RECAP 2: Grand Canyon Rim-To-Rim Hike (Mile 7: Desert Stream)

Oh no, another Grand Canyon video! Sorry!!! ... at this point of the hike we've been trekking for about 4 hours and descended 4000 feet into the canyon. We are about 7 miles into our 25 mile rim-to-rim day-long quest. We still have 8 more miles until we reach the Colorado River (where we begin going 10 miles uphill). During this section of the hike we encountered a creek flowing through the desert. It's Bright Angel Creek and it will accompany us for the next 8 miles. I LOVE having streams along hiking trails and this creek only adds to the splendor of God's amAZing playground. As I look around I'm reminded of 1 Timothy 6:17 that reminds us to put our hope in God, "who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment". I deeply appreciate that our enjoyment is important to the God who created us. I can only imagine that the father-heart of God overflows with joy as He watches His kids enjoy the provisions He made for us. What a great Dad!

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Grand Canyon Pics & Videos; Ignite 10 Days Away

Over 1200 incredible pictures from our Grand Canyon Trip have been uploaded to the GTD Online Photo Album!! See them here!

Don't tell my mom I did this... running on the edge of the Grand Canyon =0

10 days till GTD's IGNITE Fall Camping Retreat!! (Oct 19-21, 2012)

Everyone is invited!!! Details here.

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RECAP 1: Grand Canyon Rim-To-Rim Hike (Mile 4: On The Edge)

CHECK THIS OUT!!! IT'S A 3 MINUTE CLIP FROM OUR RIM-TO-RIM HIKE IN THE GRAND CANYON... AMAZING!!

ON THE EDGE! In this footage we (Doug Garner, Paul Williamson, & Dr Aaron Walp) are about 4 miles into our day-long 25 mile R2R (Rim-to-Rim) hike in the magnificent Grand Canyon. To say the views were breathtaking is an understatement. They often left us speechless. God's amazing creation fills my heart with adoration and praise for His power & majesty.

It was such a blessing for Paul & I to hike with Dr Walp as he explained the many flaws found in evolutionary theories (especially the idea that the Geological Column developed over hundreds of millions of years). Dr Walp explained why a more reasonable cause for the strata layers is a worldwide catastrophe such as the flood recorded in Genesis. He pointed out that, despite it's beauty, the Grand Canyon is actually a picture of God's judgement because it resulted from the flood.

Genesis 6: 5-8: "The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the Lord said, 'I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.' But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord."

In the canyon we can also see a picture of God's grace as we see life sprouting scatteredly throughout.

Romans 5: 7-9: "For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God."

As I walk through this overwhelmingly beautiful canyon I can't help but reflect on the fact that the Grand Canyon symbolizes that God gave mankind another opportunity to walk with their Creator.

I've been walking with God since 1979 and it's even more majestic than the amazing Grand Canyon.


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WILL WORK 4 JESUS!

Laurie & I are working in the office this week =). Preparing for IGNITE, our Annual Banquet, Tampa Covenant Men's Retreat, 2013 mission trips, and next year's Grand Canyon Trip (already!) as well as our regular administration duties.

So thankful for the blessing of work & how God can use it for His glory.

"To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me." - Col 1:29


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Panoramic Picture of the Day: "What Is Man"

Click on this pic and imagine being one of these "tiny" hikers trekking inside this majestic canyon 10 days ago with GTD as the words of Psalm 8 reverberate within your heart & mind...

"O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
Out of the mouth of babies and infants,
you have established strength because of your foes,
to still the enemy and the avenger.
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
and the son of man that you care for him?
Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings
and crowned him with glory and honor.
You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under his feet,
all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!"

Experiencing God's creation + God's Word = A soul that leap for joy!!


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Another Step Forward to the Rest of My Life (Paul Williamson)

Below are the words of participant Paul Williamson and the impact GTD's Grand Canyon Trip had on him. Actually hiking through the Grand Canyon combined with the fantastic creationism teaching series by Dr. Aaron Walp made this event nothing less than transformational!

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Another step forward to the rest of my life:

The Grand Canyon, a thumb print from God on Earth for all to see. I did not seek but found biblical truth. I am now beginning to connect natural wonders on Earth to scripture. The Earth was molded and re-molded by God, his finger prints are everywhere, some like the Grand Canyon, are bigger than others. When I saw the truth of scripture in the Grand Canyon my eyes and heart were opened. What I had seen before as “cool” or “great” is now truly magnificent and beautiful, in death and in life, tree and rock. Now I see more clearly the scripture in front of me; God’s works and God’s wrath, and God’s grace. Now I begin to really connect. As I begin to see God, our God, more clearly in all that is around me, my Joy in all is just inexpressible.

