It would have been enough just to see their smiles, but when you listen to their words - that’s when they really make our hearts smile! One volunteer had tears in her eyes as she witnessed the children at NAOMI House having fun with the toys, dolls, stuffed animals and a stroller her family had gifted them.
The Compassion Ministries team and Youth With A Purpose are regular visitors to NAOMI House. This visit was anything but regular or normal. It was New Year’s Eve with birthday presents and an extravagant Christmas gift.
​ We’re blessed to have a Secret Santa and a Mystery Birthday Benefactor. This kind and generous person buys and wraps birthday presents for the children who celebrate birthdays in the month we visit. This anonymous donor went above and beyond her usual angel-like behavior and provided the funds for a new trampoline. Between the birthday gifts, the trampoline, a wonderful meal from Marvin, Teresa and Jeff, along with a group of big-hearted volunteers - these kids smiled from the bounce house to the trampoline to heaven and back!
I know, you probably think I’m going overboard, but you should have seen them and heard what they said! “Do you have to leave already?” “When are you coming back?” “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” It was heart-warming,y awesome!
It’s important to note that putting a trampoline together isn’t for the faint of heart. We want to thank Kai, James, Jessie, Brian, Shawnti, Jason and some very young and eager helpers for their diligence in getting the job done.
There’s many people that support Compassion Ministries and YWAP as we go the extra mile to help young and old know how much God loves them. Thank you everybody.
If you’d like to get involved by supporting, volunteering and praying, please call 716-830-8240.
Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
​Jesus loves you and so do we!
#CompassionMinistries #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW

It was an extra special day of new beginnings on our regular visit to NAOMI House. Most of the young people are at NAOMI because their parents needed some extra special help. That means they get loved by folks who love them an extra mile!

This may be the first time you’ve read about one of our NAOMI adventures so we’ll give you a link to their website. Please visit their site to see how extra special they are and how you might be able to help. https://thenaomihouse.org/

​We began a new tradition in celebrating the birthdays for the month. For October we had two great teenagers receive gifts, blew out candles and listened to all of our melodic voices sing Happy Birthday!

We had planned for a spaghetti dinner, but then we found out the kids might prefer pizza. That’s when our culinary imaginations kicked into overdrive!
Our new invention from the Compassion Ministries kitchen is called, “Pizza-Ghetti.” If you're a nutritionist you might call that carb-on-carb! We did have some fruit and pepperoni has about .05 g of protein! Anyway the kids loved it and it made them smile. Our goal is to create heart-smiles.

​We’re grateful for all the volunteers who help us make the NAOMI young people feel loved. Some of us were on site and others worked behind the scenes. They bought gifts, wrapped gifts, wrote Bible verses in the gifts and prayed for the children and staff.

In November we’ll celebrate Thanksgiving along with five birthdays. If you’d like to sponsor a gift or two, please let us know. 716-830-8240. We’re going to call the birthday celebrations by a special name, “Cracked Pot Birthdays.” The name comes from a story about how all of us have flaws that God can use as strengths to create things of beauty. The story will be told to honor Sean Steven Manygoats. Sean had some cracks, but was a loving kind father, son, grandson and friend.

A few of the pictures below show some drywall in need of repair. There’s also a need for someone with a trencher to help put in a security monitoring system. It’s extremely important to go the extra mile to keep these extra special young people extra safe. Please text or call if you can help.

Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.
​#naomihouse #compassionministries #cftnflagstaff #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW

