Fall 2011
Vigorously Academic · Beautifully Diverse · Thoroughly Christian
Track Gifted to Rehoboth
R
ehoboth Christian School has been incredibly blessed in recent
years to have use of the amazing athletic facilities that were
completed in 2007. These facilities, including a spectator gym,
auxiliary gym, fitness center, and turf soccer field, have opened
up many opportunities for our student athletes, and we could not be more
grateful to the generous donors of our last capital campaign.
One part of the facilities upgrade that was not completed in 2007 was the
addition of a rubberized track around the soccer field. The pavement had
been laid as part of the original construction, but the cost of adding the
rubberized surface was too great of an expense at the time. Thanks to a
generous donation from the VanderWeide Family Foundation, we were
able to complete the track upgrade at the end of this summer.
Track and Field has been a very successful program here at Rehoboth
in the recent past, including 32 Top-15 finishes at State last year alone.
Athletic Director, Dr. Jeffrey Engbers, is very excited for the future with
this new track. “The surfacing of the track will allow our track teams to
practice on a surface that is conducive to staying healthy and injury free,”
said Engbers, “We struggled in the past with practicing exchanges and
jumping in less than ideal situations such as traveling across town, but
we will now be able to put in all the work right here at Rehoboth.” We are
looking forward to being able to hold full practices and even meets right
here on our own campus this Spring.
T
he Rehoboth Christian School theme this year is “Building Bridges”
based on II Corinthians 5:20. We are building bridges in obedience to
our ministry of reconciliation. As I have reflected on the words of this
chapter, the following ideas come to the forefront: reconciliation, love,
messengers, and new creations.
have heard the saying, “You may be
the only Bible someone ever reads.”
What an awesome responsibility and
opportunity - to be a bridge builder
between one another and to God.
We are in dire need of reconciliation. God’s Creation is groaning for Him –
everywhere we look we can see how our world is in need of the healing power
of reconciliation and relationship with God. I cannot tell you how many times I
have been overwhelmed with the need for Jesus as I have worked in this ministry.
So many situations have left me on my knees praying, “Come quickly, Lord Jesus,
come.” Rehoboth is a ministry of reconciliation – between cultures, for Creation,
between each other, and with God.
We are becoming new creations in
Christ. The transformational power
of Jesus is astounding. During our
new staff orientation this year, I was
asked why Pastor Rolf Veenstra’s
grave marker has three dates on it. I
found out the answer: the first is his
birthday, the last is the date on which
he died, but the middle one is the date
on which this passage about being a
new creation – in full communion of
the saints – was fully realized by him.
Even though he had been a follower of
Christ for years, the true meaning of
being a new creation completely changed
Rolf ’s life and his sermons from that date
on.
We are in the business of love. Christ’s love compels us – love that would
lay its life down for others fuels us every day. Love that overcomes hate;
love that pierces the darkness with pure light. My family went through
Memphis, TN this summer and I came across this quote at the National
Civil Rights Museum, built on the site where MLK, Jr. was killed:
Love is creative and redemptive. Love builds up and unites; hate tears down and
destroys. The aftermath of the ‘fight with fire’ method which you suggest is bitterness
and chaos, the aftermath of the love method is reconciliation and creation of the
beloved community. Physical force can repress, restrain, coerce, destroy, but it cannot
create and organize anything permanent; only love can do that. Yes, love—which
means understanding, creative, redemptive goodwill, even for one’s enemies—is the
solution to the race problem.
—Martin Luther King, Jr., 1957
Carol Bremer-Bennett
Managing Director
Join Rehoboth Christian School as we unite this year to BUILD BRIDGES and
answer God’s call to be reconcilers, share Christ’s love, be ambassadors, and
become new creations.
We are preparing messengers. Rehoboth graduates are in every field of work
and all over the world. Our task while they are students here is to tell them the
Good News of the gospel and train them to be ambassadors for Christ. You may
A He ar t felt Tha nk Y ou t o SW I F
A
By Carol Bremer -Bennett
s we were closing the books on last year, I noticed the significance of the
grant from what I would consider a “sister” organization – the Southwest
Indian Foundation (SWIF). I wondered if we had ever thanked them publicly
and decided that we should do so in this newsletter.
in the areas of food, clothing, heating fuel, and temporary shelter. The foundation
is funded through generous donations and an “Indian Craft Catalog”; the profits
from this catalog go directly back to the people in the form of philanthropic
programs.
Last year alone, SWIF gave grants to fifty-one Rehoboth students, totaling over
$61,000. Often, qualifying for SWIF’s Student Scholarship Program means a lowincome family can afford to come to Rehoboth Christian School.
Joseph Esparza, Project Office Director, says that the tuition assistance program
started since “education is our number one priority.” SWIF believes that education
is the best tool to combat poverty and build a healthy future. Although Rehoboth
is not a Catholic school, SWIF recognizes our impact on the greater community,
and we are thankful to have had their financial support for more than fifteen years,
with more than $400,000 of tuition assistance designated to low income families.
