Spring 2020 • Volume 14, Number 1NavajoNavajoN E I G H B O R S

M I S S I O N S TAT E M E N TNavajo Ministries helps the people we serve through programs that instill hope, restoration and Christian values.

E D I TO RAnnette Reich

G R A P H I C D E S I G N E RHannah Begay

P U B L I S H E RNavajo Neighbors is owned and published by Navajo Ministries Inc., and is published two times a year and distributed approximately every six months.

Postmaster send address changes to Navajo Neighbors, PO Box 1230, Farmington, New Mexico 87499.

CO N TAC T I N F O R M AT I O NNavajo Ministries 2103 West Main Street PO Box 1230 Farmington, New Mexico 87499

Phone 505.325.0255 Fax 505.325.9035 E-mail nmi@NavajoMinistries.org Website www.NavajoMinistries.org

A B O U T N AVA J O M I N I S T R I E SNavajo Ministries was established in 1953 for the purpose of caring for dependent children, regardless of race, religion or national origin, and for printing and distributing Navajo tracts and hymnals.

The ministry has expanded over the years to include: a non-commercial Christian radio station, KNMI Vertical Radio 88.9 FM and Navajo Nation Outreach, providing spiritual, emotional and material encouragement to those living in Navajoland.

When a donor expresses a preference as to the use of donated funds, Navajo Ministries will make every effort to honor their request and in most cases this is done in exact compliance with the donor’s wishes. However, the Board of Directors, in ensuring that Navajo Ministries carries out its exempt purposes required by law and effectively uses available funds, accepts the responsibility of applying funds in accordance with objectives of the ministry.

Views and opinions expressed in Navajo Neighbors by those interviewed are not necessarily those of Navajo Ministries.

Navajo Ministries is a Charter Member in good standing with ECFA (Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability).

Spring 2020 • Volume 14, Number 1

5 Letter From The Editor

6 Judy Anglin From Rejection to Redemption

10 Four Corners Home for Children Totally Committed

12 Vertical Radio 40th Anniversary

14 Our Little Girl Danielle

15 Living Memorials

NavajoN E I G H B O R S

Navajo Neighbors4 5Navajo NeighborsNavajo Neighbors4

LETTER FROM THE

EditorDear Readers,

Spring has sprung and that means it’s time for another edition of the Navajo Neighbors. Much has changed since our Fall 2019 magazine and we hope you find our goings-on as exciting as we do! We are privileged to live and work in this beautiful part of God’s creation and our feature story focuses on a woman who was born here in the Four Corners area. She left the area as a small child but found her way back as an adult. You will rejoice as you see God’s hand on her life.

Also included in this edition:

• The journey of our new house parents who have arrived from California to serve in our Four Corners Home for Children.

• Our celebration of KNMI, Vertical Radio’s 40th Anniversary as the first Christian radio station in the Four Corners Region. You will read about the past and the present and all that God has done through this ministry.

• A beautiful story of one of our own “little girls.”

We trust you will enjoy these stories and more. We would love to visit with you about Navajo Ministries and let you know of all that God is accomplishing in and through our ministry and in our region. Please feel free to reach out to us at any time. We also covet your prayers as we obediently walk out God’s calling on our lives. Pray for our children as we endeavor to train them up in the way they should go so that when they are old, they will not depart from it.

Blessings to you and thank you for continuing to support us,

P.S. When I first penned this letter back in February indeed, much had changed since Fall of 2019. Much more has changed since February. We are living in uncertain times and that can be frightening for some, but our God is not uncertain - our God is faithful, and our God is in control. Please remember that God is not taken by surprise with COVID-19 or with anything else and He is not looking the other way when we are affected.

Cling to His promise in Isaiah 41:10: Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

ANNETTE REICHNavajo Ministries PresidentEditor of Navajo Neighbors

Navajo Neighbors 5

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I met Judy Anglin only a few short months ago but it feels like I’ve known her all my life. That’s how it is with Judy. She walked into my office to fill out an application to serve at Navajo Ministries, Four Corners Home for Children as Support Staff in our long-term children’s homes. There was an immediate connection between us. She was personable, joy-filled, and eager to discover how she might fit in at Navajo Ministries. Her enthusiasm was contagious, I was encouraged by her, and I also became eager to discover how she would fit in! While I thought her connection with us was a new one, it turns out that the connection between Judy Anglin and Navajo Ministries goes back a few years; 28 to be exact …

