/fireplace on the summit.

Tenative Schedule:
-homework on development plans; master planning and working with County officials now through December.
-Major Fund raising appeals begin September 1.
-Donations received by December 1, 2005
-Close on property December 13, 2005
-Renovations begin in 2006.


All blessings,

Steve and Gwen Smith

Potter's Inn at Aspen Ridge

• Imagine as J.R.R. Tolkein did in The Lord of the Rings when he described a wonderful place: "A perfect house, whether you like food or sleep or story telling or singing, or just sitting and thinking best, or a pleasant mixture of them all. Merely to be there was cure for weariness, fear and sadness."
  
  We believe Potter's Inn at Aspen Ridge is such a place. In 1988, Steve and Gwen Smith envisioned a place that would become a center for spiritual transformation. This special place would be a place for spiritual renewal, and soul care. Now, after a "hunt" in many places, States and possibilities, we believe such a place has been found.
  
  Potter's Inn at Aspen Ridge is our working title for this place. This unique property has:
• 35 acres of meadow, Aspen groves, trout stocked pond, and treed forests
• 2 log cabins fully furnished
• 45 minutes from Colorado Springs, CO
• A perfect building site for a larger "Inn" to be built later
• A large barn suitable for day meetings, bunk room. Partially heated now with kitchen, shower, etc.
• A spring on the property producing year round water as well as a domestic well, as well as the mountain pond.

We're told in Psalm 127:1, "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain." God has given a unique vision that has been unfolding for several years. Now, we are excited to share this news and to ask your help. There are many needs:

1. People to commit to pray with us about this.
2. To raise the necessary funds to purchase the property. $435,000.00 is need to close plus additional funds for legal fees and permits. We would like to raise additional fees to create a meeting room and bunk room in the barn and also build a large gazebo and fire pit on the high summit for dramatic views and enjoyment.
3. Skilled volunteers to help in the renovation projects.
4. Help build a network of people who will help share the vision with us and bring it into reality. Do you know of anyone who may be interested?

Please contact us if you share in a vision like this or you want to help in some way. Specific information will be available September 1, 2005 regarding how to help now. Our projected closing date, God willing, on the property is December 15, 2005. Do pray for God to build the house!