Revealing Letters

At the end of camp, we usually ask campers if they would like to write a letter to God.  It's up to them, whatever they'd like to say.  

We also ask if they would like to tell us what they like about RFK.

Here are a few letters from our camp in Tulsa, OK.

Changing Perspectives of Children in Foster Care.

For a variety of reasons people have made negative assumptions about children who are placed in Foster care.  It’s typical for people to assume that children are removed because the child’s behaviors are out of control.  This chart, based on data from the Children’s Bureau, clearly shows that the main causes for a child to be removed is because of the parents!   

(There are usually multiple reasons why a child is removed, therefore see the note listed.)

Note: These categories are not mutually exclusive, so percentages will total

more than100% and counts will be more than the total number of entries.

Unbroken - The Louis Zamperini Story Coming To RFK

About 18 months ago we were contacted by the Louis Zamperini Foundation inquiring about any potential interest RFK might have in using the Louis Zamperini story to encourage Foster Children.

If you don't recognize the Louis Zamperini name, his incredible story has been written about in numerous books and 2 full-length movies.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Zamperini

As an amateur WW II historian, I was immediately interested in making a connection.

Well, since that first contact a lot has taken place including the unveiling of an RFK comic book movie about Louis Zamperini’s life.  See below.

Here's a quick rundown of the journey so far: 

• Chris Carmichael and I meet with Luke and Lisa Zamperini.  (Louis’ son and daughter-in-law.)

• Attorneys drafting MOU's (Memorandum of Understanding) licensing the Zamperini story to RFK in various forms.

• Camp visit summer of 2018
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• Creation of a fundraising packet for donors for this specific project
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• Talking my way into being an Extra on the set of the second movie, Unbroken, Path to Redemption.  http://unbrokenfilm.com/

• Tons of meetings, emails and phone calls.

• Finding a Director for the short movie based on the 1956 comic book about Louis Zamperini’s life.

• Voice recordings for the movie.

• Editing and more editing…

• After much work and passion, the first chapter of the comic book movie is finally complete.

This fall, our Mentoring Clubs will be able to show all 12 chapters of the movie to the children and point out teachable moments.  The Mentors can then discuss the issues with the children.

The Zamperini story brings 3 major themes of discussion to the children.

1. Louis faced many difficulties, but he learned how to overcome obstacles.

2. Louis made promises to God that he didn't keep, he was even angry at God, but eventually, he found faith and it guided the rest of his life.

3.Although Louis was abused in the war, he found peace when he offered forgiveness.

Once all 12 chapters are complete, we begin condensing this story into a 5-day drama for the Olympic theme Camp drama next year.

What an amazing ride. 

Enjoy Chapter 1 and be prepared to hear a few voices that might sound familiar.

Click on this link to view chapter one:

https://vimeo.com/355348293

Skeptic To Director

While training in Texas this summer, our new perspective Director, Rick, shared how he used to be a skeptic before joining the RFK team in Concord and then Brentwood.

I asked him if he would repeat his comments on video because we have a lot of skeptics and reluctant volunteers who don't understand how we can help kids by giving them a great week of fun and memories and faith.

https://vimeo.com/357634335

Wales UK, Camp

Children are the same all around the world.  They hurt, they want to be loved and they just want to be a kid.  Here is a great article about our camp in Wales UK. 

https://news.ag.org/features/royal-family-kids-camp-hope-amid-horror













https://news.ag.org/features/royal-family-kids-camp-hope-amid-horror

Former Campers Now Volunteers

Last year we had 237 former campers return as volunteers.  What a great tribute to their success and the program being something they want to be a part of.

Global Roundtable 2019

Our third Global Roundtable was held in Sydney, Australia in May 2019.  We had 35 attendees from 9 countries all connected with RFK.  Attending were Wales UK, Australia, Poland, Chile, Argentina, South Africa, Namibia, Ghana, and the USA.

We discussed many of the challenges that each country faces in its efforts to help children from hard places.  Each country gave its own report including the number of camps, mentoring clubs, kids, volunteers, and their challenges and successes.   

The camp where we stayed holds three local RFK's during the year and is an exceptionally well-run campground facility.  

We gathered to connect, discuss, encourage and refine the RFK operations, holding true to the core of what makes RFK work, yet being flexible with the model and the cultural needs of each country.  

