Praise for Castaway Kid

I was absolutely fascinated by the story of your childhood and young
years. It is so well written but easy to read and I was not able to put
it down.
I read through “Kind der Hoffnung” the night even though I had not packed my
suitcase for a trip the next morning.
I do not think I ever put myself in the mind of a child in an orphanage- the
resignation and total disconnection by other children in the home. The constant
and continued feeling of abandonment. The selfblame – similar to the feeling children experience during a divorce.
But especially the strongest desire for a Family and Real Home hit a
soft spot in me.
Your determination has to be admired.
I found the translation very good (any translation has little
shortfalls) but I could not find any credits to the translator(s) which
they certainly deserve.
Again, thank you, inge

When the Covenant Childrens Home closed, it seemed it left a void in the church
community in Princeton, IL.
Your open, transparent speaking and book brought closure, somehow.
Thank you

Your book was captivating and we were similarly caught up in your story. You gave us a
clear understanding of the difficult reality of living there, and you did so without blame or
rancor.
You made clear the importance of forgiveness and the healing that it brought you as you
continued your journey of faith.
Thank you for being here and for continuing to tell your story in a way that can change
lives.

May God continue to bring you joy as you …

challenge and inspire,
confront and encourage,
provoke and refresh

Your book is powerful. I have put this quote from your epilogue on my Facebook
profile:
I couldn’t change the events and circumstances imposed on me, but I could choose
how to respond.
The mark of a person, it seems to me, is not just in how one acts but also in how one
reacts.

Your intelligence and your desire and willingness to stand up to injustice made
you stand out as a unique person;
it still does.

Last week our children home here in the eastern part of switzerland got 6 of your
excellent written books in German language: “Kind der Hoffnung”.
Thank you very much for this gift!
We will integrate the book into our library and also mail it – as announced – to my
colleagues in similar children homes in our region.
At the time, I am reading the fascinating written book myself.

I received a copy of “Kind der Hoffnung” as a gift.
I finished reading it in 2 days and it touched me in several ways. Having been loved and
wanted by a father and mother it was very difficult to imagine the kind of things you had
to go through.
The story is told very well and honestly – and has opened my eyes to needs and
situations that I know exist but did not fully understand what pain is involved in every
day living when love is removed.
Your chapter(s) on forgiving key people in your life was amazing and so real and was
something that I needed to read, something that spoke to me very personally.
So, I am so glad you found God – or he you. He is an amazing miracle-working God, he
is very personal and knows us so well and his love truly has no bounds.
Thanks for sharing your story, your struggles and victories in such simple language,
very powerful.
Anneliese

I kept trying to put your book down.
As a man, it was too difficult for me to read.
But I couldn’t, even though I laid it down at least 8 times.
Finally, I quit fighting and finished.
What a powerful, inspiring book!

I am an RN for an output mental health program. One of our clients wanted me to read this
book because, as he told me, crying:
I wanted all of you who help people like me to understand what we have been through &;
how important the staff of Catholic Charities are to my kind of people, the mentally ill who
have been through these terrible traumas & how much we appreciate your help &
compassion.
He also told me he believes God put me in this job for a reason, as I just started with this
organization in the past few months.
I have always thought of myself as somewhat faithful but reading your book & sharing your
journey to true faithfulness has made me take a closer look.
I hope to find the kind of peace you have found in your life.
I commend your honesty & thank you for taking me with you through this most difficult time, I
hope to continue to gain insight into the challenges faced by the mentally ill.

I must say how deeply “Kind der Hoffnung” (your German edition) touched my soul.
I was so impressed that I went to the bookstore and bought 3 copies for my
friends.
Well done Robby

The author vividly paints the picture of his life experiences as an orphaned child and how
he overcame the feelings of rejection and ultimately learned to forgive.
This book will rivet you from start to finish.
Pick up a copy of this book and give it a read.
You will not be disappointed.