Judy was born in Shiprock, New Mexico in 1963, to Navajo parents. Judy’s parents were sheep keepers. They did not live in a house or a hogan; they lived in tents and moved often from one place to another. They already had two young sons when they brought her home from the Shiprock hospital. They named their little girl, “Marie.” Baby “Marie” was not a healthy baby. Her mother did not receive adequate prenatal care and Marie was sickly for the first two years of her life. By the time Marie was 18 months old, she was

malnourished, she had not yet learned to walk, and she had developed rickets as well as pneumonia. She was taken to the hospital where she had been born. The hospital staff did not believe she would survive.

Marie did survive and she slowly recovered, but the hospital contacted Navajo Social Services and after meeting with them and her parents, it was decided that Marie should be placed with foster parents. The boys stayed with their parents and eventually a third son was born to them, but by this time, Marie had been placed with foster parents in Aztec, New Mexico while social services looked for an adoptive family for her. She was with her foster family for a year during which time they cared for her and nursed her to full health. And then the call came …

All the way across the country, 25 miles west of Boston, in the small town of Acton, Massachusetts, a young couple, Robert and Priscilla Clapp, began to think about adopting a child. They had been blessed with three sons and wanted to bring a little girl into their family.

They made a trip into Boston to visit “The Home for Little Wanderers”, a private non-profit child and family

BY: ANNETTE REICHNavajo Ministries President

service agency which was founded as an orphanage in 1799. They talked with the administrator, shared their thoughts and were given a book to look through. The book was like an album, with pictures and biographies of all the adoptable children in the United States and out of hundreds of pictures, they chose Marie.

Marie flew from Farmington to Boston, accompanied by a social worker - a kind, gentle man she says she will never forget. She also remembers the Clapp home, which was nice and roomy and included a big back yard. She had her own bedroom and felt welcomed and accepted. Eventually the adoption was finalized, and at three years of age, baby Marie became Judith Marie Clapp.

Judy settled into the Clapp home and became one of the family, but the joy was soon overshadowed by a tragic accident. One afternoon in 1967, the boys were playing outside after school. Priscilla called them in for dinner and as they were running to the house, a drunk driver came around the curve. Seven-year-old Mark was struck and killed. He died in Priscilla’s arms.

Judy describes life in the Clapp home in the years after the accident:

After Mark’s accident, nothing was ever the same again. Our family basically fell apart. My mom was forever changed. She became distant and disconnected. My oldest brother, Garret, got involved with drugs and became heavily addicted. He was eventually sent to a recovery center in Cape Cod. My brother, Rick, who was closest in age to Mark, never spoke of him again, even as an adult. He was completely shaken by Mark’s death.

Finding little comfort at home, Judy began to rebel during her middle school years. She sought acceptance and escape through relationships, alcohol, and marijuana. Thus began a downward slide that would continue for over 30 years.

Robert and Priscilla Clapp were adherents to the Christian Science religion, but Judy had never embraced that way of life. The Clapps lived lives of structure and were religious about attending Christian Science meetings, etc, but they did not have a personal relationship with Christ. Judy never saw faith in Christ modeled and did not have that to cling to in times of desperation. She ran away from home at 16, became involved with a man at that young age, became pregnant with her first child at 17, and was forced into marriage by her parents.

The marriage was bad from the beginning. Judy was

“It was snowing and I looked up into the sky. As the snowflakes fell on my face I cried out, “What has happened to me?”

Navajo Neighbors 7

Judy Anglin

From Rejection From Rejection to Redemptionto Redemption

Navajo Neighbors8 9Navajo Neighbors 9Navajo Neighbors

young and in no way ready to be a wife. After her baby was born, she returned to school. Her husband worked nights and cared for the baby during the day until Judy got home from school. One particular day, Judy left school early and came home unexpectedly, much to her husband’s surprise. Finding her husband unfaithful she scooped up the baby, grabbed the diaper bag and went to a girlfriend’s house.

Judy and her husband were married eight months. She was devastated. She moved out of the house and describes the events that followed:

I was overwhelmed so I ran. I left my family, my home, I even left my daughter. I could not deal with life. I started drinking heavily, I didn’t care about myself or my life. I took off and left Massachusetts. I went from city to city, not staying long in any one location. I was lost.

