Northwest Adventists in Action FEBRUARY 2007, Vol. 102, No. 2 14 Adoption, a True Mission Field | 16 Seeing Blindly | 34 Test of a True Christian www.GleanerOnline.org Images of Creation 4he wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. Isaiah 11:6 (NIV) “Coyote” was photographed by Gary Lackie of Anchorage, Alaska. In this issue Feature BY ALPHONSO MC C ARTHY 6 Editorial Feature 4 Not in My Neighborhood Momentum 15 Missionary Partners Fresh Start 16 Seeing Blindly News 17 Alaska 18 Idaho 19 Montana 20 Oregon 25 Upper Columbia 29 Washington 32 College cz!Ifbuifs!Btimpdl 14 33 Adventist Health Perspective 36 Family 41 Announcements 43 Advertisements Attorney Andrew Carrington, his wife Mattie, and children Cz!Dbsm!F/!Qbslfs Alexandria, Nia and Andrew Jr. attend the Mt. Tahoma Church in Tacoma, Washington. GLEANER photo. FEBRUARY 2007, Vol. 102, No. 2 34 GLEANER STAFF Editor Richard C. Dower Published by the North Pacific Union SUBMISSIONS—Timely announcements, features, news stories Managing Editor Nadine Platner Dower Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and family notices for publication in the GLEANER may be Copy Editor Lisa Krueger submitted directly to the copy coordinator at the address listed to (ISSN 0746-5874) the left. Material sent directly to local conference correspondents Consulting Editor Steven Vistaunet may be forwarded to the GLEANER. Advertising and Copy Coordinator Desiree Lockwood Design MCM Design Studio, LLC. Postmaster — send all address changes to: PLEASE NOTE—Every reasonable effort is made to screen all editorial material to avoid error in this publication. The GLEANER CORRESPONDENTS North Pacific Union Conference does not accept responsibility for advertisers’ claims. Alaska John Kriegelstein GLEANER GLEANER, (ISSN 0746-5874) is published once per month Idaho Don Klinger 5709 N. 20th St. for a total of 12 issues per year by the North Pacific Union Montana Archie Harris Ridgefield, WA 98642 Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 5709 N. 20th St., Oregon Amy Schrader Ridgefield, WA 98642. It is printed and mailed at Pacific Upper Columbia Garrett Caldwell Phone: (360) 857-7000 Press Publishing Association, 1350 N. Kings Rd., Nampa, ID 83687-3193. Subscription rate: $12.50 per year. Periodical Washington Doug Bing postage paid at Vancouver, WA 98687 and additional Walla Walla College Kristi Spurgeon [email protected] mailing offices. Adventist Health Shawna K. Malvini www.gleaneronline.org LITHO U.S.A. FEBRUARY 2007 • GLEANER 3 Editorial Not in My Neighborhood BY JERE PATZER rom the first day our daughter joined our she handled an uncalled for and potentially family at 16 months old it was as though devastating situation. she had always been a part of it. This dark- I have, however, thought about that incident a haired, olive-skinned, beautiful little girl from number of times in subsequent years. I have since Guatemala was a blessing from the Lord. concluded that that man not only offended her, but One summer as a teenager she earned money he also offended me because she is my daughter. for academy as a literature evangelist. Along with Likewise, doesn’t it make sense that God is hurt other students she went door to door as a part of when we are less than accepting of His children, the Magabook program—not an easy way to earn no matter their nationality, ethnicity, religion, a scholarship. color, gender, age, or other differences? One day the students found themselves in a It has been rightly said that we cannot honestly somewhat affluent area of the city. As Carissa pray the Lord’s Prayer, “Our Father who art in rang a doorbell the owner of the home came to heaven...” unless we are willing to treat all people the door, took one look at her, and said, “What are as brothers and sisters. you doing in this neighborhood? We don’t want One of the many things I appreciate about your kind.” the Northwest Adventist Church is the diversity By this time Carissa was well aware that we enjoy. Our “minorities” (a label I don’t like not everyone enthusiastically welcomed because in a sense we are all minorities) are an interruption in their day but she had not growing. Their church services and convocations previously experienced this type of offensive are vibrant with their love for the Lord and His and insensitive attitude. To her credit she did not church. If you want to have an exciting Sabbath, reciprocate. I would encourage you to take your family to one Some days later when she told me about the of the many churches who worship differently incident my response was what I suspect would than you are accustomed to. I will guarantee you Jere Patzer, North Pacific Neighbor www.GleanerOnline.org be a typical parent’s reaction. I wanted to go that