WELCOME TASH!!

What would you call a girl who plays cello, guitar and keyboards, loves horses, has lived in Camaroon and Fiji, and recently turned down a full-time job managing a popular women’s clothing store because she's looking for more than “just a job.” What if she has a degree in Biblical Studies and leads worship at a maximum security prisons and also teaches school children to become excellent singers and musicians… I’d call her the newest staff member at Granny’s House: Natasha Jackson – “Tash” (pronounced like “ash”) as some call her.

When Jane Williams, Love INC. founder, whom I affectionately call “The Columbia Connector,” suggested that I interview her for a position at Granny’s House, I jumped at chance because Jane is like E. F. Hutton in Columbia’s church community. When she talks, people listen because she has an uncanny way of discerning who would be a good fit for specific ministries. When “Tash” and I first met some weeks ago, I sat there thinking: “This is just too good to be true!”

I had planned to write a blog about Natasha Jackson, but I think her “raw” responses to my questions are best unembellished!  Welcome to Granny’s House, Natasha! We are so thrilled to have you on the team!

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1. In what countries have you have lived?

Yaounde, Cameroon and Suva, Fiji. 

2. What took you to those places?

College ministry. Orphan ministry in Africa as well. I went with Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru). I have felt a calling to Fiji since I was in the 5th grade, and finally went in 2011!

3. How would you describe your relationship with the Lord?

My relationship with the Lord is a never-ending conversation with Him. He is my best friend, counselor, comforter, romancer, Savior, shield, and Rock. I strive to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. 

4. When/how did you first hear about Granny's House?

I first heard about Granny's House in high school when my parents were home parents at Coyote Hill Christian Children's Home in Harrisburg, MO. We volunteered [at Granny's House] one day, serving dinner. 

5. How will you approach ministry to public housing children?

Completely relational! I want to get to know these kids' hearts and provide a safe place of trust for them. Patience and understanding. A lot of listening...I want to be a confidant and friend to these kids. 

6. What experiences (educational, spiritual etc.) have most prepared you for your role at Granny's House?

Living at Coyote Hill for 3 years with so many different kinds of kids from hard and various backgrounds. Living in Cameroon, Africa for a summer and learning how to relate to Africans by being completely immersed in their culture. 

7. What impact do you hope/anticipate having on the children and families involved with Granny's House?

I want to be a light in a dark place and encourage hope in places where it may seem lost. I want to make the love of God and His Gospel known to everyone. I hope that these children and families will see me as a friend that they can truly trust--a safe person. I want to help provide consistency in lives that may seem chaotic. 

8. Anything else you want those who read this to know about you?

I'm so excited to be joining the Granny House team! I hope to get to know each one of the children and the families well and help provide a safe haven full of trust, hope, and fun!

 Nathash and friends in Cameroon...

 Comfort to child while living in Africa...

 Natahsa with fiancee, Kory Myrick...

With Sue Crane, Spirit Riders Founder and Director... we're thrilled that "Tash" loves horses!

 Making many new friends at Granny's House...

ANGIE LAUNCHES CORA!

After 10 years as Granny’s House Program Coordinator, hugging hundreds of kids, passing out what must have seemed like millions of backpacks (and probably as many cups of juice), and graduating dozens of Princess Academy girls, Angie Azzanni is stepping into a whole new realm of ministry outside of public housing as she launches a new venture, “Cora.” Through Cora, Angie and co-founder, Travis Craig, will help connect at-risk kids with sports teams and coaches, jobs, tutors, academic counselors etc.

Angie describes Cora this way: “The root word ‘Cor’ means heart and also courage; a vital wellspring of life that makes things function and provides supply to the rest of the body for productive, redemptive lifestyles.” 

Tireless, faithful, hard-working, super-organized, devoted are just a few of the words that describe Angie’s life and approach to ministry. When we first learned of her plans to leave Granny's House to launch Cora, it was difficult to imagine Granny’s House without her. I am certain that one day, many will find it difficult to imagine life without Cora! 

We hope you enjoy this photographic stroll down memory lane!

-Granny Pam

TIGERS ON THE PROWL: Meet the Artist, Sue Yarbrough

It was nearly ten years ago that I first laid eyes on Sue Yarbrough’s art - intricate mosaics, rich in color, pattern, and texture. This was no big city gallery of fine art where I stood captivated by her unforgettable compositions. It was the home of Sue’s daughter and son-in-law, Elly and Brett Barton where there were expressions of Sue’s creativity and talent gracing just about every room.

In addition to traditional mediums like acrylics, pens, and pastels, Sue Yarbrough also uses bits and pieces: things like newspaper, lace, leather…  even cork, fabric, and aquarium gravel to create amazing portraits and landscapes on canvas. When I first encountered her art, I wanted everyone I knew to see it - every building adorned with something signed by “Sue Yarbrough.” I was a fast-fan, and when Granny’s House was invited to participate in Tigers on the Prowl, “Sue Yarbrough” was the very first name that popped into my mind.

My personal favorite is the king-sized headboard she created for Brett and Elly. It’s nearly eight feet wide and, from afar, this panoramic landscape looks like a forest in winter. On closer examination, I saw tree trunks and branches fashioned out of cork, hints of the last remaining leaves of winter formed by verses from the “Song of Solomon.” I just stood there staring, hardly able to take in all the beauty, whimsy, and depth of meaning splayed across this functional piece of art.

Though Sue Yarbrough is camera-shy, often self-effacing, and difficult to pin down for a quote or a photo, she was once commissioned by local businessman, Mike McClung, to create a four-panel mural of Las Vegas as seen from the Mandalay Bay Hotel, incorporating tiles she custom made just for this project. To help her envision exactly what he had in mind for this masterpiece, Mr. McClung flew her to Las Vegas so she could get a firsthand glimpse of the cityscape he wanted her to create for his Columbia residence. When the mural was finally completed, he was thrilled, paying thousands to own a Yarbrough original and the masterpiece was featured in Inside Columbia Magazine in October 2008. 

These days, Sue’s passion is to create art that is both beautiful and meaningful - art that reflects the beauty of God. On “Bijou,” Sue once again used non-traditional mediums - “found objects” this time. The tiger is covered, from head-to-toe, with at least a million buttons, beads, and little-bitty toys. At the recent grand unveiling of all ten “Tigers On The Prowl” at Columbia Mall, onlookers “oooohed” and “aaaaaahed,” arrested by the beauty, and realism of the faces of Granny’s House kids that came into focus as they got closer to Bijou; amazed by the whimsy of the multi-colored stripes and the piercing beauty of her bright blue eyes. Like grownup kids, many passersby paused to concentrate, as if looking at a page from a grownup version of an “I Spy” book, delighting in the discovery of one hidden treasure after another.    -Pamela Ingram

(Brad Noblitt Photos used by permission).