Over the next ten years, Judy wandered through life. She moved from place to place, never settling in anywhere. She went from St. Louis to Dallas, Rapid City to Denver. Judy recalls a significant moment that occurred during these lost years

I remember being on the street by myself one Christmas Eve, It was snowing and I looked up into the sky. As the snowflakes fell on my face I cried out, “What has happened to me? What has happened?”

At one point during this ten-year period, Judy was very sick and was admitted to an Indian Health Services hospital. They needed her census number and contacted Judy’s adoptive brother, Garret, for information on her birth. A call was made to the Northern Navajo Medical Center in Shiprock and Judy’s files were opened. To her surprise, there were documents there containing contact information on her three brothers and other family members, in the event that she might ever want to reach out to them.

Judy eventually contacted her brother in Shiprock, and her family paid for her to fly from Denver to Farmington. She reconnected with her brothers, father, and maternal grandparents. She also learned that her mother had died of pneumonia in 1979. Judy stayed with her father until his death in 1990.

Judy remained in the Farmington area, but her soul was still wandering. She continued to struggle with alcohol and with feelings of rejection. She felt rejected by her birth parents, rejected by her adoptive parents, rejected by her husband and many others throughout her life. She met a man during this time who showed her attention and she married him. They had a son together and moved to Gallup but her husband didn’t stick around very long. Judy describes her feelings very honestly:

I thought I must be dumb and stupid if no one wanted me. I felt worthless, unloved and completely unwanted.

Unbeknownst to Judy, her life was about to change. Judy had been working in Gallup at Little Sisters of the Poor, a senior living facility. When her job was cut, she flew from Gallup to Farmington with her son and looked for work while living with a family friend. Heading to Shiprock on foot one day, Judy walked by a general contractor’s shop in Farmington and noticed a man outside loading something into his truck. He looked up at the same moment she did and they made eye contact. Judy said, “hey”, Bill replied, and Judy crossed the street to chat with him. The rest is history.

Bill and Judy began chatting regularly over coffee and occasionally meeting for lunch. Bill was a single father, raising two boys, and he began to grow fond of Judy and of her son, Nick. Soon into their relationship, Bill invited Judy to attend church with him. Judy comments on her first visit to an evangelical, Bible-believing church:

Bill took me to Trinity Assembly of God (now The Oasis). I totally loved the interaction between people. They made me feel welcome and like I belonged there. What impacted me the most was watching the worship team. Christie DeWeese was on the platform worshipping God with her whole being, just like King David. Her hands were raised to heaven and she worshipped with no reservation. I remember thinking, “I want what she has, I want that kind of relationship with God.” I kept attending church, I’ve never stopped.

Bill and Judy were married by Navajo Ministries’ founder, Jack Drake on February 6, 1992 in the lobby of Navajo Ministries with their children, family and friends surrounding them. Bill had gotten to know Jack as he worked as the General Contractor when the Administrative Offices were being built. Judy lights up when she talks

about her husband:

Bill Anglin is a kind, gentle, God-fearing man. He was raised in a Christian home. He had never smoked, drank, or used foul language. I was amazed by this quiet, reserved gentleman. He was very respectful of me, treating me like a lady. When he proposed to me, he explained what Godly marriage is and what God intended marriage to be. I realized that I was attracted to Bill for many reasons, but the biggest reason was that he was like Christ. I was attracted to Christ in him.

Judy spent many years trying to break free of alcohol and issues arising from her childhood that she’d spent a lifetime suppressing. She had built a wall around her memories and a protective layer around her heart. She began counseling with her pastor’s wife and friend, Debbie Joslin. After meeting with Judy for awhile, Debbie felt God speaking to her and leading her to attempt to break down that wall and pierce through to her heart. In Judy’s words:

Debbie came to me, shared what God was leading her to do and let me know that if I was uncomfortable with it in any way, then we would not proceed. I wanted to heal, so I agreed. Both Debbie and her husband, Pastor Randy, came into the counseling room with me. Debbie explained that she would represent all of the women in my life who rejected me or hurt me in any way and Pastor Randy would represent all of the men in my life who had done the same. They invited me to say everything on my heart, to lash out verbally if I needed to. So that’s what I did. It was intense but also totally liberating. The walls that I had constructed came crashing down and the protective layer around my heart was pierced. Finally, I experienced deliverance.

