It's not often I go public with deep personal stuff...

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ragtopfury

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But this one hit me a little different and a lot harder.
I am a leader in a boys group thru the Assembly of God Church. We are called Royal Rangers. We reach, teach and keep keep boys for Christ and help grow them into Godly men while also teaching camping and survival skills. I have taught 3rd-5th graders in the program since 2001 when my son Jacob started in the kindergarten age class.

14 years ago, when Jake started my class, a family outside of our local church knew about the Ranger program and started bringing there son Valik. His mom and dad had 2 teenage girls of their own and adopted Valik and his sister out of an orphanage in Russia at ages 4 and 6. Now that Valik was entering 3rd grade, they wanted him in Rangers. He was having some behavior issues in school and his mom and dad wanted a better/deeper influence in his life. There church did not offer such a program for his age at the time. That's when I 1st met a pleasant speaking 9 year old kid who was still amazed at what America had to offer in his few years that he had lived here already, who had a lot of energy to burn off and liked to push the limits of those in athourity. As we got to learn him, and he learned us , he was just a fun kid to teach. He ended up fitting in really well with the 12 other kids in my group. At the end of his 3 years in my class, he was entering the 6th grade and started attending the youth group at his parents church. His dad loved the turn around/growth he saw in Valik in those 3 years, as well as the taming of all that little boy energy. His school work was all A's and B's heading into middle school, he didn't push the limits any longer and just got along with everybody and was playing youth league sports. His dad gave me a lot of that credit, even tho I only had him for 2 hours 1 night a week and 2 weekends a year. His dad kept in touch with me until Valik entered high school around 2009/10. I recently learned that Valik was now a senior in college and doing very well.

I just learned last night that Valik died in a single car wreck on Sept 22 when he veered off the road at 50-60 mph and rolled his Mitsubishi Eclipse. He was 22 years old. 11-14 years prior, that kid left an impression on me and will always have a place in my heart. Valik was the same age as my son, Jake. I cannot imagine what his mom and dad are going thru right now. I will be at the memorial service later this month.

Pray for the Ronk family as they process and heal from this loss of life.

Sorry, not sorry for the long read. My eyes are wet for this one.
 
Unfortunate to hear. No words accommodate tragic deaths. But fortunate you got to share a portion of his life. Sounds like your group influenced his life in a positive way, and it was recognized by others. Hope this influences you to continue to make a difference in young men's lives.
 
Hope this influences you to continue to make a difference in young men's lives.

Absolutely! I do not like tent camping. I drag a 35ft condo behind my truck for family camping.... but the weekends in tents with the boys is always a blast. Kids are awesome. Teaching them is a great joy for me.
 
I am so sorry. Sending prayers to you and all involved. You have our condolences.
 
Very sorry to hear. Prayers for the Ronk family as they navigate through this tragic event. Praying also for you in this time of loss.

God must have plans for Valik that are unknown at this time.
 
This is so sad to hear, prayers for you and his family, that is a great group your leading and I'm glad you had the privilege of touching his life and he touching yours.
 
Our condolences to everyone affected from up here.
Very sad to read.
Kudos to you and helping families and kids out. You make society better.
 
Sorry to hear this. The Ronk family and friends are in our thoughts and prayers. As well as u sir. I’ve lost a couple young guys that apprenticed under me. Very sad. Kim
 
I am very sorry for the loss of your young friend. :( It sounds like he had grown into a man that was well on his way. We all have a time, and only the lord knows when that is....but even knowing and accepting that doesn't ease the pain of such a tragic loss. Prayers for his family, you, and his friends.
 
Incredible story..... You must have the touch OP. None of us will ever know our destiny however from what I gathered from your story is you spent quality time and maybe not so much quantity time with him and nailed it. How lucky the both of you were to have went through the journey. Most people can't duplicate your actions or his results even though it all seems bittersweet because of his untimely death. If sux and ain't no 2 ways about it!

Sorry for your loss and you have much respect from this side of the keyboard.....

JW
 
I can't imagine the loss.. and what you're feeling. Thoughts to you, your family, and Valik's family.
 
@ragtopfury I am glad that God gave you the time with Valik. God gave that time to you as a gift and gave Valik to the world so that he could become what God knew he would become even before he was born. Life is beautiful in that regard and death is just a passage way we all must travel to get to where we really belong.

Last night, I watched a video sermon from my childhood church's new pastor and liked him enough to put it at the top of my list. If they don't have Royal Rangers anymore, perhaps after some time being back in that church, we can restart it. I too was in Royal Rangers as a youth and will be moving back to my hometown soon. As I was looking at new churches to try out last night I ran across the ol' church from childhood. Their website didn't say anything about Royal Rangers though.
You know, just the other day I saw a story of a man in the South who takes Fatherless sons into a program and gives them a suit and teaches them manners, business, etiquette, .... I thought that would be great to do. Then I thought of how challenging that would be with my schedule and raising my own family. Through your story I think I have found out how God wants to use me, in this regard of reaching fatherless sons.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience, @ragtopfury
 
All I can say is you will get through it but may never get over it you'll always think of him. Just thing good happy thoughts is all.
 
We understand how you feel.
In the first part of November we lost our 38 year old nephew in a car accident.

Our thoughts an prayers are with you and his family and friends.

Tom and Mary
 
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