From Our RHK Executive Director: Give Thanks!

Give thanks! Psalm 9:1 says, “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.”

That's the message I want to share with you this month. As we reflect on this year, which has been full of ups and downs, we see the Lord's hand in so many wonderful moments.

Amid these ups and downs, this year brought both losses and wins.

For example, a few staff members left this year for happy reasons like marriage and welcoming twins, and we miss them. At the same time, we have welcomed new team members who fit right in.

We lost a long-standing volunteer to cancer. His booming laugh still lingers in the hallways, and his welcoming smile remains in our hearts and minds as we enter the building. Mr. Rich blessed both the adults and the kids he interacted with.

Some of our kids lost their lives to violence. Some lost their freedom due to poor choices. Even while in jail, we can find the positive. They are reading their Bibles. They are safe, off the streets, and have even said, “I wish I had listened to what I was taught at Rock House.” As long as there is breath, they can come to Jesus.

Others have found freedom in accepting Jesus as their Savior and chose to make a public declaration and be baptized.

There are days when you might wonder if we are making a difference or if what we teach truly reaches the heart. Then, something special happens. A small group conversation grows when one brave teen asks a question about the Bible, inspiring others to join in. Before long, a deep and meaningful discussion unfolds.

This same teen who spoke up during small group requested a song during chapel. They asked for “Take Me to the King”, by Hezekiah Walker. As the song was playing, the other teens were not participating. She was not having it. She went to each teen, got them standing, clapping, and singing. This was Psalm 100:1, “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth”, in action Some kids dropped out of school, while three of our teens graduated and went on to college. While we are very excited for them, we miss them. It is literally like one of our very own going off to college. We are very proud of them, and yet RHK has a bit of a hole on teen night without them here.

In September, we had our annual fundraiser: RHK Real. We were blessed to have one of our past kids speak from her heart. To hear what RHK meant to her and her family reminds us that God is working. She reminded us of how RHK is different because we taught her about God. This is where she learned about the Bible. This is where she learned to rely on God and His Word, and now she has her nephew and niece coming here because He is what gets you through.

Each one of these examples is the workings of the Lord. He is the one who has brought about the wonderful deeds. He is the one who brought us through the hard times and the good times.

We are thankful for your support of the kids and the mission of RHK. You are helping make a difference in the lives of the kids at RHK. We could not do what we do without YOU!

“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you.” Philippians 1:3

Happy Thanksgiving!

Dee Lacny,

Executive Director, Rock House Kids