Judy will never forget the last time she took a drink:

It was bad. I drank so much that I passed out. When I came to, I showered and sat down on the couch in my

house to watch television. I was worried because I had consumed all the alcohol in the house and would have to come up with a plan to get more. I turned down the volume on the TV and was going to get up to go into the kitchen to make something to eat but all of a sudden, out of the blue, I heard a voice, a man’s voice. I clearly and distinctly heard this man’s voice state, “I created you for something more than this.” Each word was very clear, there was no mistaking what was said. I turned around but no one was behind me. I jumped up, looked around the house but no one was there. I was alone but yet not alone. God was there. God was in the house with me. It was His voice I heard. God was telling me that I had to make a choice. I told Bill when he returned home, and he was so kind. He did not say, “I told you so” or belittle me in any way. He simply said, “I want to see fruit. I want to know that this is real. I want to see you make an effort to do something to get better.”

I started attending Life Recovery Group at Timberline Church in Aztec, stayed grounded in the Word of God and fought every temptation that faced me. And I’m doing it, I’m facing my fears and allowing God to heal me. I have regrets. I regret not staying with my daughter, not raising her. I regret being an absent mother and not being there for her, but I pray that God will heal her heart like He is healing mine. My shame for who I used to be is gone because God assures me that is not who I am anymore.

God has brought me full circle by bringing me to Navajo Ministries to work with the teenagers in the children’s home. I can relate to them, to what they’ve been through and I can tell them, “God knew you before you were born and His plan for you began from the foundations of the world. God can take the things in your life that were meant for evil and He can use them for good. He can take the ugly in your life and make it beautiful and like me, God can take you full circle. He can take you from rejection to redemption.

Praise be to God!

“The walls that I had constructed came crashing down and the protective layer around my heart was pierced. Finally, I experienced deliverance.”

Navajo Neighbors10 11Navajo Neighbors

f o u r c o r n e r shome forchildren

generation American. My mom is Mexican and my dad is Columbian. One of the kids told me ‘You are brown – like us.’”

When Sarah started college, she was going to be a marriage and family counselor. After getting her Associates Degree in Behavioral Sciences, God redirected her path, sending her to a school of leadership and ministry in Tacoma, Washington. At the time she didn’t know why because she had never wanted to be a pastor. While interning in the business and communications department of Champions Centre, she realized she did have a call to ministry but was still unsure what that meant and what it looked like. She returned home to California, and got a job working at an outdoor school with fifth and sixth grade students in the San Bernardino mountains. That’s where she and Steven met.

When the Murphys were dating they talked about their shared heart for some day fostering children. After nine years of marriage, their desire to foster has only grown. The six years they spent serving in youth ministry in California with Matt Mizell (now the senior pastor of Piñon Hills Community Church) only deepened their passion. When Annette Reich told Matt about a need for house parents, the Murphys came to mind, even though he did not know of their interest in fostering children. When Matt contacted them, their immediate response was, “We’re in!”

When the Murphys arrived from California in late January, they spent a week setting up a home before five teenagers settled in with them. Sarah admits, “It’s all been pretty much a roller coaster ride for us but these are great kids! At parent-teacher conferences, every teacher commented on how friendly, courteous and smart they are!” Steven added, “It’s been a challenge because there have been a string of house parents for these five. The first thing the kids asked us was, ‘How long will you be sticking around?’” Though that question startled the Murphys, they answered, “No one knows what God’s timeline is, but here’s our promise: while we are here, we are totally committed to you.” Sarah went on to say, “Another promise we made to the kids: we’ll be firm but fair as best we can.”

Sarah and Steven have a strong sense of gratitude towards donors to Four Corners Home for Children. With tears in her eyes and a trembling lip, Sarah asserted, “The donors to Four Corners Home for Children have given us the ability to be full time parents. Because of them, we can focus on raising kids, not on raising dollars.” Steven reinforced Sarah’s thought, “We will continue to remind the kids that it is because of donors that all of their needs are met and that they have a home here. That’s big!”

We welcome Steven and Sarah to the Four Corners and to the Four Corners Home for Children!

