Diane Blackwell has a rich and diverse life. A full blooded Navajo, born near Cuba, Diane studied art as a teenager in Italy, has had tea with the nomadic Masai tribe in Kenya, stream fished in Colorado, listens to indie groups, and enjoys cooking Korean dishes. Let me break this down for those of you who are white like me and would define diversity as eating at Taco Bell instead of McDonalds.
Diane was born on a July 28th in Crownpoint, New Mexico and raised with her seven brothers and sisters on the Navajo Reservation near Cuba- the small town in New Mexico, not the big island in the Caribbean. When she was sixteen years old she took a trip to Europe for an art and drawing course. The problem was that while she was there, the airline she was booked on (I won't mention their name but their initials were TWA) went bankrupt and she was stranded in Italy for two extra weeks.
She finally made it home, graduated from high school and went on to college at the University of New Mexico and began pursuing her degree in Biology. That's where she was encountered with Campus Crusade and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. "On a clear day in March 1973, Suzanne Dollar came to survey my roommate’s spiritual opinions but I was the only one she found. Quickly she surveyed my opinions, and then shared the Four Spiritual Laws and without much hesitation, I trusted Christ that day."
After graduating from UNM Diane joined staff in 1978 where whe spent 3 years at Arrowhead Springs, 5 more at Northern Arizona University, 8 at New Mexico State and the last 14 on the Denver metro team. The whole journey has been a day to day process, as Diane shared, "The thing I enjoy most about being on staff is daily dependence on God is a primary focus. The thing I least enjoy is that daily dependence on God requires daily surrender which is a daily struggle at times. Maybe that is why I see a prayer-filled life as an indicator of my daily dependence on the Lord."
Below is the whole Blackwell clan during what looks like a photo shoot for Tide detergent. No grass stains on those T-shirts.
A ministry lesson God has taught me over my years on staff is to give credit to God even when you’ve worked hard on relationships or projects because He causes the growth ultimately.As for having tea with nomadic African tribes, I took the liberty to stretch one of her passions (a hot cup of tea) with one of her highlights on staff. This is called creative license and is also known as lying.
Diane Blackwell
Bridges Denver Metro Team
The truth is one of Diane's best ministry memories came during a summer assignment. "While on a summer Jesus Film team, I was invited into a Masai boma or hut. Though the original intent was for me to share my testimony, I was the one blessed by their testimonies of faith in Jesus."Living in Colorado allows ample opportunity for Diane to pursue her outdoor passions like hiking, camping, and even stream fishing. Being the mother of four affords her access to the current musical trends. "I listen to my older kids’ song list of indie groups which always surprises the international students." For more of her interests and hobbies check out Diane's profile by clicking on her picture in the right margin.
Tom and Pat Swartz have offered up a suggestion for the Gravel Road book of the month. Dr. Timothy Keller's "The Reason For God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism" tackles questions non-believers and believers alike are asking: Why does God allow suffering? How could a loving God send people to hell? Why isn't Christianity more inclusive? and others. Along with answers Keller lays down seven foundations for the reasons for faith in this post-modern era of doubt and skepticism. To win your free copy of Dr. Keller's book, be the first senior staffer to tell me the state this gravel road is in:
Until next week
-Bert
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