In July 2006, Tim and Mallory Ribera, members who attend the El Paso, Texas, congregation, were featured on the front page of the Alamogordo [ New Mexico ] Daily News.

The article, by June Prager, began: "An evening stroll in the park is no longer the same for Tim and Mallory Ribera.

"Now, as they wander the pathways, they cast the occasional glance upwards, hoping to catch a glimpse of a grackle. Grackles are a dime a dozen in Alamogordo, but this one is different. It has a name.

"Honey Hawk is a grackle they rescued a year ago as a fallen nestling...The story began one year ago on Father's Day, at Alameda Park.

"'As we walked along, this little bird kept following us, squawking and flapping its little wings as if to say, "Save me, save me!"' Mallory said.

"So they gave in, thinking she might not survive and wanting her 'to die in peace in a warm place,' Mallory said."

The article went on to explain that the Riberas nursed her to health and eventually taught her to scavenge for herself, all the while forming a strong bond with the bird.

"'Our intention has always been to return her to nature,' Mallory said.

"Then it happened. This past Father's Day marked another discovery. Taking their usual stroll in the park, the Riberas were surprised to learn that Honey was building her own nest...

"Misty-eyed, Tim gathered twigs, stems and strong pieces of grass and held them up in his hand as Honey swooped down, grabbed a few, and added them to her nest...

"Bystanders were goggle-eyed as they watched. Future park visits elicited similar reactions."

Mallory Ribera told United News, "For eleven months she chose to stay with us, playing outside with us during the day and resting inside whenever she wanted to. Since June 1, she lives away with a group of grackles and still enjoys spending time with us at our meeting place, a city park.

"We spent the Feast of Tabernacles in France and were worried about her during that time, not knowing if we would ever see her again.

"When we came back, we found her at the main park of our town, and I regularly go and meet her again.

"Many people who watch Honey Hawk interact with us say 'it's amazing,' 'I can't get over that bird' and 'it's a miracle.'

"How could such a common little bird—a grackle, also sometimes called by some a pest—become so special, earn the front page of a local newspaper and touch so many lives?

"Because the Lord God decided to make us cross her path on that fateful day of June 2005, and He opened our eyes and understanding on the beautiful qualities of this intelligent creature," Mrs. Ribera said.