From Our RHK Executive Director: Open Doors

What an exciting time for RHK! With days getting longer, the kids are loving the beautiful weather. A remodel to increase the size of our classrooms is complete. Our Rock-n-Bowl fundraiser was the best one yet, and plans for our summer field trips are in full swing.

These are just a few exciting things happening lately. But the biggest news happened when someone from Rockford Ridge (formerly known as Concord Commons), a housing development on the west side of Rockford, reached out to us. They asked if we would be interested in having an RHK site on their property. I have learned - when God opens a door, we need to walk through it.

RHK is very familiar with the Rockford Ridge area. When the complex was Concord Commons, we went and picked up kids every evening for the program. On Mondays and Wednesdays, we would fill one full van and part of another. We still have a few families who live there, and a couple of past RHK kids and their children currently live there.

At our first meeting, the management was very accommodating. When we asked what they had in mind, they said “You are the experts. We’ll leave it up to you.” Experts…yikes. As the conversation continued, we made sure they understood we will be speaking about Jesus to the kids while they are in our care. We wanted this to be abundantly clear. We mentioned it at least three to four times during our visit, and they were happy about that part! So, we told them we would start small and then grow it.

With that, RHK’s new site at Rockford Ridge was launched. They met for the first time on Tuesday, April 14. They started that day with three kids, but when others saw what was happening, five more quickly signed up and came to join in.

RHK-Rockford Ridge is for first through fifth grade kids on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Their bus stop is right outside the community room, so they come straight in after school where the kids are greeted by RHK staff and volunteers. They get to have some free time so they can unwind ...a bit, a snack, and then the nuggets of Jesus come. They learned all about creation in their first set of lessons. What better way to start a new adventure than from the beginning of all time.

It’s exciting to see new kids come - learning and hearing God’s Word. It is chaotic and a little scary, but so fulfilling when you know you are doing what God has called you to do. When God is in it, you must follow His lead and trust what He’s called you to do.

I also love seeing our RHK graduates serving. Watching them pour back into the lives of kids, kids the same ages they were when they first came to RHK, melts my heart. It reminds us of the verse in Isaiah 55:11, “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” What was taught to them all the years they were at RHK is still in them. Even though they may have waivered here and there, they kept the truths they were taught. Now, they are a part of helping instill those same truths in the kids who come to RHK-Rockford Ridge.

Our hopes and prayers for the kids who come to the RHK-Rockford Ridge are that they will want to come to RHK’s Monday/Wednesday full program on 7th Street. Just think of the impact for Jesus that can happen! I can’t help but think about the timing of the classroom construction I mentioned in the beginning of this newsletter. Is God preparing us for an influx of kids? Time will tell. All I know is we look forward to seeing how the Lord is going to bring more kids to RHK to further His kingdom.

Blessings,

Dee Lacny, Executive Director, Rock House Kids