-Paul Williamson

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Sunday Morning Youth at Harvest Church

Laurie & I were honored to speak at Harvest Church's 7.1 Student Ministry this morning. We both got to share our personal testimonies as well as share about GTD. Ben & Shanel DeWitt have done a great job of building a solid youth group. We love these students & their adult leadership!! Thanks 7.1 for your love & hospitality!!

CR Reunion (Harvest Church)

We really enjoyed our mission trip reunion with Harvest Church's 7.1 Student Ministry tonight at Cousin's BBQ!! It was so great to see so many wonderful people. Thanx Ben for putting this together =)

A Day At Harvest Christian Academy (Watauga, TX)

Yesterday, we loved touring Harvest Christian Academy with Headmaster Terry Caywood. This is a fantastic Christian school in Watauga, TX that has teamed up with GTD to reach out to the Costa Rican people through an annual mission trip in  May of each year. Terry is an incredible man of God that our Lord has used to steer HCA into a school of eternal impact.

Laurie & I were honored to speak in 3 Bible classes at HCA about GTD's Costa Rica Mission Program. Dr Randy James was a wonderful host as he allowed us to use each of his 3 class periods to share about all that God is doing in Costa Rica through the Mission's Program =)

In addition, I was invited to attend HCA's Friday night high school football game and say the opening prayer. If the outcome of the game determines just how big of a deal the person who says the opening prayer is then I'm really not that big of a deal - LOL ;). Plus I got tackled on the sideline as a few players got pushed out of bounds... making me even less of a deal - LOL!! But it was very fun to watch and a great honor be a part of. I want to thank Coach Farris for including me in the pregame prayers and inviting me to watch the game on the sidelines. What a great school!

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7.1 Student Ministry

Wonderful time at 7.1 Student Ministry (Harvest Church of Watauga, TX) last night with Ben & Shanel DeWitt. Laurie was given the opportunity to speak about missions to the youth as well as personally invite the students on next summer's mission trip to Costa Rica. It was great to see so many students & parents that have participated in past mission trips with GTD. Harvest Church's 7.1 Student Ministry has sent 62 students down to Costa Rica over the past 2 years. God has used them to make a big impact!

We gave Ben a gag gift while at youth group... a pair of "Handerpants" gloves which basically look like underwear for the hands. The kids got a good laugh out of it.

Visiting Harvest & HCA

Wonderful lunch with the awesome DeWitt's at Joe T. Garcia's Mexican Restaurant!! Delicious! Laurie & I are visiting Harvest Church & Harvest Christian Academy (Watauga, TX) to thank them for partnering with GTD in Costa Rica. They're fantastic!

Last night we enjoyed our dinner at Twisted Roots with the Farris' (including CR Intern Kayleigh), Madi, & Sandy Davis. Loved my Buffalo Burger & Butterfinger Milkshake!!

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Monday In Sedona (Grand Canyon Trip)

Dr Walp delivered an incredible teaching yesterday before we drove to Williams for dinner at Route 66 Cruiser Cafe. This morning we departed from the cabin to begin our trek back towards Phoenix. Right now we are spending the day in beautiful Sedona. We even got to do some cliff jumping & sliding at Slide Rock State Park. While we were at the park Dr Walp completed his creationism series. It was a transformational series for all of us! I look forward to blogging more about it!! Tonight we are staying at a hotel in Phoenix before boarding our flights tomorrow morning. We praise God for the amazing week we've had.

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Recovery Day (Grand Canyon Trip)

Savoring the accomplishments of yesterday while relaxing at the cabin. Today is a recovery day. Many slept in. Everyone is a little sore, but doing great. Surprisingly 6 people just went on a short hike near the cabin. Session 3 with Dr Walp to start soon. God is sooooo good =)

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WE DID IT!! (Grand Canyon Trip)

WE DID IT!!!! 3 of us finished the 25 mile Rim-to-Rim hike in approx 16 hours. 4 finished the 12.2 mile Plateau Point hike. And 1 enjoyed the cabin. Thank u to all who prayed for us. All glory to God! It was an incredible day!!

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

GTD (GPS Alert)
Latitude:36.05729
Longitude:-112.14532
GPS location Date/Time:09/22/2012 23:26:00 EDT

Message:Here is our current map location & GPS coordinates inside the Grand Canyon. So far, so good! PTL!

