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T H E O A K S A R R O WOff ic i a l Pub l i ca t ion o f the OAKS INDIAN MISSION

P.O. Box 130 * Oaks , Okla homa 74359A C H IL D C A R E A N D C O M M U N IT Y S E RV IC E S M IN IS T RY IN T H E H E A RT O F T H E C H E R O K E E N AT IO N

Serving God by Serving the Children of Oaks Indian MisThrough the Lord ’ s mercies we are not consumed. Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.

Lamenta ons 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

Deten on 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 a en on to his needs; consequently, he came to us as a 16 year -old young

man who could not spell or read. Given the rather trauma c 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

de ciencies, this will be a hard road for John to go down, the Childcare sta will swing into ac on and do all

that is humanly possible to catch him up ensuring his gradua on. The Director realizes that me 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 child’

s name to John in order to protect him, butthe story although a tragic one, is a true one. Though it is not his name that we will focus on at this me, 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 situa on, he

has learned to keep his guard up for fear of being hurt, either mentally, physically or both.

Con nued on page 6...

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

The Oaks Indian Mission is proud to announce that we have o cially named a

new Execu ve Director. A er 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

li ed 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 beau ful children in our

hands.

Con nued on page 6…

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Farewell for Now by Deborah Reed

When I stepped into the role of Interim Execu ve Director this me last year, I knew Ihad a big job ahead of me. What I didn ’ t expect was how honored I would feel to be of service to this organiza on, to my community and to my family. There were mes during theyear when I had to recite Isaiah 50:7 (NLT) to myself as encouragement; Because theSovereign 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 theSovereign Lord in ac on is amazing to behold. Within just a few weeks, He called the rightpeople to serve in the right posi ons and posi ve change began. There were certain things that happenedduring the year that showed me I was at the right place at the right me. I can name at least a couple of issues that were only resolved because of my family connec ons and history at Oaks.

I am so proud to leave the Oaks Indian Mission with a solid Childcare program focused not just onmee ng the basic needs, but a program that is also focused on the cultural development of Na ve children.Children who are in danger of losing parts of their heritage by being raised away from their families. I feelgood knowing the Oaks Indian Mission is cleaving to its roots within the Lutheran Church. When I asked thenew Execu ve Director Dr. Gordon Peterson, why he wanted to be the Execu ve Director of the Oaks IndianMission, 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 mostsigni cant accomplishments of this interim year was the revision of our Ar cles of Incorpora on where weadded ‘ benevolent ’ to our legal descrip on. 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 con dence in their decision.

Oaks Indian Mission will always be part of my family history, and now my professional history. As I gointo full me law prac ce in Tulsa, I know I am not leaving the Mission totally behind. I have commi ed toseeing through a project to help revamp the food service program and facili es. A er a break of at least sixmonths, I will be discussing a return to the Board of Directors. And of course, I will con nue to support theMission through prayer and nancial contribu ons. I hope you will as well.

Sincerely, Deborah Reed

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 GrossGood Goers Mission-Based TravelsGrace 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 St. John Lutheran Church-Athol, K St. John Lutheran Church-Somonau Suzanne WarrenThe Carpenter’s Chapel -Carpenteria, CA The James Fund Theresa MorrisTom and Cherrie JerlowTom and Susan Kirk Trinity Lutheran Church-Bruning, NTygve JorgensenUnited Lutheran Church-Bella VistWarren and Debra BigEagleWill Rogers Downs-Janalee DietricWings Women of Mt. Zion Church-Women of the ELCA-Carol Rowe

Thank you faithful friends for your in -kind dona ons

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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

a er, she held this place with such a deep gra tude and apprecia on.

