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The Oaks Arrow: Serving God by Serving The Children of Oaks Indian Mission

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T H E OA K S A R R OW

O f f ic i a l P u b l ic at i o n o f t h e OA K S I N D IA N M IS S IO N P.O . B ox 1 3 0 * O a k s , Ok l a ho m a 74 3 5 9
A C H I L D C A R E A N D C O M M U N I T Y S E R VI CE S M I NI S T RY I N T H E H E A R T O F T H E CH E R O K E E N A T I O N

Serving God by Serving the Children of Oaks Indian Mission


Through the Lords mercies we are not consumed. Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

Refuge from the Storm John came to the Oaks as a parent-placed child, who had already been in the Oklahoma Juvenile Detention Center. He came from the Northeastern part of Oklahoma where he had already experienced child abuse as a constant way of life. He was being raised by parents and family members who were alcoholics and drug abusers who did not pay attention to his needs; consequently, he came to us as a 16 year -old young man who could not spell or read. Given the rather traumatic life that he has lived, it is understandable that he is far behind in his studies. With the knowledge that John needs to graduate in two years and that with his deficiencies, this will be a hard road for John to go down, the Childcare staff will swing into action and do all that is humanly possible to catch him up ensuring his graduation. The Director realizes that time is of the essence if we plan to send him out into the world as a responsible adult. For the purposes of this story we have changed this childs name to John in order to protect him, but the story although a tragic one, is a true one. Though it is not his name that we will focus on at this time, but rather the need to get to know the true nature of the young man that resides here at the Mission. The young man that no one else has been privileged to see in previous years because like most kids in his situation, he has learned to keep his guard up for fear of being hurt, either mentally, physically or both. Continued on page 6...

WELCOME TO OAKS INDIAN MISSION, REV. DR. GORDON PETERSON


The Oaks Indian Mission is proud to announce that we have officially named a new Executive Director. After a lengthy and vigorous search by our determined Board Members, we can proudly say that Rev. Dr. Gordon Peterson has now taken over the reigns of our Mission. Prayers have been answered, thanks are given to those that lifted our ministry up to the Lord and we are ready to start this new chapter as a strong -willed, purpose-driven family that holds the lives of all these beautiful children in our hands. Continued on page 6

Farewell for Now by Deborah Reed

When I stepped into the role of Interim Executive Director this time last year, I knew I had a big job ahead of me. What I didnt expect was how honored I would feel to be of service to this organization, to my community and to my family. There were times during the year when I had to recite Isaiah 50:7 (NLT) to myself as encouragement; Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, I have set my face like a stone, determined to do his will. And I know that I will not be put to shame. However, seeing the Sovereign Lord in action is amazing to behold. Within just a few weeks, He called the right people to serve in the right positions and positive change began. There were certain things that happened during the year that showed me I was at the right place at the right time. I can name at least a couple of issues that were only resolved because of my family connections and history at Oaks. I am so proud to leave the Oaks Indian Mission with a solid Childcare program focused not just on meeting the basic needs, but a program that is also focused on the cultural development of Native children. Children who are in danger of losing parts of their heritage by being raised away from their families. I feel good knowing the Oaks Indian Mission is cleaving to its roots within the Lutheran Church. When I asked the new Executive Director Dr. Gordon Peterson, why he wanted to be the Executive Director of the Oaks Indian Mission, he told me several reasons. The reason that resonated most with me was his comment on the role of the Oaks Indian Mission in his lessons on benevolence when he was becoming a pastor. One of the most significant accomplishments of this interim year was the revision of our Articles of Incorporation where we added benevolent to our legal description. So, when I heard this from Dr. Peterson, I knew the Board of Directors had done their job. They sought the Lord and followed His leading. I pass on the mantle of leadership with confidence in their decision. Oaks Indian Mission will always be part of my family history, and now my professional history. As I go into full time law practice in Tulsa, I know I am not leaving the Mission totally behind. I have committed to seeing through a project to help revamp the food service program and facilities. After a break of at least six months, I will be discussing a return to the Board of Directors. And of course, I will continue to support the Mission through prayer and financial contributions. I hope you will as well.
Sincerely, Deborah Reed
Thank you faithful friends for your in-kind donations

Anne Blake Berkley Hills Community Church-Grand Rapids, MI Charles Rygiel Cherokee Nation Business Christ by the Lake Lutheran Church-Bull Shoals, AR Christ the King Lutheran Church-Bellevue, NE Christ the Servant Lutheran Church-Norfolk, NE Colleen Ketcher Darrel Smith Dean Lewis Diana Black Donna Hardin Fellowship Lutheran Church-Tulsa, OK Gary, Steven and Lance Gross Good Goers Mission-Based Travels Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church-Ripon, WI Hannah Johnson