In 1968, Father Dunstan Schmidlin, a Franciscan, founded the Southwest Indian
Foundation with a sense of urgency and love for Native Americans. His vision was
to “recognize the great human potential of each individual and offer those in need
a hand, not a handout.”
SWIF’s primary goal is to lessen the poverty and unemployment among the
Native Americans of the Southwest, specifically members of the Navajo, Zuni,
Hopi, Laguna, Acoma, and Apache tribes. Their services include: school grants
and individual tuition assistance, homes for battered women and children, home
repair and wood stove installation, alcohol counseling and emergency assistance
2
So, to our brothers and sisters of SWIF – “We always thank God for all
of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before
our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted
by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”
I Thessalonians 1:2-3
Vi go ro u s ly A c ad em i c · Beaut i ful l y Di verse · Thoro ug hly Chris tian
D.E.L.T.A. Delta Emerging Leadership Training Academy
L
ong time volunteers and sponsors of Rehoboth Christian School,
Lutheran Church of Hope (LCOH) has expanded its ministry (Mission
Navajo) and is changing young people’s lives around the Navajo Nation.
Every bed is occupied at least four times a year when LCOH comes to
Rehoboth’s campus, with volunteer groups ranging from 10 – 75 in size.
Their current ministry is an opportunity for Christians to
share the everlasting love of Jesus Christ with the people
of the Navajo Nation by coming along side of them and
helping with both their physical and spiritual needs. Work
projects during the week-long trips have included helping
with roofing, small construction, finishing and painting
rooms, plumbing and electrical repairs, and running
Vacation Bible School.
The LCOH began the Mission Navajo program
understanding the importance of mission trips, however,
they also knew that long-term change would require
education and leadership training. To accomplish
this change, LCOH developed the DELTA program
to provide leadership training for Native youth.
The DELTA program operates as a reverse mission trip,
where our students are invited to LCOH in West Des
Moines, IA for a week-long training. This summer, twelve
of our students were immersed with adult Native leaders
from the Classis Red Mesa churches and youth from LCOH in a week-long
leadership training curriculum. They studied topics such as, what it means to
be a leader, how to be servant leaders, financial responsibility, the importance
of education in leadership, etc. Upon completion of the week of training,
participants were challenged to return home with their new knowledge to
inspire and change their community. As Bill Hybels says, “Change a church
leader and you’ll change a church. Change a church and you’ll
change a community.”
“DELTA was a
life changing
experience for
me. It helped
make me a
better leader
and grow in
my faith.”
The DELTA program officially began in March 2010 with eight
participants from Rehoboth Christian School, and the program
plans to continue with eight more students next year. Participant,
Ashley Carlisle said, “DELTA was a life changing experience
for me. It helped make me a better leader and to grow in my
faith.” Since the leadership training, Ashley has returned to
the reservation to give speeches on risk management and has
started a trash pick-up initiative.
LCOH/Mission Navajo fully understand the importance that an
education can have on breaking the cycle of poverty that plagues
the Navajo Nation. Rehoboth Christian School is so grateful for
the DELTA program for educating our youth beyond the quality
education that they are receiving at Rehoboth Christian School
and challenging them to use their God given leadership skills to
change their homeland and their people.
Rehoboth on the Road...
T
his fall and spring our regional representatives will be on the road meeting with friends of Rehoboth. We would love to have the opportunity to
present Rehoboth to church families so that the stories of God’s faithfulness here at Rehoboth can be shared with friends, new and old. Please
contact our Advancement Department at 505.726.9683 to help us set up a time to visit your church family.
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3
n
u
F un
R
O
n Friday, September 9, grades K – 8 participated in a fundraising event called
the Rehoboth Fun Run. 275 students and some parents ran laps around the
playground and the new track in efforts to raise money to improve our existing
playground. Our playground recently had a massive transformation thanks to
many donors and volunteer groups, but the project has only just begun and more
improvements need to be made to enrich our students’ active lives and increase
safety standards.
The students raised $5,300 locally! “Wow – I am so amazed by our students,”
said principal, Jim Holwerda. The money will be used to improve the playground. More pea gravel
will be added to increase safety, as well as replacing the basketball poles and hoops, adding some tetherball courts,
purchasing trash cans, and possibly purchasing new playground equipment.
The Rehoboth students loved participating in the Fun Run and have been asking when they will get to do it again. It was a
great way to promote running, walking and fitness, while raising the necessary funds for this important project.
Healthy Bodies...Healthy Minds.
Nutrition Week in the Mid-School
T
ype II Diabetes is a critical health problem among Native American
youth mainly due to poor eating habits and unhealthy behaviors. Chris
Huizinga, science teacher in the mid-school, planned a nutrition unit in
hopes that educational and nutritional support would help our youth learn
how to make healthy choices.