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/9lwRB/36.05729N/112.14532W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=36.05729,-112.14532&ll=36.05729,-112.14532&ie=UTF8&z=12&om=1

GTD (GPS Alert)

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Every day is an Adventure. Share Yours.
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Check-in/OK message from GTD (GPS Alert) SPOT Messenger

GTD (GPS Alert)
Latitude:36.12774
Longitude:-112.07726
GPS location Date/Time:09/22/2012 14:19:09 EDT

Message:Here is our current map location & GPS coordinates inside the Grand Canyon. So far, so good! PTL!

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/9lUE1/36.12774N/112.07726W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=36.12774,-112.07726&ll=36.12774,-112.07726&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.

Every day is an Adventure. Share Yours.
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Check-in/OK message from GTD (GPS Alert) SPOT Messenger

GTD (GPS Alert)
Latitude:36.20681
Longitude:-112.04793
GPS location Date/Time:09/22/2012 09:05:57 EDT

Message:Here is our current map location & GPS coordinates inside the Grand Canyon. So far, so good! PTL!

Click the link below to see where I am located.
http://fms.ws/9lFDL/36.20681N/112.04793W

If the above link does not work, try this link:
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GTD (GPS Alert)

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R2R (Rim-to-Rim) Is Tomorrow!

Aaron Walp, Paul Williamson, & I are in route to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. It's a 4 hour drive. Tomorrow we attempt an intense one-day 26 mile hike from Rim-to-Rim. Follow our GPS updates all day long tomorrow on the GTD Facebook Page. Prayers appreciated!!

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At The Canyon

Splendid day at Grand Canyon!! So much beauty =). Dr Walp taught his 2nd Session on-site right after our group picture at Powell Point.

After lunch we split into 2 groups. I'm with 2 of the guys riding 4 hours to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon so we can do our Rim-to-Rim hike tomorrow. Laurie is with the remaing participants who are hiking towards the Plateau Point tmorrow.

We are very excited =)

GC Trip (Dr Walp Kicks Off 4 Part Series)

Dr Aaron Walp did a FANTASTIC job kicking off his 4 part series on Creationism on our first day of the Grand Canyon Trip. He highlighted mile wide holes in the theory of evolution while showing several findings that support the Biblical view of creation. We are on the way to the Grand Canyon right now. So exciting!! Looking forward to seeing this God-awesome hole in the ground =) (PS: We loved our dinner at The Singing Pig in Williams last night. We had french toast for breakfast this morning.)

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Made It!

We made it to the cabin (outside Williams, AZ) =)

The Team Has Arrived!

Everyone arrived in Phoenix around noon. Heading to the cabin now =)

Almost Time!

Finalizing the Trip Organizer this morning. Breakfast at Bill Johnson's. Airport runs now. Our Grand Canyon Trip is about to begin =)

DON'T MISS IGNITE THIS YEAR!

IGNITE FALL CAMPING RETREAT!!

Oct 19-21, 2012  /  $49

Ocala National Forest, FL

Ignite your spiritual life on this retreat!

Click here for details.

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SUCCESSFUL PRE GRAND CANYON TRIP

When possible we try to combine our work trips with some wonderful family time. This year we flew into Phoenix, AZ 5 days early to prepare for our 2nd Annual Grand Canyon trip and spend some time with my family. My Aunt Gail opened her home & her heart to us and welcomed us into her home to sleep, fellowship, and work on our upcoming event. It was such a blessing! Below are some highlights from our 5 days in the Phoenix area:

For no apparent reason National car rental company bumped us up to a free upgrade from a basic mid size to a full size Dodge Charger. I love being confused for Brad Pitt!! I've decided this will count as my midlife crisis ;). #suffering4Jesus

Attended an AMAZING church service with New Vessels Ministries in Mesa, AZ with our good friend Pastor Robby Culbreath & his beautiful wife Sheila. They also told us that they want to send a mission team down to Costa Rica next summer. We are humbled & blessed for that opportunity. PS: One of the best sermons ever!!

One last gear run before our GC trip. Cabela's!!

Laurie got to stay in Aunt Gail's guest room where she enjoyed plenty of privacy & was able to get some work done.

I got to stay on the comfy mega air mattress in the front family room and used the cozy back patio for a peaceful work station. I loved it!