          Our last visit to the NAOMI House was a blast! It was our first time in history that volunteers outnumbered the children. There’s a few reasons for that, but let’s just focus on one. The hearts of these children and the staff at the NAOMI House contain a contagious love that touches people in big way. Word is getting out that being around these children and their caretakers is a life changing experience. It was a great day all around with many special happenings, but the last few moments were the most precious because of Blue Takis.
          Mentoring builds relationships one precious moment at a time. It's wise to remember special moments and use them as stepping stones of wisdom in future relationship building. Last year as we were leaving, we asked one of the boys what we could bring the next time we visited. His answer was a Blue Gatorade and some Takis. We knew about Gatorade, but Takis was new to us. They taste like somebody combined a snack with a flame thrower! Kids like tasty heat! Most stores carry them so they were easy to find. On our next trip, we brought a case of Gatorade and a case of Takis. We gave them to the boy who requested them (planting the suggestion that he might want to share them!) His eyes lit up and he smiled. We had kept our word.
          To many children, commitment is a foreign word representing an unknown promise. There's a lot of parents and adults who say a lot of things and never do what they say they'll do. The Gatorade and Takis represented a relationship breakthrough. Keeping your word means you care. Children quickly recognize the difference between truth tellers and fakers.
          The last few moments of our most recent trip to NAOMI House represent an opportunity for greater relationship building. Several of the youngsters were having fun until something happened that hurt someone's feelings. One of the girls sat alone in the sand with her head down feeling sad. Kneeling down beside her at eye level, I asked what we could bring her the next time we came back. She said, "Blue Takis." I asked her to repeat what she said to make sure I'd heard correctly. "Blue Takis." Her answer was immediately imprinted on my heart. The sad feelings started to fade away. This moment too will fade away and probably won't be remembered until we show up with Blue Takis.   
          There were many beautiful and fun times that far outnumbered any sad moments. There was the bouncy house, face painting, squirting each other with water bottles, Bible stories and a wonderful lunch. We're grateful for all the volunteers from Urban Hope Church, Youth With A Mission, Hope Cottage, Youth With A Purpose and Compassion Ministries. Mostly though, we're grateful for the children and staff at NAOMI House who do something beyond anything we could imagine. They cause us to leave them with more love in our hearts than when we arrived.
​          Thanks for taking the time to read this. Go do something nice for somebody.
​Jesus loves you and so do we.

          There were no long speeches. No textbooks to be studied. We didn't really cover any deep character building material. We just went and had fun!
          The YWAP Director and a volunteer from YWAM (Youth With A Mission) teamed up with one of the leaders from NAOMI House and spent a great afternoon with some young guys. Our afternoon was sponsored by Church For The Nations Flagstaff and other YWAP Ministry partners. We ate lunch, went to a bowling alley and then ate dinner. Even though we bowled three games, nobody remembers what our scores were!
          Sometimes the best mentoring happens naturally when you're just having fun. The more time you spend in a natural and enjoyable activity, the more natural the mentoring relationship just happens. Hearts open up and deeper questions get asked. A great mentoring platitude is: "Don't tell until they ask!"
          We often spend too much time trying to teach young people before we've earned the right to speak in to their lives. Mentoring requires a patient ability to develop and strengthen trust. It may take weeks, months or even years for a wounded heart to open up. Trauma leaves a residue of vulnerability and creates an inability to feel safe.
          Eventually all of us will experience some degree of trauma. Learning how to trust and who to trust helps ease the pain and give understanding in the hard times of life. A true fact of life is this: "Folks with the greatest wounds often become the greatest leaders and innovators."
          The NAOMI House is a safe home for Native American children. The care and love they receive from the Directors and House Parents is a model worthy of replication anywhere in the world. YWAP Day at NAOMI is the last Saturday of every month. On special occasions we schedule extra events like bowling and the Father's Fish Camp. Let us know if you'd like to join us or support the programs for youth. 716-830-8240.
​          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.

          Incredible! Almost everything about the first Father’s Fish Camp caused us to smile - a lot! It was a Christ-like collaboration between several ministries that really care about children.
          The kids came from the NAOMI House and Hope Cottage. The volunteer mentors came from NAOMI, Church for The Nations Flagstaff, Compassion Ministries, and Youth With A Purpose. We also had some trans portion of supplies from the Sunshine Rescue Mission.
          The youngsters caught some decent size fish and even caught crawfish while fishing with pieces of hotdogs! Marvin and Teresa from Compassion Ministries cooked up an unbelievable assortment of delicious food. We cooked s’mores over a homemade propane fireplace.
          Our Bible study was a fish story of course! We discussed John 21 where Jesus cooks fish for his homeboys who walked out on Him in His time of need. Jesus didn’t hold grudges and neither should we. He cooked them a fish breakfast and helped them catch 153 fish!
          All the guys want to do Fish Camp again - it was a resounding success! As a Youth Director and Youth Leader for over 30 years, I’ve never had such a well behaved group of kids. We really admire the staff and leaders at the NAOMI House. They love kids the way Jesus does!
​           Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.

