TENT TIME - TURNING 40!

So, what did I do on my 40th birthday that probably no one else in the world has done? Well, quite simply, I spent 4 days in a tent in my backyard, alone, without food. Before I write any more, let me start with 2 notes:

Note 1: I don’t want anything I write here to sound boastful or bragging. I really considered not telling anybody what I did for several reasons, but people started asking and it was hard to explain my absence. The easiest way is to write it all down and let you read it.

Note 2: Another reason I am writing this is because as I look back on my 40 years I have found that I learned a lot of things simply by listening to other people’s experiences. Not that I expect any of you to do this, but ideas can be generated from the strangest sources. And I have always known that I’m strange – scratch that, let’s try peculiar. That sounds better.

So here’s the Readers Digest version. Short sentences to keep it simple.

Wayne Tesch, Founder of RFKC, told me several years ago that if I wanted to work with RFKC in the future I would need to get my Ministers License (ML), in order to speak in churches about camps.
I asked God for a specific scripture to tell me if I should start studying for my ML.
In the shower in a Bakersfield hotel I believe I heard the verse, Leviticus 8:5. I was expecting a very specific verse like, “Jeff, study for your ML, and I’ll provide the extra money and time, sincerely, God”. Yes, that’s what I wanted, but here’s what it says, “And Moses spoke to the people and said “This is what you should do”.
Huh? It seemed to lack the specificity that I was looking for.
But when I read on, I found that the rest of chapter 8 has to do with Moses telling all the people of Israel about Aaron and his sons being set aside and consecrated onto the Lord as the Priests for all of Israel. To kill a bull and place the blood on Aaron’s right big toe, right thumb, and right ear lobe, to wear certain garments and then to go into the tent of the Tabernacle for 7 days to consecrate themselves unto the Lord!
Interesting, huh?
So, I took that to be the affirmative answer to my prayer. Now the question is, when do I start my studies?
Before I started studying, Janet and I received the call from God, and then from Wayne, to move to Southern CA to work full time with RFKC.
Once we moved, I started my studies through Berean School of the Bible.
As I started my studies, I realized that even though I had already spoken in churches on behalf of RFKC, I would now be giving longer messages with greater Biblical context and with the title of a Licensed Minister. Standing behind a pulpit is not something I take lightly; I consider it to be a serious responsibility.
I also know that whenever I speak, I really want to do a great job. I want to be a great public speaker, and I know it won’t just happen. I will have to do my part, but I know that God’s blessing can do a lot to help me.
With all that in mind, I decided to read through chapter 8 again, and this time I noticed the verses at the end that mention the seven days in the tent.
I thought, now there’s an idea!!! I could spend some time in a tent, set my self apart, consecrate myself unto the Lord, let God know I am serious about being a Licensed Minister, ask for His blessing to be a better speaker, study, pray and fast. It’s certainly “different and unique” and I’m into things that are “different and unique”!
But, could I really do it for 7 days? I’m away from my family enough now as it is. And what about the bull and the blood? Can I get away with that in Orange County?
Well, in today’s society, if people want to become Ministers or Priests they go to Bible school, they no longer deal with the bull and the blood, thank goodness.
Well, I didn’t want to be legalistic about it, so I thought I would do the following:
I’m turning 40, so I would spend 4 days in the tent, 4 decades – 4 days.
I would drop the bull & blood stuff and add fasting.
I would spend time in prayer, worship, and listening to good preachers on tape.
I would study 4 things that I have wanted to study for a long time. I printed out every scripture in the Bible that contained the following words:
Wisdom – Knowledge – Understanding – Discernment
Then I thought, if I study these words to be a better person and become a better speaker, I had also better study every scripture containing the word Humble, thus my comments in note 1 above.

So, there it is. My four days alone were interesting, wonderful, awful, challenging, intriguing, and unknown. One person asked me “how was it”? Well, there was no bolt of lightning, no super revelation like Saul on the road to Damascus. But I don’t think Aaron and his sons experienced a bolt of lightning either. I think it was just the right thing to do, and I believe it will lay a foundation for greater things in the future. Time will tell.

