SUMMER 2009
With the passage of time since our last update, things have been busy at BetterDays!
Odyssey 2009
Our summer backpacking trip was a huge success. Instead of hosting two different trail trips, we combined two groups. The result was a diverse coed group totaling 13, plus two guides, and two very important llamas! Our group consisted of pastors, musicians, photographers, artists, writers, and chemists, to name a few!
Yep! Llamas! This is our third year to have these hardworking creatures on the trail. They make the load a little lighter and they’re great pets out there. Lighter loads only serve to increase the significant impact of the trip on heart and mind.
An anomaly in the weather pattern had spring lingering in this first week of June. There was “white stuff” falling from the sky and on the ground every day. The sun played hide-n-seek with us all week long, reminding us how dependent we are upon things that are beyond our control!
The beauty and harshness of the mountains drains your energy but fills your soul, and by the end of your trek, you emerge with a strength and peace you can't always account for. (2009 Participant, Maegan McGowen from a feature travel article that appeared in the Tyler Morning Telegraph) Thanks so much for your ministry. I will never forget the laughter, exhaustion, cold... The journey was fulfilling and awesome. (Pastor who was with us on the trail this year) |
While challenging and uncomfortable at times, the unpredictable weather didn’t chill the mood or the learning. In the end, these days on the trail taught us about ourselves and, more importantly, about God.
We were grateful to have Patrick Wimberly co-lead this year.
My time in Buena Vista also included teaching at two of the Noah’s Ark staff worship services. What a great organization doing Kingdom work right there on the banks of the Arkansas River. If you are ever in Buena Vista, Colorado, stop in and say “hello”!
Art Auction 2009
To say that our first ever art auction was a success would be an understatement! We were blown away not only by the art that was donated (including having Robbie Seay playing live throughout the auction!) but the money that was raised. The amazing collection fetched more than $10,000! Given its success, the spring auction will become an annual event.
BetterDays & the Great Recession (is that what we call this?!)
I recently heard a discussion on the radio about what to call this present financial crisis. One person referred to it as the Great Recession. However history labels these days, I don’t need to tell you that these are difficult times.
I am working closely with the Board to control costs while going forward with the mission of BetterDays. In fact, we aren’t going to hibernate during this time. We working and planning with an eye on the future. Once this time passes, the need to support those who are leading in the church will remain and we will be in a very good position to help.
Since writing our strategic organizational plan a couple of years back, we’ve been working to extend our reach and creating a viable economic engine for BetterDays. Again, our simple and straightforward mission is to care and support for those who lead the Body of Christ. As exemplified in the diverse makeup of Odyssey, those who are leading the Body of Christ do so with various gifts and talents, in all different settings.
We will keep you posted on the progress we are making during this time. Currently, we are reorganizing our website so that it is a good source of information. For starters, the thinking and content behind the mission is going to take a central place on our site. That content falls under the general title Go OutsideTM.
By developing the content of our mission, we are better able to create a team who works together within the common goal. As for the team, the directors and I are looking at and considering what a team at BetterDays would look like.
ECFA: Affiliate Member
We are pleased to announce our affiliation with the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. This national organization provides an extra layer of accountability, which provides BetterDays donors a boost in confidence. This relationship reflects our efforts from the inception of BetterDays to manage all of our resources with wise stewardship.
In all of this, your support through prayer and financial gifts is much appreciated. Going into the second half of the year, we will keep you posted about our fundraising efforts to finish out 2009 and begin 2010. For now, your monthly contributions are very helpful!
Together, we realize the vision for better days through the work of Christ Jesus.
Stay in touch and keep us in your prayers...
Thanks,
Chad