BY: LESLIE FITZVice President of Administration

From Los Angeles to New York City, it’s hard to find qualified employees. It’s no different for Four Corners Home for Children in remote and rural northwestern New Mexico. As Annette Reich, President of Navajo Ministries, remarks, “Finding qualified house parents can be challenging. Parenting is, by nature, an intensely personal undertaking.” In addition, she goes on, “when you come to work at a children’s home, it is a team effort. A key factor in success for the children and for the house parent is teachability. That and spiritual maturity is what was so attractive about Steven Murphy and his wife, Sarah Aseneth Murphy, our newest house parents.”

When asked how he would characterize himself,

Steven replied “I think of myself as a ‘Renaissance Man’. My dad taught me everything about electronics and computers. I went on to build my business as a software and computer consultant for my own clients. More recently, I extended my business to photography with a photo booth at special events. I was an Eagle Scout and I worked in various youth organizations as well as a Christian camp where I had various jobs including camp cook and program director. Just before moving to New Mexico, I was a caregiver for an elderly man.”

Sarah described herself: “I am outgoing and open. I get my energy from being with people. Some say I’m outspoken”, she adds with laughter. “I’m a first

11Navajo Neighbors

CommittedTotally

Navajo Neighbors12 13Navajo Neighbors

1980>>>>>>>>>Sunday, March 16, 1980 was definitely a RED LETTER day in San Juan County and here at Navajo Ministries! It was the day that we flipped on the power to KNMI radio, the first Christian radio station in the Four Corners area. The mayor of the city, Bob Culpepper, cut the red ribbon at the transmitter building three miles away from our two broadcast rooms which were constructed in a corner of our maintenance building here at our ministry headquarters on West Main street.

Operating just 13 hours per day at low power, this non-commercial, listener supported station was having an immediate impact on people’s lives. One of our house dads, Mark Frederick, had a background in radio and served as our manager of the station along with his house parent duties. Being the only Christian station in the area brought challenges, however, as we tried to reach the varied cultures and ages of our listeners. In the early years of the station, programing included Bible teachers in the morning and then after lunch Andrew Begaye, a bilingual Navajo pastor, shared the hope of Christ in the Navajo language.

As our broadcast hours extended into the evening, our contemporary music format delighted the youth but brought concerns from the older listeners. I remember our founder, Jack Drake, addressing that issue by saying, “When I go fishing, I use worms for bait to catch the fish. I don’t like worms, but the fish do, so I will use them to catch fish. In the same way, I may not prefer the beat of the music, but if we can use the songs of these Christian artists to reach our youth with a positive message of hope, then I’m willing to do so.”

It was the children in need of a home that brought me and Kay to Navajo Ministries in 1975. But KNMI radio was also a fulfillment of God’s calling in my life to reach many with the hope of Christ through radio. For that reason, I have been actively involved in the station as host of a variety of programs over the past 40 years, including the current Four Corners Spotlight show.

We have heard so many stories of transformed lives over these past four decades, including salvations, answers to prayer and even those who were suicidal and heard a song or encouraging word and decided to live! Today the station is known as Vertical Radio as we continue to point listeners in the right direction.

For the past 20 years, our contemporary Christian music format has been well received in the Four Corners. And, our high school sports coverage continues to draw many listeners each week. In addition, we serve as the official broadcasters of the annual Connie Mack World Series held in Farmington every August. Listeners can now go to VerticalRadio.org and listen to our programming from anywhere in the world!

What a joy it has been to see God use this station to touch lives over these past four decades. The future of the station remains in God’s hands as we continue to trust Him to meet the ongoing, increasing needs. We are so thankful for our many friends who have prayed for and supported the station. Only in eternity will we know how God has used this radio ministry to impact lives.

13Navajo Neighbors

BY: JIM BAKERPresident Emeritus

If March 16, 1980, was a Red Letter Day, then how fitting is it that a 40th anniversary is the Ruby milestone. We are celebrating that ‘Ruby Lettered Day’ on March 16, 2020, and celebrating all the people that have gotten us to this point.

The list is long. There have been hundreds, if not thousands, who worked or volunteered, listened, championed, or made monetary gifts to make sure that the mission of Vertical Radio would continue. I won’t even attempt to thank everyone by name, it’s all but certain I would leave names off that list. What I can say is that each and every one has been a vital part of the ministry.

Even as I type, referring to a radio station as a ministry is an interesting thought. The airwaves, of late, have not exactly been an uplifting place to go (except 88.9 FM in Farmington …). It is so awe-inspiring to think that what is generally considered a ‘secular’ medium can be used for the Great Commission. Each and every person involved for 40 years has been fulfilling the word by taking the word to all the nations. On the air, online, around the world.