Holy Cross Lutheran Church-Beatrice, NE Immanuel Lutheran Church-Broken Arrow, OK Jacquelyn Carrington Jean Campbell Jill Holmes Joy Lutheran Church-Tulsa, OK Ken Rivas Kurt Klein LaDawna Sanco LaVon Behrens Myra Ahrens Nolan and Rosetta Rhodd Pickett Chapel United Methodist Church-Sapulpa, OK Pyrmont Lutheran Church-Stover, MO Reuel and Lynn Vammen Salem Lutheran Church-Sandwich, IL Sherrie Brokeshoulder

Shirley Busky St. Andrew Lutheran Church-Sand Springs, OK St. John Lutheran Church-Athol, KS St. John Lutheran Church-Somonauk, IL Suzanne Warren The Carpenters Chapel-Carpenteria, CA The James Fund Theresa Morris Tom and Cherrie Jerlow Tom and Susan Kirk Trinity Lutheran Church-Bruning, NE Tygve Jorgensen United Lutheran Church-Bella Vista, AR Warren and Debra BigEagle Will Rogers Downs-Janalee Dietrich, CIT Captain Wings Women of Mt. Zion Church-Rose, OK Women of the ELCA-Carol Rowe

Erica Collins, formerly Erica Vesco, is an Oaks Alumni with a heart for the Mission. She was a resident here during her high school days and even after, she held this place with such a deep gratitude and appreciation. Erica graduated in 2004 from Oaks Mission Public School where she made good grades and excelled in many sports. Upon graduation, she accepted a scholarship to play softball for Bacone College in Muskogee, OK (and unbeknownst to her at the time, meeting the man who would become her husband). Erica would later transfer to Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, KS where she graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor s Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on Tribal Management. Erica has held jobs and lived her life away from the Oaks but always kept up with the happenings of a place that she called home for many years. In June of this year, she married Jasonwith Pastor Don Marshall performing the ceremony. The couple were led to become houseparents for the girls of the Mission. Erica and Jason undoubtedly have the personality and compassion to provide love and nurturing to the children they encounter. God has put the fire in their hearts to cultivate and mold the lives of young children and with Erica being a past resident, she surely will put her experiences and life lessons to use.

Thank you, faithful friends of Oaks Indian Mission You are forever in our hearts and prayers.
An angel of God. That is what comes to mind when Jeanne Anschutz s name is mentioned or thought of. The Oaks Indian Mission staff and children are grateful to her because of the wonderful phone call she made in July that changed our lives. It was late in the day when Jeanne called, asking if we would be interested in a car for the Mission. Of course the answer was yes! We had been out of a car to make development trips and other ventures needed for a considerable amount of time and were on the verge of spending money to buy onemoney that would be better spent caring for the children. Needless to say, when she called and offered us a 2006 Buick LaCrosse with only 12,000 miles on it, all we could do was say many thank you s to her and God for such an unexpected blessing! It was a true pleasure to visit with her, even for a short while, when members of our staff went to pick up the car from her in Wilson, KS. The staff and children of the Oaks Indian Mission want to thank her for her generosity toward the children. Jeannes partnership with the Oaks will go a long way in caring for the children while keeping them safe and well provided for. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you Ms. Jeanne Anschutz.

My name is Tanisa Foreman and I am the Administrative Assistant here at Oaks. I have been a part of the Oaks Community my whole life, as well as graduating from Oaks Mission Schools. My hobbies consist of beading, basket making, fishing with my fianc Jimmy, spending time with family and friends, and watching my little cousins Jacob and Eliza get into predicaments that just want to make you laugh and cry at the same time. I am very thankful to be the Administrative Assistant here at the Oaks Indian Mission. The best part about my job is that I love seeing all the friendly people that come through the door every single day.

Jeremy Hutchison began working at Oaks Indian Mission this past April as the Maintenance Supervisor. He maintains all Mission vehicles, the grounds and campus buildings. Before coming to the Mission he worked for a company in Fayetteville, AR installing and maintaining sprinkler systems and before that he worked with a company building pole barns.

Jeremy and his wife Amber are expecting their first child
in November of this year. They live in Siloam Springs, AR with their Great Dane, Zeus. They are a young Christian couple and Jeremy feels blessed to be chosen to serve the children of the Mission

My name is Mary James and I am the Director of Operations of the Oaks Indian Mission. After graduating from Northeastern

My name is LeAndra Tucker, although most know me by Andi. I was born and raised in Oaks where I graduated from Oaks Mission Public School and am now the Group Coordinator here at Oaks Indian Mission. Growing up I never understood the purpose of the Mission and how delicate this part of our small community is. Now that Im older, my eyes are opened to see the importance of this place. Its shaped how Ive grown up, not by being a resident here but its in my lineage. My grandpa Charley and his brothers were the first five kids ever to stay here and if that gracious family didnt take in those brothers in 1926, the Mission may not be what it is today for children and by the same token, me

State University in Tahlequah, OK, I


worked for Cherokee Nation for several years before coming to Oaks Indian Mission in November 2012. I live in Tahlequah and have two children and two grandchildren. Growing up in rural Cherokee County I felt like I was coming home when I came to work at Oaks Indian Mission. Since coming to the Oaks, I have seen God work in the lives of the children and adults and have seen Him answer the prayers of the people on numerous occasions.

and my family may not be here either. This isnt just a job
for me, its home and I am absolutely blessed to be a part of the Oaks Indian Mission Family.