          Unless you saw the smiles on the kids faces or you heard them ask when we'd visit them again. Unless you heard men speak from their hearts about how much this positively impacts the rest of their lives. It's hard to understand what's happening here. I was there, and I've been there many times - I still struggle to describe what God does to people through simple things. How can children and water balloons change the hearts of men? 
          The kids requested water balloons. The folks who take care of the kids asked for fresh fruits and vegetables. There's always the unspoken desire to bring the Bouncy House. All of those desires are simple and easy to fulfill, but it wasn't any worldly item that brought fulfillment. The desire to serve was met by a powerful surge of smiling gratitude and laughing children. 
          Guys from the Sunshine Rescue Mission bring their generous hearts to the NAOMI House on the last Saturday of every month. They look forward to it. Last week there was only three of us, but there's no way way to count the number of satisfied smiles on the NAOMI property. Danny and Edwin are "Extra-Mile" guys. They always go beyond what's necessary. They enlarge the smiles on kids faces.

• With their own money they buy what's needed.
• They plan and set goals.
• They wash and clean the grill.
• Load, unload and set up the Bouncy House.
• Make fruit salads.
• Donated the grill (with the help of Danny's Mom!)
• Grilled brats - bratwurst :-)
• Bought and filled tons of water balloons.
• They got soaked by kids with big water guns!
• Sat down and shared a meal with a lot of kids.
• Sometimes they do service projects.
• The greatest thing they do is form relationships with kids and make them feel loved and valued.

          They do all these things because of the way God reaches through these kids to fill their hearts. One man said that, "One day with the kids at NAOMI can help me get through a whole month worth of aggravations." We think more guys would be a part of this outreach if they knew how much peace they'd feel afterwards.
          Here's a few comments from guys who've served at NAOMI over the last year and a half. We hope these words will serve as a light to other men and women looking for ways to feel fulfillment in their lives.

• "Really enjoyed Naomi and can't wait to go back and paint."
• "Thx! I had a blast! Today brought  PEACE back in my heart and soul! Those kids hold a special place in my heart and I pray for them often. Thank you, Pastor Bob." 
• "They probably won't ever remember me, but it's a good thought and I always remember them. They did a better work to me and what I did in them. I was blessed to be a part of that and extremely privileged."
• "This will make my month believe it or not, it just does something for me." 
• "Yes sir it is good, glad the guys came. A little bit of volunteer work makes for a good and happy soul. And are excited about coming again."

          Lives are being changed in extraordinary ways by simple actions. We'd like to thank all of the organizations who helped collaborate and make these life changes possible. Sunshine Rescue Mission, Church For The Nations Flagstaff, NAOMI HOUSE, Compassion Ministries and Youth With A Purpose.
          The hallmark of success in a mentoring program is the ability to build healthy and sustainable relationships. We do that at SRM through our Mentoring Class. We teach Biblical knowledge as a Mentoring Application Tool. Please pray that we can continue to reach new men who come into the program and give them life changing opportunities like NAOMI.
          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.