The unit focused on different aspects of nutrition and food. Some goals of
the unit were to make students more aware of that food they eat, how it is
produced, and the positive and negatives aspects it may have on our bodies.
Topics that the classes studied included: how to read a nutrition label, history
of food production, how food is grown, and sustainability of
food production.
The nutrition unit culminated with an all-community Health
Fair. Posters lined the Village Commons of the middle school
with information for all on exercise and healthy eating.
Documentaries played in classrooms, healthy recipes were
distributed, and 125 cans of food were collected for our local
food pantry – an impressive event presented by our emerging
leaders.
Among others, eighth grader, Afton Murphy,
has committed to making healthy choices after
experiencing the Nutrition Unit in the mid-school.
4
Most importantly, students have decided to make a change in
their own lives. Many students were shocked by information
they heard in the documentary, Food Inc. and have since
changed their eating habits because of conditions on factory
farms. After seeing the high sugar levels in soda and energy
drinks, many have decided to cut these drinks from their diet.
The Rehoboth education is not limited to traditional academic
subjects but strives to educate the whole person in every aspect
of life, including diet and exercise.
Vi go ro u s ly A c ad em i c · Beaut i ful l y Di verse · Thoro ug hly Chris tian
New Technology Advances the After School Program
T
he 21st Century Community Learning Center Program is in its 9th
year at Rehoboth. Over the years, the grant has been allowed to expand
its target audience from elementary to middle school and last year to
high school and preschool aged students. This year we are exciting to expand
our programming to incorporate iPads, Wiis, and heart-rate monitors to the
curriculum.
iPads to create videos for all school programs. Recently they used the iPads
for an “interview a friend” project. The ideas are endless and our kids are
excited to play (and learn!) on these new iPads.
Fifth grade teacher, Katie DeVos will be instructing our students on how
to use the new equipment. “It’s amazing how quickly they caught on to the
iPads. It only took one day of instruction and now they are so confident in
While the main goal of the grant is to improve students’ academic success, their new skills and are showing a lot of promise,” said. DeVos.
the After School Program does that in a variety of creative ways. After being
in school all day, it is important that our students be engaged in exciting To keep kids active we have purchased Wii gaming systems and Dance
Dance Revolution mats. It’s important to
activities while also learning valuable
keep kids moving and these new “toys”
skills for their future.
are promoting fitness and coordination,
all while having a lot of fun! Heartrate
Learning how to use technology
monitors were also purchased for use
motivates and inspires today’s young
at the Sports and Fitness center. The
people. It is imperative to give our
new devices track workouts that can
students access to new technology,
wirelessly be transmitted to a computers
especially when it promotes and
so students and teaching staff can
enhances the learning experience.
monitor students’ progress.
There are hundreds of applications,
“apps,” available to support K - 12
The new technology is an exciting
teaching from math worksheets to
addition to the After School Program.
reading books available on the iPads.
Our students will also be using the
Going the Distance
responsible and conscientious students in his class.
Tyrell loves the challenge of competition, but running is also
a way that he connects with God.
W
hen Tyrell Natewa (‘13) first came to Rehoboth Christian School, he
struggled to balance his academic responsibilities with his passion for
athletics. He was a gifted runner with the talent to compete with the best in
the state, but his grades were a barrier keeping him from fully participating
in athletic competition. Challenged by his coaches and his teachers, Tyrell
used his desire to play sports to drive him to success in other areas of his
life. His grades have steadily improved, and he has become one of the most
Through athletics, Tyrell has learned the importance of hard work,
determination, and perseverance. Living in Zuni, Tyrell travels for
over an hour every day in his commute to and from school, but he
is convinced it is worth it for the benefits of a Rehoboth education.
Academics are now his first priority, but running is his passion. On
average, Tyrell runs approximately 9 miles per day in training for crosscountry and track, and so far, his training is paying off. Last year, Tyrell
took 3rd place at the state track meet in the 2-mile run, and he feels
confident that he will be even faster this year. Tyrell loves the challenge
of competition, but running is also a way that he connects with God. The
desert southwest is a land of amazing beauty, and Tyrell feels blessed the
have the opportunity to enjoy God’s creation through running.
As he looks to the future, it is unclear to Tyrell what God has in store for his
life. He would like to be the captain of the cross-country and track teams
next year, but beyond that, Tyrell is trusting that God will open doors for
his future. Regardless of where future paths will take him, Tyrell will always
take with him the lessons that he learned in the classroom and in athletics.
Thanks to the opportunities given to him by Rehoboth, Tyrell is a stronger
and more confident individual who will overcome whatever challenges come
his way.
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5
Welcome, New Teachers
Andrea Sizemore, the new 6th grade teacher, has been interested in
teaching at Rehoboth for some time after falling
in love with the area in 2008. Andrea spent the
semester student aiding at a local public school
during the Calvin semester program and has
wanted to return ever since. The Sheboygan, WI
native graduated from Calvin College in January
2011 and substitute taught until she received her
position at Rehoboth. In Andrea’s infrequent
free time as a first year teacher, she enjoys hiking
and exploring the beautiful Southwest. She has
had a great start to her year and feels incredibly
blessed to have a job she loves so much.
After living in numerous countries while his parents
were missionaries, Philip Frederiksen moved to
Rehoboth, NM in high school and graduated from
Rehoboth in 2003. He graduated from Colorado
Christian University and moved to Vietnam with his
wife Jamie (Holwerda) Frederiksen to teach English.
Last year, in order to be closer to both of their
families, Philip, Jamie and their two children (and
one on the way!) moved back to the area to work
and continue their own education. Philip teaches
various subjects in the high school, and works in
an academic support role, as well. Weather, family,
friends, and the pace of life brought the Frederiksen’s back to New Mexico,
and Rehoboth is blessed to benefit from their return.
While visiting her daughter in the area two years ago, Marilyn Sorenson
and her husband Tom decided to volunteer at Rehoboth and Zuni Christian
Schools. And while they love their hometown
of Grand Rapids, MI, they thoroughly enjoyed
their volunteer experience in the Southwest
and wanted more experiences here. So when
an opportunity to run the library program
arose, they quickly packed up and moved to
Rehoboth’s campus. Mare comes to Rehoboth
with 40+ years of experience teaching in
grades Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade.
Tom continues to volunteer, prepping and
serving food in the lunch line. We are exciting
to have this couple who enrich the Rehoboth
community living on campus all year long.
6
After hearing stories
of Rehoboth from his
grandmother, Marilyn
Poel, who grew up on
the Rehoboth campus
while her father, Abe
Poel, was pastor at
Rehoboth Christian
Reformed
Church,
our new high school
academic
support
and math teacher,
Ryan Atsma, had to
check Rehoboth out for himself. While at Calvin College, he came to
Rehoboth to student teach for the semester, and as most people do, fell
in love with the weather, culture, people, terrain, and the opportunities
to be active every day. Ryan worked as an Athletic Director and PE
teacher in California for four years before he moved to Rehoboth last
year without a job or a place to live. God has opened opportunities for
Ryan to stay in the area this year, allowing him to continue his work
and recreation in the desert southwest.
After coming to Rehoboth several times to visit family friends when she
was younger, Anna Newman, dreamed
of returning to Rehoboth Christian School
to teach. She and her husband, Jonathan
Newman felt a clear calling from God
to apply for two vacant positions, middle
school social studies and high school
math/science, respectively, that perfectly
matched their interests and backgrounds.
Anna and Jonathan both graduated
with BAs and MAs from Wake Forest
University in NC before they relocated to
the Southwest this past summer.
In the months ahead, they look forward
to hiking, camping and traveling throughout the surrounding area.
The Newmans have thoroughly enjoyed living in community on the
Rehoboth campus. As for school, the Newmans think the staff is great,
and the students have been outstanding, both in terms of work ethic
and classroom attitude.
Vi go ro u s ly A c ad em i c · Beaut i ful l y Di verse · Thoro ug hly Chris tian
Impacting Generations
Committed to Rehoboth, Lois (Ottens) Harvey has been working at Rehoboth Christian School at various
times since 1975. This year she is teaching sons of three former students. Her story is a testament to
the dedication, compassion and commitment of our Rehoboth teaching staff.
R
ehoboth’s long history stands in tribute to
the dedication, compassion and vision of
countless teachers who have served over
so many years; teachers like Lois Harvey (4th/5th
grade) who have impacted
generations of Rehoboth
students and families. For Lois,
what began as a commitment
to the ministry and greater
cause of Rehoboth, over time
became much more personal.
It became a devotion to the
students, families, staff and
communities she came to
know and care for.
before she would come back to work here
permanently in 1977. Lois left the area in 1980
and returned in 1985. Her story with Rehoboth
did not, however, continue immediately for
experience fellowship with many people, truly
“building bridges”, while also gaining insight
into their lives, struggles and needs. Through
this, her compassion to serve continued to grow
exponentially, and would help to
sustain her ministry at Rehoboth
over decades, spanning across
the generations of families she
would teach.
When Lois did find an opening at
Rehoboth in 2000, she knew that
she should apply again, this time
in hopes of settling down more
permanently with her family. That
is exactly what she did. Reflecting
Originally having planned
upon her first impressions of
to volunteer in New Jersey,
working at Rehoboth Lois recalls
by no coincidence, Lois soon
the unique sense of unity among
found herself working instead
staff and community under a
as a volunteer in Toadlena,
common purpose; to carry out
NM. Here she was abruptly
the ministry set before them in
immersed into a foreign
faith. She also remembers the
environment, one that in
immense freedom of being able
(L-R) Ian Bowman, Dennette (Begay) Bowman, Douglas MacLaren,
her mind existed largely in
to share her faith in her teaching,
Shelly (Stam) MacLaren, Valerie Long, Lois Harvey, Brentley Tsosie
stereotypes. These stereotypes
illuminating all that her students
would soon be dissolved through
learned in the light of God’s truth
the passing of time and gaining
and equipping them “to love, serve
of valuable relationships with local families
reasons that would later become clear. In
and transform the world in His name.”
and individuals. Lois later appreciated her
working for McKinley County public schools
experience working at Toadlena, having changed
beginning in 1992, Lois had the opportunity to
After decades at Rehoboth, Lois is still teaching
her perspective and given her the opportunity
work with people from all walks of life, which
students at Rehoboth, alongside her husband,
to understand the lifestyles and backgrounds of
she would find invaluable in understanding
John, who teaches Navajo Language in the high
children and families similar to those she would
the needs and perspectives of students she
school. Her daughter, Tressa, who attended
work with.
would later teach at Rehoboth. In those years
Rehoboth as a student is now teaching in the
away from Rehoboth, God was still, in many
middle school.
After her initial student teaching at Rehoboth
ways, preparing her for her ministry there. Her
beginning in 1975, Lois recalls having a “heart
experience living and working in the area over
connection” with the school over the years
the years allowed her to develop friendships and
PO B o x 4 1 · Rehobot h, NM 87 3 22 · 50 5.863 .4 4 12 · www. rcs nm. o rg
7
Dancing Into
Opportunities
G
od has a plan and He is evident in the life of Rehoboth alumnus (’10)
Colby Touchine, a Navajo Gates Millennium Scholar who is now a
sophomore at Calvin College. “I always knew there was something out
there, (something) bigger than me,” he explains. With his passion and love for
dance and other cultures, Colby has traveled to various countries seeking God’s
plan in every opportunity.
Currently studying at Capital Normal
University in China, Colby is gaining a
new respect for foreign languages and
the Chinese culture. Although not fluent
in his Navajo language, he has taken
it as his personal goal to learn. This
semester, Colby is studying Chinese
through Calvin’s semester program in
the Language and Culture Track which
consists of eight credit hours of language
and other courses in Chinese history.
group called Dance Guild, a group that glorifies God through dance, and
where he currently serves on the leadership team as the media manager. He
also participates in Rangeela, an annual festival of cultural dance emphasizing
international countries and heritages. Colby had the opportunity this past spring
to direct the Native American act as well as perform Navajo dances.
This past summer, Colby embraced another journey as he visited Coba Mayan
Village in Guatemala to study the Spanish
language. Then on to Rochester, New
York where he was invited to participate
in a summer internship at the Garth
Fagan Dance Academy. Awarded
the prestigious Tony Award in 1998
for Best Choreography, Garth Fagan
choreographed the Broadway show, The
Lion King. Colby was the only Native
American dancer in the Academy. As
a student under Mr. Fagan, Colby
describes his dance technique and style
as, “… a new genre.” The daily rigorous
schedule not only included eight hours
of dancing but classes in First Aid,
Nutrition, Anatomy, and history courses
such as Pioneers of Dance.
Colby’s interest in seeking adventure
and discovering his gifts began and
developed while he was a student at
Rehoboth where he attended for eleven
years. Since mid-school, music and dance
have been a long time obsession, and in the 7th grade Colby jumped to his first
opportunity and toured with the Continentals, a musical and dance group that
shares Christ by touring the US and overseas. For the next four summers he
traveled with the Continentals and at 16 visited Switzerland. “You have to get
out there to find out how God can use you”, he explains.
Today, after living in China for eight weeks, he is learning a new language and
is submerged in the Chinese culture. Colby is taken by the country and has
realized his new liking and possibly calling in helping people. “I follow to where
I am needed,” he says.
As a junior in high school, Colby returned from a trip to Ethiopia with Rehoboth
CRC realizing the capacity of what the world holds. “All of RCS (Rehoboth
Christian School) had pushed me into the world with a proud and strong soul”,
Colby explains. Being involved with the choir and band tours at Rehoboth had
produced an epiphany, “Hey! The world is bigger!”
Touchine is grateful to Rehoboth for being the first to open his eyes to a world
of adventure and opportunity and for helping make him the man he is today. “I’d
like to thank everyone that has supported my dreams. I pray that God continues
to work in all of our lives so that we may fully understand his faithfulness,” says
Touchine to all of the Rehoboth supporters.
After graduating from Rehoboth in 2010, Colby sought new experiences at
Calvin College. Colby immediately embraced campus life as a freshman by
becoming involved with numerous student organizations. First, with an artistic
Colby leaves today’s students with an encouragement, “get out in the world and
try to find a way to see God’s direction.”
8
Vi go ro u s ly A c ad em i c · Beaut i ful l y Di verse · Thoro ug hly Chris tian
Students ‘Advance’ Rehoboth
I
n the Advancement Office our primary responsibility is to not only sustain
Rehoboth financially, but to continually ADVANCE REHOBOTH in
our supporting community. One way we advance Rehoboth is by telling
many of you about the amazing work that God is doing in this 109 year
old ministry. And who better to tell you than the students themselves?
This fall, two student groups had the
opportunity to travel to Michigan for
educational experiences and college visits,
but also got to meet some of our faithful
donors. A group of advanced art students
traveled to Grand Rapids, MI to experience
ArtPrize. While on this trip they were able
to meet Rick DeVos, founder of ArtPrize.
The students were inspired through the
artwork they saw and were honored to sit
Nicole Yazzie (‘12) presents with DeVos and learn more about ArtPrize.
a Navajo Wedding Vase to A second group of students traveled to
Rick DeVos, Founder of
ArtPrize
By Rick VanTil, Director of Advancement
Grand Rapids to visit Calvin College. While in the area they participated
in worship at Evergreen Ministries in Hudsonville, MI. These trips
offered our students experiences they will never forget and allowed them
to connect with people who make their Christian education possible.
Unique opportunities and experiences, like these, inspire and motivate our
students to be successful after they graduate. Today one of our graduates
is studying in China with a goal to become a minister of word and music
to the world. We also have a student studying at Oxford with her goal to
become a lawyer. Our students and our alumni are making an impact in
today’s world. We are the most successful ministry that the CRC has ever
started, and we are changing the world for Christ!
Help us today by praying for our graduates who YOU have helped equip
and train through of your selfless giving and earnest prayer. PRAY
PEOPLE, PRAY! Just imagine what more will happen if God continues to
bless Rehoboth.
What’s cooking in the Rehoboth kitchen!
T
he Rehoboth Christian School Food Service team is back providing healthy
and delicious hot meals for 250 -300 students each day. Hattie Mariano,
the head cook, drives over 60 miles round-trip daily to make breakfast and
lunch for “her students”. By her side, Jamesina “J.B.” Begay, prepares side
dishes and after school snacks. J.B. is also being mentored by Mrs. Mariano.
Rosie Tom has the thankless job on the team, cleaning trays, pots and pans
and making the kitchen shine. The ladies are thrilled when volunteers come
to the kitchen to help and miss them when they leave. John Lee takes care of
the breakfast and after school snacks at each of the schools, preparing the
Fellowship Hall for the lunch crowd, and cleaning the dining room. John
has the all important job of lunch hour safety guard, setting up orange cones
to route traffic around the Rehoboth Loop to keep the K-8 students safe.
in the kitchen
are outdated
and in need of
replacement.
We
have
compiled a
Wish
List
of ways you
can help us provide safe, hot, healthy meals for the students of Rehoboth
Christian School. We also have volunteer opportunities available. To
volunteer, please contact Deanna Benson at dbenson@rcsnm.org.
If you would like to bless us with a donation or with new items from our
The Fellowship Hall is also used by the community of Gallup, for banket- list, we would be so grateful. Please contact Sue Eddy, Interim Food Service
making parties, receptions and by Rehoboth Christian Reformed Church for Director at 505-870-9085 or at seddy@rcsnm.org.
Wednesday night suppers. The Rehoboth Fellowship Hall was built in the 1970’s
and most of the equipment is original. Many of the utensils and items needed
Wish List for Kitchen
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Food Preparation Knives
Box cutters
Chairs
Tables
Trays
Household tool kit
Scale
• Clocks with large numbers (wall mount)
• Silverwear
• Forks 500
• Knives 500
• Spoons 500
• Ceiling fans for dining room (5 large)
• Coffee pots (large)
•
•
•
•
•
•
Safety cones (12)
Can Opener (industrial)
Lounge furniture re-upolstery
Linoleum flooring for cooler and freezer
Window screens
Spatulas (restaurant style)
PO B o x 4 1 · Rehobot h, NM 87 3 22 · 50 5.863 .4 4 12 · www. rcs nm. o rg
9
Gifts in Honor of:
In honor of Harvey J. Bratt
Mr. and Mrs. Arturo and Mary Ragagni
In honor of Dr. James Cook
Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Andrea VanDer Molen
Mr. and Mrs. Tim and Elizabeth Bolt
Ms. Janet Dixon
Mr. Richard Vandermolen
In honor of Diane Friesema
Mrs. Marlys VanBeek
In honor of Manuel J. Pacheco
Dr. and Mrs. John and Liliana Ratmeyer
In honor of Andrew Trujillo
Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Beatrice Garcia
In honor of Bill Vander Hoven
Anonymous
In honor of Wayne & Sharon Helmholdt’s
50th wedding anniversary
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew J. Balkema
In honor of Nella Veenstra
Mr. and Mrs. George and Sharon Visser
In honor of Ann and Charles Fisher’s 60th
wedding anniversary
Mr. and Mrs. Glen and Laurina Vanderaa
In honor of Joyce Braschler’s Birthday
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce and Elizabeth Matthews
In honor of Rev. Merle and Donna Den
Bleyker
Mrs. Genevieve M. Franz
Gifts in Memory of:
In memory of Celia R. Apol
Mr. William G. Boorsma
Mr. and Mrs. Merwyn and Wendy Essenburg
Mr. and Mrs. Gordon and Florine Buys
Mr. and Mrs. Victor and Constance Sztengel
Mr. and Mrs. Ivan and Cheryl Kuipers
Mrs. Dorothy Apol
Mr. Thomas Sibley
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis and Ruth VanAndel
Ms. Melvina Musket
Rev. and Mrs. Isaac and Alice Apol
Ms. Luanne Negen
Ms. Carol B. Rustemeyer
In memory of Ann K. Boyd
Mr. Jonathan Meyer and Mrs. Kristin B. Meyer
Mr. and Mrs. David and Diane Boyd
In memory of Louis H. De Jong
Mr. and Mrs. Frank and Janice Gibson
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and Carolyn Weeda
Mr. and Mrs. Alan and Joan Stack
Mr. and Mrs. Jane & Gerry Beryl
Mr. and Mrs. Bob & Claudia Stack
Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Nancy Eilers
Mr. and Mrs. Mark and Mary Turner
Mr. and Mrs. Mark and Grace Ritsema
Mr. and Mrs. George and Sharon Visser
Dr. and Mrs. Leroy and Anjean Stegink
Mr. and Mrs. Durk and Shirley Sybesma
Mr. and Mrs. Vernon and Anna Laninga
Mr. and Mrs. Edward and Sharon Start
Mr. and Mrs. William and Thomasine Breher
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph and Deborah Longo
Mr. and Mrs. Sid and Ruth Kornelis
Mr. and Mrs. Gerrit and Marjorie Hesselink
Mr. and Mrs. John and Barbara Straatsma
Mr. and Mrs. Lewis and Caryl VandeVoort
Ms. Sandra L. DeStrempes
Mr. and Mrs. Calvin and Sharon Greenwood
In memory of Marian Ippel
Mrs. Betty Eberlein
Mr. and Mrs. Douglas and Valda Kitchen
Kent County CMH Authority
Mr. and Mrs. Conroy and Joan Zuiderveen
Mr. and Mrs. Donald and Marlene Oosterhouse
10
Mr. and Mrs. Arturo and Mary Ragagni
Mr. and Mrs. Wayne and Barb VanWylen
Dr. Henry P. Ippel
Mr. and Mrs. William and Mary Blacquiere
Miss Allison B. Ippel
Mayfair CRC
Mark Redman and Rachel Ippel-Redman
Mr. and Mrs. Reuben and Rachel Zylstra
Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Andrea Barretto
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and Jacqueline Bailey
Mr. David Duyst
Ms. Denise T. Thomasin
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis and Ruth VanAndel
Dr. and Mrs. Clifford Harris
In memory of Della Jelgerhuis
Mrs. Wilma H. Dykstra
In memory of Christopher Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Burton and Michaela Lesser
Mrs. Laura Piersma
Mr. and Mrs. Stephen and Christine Brinks
Mr. and Mrs. Alvin and Nettie Dykhouse
Mr. and Mrs. Jerry and Kate Stephan
Mr. and Mrs. Jon and Beverly Plooster
Ms. Gerri L. Bekkering
Mr. and Mrs. Leroy and Jean DeVries
In memory of Ethel Tanis
Ms. Betty J. Dome
In memory of Angeline Van Andel
Mr. and Mrs. Ben and Elizabeth Boxum
Mrs. Wilmina S. Vellema
Mr. and Mrs. Marlo and Carol DeYoung
Mr. and Mrs. Allen and Verlee Meenk
Mrs. Denise Storteboom
Mr. and Mrs. Jerry and Nora Meenk
Mr. and Mrs. John and JoAnne Van’tLand
Mr. and Mrs. Marvin and Karen Apol
In memory of Mary Kuik
Ms. Wilma Modderman
In memory of Cornelius VanderPuy
Mrs. Mary K. Rhee
Mrs. Mary VanderLinde
Mr. and Mrs. John and Fleta Scripps
Mr. Lester Ippel
Mr. and Mrs. Gary and Debra Dekker
Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Trudy Vanderpuy
Mrs. Ruth Ippel
Mr. and Mrs. Gerard and Esther Koster
Dr. Henry P. Ippel
In memory of Evelyn Kuiper
Mrs. Marlys VanBeek
In memory of Rolf Veenstra
Mr. and Mrs. George and Sharon Visser
In memory of Donald E. Musselman
Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Mary McKenzie
Ms. Lorraine K. Vlietstra
Mr. and Mrs. Harold and Marcia Applehof
Mr. and Mrs. William and Marion Hobaugh
Mr. and Mrs. Todd and Tara Knudsen
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald and Debrah Musselman
Ms. Sharon K. Musselman
Mr. and Mrs. Roger and Janet Klok
In memory of Marie Venema
Mr. Clarence Pohler
Mrs. Aileen J. Hop
Mr. and Mrs. Samuel and Mary VanderWiele
Mr. and Mrs. Donnell and Lois Morren
Beechridge North Condo Association, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel and Andrea Pohler
Mr. and Mrs. Harvey and Mary Oetman
In memory of Henrietta Kingma
Mr. and Mrs. Fredrick and Barbara Hoekstra
In memory of Elsie Hekman Krediet
Rev. and Mrs. Willis and Gertrude DeBoer
In memory of Robert C. Schepers
Mr. and Mrs. Gary and Susan Rounds
In memory of Alfred Weg
Mrs. Marlys Van Beek
Vi go ro u s ly A c ad em i c · Beaut i ful l y Di verse · Thoro ug hly Chris tian
Planned Giving
W
ills or bequests are the planned gift of choice for most people. They are simple and allow the individual or couple to retain their assets for the
balance of their lives…just in case. Bequests provide maximum flexibility and still allow for a gift to Rehoboth.
But a Charitable Gift Annuity is a way to achieve a gain today and give Rehoboth a gift for tomorrow. With a CGA you can add to your income during
your lifetime and support Rehoboth for generations of students to come!
Mrs. Coby Cok is first to purchase a Rehoboth/Barnabas Charitable Gift Annuity. When asked why she decided to purchase a Charitable Gift Annuity
from Rehoboth, Mrs. Cok said that the decision was an obvious one. “Why accept 2% or less from a bank or certificate of deposit when you can get 7 or
8% on a CGA? I wanted to increase my yearly income, and at the same time support Rehoboth.”
Coby went into more detail about both of these reasons:
1. Increasing her yearly income will actually generate more money to give away to important causes, and
2. Supporting Rehoboth fits with her commitment to missions
New rates for CGA distributions, single life:
Age
60
65
Annual Return 4.85%
5.3%
70
5.8%
75
6.5%
80
7.5%
85
8.4%
90+
9.8%
If you want to support Rehoboth and increase your cash flow, consider a Charitable Gift Annuity today! Please contact Gary Nederveld at 303-868-3731
or gnederveld@rcsnm.org for more information.
Thank you, Volunteers!
Short term Volunteers
Eugene and Joy Stevenson
Alexandra Sudak
Kathy DeHaan
Gary and Marcia Van Ee
Dave and Mary Baas
Frank and Revena Gritters
Volunteer Groups
Princeton CRC, Kentwood, MI
The River CRC, Redlands, CA
Cascade Fellowship CRC, Grand Rapids, MI
Fellowship CRC, Grandville, MI
Comstock CRC, Kalamazoo, MI
Crossroads CRC, Des Moines, IA
Volunteer Groups Cont.
Lutheran Church of Hope,
West DesMoines, IA
Local and long- term Volunteers
Tom Sorenson
Katrine Burke
Linda Kamps
Fred Witteveen
Ben Vander Werff
John Klein
Keith and Arlene Kuipers
Owen and Marylou Aukeman
Interested in
Volunteering?
We’d love to have YOU! The help and
commitment of volunteers are crucial to
the success of our ministry. We believe that
each person has been given unique gifts and
talents, and that we are called to use those
gifts to serve one another in love. If you are
interested in serving Rehoboth Christian
School with your gifts, please contact
Deanna Benson at dbenson@rcsnm.org
or call 505.726.9603 or visit our website at
www.rcsnm.org/volunteers.cfm
PO B o x 4 1 · Rehobot h, NM 87 3 22 · 50 5.863 .4 4 12 · www. rcs nm. o rg
11
Alumni,
Come & Sing!
All former choir members are invited to
join the Rehoboth Choir for the Christmas
concert this year. Please attend the required
rehearsal. For more information, please
contact Bob Ippel or Gail DeYoung at
bippel@rcsnm.org or gdeyoung@rcsnm.org.
PO Box 41
Rehoboth, NM 87322
Non-Profit Org.
US Postage Paid
Greenville MI
Permit #338
Address Service Requested
Who: All former choir members
When: Practice - December 17, 10 - noon
Performance - December 18, 4:00 p.m.
Where: Practice: Mission House Choir Room
Performance: Sacred Heart Cathedral
109 years of
Flourishing in the Land