Dear CLDI Family and Friends,
I am currently reading the book The Emerald Mile, which is about the fastest float down the Grand Canyon. One of the most captivating parts of the book was the story of Kenton Grua and his quest to walk the entire length of the Grand Canyon — not just in pieces or with shortcuts — but in one continuous, unsupported push. What struck me wasn’t just the physical endurance it required but the motivation behind it. Grua wasn’t doing it for fame or recognition; in fact, he didn’t even want people to know. He simply believed there was a right way to do it — a way that honored the canyon’s wildness and his own personal code of integrity.
It’s an unusual place to find a lesson on integrity — at the bottom of the Grand Canyon — but it resonated deeply with me. At CLDI, integrity is one of our core values, and we define it in much the same way Grua lived out his journey: believing that there is a right way to do most things, even when no one is watching.
For us, integrity means making decisions not for appearances but because they are right and honoring to God. It’s choosing transparency in how we steward donations, ensuring we follow through on commitments to the people we serve, and being faithful to the mission we have been called to — even when the work is hard and unseen.
Integrity shows up in the quiet moments — the way our team pours into the lives of the women at Hannah House, the honest conversations we have with the youth in Warehouse, and the financial decisions we make to stretch every dollar for Kingdom impact. It’s about honoring God by walking the long, hard road, not because anyone is keeping score, but because it is simply the right thing to do.
Like Grua, we want to be people who choose the harder but truer path — not for recognition but because our character and faith demand it.
So, thank you for partnering with us — and for trusting that we are pursuing this work with integrity, seeking to honor God in the way we serve our community. Together, we continue to walk this road, not for the applause of others but for the glory of God.
Currently reading & listening.
The Emerald Mile by Kevin Fedarko is a gripping nonfiction account of the fastest boat ride ever through the Grand Canyon. Set against the backdrop of the 1983 flood, the book follows a team of river guides who seize a rare opportunity to push a wooden dory, The Emerald Mile, down the raging Colorado River at record-breaking speed. Blending adventure, history, and environmental storytelling, Fedarko explores the canyon’s deep cultural significance, the daring spirit of river runners, and the broader challenges facing the American West’s waterways.
CLDI Monthly Snapshot
- Details have been coming together for the May exposure trip; we will be looking to purchase tickets soon!
- Rail//Line is having a spring pop-up event with 13+ vendors and a food truck on March 8th! Please feel free to come by and have a coffee and enjoy the nice weather we have been having.
- Tabitha Kroll’s last day as Hannah House’s Case Manager is March 12th. We have loved having her on our team for the previous 5 years and wish her well as she becomes a stay-at-home mom with her children. We currently have a job listing posted on our website for those interested in applying. Here is the link to our website: https://cldibillings.org/now-hiring-hannah-house-case-manager/
Scripture to Meditate On
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:5
A couple weeks ago I mentioned the power of verse memorization and making it a rythm of my life. This weeks verse was Proverbs 3:5.
Blessings,
Kaleb Perdew