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58
This year we have welcomed many visitors and volunteers. Each and every person that has stepped foot on our campus has touched lives, embraced our kids and encompassed the very meaning of what a hard worker is.
Thank You seems so insignificant to describe our gratitude to every person we have gotten the chance to meet or reunite with this year, but our gratefulness has no end.

Cherokee Nation Businesses Christ the Servant Lutheran Church-Norfolk, NE Emmanuel Lutheran Church-Tulsa, OK Gloria Dei Lutheran Church-Wichita, KS Good Goers Mission-Based Travels Grace Lutheran Church-Tulsa, OK

The James Fund Peace Lutheran Church-Rogers AR Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church-Sandwich, IL St. Andrew Lutheran Church-Sand Springs, OK St. Johns Lutheran Church-Somonauk, IL Youth In Mission-Chicago, IL

Your participation and support through the 1801 Society helps bring love, care and guidance, as well as educational opportunities to the children at Oaks Indian Mission. An annual gift of $300.00 or more entitles you to a membership in the 1801 Society. Your gift of $500.00 or more each year enrolls you in the Silver Arrow Circle of the 1801 Society while the Golden Arrow Circle members make an annual gift of $1,000.00 or more. Members of the 1801 Society receive a special memento of membership, receive the 1801 Society newsletter, are listed in the Societys honor roll, and are invited to participate in special events for members.

Refuge from the Storm continued from page 1... If you are the lucky one that gets to know John on a personal basis, you quickly realize he is eager to volunteer his help with any outside work. He goes about his work in a cheerful manner and makes you feel that all is okay, but as time goes by, and if you spend enough time with him, you come to realize that all is not rosy. In all reality, he has only been here a couple of months; therefore, he has not had time to overcome some of his biggest challenges, such as low self-esteem. What that means to the house parents and the Childcare Director, is if he has to have correction, it must be done carefully, because his self -esteem is such that one misplaced word will cause him to shut down and withdraw inside himself, leaving a shell of a man behind. We must guard against that at all cost, because we need him to move forward in his healing, not take a step back. With the little time we have left to work towards gaining his trust and helping him progress into the dependable, strong and capable man that we know he should and can become, the Oaks Indian Mission as a whole will do everything in its power to make this happen. We believe that it is our privilege, as the staff of the Mission, to be chosen to do God s work for the children who are placed here. We know that God works through us to save one child at a time and we invite you as donors and friends to partner with us and minister to the children of the Oaks Indian Mission.

Dr. Peterson Welcome continued from page 1 Gordon Peterson comes to us from Overland Park, KS but is originally from West Concord, Minnesota and is a lifelong Lutheran. He attended Luther College and completed his undergraduate degree in Religion and Philosophy. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Wartburg Theological Seminary and his Doctorate of Ministry degree from the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago in Pastoral Care and Counseling. While Rev. Dr. Petersons credentials speak volumes, the Lords guidance has led him to Oaks to impart his knowledge, wisdom and faith while continuing his work for God as he does an incredible service for our longstanding organization. Not only are the staff and students of Oaks Indian Mission anticipating what the future holds, we are excited and hopeful at the works of what Gordon Peterson will do for us. We invite you to reach out your welcomes, continuous prayers and good thoughts to our newest addition and also this path the Lord has laid for our future. Thank you!
Thank you golfers and everyone who participated in our 6th annual golf scramble!

Necessities: Toilet paper Paper towels Trash bags (15 & 40 gallon) Laundry detergent Shampoo Conditioner Deodorant (men & women) Body wash (men & women) Bleach Lysol or All-purpose cleaner Dish soap Tampons Disinfectant wipes Light bulbs Twin sheets (new, fitted & flat) Hairbrushes Windex Toilet bowl cleaner

Large Items: Weed-eater Push mower Industrial washer Industrial dryer Household washer Household dryer Commercial oven (for dining hall) Commercial stove (for dining hall) Golf cart Clothes (all sizes-age 5-18): New t-shirts New jeans (sizes 30-38) Name brand tennis shoes Bath robes

Food Items: Ground beef Pork Roast beef Canned goods Snack foods Chicken Fish Home Sweet Home: Storage containers Ceiling fan Mattress cover (twin size) Batteries (AA & AAA) Copy paper Twin sheets (new, fitted & flat)

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