Camper Story - "Anyone Who Would Listen"

Glenn Garvin and I were recently staffing a booth at the National Outreach Convention in San Diego. While there a women came up to us and told this story. She said she had been in an abusive relationship and finally left and was living in a Hotel / Shelter for abused women with her 2 daughters. Her daughters were confused and distraught over the abuse, leaving home and then living in the shelter. A local church was helping the women there so she and her daughters started attending that church. When she explained the trauma her oldest daughter was dealing with one of the workers invited her to the RFKC that the church was operating. Upon returning from the camp her daughter was so excited about all that she had done, she told her mother all about it. Since then, whenever anybody comes over she will bring out her photo album from camp, and enthusiastically tell “anyone who would listen” all about each photo and what a great time she had that week. This mother stood there and told us that her daughter still says “that was the best week of my life”.

That’s what we’re trying to do, take the children from troubled times and give them the best week of their lives!

Family Photos from 2007

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video HostingClick on the picture to see the photo album, or try this link:http://www.dropshots.com/JJuhala#albums/JJ%20Family%202007/2006-08-21/17:25:46

First Salmon

For more pictures click on this link:

http://www.dropshots.com/JJuhala#albums/Oregon%20Trip%2010-07/2007-10-24/21:20:03

Well here it is, my first Salmon. Probably my first fish that's over a foot long! This beauty was about 30 inches long and about 25 lbs. I must say it was a team effort, certainly not based on my skills alone. My Brother-in-law Terry rigged the bait and tackle, while his friend Brady drove the boat and knew where to go, I reeled it in and got the picture. Thanks Terry and Brady for a great day in Newport Bay Oregon.

I was there to speak at Terry's church, Hood River Assembly, on Wednesday night Oct. 24th. It was a great service and my first full length service. The next day I was able to visit with my childhood Pastor from Antioch Open Bible , Pastor Bill Clemons who is now at Edmonds Open Bible in Edmonds WA. That night I had a great time visiting with our Camp Directors John and Jude Hubbell there in Edmonds.

On Saturday the 27th I stopped by the University of Oregon and watched the UofO football team beat USC with my Nephew Dominic Cardoso. Nic is a Senior there and the Billiards Instructor for the University. It was a great game and a great time with Nic.

Thanks to Janelle and Terry, Nic and all the rest. Click on the link above for more pictures from the trip.

Connections - Relationships - Opportunities

As I have been talking to people over the last year I have discovered that while I am fundraising, or training or encouraging people to start a camp, I have discovered that what I'm really doing is Connecting with people, building Relationships and opening the door for Opportunities. The exciting news is that opportunities flow both ways. I was very concerned when I started this new journey that all I was going to do was ask people for money. But what I have discovered is that there are many opportunities that open up once the relationship is established. Yes, sometimes the opportunity is to ask for support on behalf of abused children. I have the privilege of standing up on their behalf because they often can not stand up for themselves. But other opportunities also open up such as: praying for someone else, encouraging them, finding a need they have and meeting it for them, speaking for a group they are a part of or just being a listening ear. One of my greatest joys and surprises since starting this job has been the opportunities for friendship and encouragement that have gone way beyond the financial support and training opportunities.

Thanks for all the support and for the relationships, together we will all benifit while making a difference in the lives of abused children. If there is anything I can do for you, please ask.

Safety First - Near Miss with 50 Cal.

As a Safety guy I love incredable pictures and videos and here's one.

This guy is shooting a AR-50, watch the dust when he fires. The target, a steel plate, was 100 yards away. You can hear the ping of the hit, then the bullet comes back, hits the dirt in front of him and then hits his earmuffs on his head. The footage is amazing. You can hear the bullet as it tumbles through the air on its course back toward the shooter. He is okay, and obviously very lucky. The bullet grazed his temple.

What a difference a half an inch makes!

