Graduation Time

Our first daughter has graduated from High School.  Mixed emotions to say the least.  At times I'm feeling very practical about it, "it's just the next phase of life", "another chapter" etc... And at other times I'm feeling lost that it's already over.  No matter how I feel, I am overwhelmed with good old fashioned parental pride.    Good job Jessica, go out and change the world!!!

Donor Report -2012

Well wonders and miracles never cease.  They may be hard to find some times, but they still happen.  That’s how this year’s fundraising could be characterized: as a “wonder” or a “miracle.”  It was my goal in 2012 to take several fundraising trips to the Bay Area to thank current donors and work hard to add new donors.  Because of new work commitments and extra travel for special projects, I was not able to make those trips. 

I was feeling pretty low for not appreciating my current donors the way I should, and for not adding more donors the way I had hoped.   Then, God came through, and blessed us with three unexpected donations that equaled 23% of our entire budget, and helped us get to 100% of our fundraising goal for the first time in 6 years!  I could have never worked hard enough to get those checks; they were simply blessings from Heaven.  We are so encouraged to know that people have said, “Jeff and Janet, we believe in you and what you are doing, here’s my part to help”.  

Thank you for entrusting us with your prayer and support.  We have been investing them into the lives of children around America and around the world.

Our budget results for 2012:

1) 8 new donors!!!      2) 101 total donors   3) 100+% of our budget goal for the first time! 

Our budget goals for 2013:

1) Add 15 new donors to our support team  2) Have 120 total donors  3)  Budget at 100%.

Donor Breakdown

Churches	Business & Organizations	Car Donations	Golf Tournament	Safety Clients	Individual Donors	Memorial Gifts
8	5	0	1	6	72	1

Here’s a short story from our recent trip to Chile to start more camps in South America.

Every camp has a birthday party to celebrate the kids’ birthdays. During the party, I saw several boys tossing a Frisbee unsuccessfully.  I happen to love throwing a Frisbee, so I jumped in and in spite of the language barrier, using simple hand signals, I was able to show the boys the basic throws and also the “through the legs” toss and the “around the back” toss.  For beginners, they did really well.  I was there to teach adults how to operate a camp and in doing so, change lives.  But in the midst of all the lectures and notes, I got to teach 4 boys how to play catch with a Frisbee and we had a great time.  I hope they never forget that birthday party, and the day some guy they didn’t even know from a country far away, took the time and had fun with them playing a simple game of catch. 

RFK Annual Report

For those who may be interested.

A link to our annual report.

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/65179634/RFKAnnualReport2012.pdf

Chile video clip

Chile Report

 We had a great time and some incredible ministry to the Chilean people.

We trained 23 Nationals in our class and we were truly touched by their heart for God and for the Children of Chile.  The training was both incredibly different because of the place and the country and yet it is was incredibly the same because the people have the same heart for God and for His children.

They asked many of the same questions and have many of the same fears as our trainees here in the states.  

There are already 4-5 camps running in Chile and some of these trainees will take over the existing camps while 3-4 others will be trying to start new camps around the country.  

It wont be easy to start new camps for them as fundraising is very different in that county.  But God has helped get the current 4-5 camps up and running so He can certainly do it again.

Our trip was successful but not without its moments.  Our trip there was supposed to be 3 flights and take 24 hours; instead it was 3 flights and 47 hours due to the planes mechanical problems and then rebooking problems, with a lot of stress and wondering if we were going to actually have our connecting flights etc.  

We didn't have any real health issues, Praise God, but life there is different.

It was in many ways a "Missions Trip" and we had to adjust to Chilean food (not too difficult, but different, lots of meat and potatoes) and even more crazy was the Chilean schedule.  Very laid back, "we'll get it when we get to it" type of thing.  They like to stay up late and continue talking and training but we were dead tired by 9 or 10 pm.  

They had the local camp and our training at a local school, it's their summer so the kids our on summer break.  Apparently it's common in the schools that toilet paper and even toilet seats seems to be optional equipment.  Carrying extra TP was easy enough but it's hard to pack an extra toilet seat around with you, so one learns to do without.

But loving people who enjoyed life and we enjoyed them.

Thanks for your prayers and support.  For me it will be a week that lasts a lifetime.

Jeff

Chile Directors Training Photos

Every camp needs an active volcano near by!!!

 Grains at the local market

 First RFK manuals published in Spanish!

 Local Chilean volunteers ready for the kids to show up. 

 Showing the trainees the camper registration process

 Campers during registration

 Chilean Volunteer team waiting for the bus to arrive

 Fellow trainer Glenn with interpreter 

 Praying for trainees to go forth and accomplish miracles 

 Training outdoors, it was cooler!

 Final prayer in the classroom with trainees 

Fellow trainer Mark, with volunteer Counselor from Paraguay 

Home email correction

In the last newsletter (mail version) that went out with our NEW HOME email address there was a typo!!!  The new address for our home email is JJuhala6@gmail.com  The newsletter left out the "6" at the end.

Please note that if you are trying to send something to our home.  My work email is still the same.

Thanks!!!