Local. Listener supported. Christian music. These things aren’t synonymous with longevity in the broadcast industry. And yet, the mission continues.

It’s humbling to be a part of something that has lasted for 40 years. For many of us, 40 years isn’t even that long. But for the current speed of change in our world, institutions like Vertical Radio are few and far between.

So what does the future hold?

Vertical Radio will continue. As long as we have the

support of our community (yes, the ‘all nations’ community too) we will continue to adapt and change to meet the needs of the community. In recent years, there has been an increased emphasis on sports broadcasting. Currently, Vertical Sports broadcasts games for seven high schools and broadcasting teams that are not otherwise on the radio. It is our privilege and pleasure to do so. That includes the Connie Mack World Series, which puts Vertical Radio in thousands of radio speakers in homes, workplaces, and cars in locations across the country and all over the world. See, ALL NATIONS!

Jim already mentioned those who came before, but for me, I will point to the ones we are paving the way for. Not only preparing young minds and hearts for the future with biblical music and message on the air, but also those future leaders who will continue the mission to all nations.

How can you support the continuation of the mission of Vertical Radio?

Well, we need a lot of support. Support comes in many forms. We need the prayer warriors who pray for the radio staff and the listeners. Pray that hearts are prepared to receive the message in music. Pray that our staff uplift and present the gospel in a way that reaches our listeners and pray that our staff has wisdom in all of the day-to-day business dealings. Support comes in the form of champions who tell their friends and family about the programming. Support comes in the form of businesses and individuals who make monetary donations. You may have a way to support that we haven’t listed here. In essence, the baton is being passed and the next 40 years are in our hands.

KNMIVertical Radio 40

Years

A Voice ofForHope >>>>>>>>>2020BY: DEVIN NEELEY

Vertical Radio Consultant

Navajo Neighbors14 15Navajo Neighbors

Hubert and Carolyn Dover Leroy and Glenda WilsonTraci Winget Deena Adams BirthdayCollin and Sherida Stewart Our GrandchildrenJulie B. Dommel Frances WoodsGeorgann Huber Carolin LarsenGeorgann Huber Debbie RichersonGeorgann Huber David and Leah HoldsworthKristine Engels Kristine EngelsMichael Janotka Owen O’NeilRobert and Gloria Bishop Victoria FranklinDebbie Andrews Winton and Shirley EngelsHeather Roberts Jim and Nancy MillerAmy Leary Charles and Sharon DavisBob and Karen Nicholson Beth and Tom CheneySusan Boyles John BoylesAmanda Hasevlat Sofie SmithBrian Weit Don and Sandy GreggPatrick Seeholzer Julia and Charles SeeholzerHal and Joyce Anderson Mary GreinerLinda J. Schneider Murphy Alfred and June CampbellBarton and Madge Campbell Jim and Kay Baker

FROM IN HONOR OF

THROUGH FEBRUARY 2020

FROM IN MEMORY OFMichael Janotka Owen O’NeilGordan Morgan Flora Ann MacDonald MorganLaura Brown Mr. and Mrs. R. H. DennisJoan Kopetsky Duane GilesLewis and Linda Lee Duane GilesBarbara Wick Code Taker Al NewmanNora Rutledge Duane GilesDaniel Steger Virginia StegerDave and Kathy Katzer Gary Colbern Emily R. Wegener Cheryl HickmottMarilyn Stoner Donald L. Thompson, Sr.Stephanie Welter Rich MullinsMcCoy Family Farm Mr. and Mrs. Charles McCoyCharlene M. Meadows Warren and Clarice CraneBuilding 5 Donald L. Thompson, Sr.Dean Ferris Gerald and Hazel FerrisBarbara A Weidman John N WeidmanDave and Kathleen Katzer Dennis AndersonDave and Kathleen Katzer Clare Ann ReibenspiesMrs. Carole Giles Duane GilesTraders Point Believers Group Donald L. Thompson Sr.Pat Torgeson and Cynthia Sillers Teresa CarpenterMike and Deb Sailsbery Roy and Eloise SailsberyFrederick H. Koss Jr. Kitty KossFrederick H. Koss Jr. Nancy RushLaurene Parks Ralph E. BrownJohn Engels Winton and Shirley EngelsCharley Tyler Muriel McCullochWilfred Moore Vivian MooreSuzanne Fisher Muriel McCullochDewey and Desta Baker Bill KnockwoodJoni Williamson Cynthia GreschakTerry and Ruth Terpsma Lewis TerpsmaMargaret Gage Ike and Mary Lou GageWalter and Kathleen Katzer Gary CherneyKaren Knapp Frances KautskyRobert and Sharon Adams Orpha AbrahamsonBetty Wigham Frances MorganThe Pat Keyes Family Ella Ruth WilliamsOllive Iles Bart IlesRush and Angela Schwarz Bart IlesMack and Bonnie Heald Ella Ruth WilliamsJennie Platero Donald Tsosie

