Miss White Mountain Apache

Congrats to "The Other Side of the Rez: Southern California" star, Kandace Declay who won the title of Miss White Mountain Apache! We're so proud.




To watch Little Bluebird Studio's documentary "The Other Side of the Rez: Southern California" starring Kandace, CLICK HERE!

2009 Short-Term Missions Teams

“The Aspen are found growing naturally in the wild at higher elevations on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. They are unique in that they share a common root system. When one Aspen is hurting and in need of resources the healthy trees within the root system will send needed nutrients its’ way."


I've had the privilege of working with short-term missions teams for 12 years now. The first year I was actually apart of the visiting team. And honestly, that was the year that changed my life (see http://ronaym.blogspot.com/2009/02/beautiful-collision.html for more). Short-Term trips are interesting to me. I'm convinced that they are a vital to AYM but even more vital to the life of a believer. First, let me tell you some of the amazing ways that these teams have resourced us throughout this year. This year we have partnered with teams from all over the US, some of them include: Illinois State Student Fellowship, Northern Arizona Student Fellowship (Flagstaff, AZ), Saddleback Community Church (Lake Forest, CA), Living Water Church (Elk Grove, CA), Creekside Christian Church (Jacksonville, FL), Sherwood Oaks Christian Church (Bloomington, IN), Zion Lutheran Church (Clear Lake, IA), Coulter Road Baptist Church (Amarillo, TX), Central Church of Christ (Spartanburg, SC), First Christian Church (Walnut Grove, MO), Rock Ministries (Camarillo, CA), and Grace Church (Laguna Niguel, CA). Because of these teams we were able to do things like: painting houses in the community, special outreach events, Kids Clubs, redecorating the youth center, putting up lights on our basketball court, lots of landscaping, repainting the basketball court, painting the front of our building, putting in a volleyball court, and much more! These are things that we just couldn't do without help! I hope that each one of the leaders from these churches are reading this...without exception, these guys came in and truly partnered with us to serve and accomplish the mission set before them. And they each did it with a huge servant's heart! The rez is such a difficult environment to work. I know that teams don't always walk away with the feeling that they've made an impact for the Kingdom, but let me tell you....they have. Honestly, even our staff rarely get to see fruits...sometimes even after years of service. But we persevere, serve, pray, and trust that God is working through us and in others.

We had the illustration at the top of this article drawn because it is beautiful symbolism of the body of Christ. United, loving, sharing, connected, growing, unselfish, living in community, being as one - or as the Apache would say “daľaάzhį’”. I love the truth stated in James 3, envy and selfish ambition create disorder and evil practices, however, the wise among us show Godly wisdom by living a good life and by deeds done in humility that comes from this wisdom. And, this wisdom that comes from heaven is “pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”

We recognize that our partnerships are Divinely inspired and are vital to us as we work throughout the year to “empower Apache youth to impact the world”. We are all a part of this community. Thank you for recognizing resources that you have in your life that can bring health to those in need, and more importantly….thank you for making a movement to DO something for those in need. We know that ultimately we serve Jesus Himself when we serve the “least” of this world (Mathew 25). We do these things with His love and for Him alone. For we know that apart from Him we can do nothing, but when we remain in Him we will bear much fruit (John 15:5). To Him be praised!

2009 Hoops On The Rez

We continue to always be amazed at the many ways in which God works through this outreach. The camp was held July 6-9 this year. This was an exceptional year! Every year we fine-tune this camp because of the experiences we have learned over the years. As we began to meet about this years camp we decided to push ourselves a little and add a camp specifically for 9-11 year olds and organized activities at The Kennel in the evening. This meant that we would be having a Jr. High camp in the morning, a Sr. High camp in the afternoon at the Chief Alchesay Activity Center, an elementary camp in the afternoon at Alchesay High School, and evening contests. None of this could have been possible without great leadership. This year Brian Bechtel (Goshen, IN) directed the elementary camp, Jake Deer (Kissimmee, FL) directed the Jr. High camp, Jon Everingham (Waterloo, IN) directed the Sr. High camp, and Kristyn Richardson (Columbus, OH) directed the nightly activities. These guys are veterans of the HOTR basketball camp, each having more than 3 years experience. And just like all of the AYM programs, our strength is our staff and their desire to build a meaningful relationship to share Christ's love with students.

This year we had over 30 staff to take care of the 120+ basketball campers. Daily activities included: station drills, shooting drills, dribbling contests, one-on-one moves, league and tournament play, and devotions. Pastor Ross Runnels, of Canoe Creek Christian Church, did an excellent job in leading the staff in devotions and preparing the daily devos for the students. Ross would also sit down the students in the evening for a brief time of teaching. Evening activities included a hot-shot contest, knock-out contest, 3 on 3 contests, etc. Every night The Kennel would be packed with students that would come back. Thursday night capped off a great week by playing the championship game, from the Sr. High basketball camp, under the lights at the Kennel!

This week of camp continues to be a meaningful part of the summer for both the Apache youth that we serve and all of the players and coaches that come in to pull it all off.

Red Carpet Premiere

On June 1, 2009, the Little Bluebird Studios/Apache Youth Ministries had a Red Carpet Premiere showing to celebrate the completion of their hour long film entitled, “The Other Side of the Rez: Southern California”. This reality show-style documentary is the story of a group of four Apache teens, and one young adult, leaving the White Mountain Apache Reservation on a road trip to Southern California. On the trip they stayed with host families of many different backgrounds (provided by partnering churches), experienced different areas in Southern California, and documented it all along the way. Much of the video was taken by the participants on the trip and edited by students at Alchesay high school. The score for the opening credits was composed by Alchesay High School Junior, Marquez Kane. The showing was held at a small scale movie theater located in Alchesay High School’s media arts department. People began showing up to the premiere around 5:45 pm, after which the media team, and stars of the production, drove up in the 15 passenger van that they took on the filming of the production. Cameras were flashing, and AYM director Ron Everingham was interviewing visitors and stars on the red carpet runway, as the crowd (made up of family and friends of the students) made their way into the theater to get their seats. Free popcorn and soft drinks were served. Immediately following the film, a brief award ceremony was conducted by Little Bluebird Studio’s Media Director Joel Bidderman, AYM staff, and Alchesay High School’s Media Arts teacher Rick Sanchez, to celebrate the work and achievement of the students who worked on the project. After the night was over, Ariel Edison (a junior at AHS and member of the media team) was asked what she thought of the night. She replied, “I felt like a star”.