Monday, April 13, 2015

Check-in/OK message from SPOT GTD (GPS Alert)

GTD (GPS Alert)
Latitude:36.36712
Longitude:-82.05893
GPS location Date/Time:04/13/2015 09:37:38 EDT

Message:Quick update from GTD: All's good! Everyone is safe & sound. Click on links to see our location. God bless =)

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/Mpdt8/36.36712N/82.05893W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=36.36712,-82.05893&ll=36.36712,-82.05893&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

GTD (GPS Alert)

You have received this message because GTD (GPS Alert) has added you to their SPOT contact list.

Ready for Adventure
FindMeSPOT.com

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

DAYS 93-103 (52 Days)

THE NEXT 10 DAYS ARE ALL ABOUT THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL!!

During the next 10 days (including today) we are planning out and hiking part of the Appalachian Trail in preparations for future GTD - AT Backpacking Trips.

There is so much to get done so keep us in your prayers and follow our daily updates as we venture up to NC and TN.

It's an exciting time to be a part of GTD!

Monday, April 6, 2015

DAY 92 (52 Days)

TRAINING: "THE GTD WAY"!! Today and over the past few weeks we have been concentrating on training our new staff and volunteers about "The GTD Way". It's how we run camps and outdoor ministry. It's what makes us unique. It's what distinguishes us from other great camps. In essence it is our identity. Here is a snippet from our training manual:

'Before we set up an activity we need to take a moment to recognize what we want our participants to experience at a GTD Event. What makes GTD different? What makes us unique? Anyone can set up tents, chairs and a bunch of random activities, but we are not just building a temporary experience, we are constructing a lifelong memory. We’re not just erecting a makeshift game, we are directing an outdoor symphony of God-awesome excitement. This isn’t splattered paint on a piece of canvas; it’s a work of art. This isn't a hodgepodge recipe of leftover ingredients thrown into a bowl to make goulash. We are outdoor, fun loving, Jesus focused culinary chefs creating a savory, eternal, deliberate dessert that no one will ever forget. And it will cause our participants to leave both satisfied and craving more. This is not just another activity, it’s an event where souls are saved, hearts are recommitted, burdens are released, fears are overcome, friendships are born, relationships are restored, visions are received, new beginnings are produced, hope is revived, spiritual gifts are utilized, laughter is seized, and fun is relished! This is a GTD Event and it’s done The GTD Way."

We hope that you will join us on a God-awesome event and/or consider becoming a GTD volunteer. It's an exciting time to be a part of GTD!


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Sunday, April 5, 2015

DAY 91 (52 Days)

HAPPY EASTER!!
We have a risen Savior!
We have so much to celebrate!!
LIFE begins at the CROSS!!!


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Saturday, April 4, 2015

DAY 90 (52 Days)

IT'S OFFICIAL!! This year's GTD Grand Canyon Trip is set for Oct 5-10 and will include some new additions:

- Full day at the NORTH Rim!!
- Optional canoeing down the Colorado River and camping at the base of Horseshoe Bend (including trout fishing)!!
- Fly into & out of Las Vegas
- Visit Hoover Dam!!
- Visit Glen Canyon Dam!!
- Beautiful 5200 sq ft Home Rental!!

And we are bringing back a few recently added favorite adventures:
- Canyon kayaking on Lake Powell
- Slot Canyon Tour
- Horseshoe Bend Visit
- Sunset dinner at the North Rim

This trip is still developing... the website will be completed in a few days. It's going to be another amAZing trip to one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World! This is going to be one of the most God-awesome adventures of your life! Start planning to join us this fall. It's an exciting time to be a part of GTD!


Friday, April 3, 2015

DAY 89 (52 Days)

WHICH WAY DID THE THERMOMETER MOVE??? ......IT WENT UP!!! We trekking closer to our $250,000 funding goal. We have seen the needle go up (& down) over the past month, praise God it settled on a 5% increase as of the end of March. That brings our current total projections to 60% of our total goal! Thank you Jesus!!

$150,045 projected ....only $99,955 more to go!!!!

DEBT ELIMINATION: It is only fitting that we release our funding update on Good Friday since today marks the day Jesus took the sin debt of the entire world upon His body and paid it all in full. In regards to GTD's debt, hitting the 60% level marks the moment at which every additional dollar raised goes directly to paying off the remainder of GTD's debt that was left over from The Great Recession. This is a huge development as we look forward to ridding this ministry and our lives of this anchor that holds us back.

As you know, THIS IS A VOLATILE THERMOMETER which means it can go up or down based on projections over the remainder of this year. Things that can make it go up are new Ministry Partners, fundraisers, unexpected donations, adding more private trips to the calendar, exceeding anticipated amounts of participants on events, renting out gear, and product line sells. Things that can make the thermometer go down are cancelled events and lack of follow-through of monthly pledges.

As stated before, we are humbled and thrilled by God's mighty hand of support, and we are elated by the generosity of our donors. This has already been an amazing 4½ months of rebuilding the walls of GTD. We are excited, but we are not relaxing. We are pressing on towards the goal that will put GTD in position to effectively minister to the next generation for the next 20 years.

The $250,000 amount represents the sum total needed to:
<>  Cover all 2015 operating expenses
<>  Pay off remaining debt from first 18 years
<>  Repair & improve aging equipment
<>  Acquire necessary new equipment & gear
<>  Organize & archive 20 years of data, pictures, etc
<>  Launch new events, ministries, and endeavors
<>  Strengthen & fortify our current vibrant programs, events, & ministries
<>  New marketing campaign (brochures, ads, proactively promote GTD)
<>  Office renovations and administrative infrastructure improvements
<>  Begin "famine" savings account for future recessions & troubled times
<>  Hire on needed part-time assistants & co-laborers
<>  AND MORE!

14 Month Timeline:
Nov 18, 2014 - Jan 4, 2015: Assess "The Walls"; Communicate the needs
Jan 5 - Feb 25, 2015: "52 Days" Objective ("All-Hands-On-Deck")
Feb 26 - Nov 16, 2015: Transformation of a ministry; Run regular events
Nov 17, 2015: Annual Banquet ("The Mother of All Banquets")
Nov 18, 2015 - Jan 18, 2016: Reintroduce "The New GTD"!!

This is an exciting time to be a part of GTD!

HAPPY GOOD FRIDAY!!

Today Christians celebrate the internal, external, and eternal freedom that has been freely received from our Savior as He paid for our debts from our sins that we could not pay... remembering the HIGH PRICE that was paid for our liberation. It is not only ours, but for all who will receive it. Thank YOU Jesus!

"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends... I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends..." - Jesus (John 15:13,15a)




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Thursday, April 2, 2015

DAY 88 (52 Days)

DAY OF RECOVERY! After 3 events over the past 6 days, today has been a day of rest and recovery. Special thanks to everyone who helped make the past 3 events great for First United Methodist Church of Oviedo, Smiley's Young Adult Ministry, and SOUL Adventures. We look forward to sharing some highlights from each of these events.