Reflections on 23 Years at the Helm of the Home

"God's call and Daniel's name; Janice's artichoke and Justice's game;
but most of all Jesus."

May 16, 1988 is the day I began life at Evangel Home. From my perspective today, I realize how blessed I am to be involved in something that has turned out to be my life's work. Some of it is serious; some sad. There are painful decisions and joyful celebrations. Confident decisions are sometimes shadowed by doubt, and focused faith sometimes blinks. Still, I would not trade this for any other experience.

When I first arrived here, I just knew without a doubt it was God's call on my life. Yet within a few days, I thought He had made a mistake. So I called my pastor (Doug Rumford) and asked him, pleaded with him, to please give God a call. Obviously God had the wrong number when He had dialed me. Doug prayed and reminded me that when God calls, He equips. I just needed to trust that I was where He wanted me to be. I'm trusting to this day.

Most of my thoughts today are of the women and children I have been blessed to know. I learned the importance of knowing the name of every woman and child here from 9-year old Daniel. Someone had purchased a new pair of shoes for him and when I presented him with the box his first response was, "You remembered my name." Yes, Daniel, I remember your name.

I learned the need to set personal boundaries and still understand what has shaped others from Janice. She also provided some of the best laughter such as the day in the lunch line when she looked at the big bowl of perfectly cooked artichokes and said,"What? You people eat boiled pinecones?" Yes, Janice we do, and thank you for teaching us the importance of experience and perspective. Artichokes to some are pinecones to others.

There was 8-year-old Justice, a child without a childhood, who waited for me outside my office one day and said, "May I challenge you to a game of Candyland?" I said no at first because there were more pressing and "important" things to do, but I realized at that moment nothing was more important than her invitation. So I changed my mind, accepted her challenge, and she beat me fair and square two times. She talked about that for days, and I will remember it forever.

And just this month a 2002 graduate said something that really sticks with me. After graduation from Evangel Home she soon returned to her life of self-destruction. She had no friends or family who could help her; no job; no church; no hope, but a tiny bit of faith. She said there was nothing. "It was just me. Just me and Jesus." She has been back on track now for 4 years, and is truly a woman of God.

I admire each woman who is brave and humble enough to ask us for help. I am so grateful that many of you are still connected to Evangel Home and doing so well. You have all helped me play my part here. Today my part is simply to help God tell His story through each of us.

God's call and Daniel's name; Janice's artichoke and Justice's game; but most of all Jesus.

I believe many people could run Evangel Home, and one day someone will. However, God put me here to work on me. He's still very busy.