No. 2 Walk to Cure Diabetes

 

At the JDRF Walk/Run for diabetes, our group was there to work as volunteers for the race. This race was put on the help raise money for finding a cure for juvenile diabetes. We got there at 7a.m. and helped pass out bagels to the runners and spectators that were there. We worked the duration of the race helping in any way we could. It was really cool to see everyone that was there to help raise money to find a cure for diabetes. While I was there I even saw a kid from my school that I didn't even know had diabetes. A bunch of his friends had come to help support him as well.
- Luke McConnell

No. 1 Best Buddies

Not only was the NBYG blessed by the opportunity to share the resources God has entrusted to us with Best Buddies of Tennessee, but we were also blessed by the chance to spend time in the with the amazing Brewer and Todd Loyd.

Todd shared the incredible journey that he and his wife, Amanda, have been on and the disappointment in the delivery room that has turned to joy in the light of little Brewer's life.

Said Todd, "Amanda and I became involved in Best Buddies because we want to share Brewer with others, and we want him to have friends other than his family. We want Brewer to have the same opportunities every kid has."

The NBYG raised $1,000 for this great cause.  Thank you Brewer and Todd. Meeting you has changed the way we look at the world and ourselves.

Best Buddies of Tennessee is part of a global volunteer movement that, in part, wants to provide opportunities for one-on-one friendships for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The incredible Brewer Loyd and his dad, Todd.

Brewer takes to the microphone

Getting ready to head to Disney by practicing his hook!

The NBYG blessed by their new Best Buddy Brewer.

51 @The 51 Meeting

 At the October 21st organizational meeting of the NBYG's 51 weeks of serving people to the glory of God, Skid thought that if 30 people showed up, it would be good. God thought otherwise. He sent 51 (You see what He did there?) You don't want to miss what He does next.

Fall Retreat - The Challenge Is Made

Our final gathering at Fall Retreat before we headed out to do 51 in 51! It's gonna be awesome!

Our theme for this years awesome not-to-be-missed NBYG Fall Retreat was:

The retreated focused on the encouragement, enlightenment provided by Brad Montague and his mission of helping people more awesome and making an impact on this world for good. He shared amazing stories of what people of all ages are doing to change the world and share the Lord's smile with people everywhere.  Kid President even made an appearance and offered his encouragement to the youth group from Mummmffffurrrboro.  Sounds like a life changing weekend, huh? Well, it was and more. It's our goal to make it not only a life-changing weekend but a friend, school, community, city, state, country and world changing weekend as well. 

How do we do that? One week at a time, doing 51 weeks of service in 51 weeks.  It's a mission for the year that brings to life what Skid always reminds us when we're on our annual mission trip to the City of Children or Shiloh -- It's not about waiting 51 weeks to make a difference in our lives and the lives of others during a one-week mission trip. It's about using that one week to change our lives and the lives of others the other 51 weeks of the year.  

So here goes.  It's quite a challenge.  Can we do it?  Not alone.  And we're not alone... we've got HIM.