Tina says Amigos brought healing to her life
“It’s very telling when people come through the doors and you see their first reactions to the Dwelling Place,” said full-time caregiver Tina McKenzie. “They’ll say, ‘Wow, this really feels like a home. There’s so much joy, peace, and purpose here.’ For me, it’s really a beautiful picture of the Kingdom of God.”
Tina gets to witness every day how The Amigos have not just been conduits of transformation and healing in her life, but are unconsciously shaping others in their sphere of influence, too.
“When we go to the gym, they have an effect on the whole place. Many people choose to come at the same time as The Amigos,”, including the gym owner and trainer, several long-time friends, and a local realtor who stops by to hang out with the guys even though he doesn’t work out.
“We affectionately call it ‘recess’ because it’s just a celebration,” Tina said. “The Amigos are like, ‘I’m here! Now the party can start!’ Wouldn’t it be that lovely to be that confident in life? They know they are bringing something great to the table. They have a sense of ownership of the town. The guys are making a difference in the lives of the people they know, spreading their infectious joy. It’s transformative.”
The special joy of knowing special needs people
Tina was excited about being part of The Dwelling Place’s daily joy and rhythms thanks to her adopted brother, Terry.
Terry was in fourth grade and Tina was in fifth grade when Terry’s father passed away. His mother was unable to care for him on her own, so he moved in with Tina’s family. Eventually, they adopted him.
Before Terry joined the McKenzie family, their home lacked something they needed; they just didn’t know it yet. As a special needs child, Terry changed the family’s entire dynamics – for the better.
“Up until that point, we were a fast-paced, driven family focused on life centered around church and school,” Tina said. “As a firstborn, I had a high internal expectation for myself to do well in school, sports, and music. I felt pressure as a ‘people pleaser’ to excel and not let anyone down.”
When Terry joined the family, he was a warm and fragile boy who still couldn’t speak and had many phobias. But because of his presence, “we slowed down because we had to. He needed us. We grew in compassion and awareness for something we would have missed, which would have been tragic. It was so great going into junior high with the lightness of heart of having that beautiful, loving soul in our home. We knew he needed us, but we didn’t know how much we needed him.”
Tina’s family adopted Terry (pictured holding ice cream cone) after he came to live with them. Terry completed their family and brought much needed perspective and rhythms.
After graduating high school, Tina’s brother Kipp pursued a career in elementary education and later became a principal. He and his wife are Terry’s caregivers today. Her mother, formerly a math and chemistry teacher, changed course and became a junior high special education aid, too. All because of Terry’s shaping influence.
Joining The Amigos’ ‘family’
Prior to joining The Dwelling Place staff, Tina’s favorite “job” was raising her three kids. But she also enjoyed teaching part time in preschool, giving piano lessons at her home, and teaching music and home economics at Upper Valley Christian school, where she met John Bangsund, then the principal, and Kathy Bangsund, a teacher. She continues to enjoy her connection with kids and local families to this day.
“I remember my first hint of introduction to The Dwelling Place as I moved here from Kirkland with my family to be part of the ministry at Leavenworth Church of the Nazarene,” Tina recalled. “I walked into John Bangsund’s office at the school and saw pictures of his son Matt and friends on the wall. I quickly felt at home in our common bond of knowing the richness of sharing life with people who have special needs, and I quickly fell in love with all of them.”
In 2012 Kathy invited her to become a weekday caregiver to The Amigos during a difficult transition in Tina’s life. Taking on the role of caregiving manager at The Dwelling Place was just what Tina needed. Spending every day with The Amigos, becoming part of the family they have forged among their caregivers and friends, reminded her of her value and brought healing to her life.
“Just being able to come to work, have purpose, and be with people who are loving, was such a beautiful thing,” she said. “There’s something very pure hearted about the guys—and honest, and appreciative, and accepting, and welcoming. They just celebrate people and life. That is beautiful.”
A reminder of every person’s value
In a success- and achievement-oriented society where people find value in being “productive,” people with developmental disabilities do not easily find a place.
“Imagine a life where you are known by your deficits instead of what you bring to the table,” Tina went on. “A lot of times they’re categorized as this person who has Down syndrome.”
In Leavenworth, that is not so.
“Usually, a kid would grow up, get married, have kids and a job and that would define success. Here, they’re known by what they bring to the group just by being,” Tina explained. “In this situation every person is valued. They have fulfillment in being a brother, a sister, a helper. We all have needs to be met in love and relationship. Just because it’s not in the traditional way doesn’t mean it can’t be met. This kind of living allows for a full life and deep relationships.”