Living Memorials

Kay and I enjoy putting puzzles together during the winter months. Some of them are quite complex with 1000 pieces. As we came close to finishing one of those, we discovered that one piece was missing! While that was quite disturbing, God has used that situation to reflect on the loss we experience when one of our loved ones passes on to eternity. The family gatherings are always reminders that a person is missing from around the table.

Perhaps you have recently had a loved one pass on. You know the feelings of what I’m sharing today. Through our Living Memorial program you can share a donation with us that will benefit the children living here at the Four Corners Home for Children. We will print your name and the name of your loved one on this page. Some folks like to share the name of a living person that they would like to honor.

When we receive your donation, an attractive remembrance card will be sent to the family of the one you are memorializing or honoring. No amounts are mentioned. Living Memorials are a way to help our children enjoy the safety and care found in our homes through loving house parents. It’s through their compassion that the broken, lost pieces of life can be restored in the lives of these deserving youngsters.

Thanks so much for considering this way of helping us restore hope in the lives of our children.

One Missing Piece

JIM BAKERPresident Emeritus

She was a beautiful little girl when we met her - she is a beautiful young lady today. That statement can be read in less than 6 seconds but be assured, there are many years and life-experiences represented by the dash in the middle.

Danielle and her brother first came to Navajo Ministries when they were little children. Danielle was 4 years old and her brother was only 2. They were placed into the House of Hope, our emergency shelter home. We didn’t know at the time if they would need to be in our shelter for a short stay or a lengthy one. It turned out to be rather lengthy.

Danielle’s mother suffers from a number of health-related issues that have kept her from caring for her children. We are saddened for her but happy to be able to help her in this way. She has been able to see them regularly, remain a part of their lives, and know with assurance that they are well cared for.

Over the years, Danielle has had numerous people speak into her life. There have been House Parents, support staff, leadership, pastors, teachers, sponsors from our region and across the country, and more. When asked about some of the things she’s experienced here, Danielle talks about her friends, the many children that have come and gone that she got to meet, live with and do life with. The places she has traveled to with House Parents? Beaches, caverns, Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone National Park, Oregon, Iowa, Utah, Las Vegas, California, including Hollywood and Disneyland!

In addition to the traveling and all the fun times, Danielle has experienced family. For over twelve years she has lived with Christian House Parents, experienced what it is like to have numerous “brothers and sisters” to laugh with, to fight with and sometimes to cry with. I asked Danielle what her life might have been like if she hadn’t grown up at Four Corners Home for Children:

”I think both of us, me and my brother, would have made bad choices. By middle school or early high school we might have had friends who were bad influences. Eventually we would have had to take care of our mother instead of her taking care of us.”

Despite difficult circumstances in her early childhood years, Danielle has done well. She is a smart girl, has always excelled in school and has a sweet spirit. She has recently accepted our offer to fill the role of Ministry Cook here at Navajo Ministries, preparing evening meals for the children’s home. She is able to do this in the afternoons when she gets home from school. Danielle is a senior at Farmington High School and will be graduating with honors in May of this year. She plans to pursue a career in the culinary field, and we know she will be successful!

We are proud of Danielle and count it a privilege to have been a part of her life. She is, indeed, a beautiful young lady but she will always be one of many that we have lovingly called, “our little girl”.

Our

Little Girl

15Navajo Neighbors

BY:ANNETTE REICHPresident

2103 W. Main Street PO Box 1230 Farmington, NM 87499

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Providing Hope and Restoration to families since 1953 U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDDENVER, CO

PERMIT NO. 2883

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