it will be a memorable experience, and you KEYWORD Union Conference to that guy and let him know in no uncertain will be blessed. president, writes from terms what I thought of his prejudice toward As you read about your brothers and sisters in Ridgefield, Washington. my daughter... along with a few other choice this and every GLEANER, I encourage you to comments. Thankfully I didn’t; conversely broaden your horizons, get out of your comfort I was proud of my daughter for the way zone if need be, and embrace all of God’s family. • 4 GLEANER • FEBRUARY 2007 Mentoring Mentoring “In education we are striving not to teach youth to make a living, but to make a life.” William Allen White Mentoring is a structured and trusting By all estimates, an astounding 17.6 Mentoring—the presence of relationship that brings young people million young people—nearly half the caring adults offering support, advice, together with caring individuals who offer population of young people between 10 friendship, reinforcement and constructive guidance, support and encouragement and 18 years of age—live in situations examples—has proved to be a powerful aimed at developing the competence and that put them at risk of not living up tool for helping young people fulfill their character of the mentee. to their potential. Without immediate potential. By using your influence and intervention by caring adults, they could resources as a decision maker, you can make choices that not only undermine bring new hope to young lives through their futures, but, ultimately, the economic the power of mentoring. And you’ll be and social well-being of our nation. surprised how much you will benefit as well. A mentor is an adult who, along with parents, provides a young person with support, counsel, friendship, reinforcement and constructive example. Mentors are good listeners, people who care, people who want to help young people bring out strengths that are already there. A mentor is not a foster parent, therapist, parole officer or cool peer. All children have the potential to succeed in life and contribute to society. Source: www.mentoring.org Source: www.mentoring.org However, not all children get the support they need to thrive. Check Out the New Weekly Blog Throughout 2006, the GLEANER featured a monthly reader- This is a work in progress. Eventually we plan to include response section called Let’s Talk. Now that column has sections targeting teens, young adults and even inactive moved from a monthly feature to a weekly or even daily online members. Because the content will be changing more often journal, or blog, as it is called on the Web. than before, you may want to subscribe to the RSS feed of this Coordinated by Steve Vistaunet, assistant to the NPUC section, which automatically connects you with any updates. president for communication, this ongoing blog site invites So check in frequently to the new and improved “Let’s Talk” your input. Your comments, as long as they are approved section at www.gleaneronline.org. within the general site guidelines, will be posted there as well. WWW.GLEANERONLINE.ORGW Feature BLACK, PROFESSIONAL, COMMITTED BY ALPHONSO MC C ARTHY Five Families Share n celebration of Black History month, we are featuring seven Seventh-day Their Passion for Life and J Adventist members from a variety of for Their Church professions who have graduated from Adventist colleges and universities. They have found employment in vari- ous sectors of society and are living out the tenets of their faith on the job. This talented group are positive role models and mentors for a younger generation of African Americans. As mentors, they are able to make positive statements to the young people of our churches, to let them know it is possible to pursue their dreams and careers and still be active members of the Adventist church. The foundation they are building will seek to inspire a greater number of our young people to stay in the church and use their talents and gifts for the glory of God and humanity. In the following pages, they will share their passion for life, excellence, education and their church. As you read, I hope that the commitment of these men and women—who are found on Sabbath mornings and even during the week leading out in the activities of their home church—will become evident. • Alphonso McCarthy, assistant to the president for regional affairs, writes from Ridgefield, Washington. P ROFILES WRITTEN BY RICHARD DOWER 6 GLEANER • FEBRUARY 2007 Feature NAME: Kevin Rogers BIRTHPLACE: St. Thomas, Virgin Islands HOME: Puyallup, Washington The Rogers family, from left: PARENTS: Father, Lynch, public high school mathematics Kevin, Ahsan, Karsten and teacher. Mother, Genevieve, mathematics teacher in the same Mernetha.