​          There are times and seasons in life when God uses a moment and a person to speak to a generation. Through Genevieve Dawn Skidmore, God moved into the neighborhood at Church For The Nations Flagstaff.
          Her life story is a testimony of redemption, resilience and rejuvenation. Hard times given to God opened new opportunities to enlarge God's territory in the hearts of children. Genevieve is the Director of NAOMI HOUSE - a safe home for children experiencing hardship.
          Some of the NAOMI Staff and children came to the church on Sunday (4-18-21) to support Genevieve. The men and women who serve and sacrifice their lives for children at NAOMI are among God's elite. They're a special breed who are loving children in greater ways on all of their days. Jessica, Robert, Kendra, Charlotte and Jason are rock stars for Jesus!
          The Spirit of God moves strongly through surrendered hearts. Jesus said we would do greater things and greater surrender and repentance are greater things that bring about freedom in Christ. Genevieve has a new book coming out soon called, "Send Me I'll Go." We know it will be a life changing read. You can contact her to order your copy.
          There is another story behind the scenes here that has changed lives in an enormous way. Men and women from the Sunshine Rescue Mission and Hope Cottage visit the children every month through a YWAP Mentoring program. They serve, do some work, but most importantly they spend time with the children making them feel special. God moves through the hearts of men and women through the children. It's a beautiful mosaic of redemption, resilience and rejuvenation.
"It is a testimony of resilience because of the sovereignty of God. If the enemy has tried to silence you, it is only because it is your voice that carries a unique sound that has the potential to unlock spiritual freedom." - Genevieve
For more information about the NAOMI House please contact them. Genevieve@thenaomihouse.org
or Check out her website: https://www.preparingforthecall.com/book-sendmeillgo
DONATE TO NAOMI HOUSE

INCREDIBLE!
     OFF THE CHARTS!
          KNOCKED ARE SOCKS OFF!
          There’s no way we could describe how much fun we had with the kids at the NAOMI House! The guys did some work as they always do, but thanks to some gifts of squirt-fish from Miss Debbie at the Sunshine Rescue Mission and Hope Cottage Flagstaff we all got soaked!
          Some folks would call these special fish - squirt guns, but we have a kinder, gentler name for them. We affectionately refer to them as "squirt-fish." Whatever you want to call them, they were the launching point for a day full of heart-smiles! 
          After lunch, the kids surprised us when they came out with super-soakers (super-sized squirt guns.) We each found increasingly creative ways to throw water at each other! The smiles were as wide, high, deep and long as the blue sky above us - and Christ’s love within us! We can’t wait to do it again!
          We're so grateful to Danny, Dave, Ryan and Leslie for sharing their hearts and making kids feel loved and making them smile. The more we work together in unity, the more we become family.
          We there as part of the YWAP Mentoring Program at the Sunshine Rescue Mission. The program is a collaboration between YWAP, SRM, Church For The Nations Flagstaff, Compassion Ministries. Some of the guys also attend Celebrate Recovery at CFTN.
          Mentoring and serving are lopsided cousins. You might think you're going to serve somebody, but the God turns the tables and the blessing falls onto your own head and your heart overflows with joyous gratitude. Only God could have envisioned this scenario.
FYI - SOMETHING TO PRAY FOR.
The gas grill bit the dust and they need a new one. We had to cook the sausages we brought for lunch in the oven.
(Bob doesn’t know how to cook on an oven - only a grill.)
Let us know if you have an extra or would like to help support the kids with a new one.
Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
Jesus loves you and so do we.
#ywap4Revival #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW
#CompassionMinistries
Church for the Nations - Flagstaff
Sunshine Rescue Mission
Youth With A Purpose Inc.
Celebrate Recovery Church For The Nations Flagstaff
Danny Hurst
Ryan Musgrove

          Marvin Johnson III, Teresa Sherwood  & Michelle are members of Compassion Ministries
at Church for the Nations - Flagstaff. They’re serving heart-smiles straight from the heart of God to a group of children.
They prepared & served Thanksgiving dinner to the kids and staff at NAOMI House. This is a special home where children who’ve fallen on hard times get to know God’s Love in special ways.
          For a few hours the children enjoyed a bounce house, games, good food, lot’s of smiles and prayer.
It was a beautiful collaborative effort by cftn.flagstaff, Sunshine Rescue Mission,  Compassion Ministries & YWAP.
(FYI - We’re going back to paint the children’s rooms on Dec. 5 if you’re interested.)​ 716-830-8240
#GoBeyondChurchWalls #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW
Sunshine Rescue Mission and Hope Cottage Flagstaff
Youth With A Purpose Inc.Mentor Force
CLICK THIS LINK TO WATCH A SHORT MOVIE ABOUT THE CHILDREN AT NAOMI HOUSE.
​