Cultures and needs are very different around the world, but what is consistent are the needs of the children and the expansive hearts of the volunteers who are working so hard at trying to meet the needs under very challenging conditions. 

Below are some photos of our time together in the conference room, but also on tour around Sydney.  

Part of the process to improve RFK is to get to know each other through experiences, including touring the city of Sydney.  Several of the attendees from South America and Africa would have never been able to travel to somewhere like Australia, except for an event like this.  They were most grateful for the opportunity, and felt humbled and blessed to represent their country at this event.  The opportunity to tour Sydney with them allowed them to truly open up and have personal discussions about their struggles and challenges far outside of their official reports.  

Walking tour of the camp facility - Great way to shake off jetlag.  Australia is 18 hours different than CA time.  





Lookout point toward the Pacific Ocean.

Our training room for the week.

Training Exercise - Topics to be covered at local training.






Animal Exposure near the camp facility.  Very tame Wallabies.












This is Miguel from Chile whom I trained for a week back in 2012 while I was in Chile.


Peter Lusk and our speaker for the week, Dr. Bill Prevette.




Argentina Representatives signing their Global Roundtable Agreement.

Lessons From Jack. Little Input - Big Impact!

Hello RFK donors and friends.  I usually tell a story about a camper, but this is a great story about a new friend.

A few weeks ago, I met a man named Jack Gutman.  He told a few jokes at a men’s ministry luncheon, and the speaker mentioned something that Jack did a long time ago that was very special, so special that I was determined to meet him after the luncheon.

Jack’s story was so amazing, we later met for breakfast and he shared an incredible encounter he had that I think RFK volunteers and donors need to hear.

Jack had been a comedian in his mid 20’s, then he managed a drug store, and found his way into selling life insurance.  Because he was so good with people, he quickly advanced in the company.  Another company realized how good he was, so they recruited him to their company, then another company recruited him, and then another company recruited him away.  Each time, he got more pay and prestige until he was in the top 20 life insurance salespeople in that company nationwide.  Not bad. 

All along Jack experienced success, he tried to grow in his faith, but he also struggled with early life trauma which caused him to occasionally make some poor decisions.  Success also led to self-sabotage. 

Years went by, and Jack found himself at another employer where he had brief opportunities to meet with customers.  His interactions were only 2-5 minutes long at this job, and he was intentionally looking for and praying for ways to interact with customers in these short segments.

He decided to ask each customer, “How is life treating you?”

He saw lots of customers and heard lots of answers.  Some customers were angry, some happy, many were unresponsive and every once in a while, a customer was truly thankful and had a heartfelt conversation with Jack.

One day a young lady came through Jack’s line who was pregnant and he asked her, “How is life treating you?”  She indicated, not so good, and explained her troubling situation of the moment.  Jack shared a few brief thoughts of encouragement, but this time he sensed she needed more, so he mentioned that he would have a break in about 10 minutes, and if she cared to wait until then, he would be willing to chat with her.  She accepted the offer and when the time came, Jack spent about 10 minutes hearing her story, offering encouragement and a smile and then he took time to pray with her. 

She went on her way and Jack went back to work.

Several months went by, and Jack was invited to another gathering at a church to tell a joke or two at a fundraiser.   While standing in front of the crowd, he noticed a young woman waving and calling his name.  Jack went to her and discovered it was the woman that he had prayed for months earlier.  She excitingly introduced Jack to her husband.  Her husband said, “Is this the Jack, you’ve been telling me about?”  She said, “yes, this is the Jack who prayed with me.”  She said, “Jack, you saved my life!”  Then she looked over at a young baby boy and she said, “Jack, I’d like to introduce you to my son, his name is Jack.”  She said, “I named him after you!!!!” 

Jack began to cry.  He was immediately overwhelmed by such an honor from such a small act of kindness. 

             “Jack, you saved my life!”

Although Jack didn’t know it at the time, his small act of kindness and prayer was what she desperately needed at that moment.

How is it, that a little input can result in a great impact?

It's the same question as, how can 2 fish and 5 loaves result in 12 baskets of leftovers?

The answer is God’s blessing.

Let’s take a look at this story with a deeper perspective.

With intention, Jack prayed and looked for opportunities to bring encouragement to people even though he only had a few minutes of interaction with each customer.

Jack shared that encouragement with many customers: some rejected it, many were neutral, but a few really appreciated his reaching out, and at least this one woman needed that encouragement desperately.