Erica graduated in 2004 from Oaks Mission Public School where she

made good grades and excelled in many sports. Upon gradua on, she

accepted a scholarship to play so ball for Bacone College in Muskogee, OK

(and unbeknownst to her at the me, mee ng the man who would become her husband). Erica would later

transfer to Haskell Indian Na ons University in Lawrence, KS where she graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor ’ s

Degree in Business Administra on 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 Jason—with 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

re in their hearts to cul vate and mold the lives of young children and with Erica being a past resident, shesurely will put her experiences and life lessons to use.

An angel of God. That is what comes to mind when Jeanne Anschutz ’ s name is

men oned or thought of. The Oaks Indian Mission sta 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 me and were on the verge of spending money to

buy one—money that would be be er spent caring for the children. Needless to say, when she called and

o ered 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 sta went to pick up the car from her in Wilson, KS.

The sta and children of the Oaks Indian Mission want to thank her for her

generosity toward the children. Jeanne ’ s partnership with the Oaks will

go a long way in caring for the children while keeping them safe and well

provided for.

From the bo om of our hearts, we thank you Ms. Jeanne Anschutz.

Thank you, faithful friends of Oaks Indi — You are forever in our hearts and pra

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My name is Tanisa Foreman and I

am the Administra ve Assistant

here at Oaks. I have been a part of

the Oaks Community my whole life,

as well as gradua ng from OaksMission Schools.

My hobbies consist of beading, basket making,

shing with my ancé Jimmy, spending me with family

and friends, and watching my li le cousins Jacob and Eliza

get into predicaments that just want to make you laugh

and cry at the same me.

I am very thankful to be the Administra ve

Assistant here at the Oaks Indian Mission. The best part

about my job is that I love seeing all the friendly peoplethat 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 Faye eville, AR installing and

maintaining sprinkler systems and before that he worked

with a company building pole barns.

Jeremy and his wife Amber are expec ng their rst child

in November of this year. They live in Siloam Springs, AR

with their Great Dane, Zeus. They are a young Chris an

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 Opera ons of the

Oaks Indian Mission.

A er gradua ng from Northeastern

State University in Tahlequah, OK, I

worked for Cherokee Na on 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.

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 I ’ m older, my eyes are opened to

see the importance of this place. It ’ s shaped how I ’ ve

grown up, not by being a resident here but it ’ s in my

lineage. My grandpa Charley and his brothers were the

rst ve kids ever to stay here and if that gracious family

didn ’ t take in those brothers in 1926, the Mission may not

be what it is today for children and by the same token, me

and my family may not be here either. This isn ’ t just a job

for me, it’

s home and I am absolutely blessed to be a partof the Oaks Indian Mission Family.

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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 ourcampus 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 meetor 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. John’s 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 eachyear 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 Society ’ s honor roll, and are invited to participate in special events for members.

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Dr. Peterson Welcome con nued 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 a ended 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. Peterson ’ s creden als speak volumes, the Lord ’ s guidance has led him to Oaks to

impart his knowledge, wisdom and faith while con nuing his work for God as he does an incredible service

for our longstanding organiza on. Not only are the sta and students of Oaks Indian Mission an cipa ng

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, con nuous prayers and good thoughts to our newest addi on and

also this path the Lord has laid for our future. Thank you!

Refuge from the Storm con nued 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 me goes by, and if you spend enough me 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 me to

overcome some of his biggest challenges, such as low self -esteem. What that means to the house parentsand the Childcare Director, is if he has to have correc on, 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 li le me we have le 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 sta 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 me and we invite

you as donors and friends to partner with us and minister to the children of the Oaks Indian Mission.

Thank you golfers and everyone who participated in our 6th annual golf scramble!

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Necessi es:

Toilet paper Paper towels

Trash bags (15 & 40 gallon)

Laundry detergent

Shampoo

Condi oner

Deodorant (men & women)

Body wash (men & women)

Bleach

Lysol or All -purpose cleaner

Dish soap

Tampons

Disinfectant wipes

Light bulbs

Twin sheets (new, ed & at)

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

Ma ress cover (twin size)

Ba eries (AA & AAA)

Copy paper

Twin sheets (new, ed & at)

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