Give Kids the World

The world is a crazy place. Flip on the tv or pick up a newspaper and we're inundated with murders, rapes, burglaries, wars and a host of other daily predictable clips. Finding solace from reality takes effort and creativity, but sometimes it's what each of us needs.
Give Kids the World Village resides in Kissimmee, Florida. Maybe you've heard of it. After spending five days here I believe this place is as sacred and precious as ground can get. Founded by a man who lost his family during the holocaust, Henri Landwirth is seriously the type of dude whose face should be on cereal boxes and trading cards for our kids to emulate. He managed to funnel his loss and heartache into hope, happiness and dream granting.

Mr. Landwirth created the Village as a gift for families who have children facing illnesses to enjoy a week away from reality and enter his world brimming with smiles, hope and a kind of genuine love that makes the hair stand up on your arm. Close to 200 villas have been built for families to stay and call home for a week. There are rides, putt putt, swimming and daily trips to the surrounding theme parks. What I found impressive was that all the food, supplies, etc. are donated by numerous businesses and not one of them receive advertising or slaps on the back. GKTW was founded on humility, selflessness and they continue that even with sponsors. That's what giving is supposed to be.

As we spent the day serving waffles, playing air hockey with kids or being a train conductor around the tracks every minute was a gift. I can say, without hesitation, this place was surreal. Every single person you passed greater you with a smile. Each volunteer you worked with had a smile with a story of what lead them to give of their time at this place. Spending time with families and speaking with parents who were facing or had faced illnesses with their children and not one complained. Each spoke of their journey, their struggles and the joy at having an opportunity to share this time with their children. I found myself holding back tears in awe of their strength, their faith and the sheer awesomeness of who they were as people.
Our last night was spent working at the Castle where each child who visits is given a star. That star is fixed upon the castle walls where it symbolizes hope and the wish that the child made when dropping it into the sealed box of stars allocated for them alone. Walking through the castle there are thousands of tiny shimmering gold stars that each represent a story, a child and hope. It's an amazing place. 

We escaped reality for a short time, but the time away was beyond my wildest dreams. I may be back in Jersey, but a part of GKTW will always be with me. It's my hope that others will have an opportunity to escape reality, hop on a plane and douse themselves with a level of awesomeness that will leave them wanting more. If you're interested in volunteering check them out: www.gktw.org
I promise you that once you go, you're going to want to go back!

Peace, Love and Lead

Our kids are up against a whole lot these days and sometimes it can seem overwhelming. The class of 2018 will be setting foot in high school hallways in early September. I'm living in the moment and not thinking of summer being a thing of the past, but it will be here before we know it. These kids have a million different emotions swirling around about what to expect, how to react and the daunting concept of walking the hallways upperclassmen. We've all been there. 

Last week I wrapped up my first 'Peace, Love and Leadership Camp' designed specifically for incoming freshmen. We chatted, had plenty of activities and made the overwhelming concept of what lie ahead for them a lot less frightening. It was awesome watching the camp counselors, incoming seniors, chat with these guys about preparing themselves and having a plan before they even set foot in high school. What are your expectations for friendships? What sports/activities/clubs will you get involved in? What if a friend or you are in a bad situation? Who do you talk to? What are you going to do to become a better person and better the culture of your school and community? 

It was awesome watching campers place the pieces together of what ingredients can be placed together to make high school a great experience. The week transitioned from chat to actions where they worked in the school thrift shop gaining a grasp of who we serve and how far the money raised goes to help their peers. Starting at your doorstep goes pretty far.
The kids then met up at an area church to organize and prep their food pantry and clothing bank. With over 100 families served a month there is tremendous need for food, clothing and volunteers. I get a kick out of seeing eyes open and hearts get excited at the fact that their actions made a difference. In just a few hours their efforts helped feeding people in their community. Bam!

I love it! Kids can make a difference and there is no age limit. My nephew, Tristan, was right in the mix stacking cans, folding clothes and gaining life lessons that will alter his heart. It's amazing stuff!
So as our week came to a close there was no better way to get these guys totally stoked than a little color throwing throwing out the message that we all can choose to color our community and school with vibrant messages of giving, loving and serving or we can refrain stifling our growth and disallowing others to receive what they so sorely need.
From our first camp it was pretty clear that the class of 2018 is definitely starting on the right track. Super stoked!

Honduras

Without hesitation I would say that some of my greatest life lessons have been experienced abroad. We live in a great, blessed land of opportunity. Just recently my family and I spent some time in Honduras on the island of Roatan. I'm not sure what the average person conjures up when thinking of Honduras, but I didn't have a whole lot of knowledge of the country before we booked the trip. What I learned prior to and visiting is that the country laden with lush rainforest and picturesque beaches also faces tremendous poverty. The average worker earns an average of $15 a day.
We spent some time at an area orphanage as kids ran around on scooters, kicked around soccer balls and gained insight as to how many orphanages were on the island along with the stark reality that there is little room for opportunity or breaking out of the cycle of poverty.

From Honduras, Nicaragua, Egypt, Haiti, Fiji, Belarus and the Dominican the one constant factor was that those with the least seemed the most content. I am grateful for the comforts of home and every day living. From my lap top, iPhone, wifi, having a vehicle, running water and an air-conditioned home these are all things that make life a little more pleasurable. But sometimes there is that voice in the back of my head of just having too much stuff that has a way of interfering in the quality of life.

There is too much clutter that detracts from the beauty of the twenty -four hours of the day. Finding contentment isn't so easy sometimes. We live in a world with great beauty, but there is also so much heart ache and heaviness. I believe our days and years are so much fuller when we take the opportunity to enjoy the blessings around us. Stuff cannot bring joy. We might try with all our might, but it doesn't. 

Being content, fulfilled is a beautiful thing. It has been through my faith and relationship with God that has altered my perception of what is and what isn't important in this world. If the people of Honduras can be content with so little and so many Americans are discontent with so much there's something very wrong in how we are doing things.
My hope is that we use these faces and hearts to challenge ourselves and look on a heart level not a monetary level. Life lessons that resonate far and deep if we allow them.