Diamondback game with my awesome cousins & awesome Laurie =)

We switched out the Dodge Charger for a 12 passenger Chevy van... the group arrives tmw morning!

Laurie gave me an early birthday present to help with my genetic disorder of Directional Dislexia! Its a Garmin GPS!!! I love it! But now she is using it & won't give it back!!!!!! It's an awesome present... for her! LOL =)

During the 5 days we got to spend some great quality time with several family members. We had a wonderful family time on Sunday night at my cousin's, Paula & Mike's, house. We got to see Mike & Paula's 3 daughters, 2 son-in-laws, and 2 new grandchildren. The family also put together a cookout at Aunt Gail's on Monday night. In addition, we got to spend time with our miracle cousin Allison who recently received her 2nd complete lung transplant and is doing great along with her husband and 2 kids. Uncle Jim & Aunt Eloise are always a blessing to see, as well as Aunt Gail's sister-in-law, Nancy. Darrel & Jarrod cooked up some delicious hot dogs & hamburgers to cap off the night.

It was a great visit and we can't thank my family enough for their incredible hospitality & love. THANK YOU FAMILY!!!

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Now it's time for the Grand Canyon Trip to begin. The group begins to arrive in 10 hours!!!!

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GTD BLiTZ UPDATES

We are honored & thrilled to announce that the following churches, schools, and organizations have already committed to being a part of GTD's Mission Trips to Costa Rica or Adveture Trips to Tenneessee during the summer of 2013:

• Harvest Church (Watagua, TX) - July 2013
• Harvest Christian Academy (Watauga, TX) - May 2013
• Family Worship Center (St Augustine, FL) - June 2013
• The Seed Church (Savannah, GA) - June 2013

 

• Calvary Chapel St Petersburg (Pinellas Park, FL) - July 2013
• Family Center on Deafness & Pinellas Park High School ASL (Pinellas Park, FL) - July 2013

With expectant spirits we can't help but celebrate what God must have in store for each one of these groups. We look forward to see how God works in and through each team.

Thank you Jesus for the blessing and honor of being entrusted to host these events with such incredible groups of people. We pray for God to make an impact in them and make an impact through them! To God be the glory =)

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8 DAYS TILL OUR GRAND CANYON RIM-TO-RIM HIKE & PLATEAU POINT HIKE!!

The Rim-to-Rim (R2R) hikers will begin on the North Rim and descend 5600 feet over 15 miles to the Colorado River then ascend 4460 feet over 10 miles to the South Rim. The Plateau Point hikers will begin on the South Rim and descend 3100 feet over 6.1 miles to the amazing Plateau Point before turning around and ascending 3100 feet over 6.1 miles back up to the South Rim (12.2 miles round-trip). All of this in 1 day.

Our Promise Verses:

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Isaiah 40: 29-31

Follow our Grand Canyon adventures daily on this blog.

GRAND CANYON TRAINING

12.5 mile hike in 4 hrs at Ft DeSoto with Paul Williamson & Laurie Finger... absolutely awesome!!

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FWC Costa Rica Pics Uploaded!!

Laurie is in the midst of uploading all of the pictures from our summer mission trips in Costa Rica. Click here to check out 994 God-awesome moments from Family Worship Center of St Augustine's mission trip!! 

Enjoy =)

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THE BLITZ

FULL SPEED AHEAD IN THE GTD OFFICE!!

It's fall football season which means it's also GTD's "Blitz" season. "The Blitz" refers to the 3 months (Sept-Nov) that GTD sets aside to proactivly pursue 100% of our event booking goals for the upcoming year.

We invite you to partner with us in prayer as we seek God for the filling up of the 2013 event calendar. Our prayer request and goal for 2013 is to run 25 God-awesome Christ-honoring events (8 mission trips, 6 adventure trips, 6 retreats, 4 day trips & 1 exertion event). We are excited about several groups that have already said they are planning to come back to do another GTD event next year!!

All glory to God =)


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HOW SPONTANEOUS R-U ?!?!

Once-In-A-Lifetime EPIC 6-Day Grand Canyon Trip starts in 2 WEEKS!!! We only have a couple of spots left!! Come see 1 of the 7 natural wonders of the world and experience the great teaching of Dr Aaron Walp as he shares insights into God's amazing creation. Check this incredible trip off of your bucket list for under $1000!!!

Sept 20-25

$599 (plus airfare & a few meals)

Priceline.com has round-trip plane tix from Tampa to Phoenix for only $291 today!!!

Details on the GTD website.

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