Family Vacation

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video HostingClick on the link below to see more pictures: http://www.dropshots.com/JJuhala#albums/Family%20Vacation%202007/2007-07-26/13:47:15This was our first week long vacation in about 4 years. We visited the San Bernardino mountains including Camp PineCrest, Lake Gregory, Lake Big Bear, and Lake Arrowhead. Everyone had a great time relaxing and enjoying some family time.

Alabama Training Camp

Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Share Photos - Free Video HostingClick on the link below for more photos from the Alabama Training Camphttp://www.dropshots.com/JJuhala#albums/Alabama%20Training%202007

Three Training Camps & Done for the Summer

Well it's over, lots of miles and lots of smiles. More on the way about Alabama.

Cicada Symphony Video

If this does not play for you try this link:
http://www.dropshots.com/JJuhala#date/2007-06-15/08:40:38

Cicadas in Wisconsin

If this does not play for you try this link:
http://www.dropshots.com/JJuhala#date/2007-06-11/08:21:18

Two Down & One To Go!

Well my second training camp is in the record books. At the Costa Mesa Camp, the original camp that started 23 years ago, we trained 9 people to start 2 new camps in Covina CA and San Antonio TX.

We had a great group and everything went well except the heat. Several days were in the high 90's and the training room didn't have air conditioning!

We were visited by a couple of bears who eat out of the trash dumpster on a nightly basis. They became a distraction mid way through the week and the Camp Director finally put an end to the bear sightseeing.

The camp was held over the forth of July and we had a special "posting of the colors" by a US Marine who returned to work at the camp after getting a week long pass from the Marines.
Pretty amazing that he wanted to spend is pass by going to camp rather than spending it in other ways. (See his picture at the link).

Everyone had a great time and we are confident that next year we will have 2 new camps in operation helping to plant the seeds of hope, happiness and wholeness into more lives than ever before.


PICTURES, PICTURES, PICTURES
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8439993@N02/sets/72157600767795643/


Jeff

One Training Camp Down Many More To Go!!!

What an adventure!

I flew into Chicago OHare and they lost one of my bags! That's life in the world of travel. They found it and got it to me the next day but for a while there I thought it was going to be an interesting week.

We met our training group on Saturday night and headed for the camp ground at Lake Geneva in Wisconsin on Sunday. What a beautiful lake, lots of old time Chicago money and millionaires around the lake, like the Wrigley Family and Bank Presidents etc.

The largest house on the lake was built in 1899 for 2 million dollars and is approximately 55,000 square feet. Now that’s a big house for 1899!

We trained 11 different people from 3 churches in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. The Georgia group is trying to start 2 camps through Non-profit group called The Village, co-founded by a player in the NBA.

I had mentioned the cicadas in an earlier email, and just to let you know, they were out in full force. Every 17 years they come out of the ground, mate and then die off while their young go back under ground for another 17 years. The males make a high pitched sound to attract the females so it was rather deafening in the woods with literally thousands of cicadas trying to attract their mates.

Here’s a link to some PICTURES from the camp.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8439993@N02/sets/72157600403725576/

All in all, it was a great time. We trained about 36 hours in the classroom with many additional hours of observation and interaction with the existing camp.

Our goal was to birth new camps in theses states so they too could make a life-changing difference in the lives of some hurting kids who have been dealt a poor hand in life.

Thanks for helping me to do my part in those life-changing moments.

Jeff

Pictures Pictures Pictures

If you 'd like to see some pictures of recent activities, click the link below:

You can view the pictures on the site or watch a slide show by hitting the slide show button - View as slideshow

http://www.flickr.com/photos/8439993@N02/

Welcome!

Having left our family and home to come to work for Royal Family Kids' Camps in August of 2006, we were excited and overwhelmed all at the same time. We were sent on our way by so many family and friends supporting our decision and lending a hand. We truly appreciate the help that everyone gave us. Help that extended to: fixing up the old house, living in a temporary house and then finding the new rental house, help finishing my work at Contra Costa Electric and help starting the new job, help with the kids and help with our finances. In so many ways we have so many people to thank and appreciate. We could never have been prepared to do what we are now doing without the help of family and friends who have been there for us. To all of you, THANKS!!!