Jack was blessed to have found her later, and privileged to hear “the rest of the story” about how he impacted her life.

Let me describe it this way:

1.     Jack put forth faithful effort to encourage people.

2.     The faithful effort led to transformation in this young lady. 

3.     Jack was blessed to hear “the rest of the story”.  

Here’s the thing I want RFK volunteers, donors and others, to consider.

We all want “the rest of the story.” We all want to know our efforts transformed lives, to know we have made a difference.

What if Jack hadn’t gone to the church meeting, or if the young lady had not gone, and Jack never found out that there was a little boy named after him?

If Jack had not found out about the rest of the story, that means he wouldn't have known, but it does not mean that the transformation didn’t happen. 

Just because you don't know about the transformation, does not mean it didn't happen.

If one of our volunteers hasn’t had their “rest of the story” yet, please understand that it doesn’t mean that the transformation hasn't happened, it just means they haven’t heard the rest of the story yet.

I believe all over this country, RFK volunteers have been transforming lives in mighty and spectacular ways. 

What caused the transformation?  Acts 8:6 uses the English word “miracle or signs” to describe Peter healing and doing great works on the way to Samaria.  That word in the Greek is 

sēmeíon –(say-mi'-on):

a sign, typically miraculous, especially to confirm, corroborate or authenticate the Lord’s purpose, by doing what mere man cannot replicate or take credit for.

Jack can take credit for being intentional, for praying ahead of time, for being an encourager and for asking customers, “how is life treating you”?  Jack can take credit for his input, but he can never take credit for impacting the woman’s life so much that she named her child after him.  That is something mere man cannot replicate or take credit for.

Sēmeíon moments are happening at Royal Family KIDS.

I want this story to encourage readers, donors and all the RFK volunteers across the country that when we offer little bits of input with God’s blessing, we can achieve great moments of impact. 

Let me add a little more to Jack’s story.

I told you about Jack being a top salesman in the country, and being recruited by numerous companies.  It's a good feeling to be wanted and rewarded. 

But Jack did have some trauma in his life, and after he retired from work, he found himself with a generous heart, but an unwise heart.  Jack misspent some of his money, and generously gave away too much of his money.  At the age of 85 Jack was broke.  Eventually he was living on food stamps and the generosity of friends and the church benevolent fund. 

Jack felt like a failure and he was depressed.  It was in this setting that Jack had to go back to work at a local retail store.  He was no longer the high paid salesman with a company car, corner office and prestige.   He was now an 85-year old checker at Wal-Mart.   

It was under these “less than ideal” life conditions that Jack decided, if he had to work, he could still do something to encourage people with his 2-5 minutes scanning items in the checkout line.

I felt bad for Jack that he was in this difficult situation.  But I was also impressed and encouraged that in those less than ideal life conditions, he still found a way to live out his faith, encourage people, and make a difference even though he was broke at 85 and he had to go back to work. 

I mentioned that Jack did something very special a long time ago that compelled me to want to meet Jack.

When Jack was 18 years old, he visited Europe at a place called Normandy, France on June 6, 1944 known as D-Day.  

He was a medic for the US Navy arriving at Utah Beach. 

Later, Jack was transferred to the Pacific theater where he was a medic for the invasion of Okinawa.  

Jack saw some terrible things as a medic that caused long-term PTSD in his life, and the trauma led him to sabotage some of his own success.

Just so you know, Jack’s application for a military pension was finally approved so he has received counseling and therapy to better manage his PTSD and his life and finances are much, much better today.

As a medic, Jack treated the broken, the burned and blown to pieces.

He treated them with bandages and tourniquets and morphine.  

As a Medic, he did what he was trained to do, and then he sent them back to someone else for further treatment. 

Jack was involved in two of the biggest and bloodiest battles of World War II, and Jack is a hero to me.

The RFK volunteers are going to camp and mentoring club.

They are going to treat the broken, the battered and bruised.

Our RFK volunteers will treat the kids with kindness, joy, patience and 3 meals a day, with swimming and drama and birdhouses and be the hands and feet of Jesus.

They’ll do what they’ve been trained to do and then they too, will send the kids back to someone else for further treatment, and further hope, for further opportunities, and they’ll send the kids back into the rest of the plan that God has each of their lives.

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Jack is a hero because of what he did, and RFK volunteers are heroes because of what they do for the least of these.