​           In the Fall of 1985, the Lord called me to Arizona to work with Native American Children. Extreme trials and obstacles only increased my burden for them. Experiencing the pain of sexual abuse first hand, while living here, gave me a new insight and burden for these precious children. More than anyone I ever met, these innocent ones needed to know the healing love of Jesus Christ. N.A.O.M.I. was established in 1993, and we moved into our Children's Home in January of 1995.
          We are told that it takes a village to raise a child. However, when a child has been abused and wounded, it takes more than just one village—it takes many. NAOMI is one small village, working with many others to help hurt children recover from child abuse.
Native American children suffer from abuse at one of the most alarming rates in our country. Child Sexual abuse in Native America is both epidemic and holocaustic. 90% of the children that come to live at Naomi House are the victims of child molestation.
          My heart's desire, and the reason NAOMI exists, is to share the healing love of Jesus Christ, with hurting children that desperately need His healing touch. NAOMI was established as a non-profit home for abused and neglected Native American children and we moved into our present home in January of 1995.
          We strive to maintain an atmosphere that not only looks like home but also feels like home. We are a family. For the sake of the children, we avoid all appearances of institution and endeavor to be as culturally appropriate as possible.
          Meeting the diverse and complicated needs of sexually abused children as soon as they have been hurt enables them to heal and come to terms with their abuse. We aspire to help end child molestation one child at a time, by removing wounded children from the vicious cycle that led to their abuse.
N.A.O.M.I. is a non-denominational Christian Ministry. We minister primarily to Native American Children and their families. Our main thrust of ministry is the Children's Home we operate in Joseph City, Arizona.

          It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood at the NAOMI House! Some folks from Church For The Nations Flagstaff, and the Sunshine Rescue Mission teamed up to shower some kids with love through a bounce house and some hotdogs.
          These kids have had some hard times in their young lives. Many have been neglected or abused. Here's one of their needs posted on the NAOMI Website,           "Do you have a Christ-centered heart for Native American children?
Do you believe God gifted you to nurture and minister to these little ones who are the least among us?
          The NAOMI staff have been living out their call in our loving Christ-centered homes
for abused and neglected Native American children for over 25 years.
They would welcome you to join them as house parents.
        Perhaps this in not your call from God, but you can still help by referring a married couple and by passing this request on to others including your church and all those in your sphere of influence.
          Please get the word out, pray for this need and follow God's leading for you.
          Contact Genevieve or John with replies, questions and suggestions. Thank you. Genevieve Skidmore, Executive Director genevieve at thenaomihouse.org John Meyer, President BOD jdmeyer43 at gmail.com"
          We're going to make this a monthly event. Our next plan is to paint the kids rooms with colors they choose and help to paint. (And we'll bring the bounce house back! If you want to get involved in helping the least of these, please call us, 716-830-8240.
          If you can't be with us in person, you can support NAOMI House prayerfully and financially. You can donate directly to NAOMI House through PayPal by clicking on this link, ​I want to sow into the needs of these children.
          Here's some more information from their website and a link to a great video that will touch your heart.
          "We are told that it takes a village to raise a child. However, when a child has been abused and wounded, it takes more than just one village—it takes many. NAOMI is one small village, working with many others to help hurt children recover from child abuse. 
          Native American children suffer from abuse at one of the most alarming rates in our country. Child Sexual abuse in Native America is both epidemic and holocaustic. 90% of the children that come to live at Naomi House are the victims of child molestation." - Message from Linda, Founder of NAOMI House
Naomi House Video - Short Version     
          Please share this giving opportunity far and wide. Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. 
Jesus loves you and so do we,
​#naomihouse #cftnflag #srm #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW