Sometimes, in the day-to-day activities of ministry work, we can lose sight of what’s really happening. Yes, we’re aware of what we’re doing and can often look back at the end of the day and see positive results. Other times, those results aren’t as clear.

We ask God, “Am I doing what I’m supposed to be doing? If not, Lord please lead me.” We can take a couple of steps forward, and then seemingly take a couple back. People often say that’s just a part of the “life experience.”

Here at The Four Corners Home for Children, through the Four Corners Home for Children, KNMI Vertical Radio and Navajo Nation Outreach, we have seen countless examples of moving forward in our mission to help instill hope, restoration and Christian values in all we do. Sometimes, the results are measurable, other times they are not. When dealing with hurting children, the steps of improvement can come slowly. Issues from abuse and neglect can leave deep scars – and trust, hope and healing only happen over time.

We can be so close to the work here that at certain times we can’t see the forest through the trees. Seeing through our own eyes can be a bit unclear and the big picture gets, well, a bit out of focus.

But, what about when others see what God is doing through us at The Four Corners Home for Children? Oftentimes, it’s crystal clear to other people. They see a dedicated group of Christians doing wonderful work for other people, whether it’s a young child, a radio listener or a family in need in the Navajo Nation.

I’m going to give several examples of what others see when they look at The Four Corners Home for Children. I think you’ll be amazed at the work you all are doing in sharing God’s love with so many.

• Sophia Lee, a reporter with World Magazine, is visiting this week to do a feature story on The Four Corners Home for Children, and primarily our work with children through the Four Corners Home for Children. Readers nominated us as the Southwest representative for the Hope Award for Effective Compassion. This is a 12-year program that nominates worthy Christian ministries all over the nation that help combat spiritual, physical and emotional poverty. We are one of six national nominees, with the winner receiving $15,000. Readers will vote for the winner later this year. (We’ll let you know how to vote later on.) We don’t know who nominated us, but this well-respected Christian magazine has selected us as the Southwest winner! Last year’s Southwest nominee was a Dallas-based ministry that works to combat drug abuse. Sophia visited The Four Corners Home for Children in 2014 for an in-depth story on the Navajo Nation and said she was very impressed with the work being done here.

• Two of the last three years, Charity Navigator has rated The Four Corners Home for Children as a 4-star charity – the highest rating you can get. This rating is for financial health and proper accountability and transparency. We scored well over 90 out of 100 possible points during the last rating cycle at the end of last year. The Four Corners Home for Children was selected in about 2001 as a “well-respected” charity to be rated. We have always rated well and it’s certainly not easy to score over 90. In large part, this is due to what each of you has done through the years to help build The Four Corners Home for Children into a strong non-profit organization.

• Financial supporters, volunteers and church work groups consistently remark on how impressed they are with the staff, children and facilities at The Four Corners Home for Children. They can certainly tell that God is leading the way each and every day here – even on the tough ones. I have a card on my desk that was given by one of the mission team members from New Zealand last September. People were asked to write down what they thought of The Four Corners Home for Children in one or two words. She wrote “safe place.” Yes, indeed, safe in His arms. If we can always be known as a “safe place” for so many vulnerable, hurting people that is certainly great news.

• Former children who once lived here often come back to see some of their “family.” Many of them tell us how much they appreciated their time here in this “safe place.” Some even say they wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for The Four Corners Home for Children. Think about that for a minute. Wow.

• Vertical Radio has certainly impacted thousands of people since it first went on the air in 1980. In addition to winning a number of awards from the New Mexico Broadcasters Association and being named Best Radio Station by Daily Times readers, most importantly lives have been changed through the airwaves. During the last Vertical Radio Pledge Drive, a husband and wife said the station actually saved their marriage through the positive, uplifting Christian music. Another woman who was on her way to deliver drugs said she turned the car around and didn’t follow through while listening to the station. Through their ears in these cases, lives were changed.

I could go on for several more pages on all the positive interactions I’ve had since 2008 of what people have seen and experienced here at The Four Corners Home for Children.  The bottom line: You all are doing amazing work for God right here. Just ask those around you, who are seeing incredible things through their eyes.

God Bless,

Eric Fisher