Robbin’s Story--Adjusting the lens and finding beauty
Is this “home”? was a question often playing in Robbin Hunsberger’s mind. And God, in His amazing way, gave her beautiful, unexpected ways to say “Yes.” Robbin lived in Moore Township, Northampton County her entire childhood. It was there as a young child that she prayed a simple prayer, all by herself, to begin a lifelong relationship with Jesus. Later, as she was graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, Robbin wondered, “What next?” An employment offer to manage the kitchen at Pocono Plateau Camp and Retreat Center came. Robbin reflects, “The way I’ve seen God talk to me is through the timing of things—the ‘coincidences.’” Could this really be God’s plan? Could this be her new “home”; not a high-end restaurant with complex, elegant menus? She had a certain peace and excitement and accepted the offer, but it took about two years for Robbin to adjust her lens, give up the typical expectation of a CIA chef, and recognize the gifts in God’s placement at the camp. Once she gave up her own agenda, she was able to see the beauty and joy at Pocono Plateau. “I helped my kitchen crew understand that cooking for kids is a ministry.”
This was right for a time, then in 2005, the physical strain and exhaustion from being in food service brought Robbin to a transition. And God in His graciousness connected her to a second career without requiring any training or retooling. “It’s good I didn’t fight life changes.” Robbin now works as an office administrator at a church in Bethlehem Township. While working at the church, she connected with youth pastors Shad Gilbert, Joe Velarde, and Ryan Knepp, who were feeling called to start a church particularly designed for young people. This group was seeing youth, raised in the church, drop out of faith families as they finished high school. After she and the team prayed for about a year, they ventured out, following God’s call to a new “home” for worship and service, and began Riverbend Community Church. “That whole experience got me to see the power of God. We were all doing all we could do, and it wasn’t enough. It was only God who could make it happen. It reminds me of a quote from the makers of The Chosen, ‘It’s not your job to feed the 5,000, only to provide the loaves and fish.’”
Robbin was one of the original members of the Riverbend leadership team as it was being planned. Pictured (l-r) are Jesse Velarde, Amy Velarde, Joseph Velarde, Robbin Hunsberger, and Ryan Knepp.
A Gathering from April 2010, about six months after Riverbend launched. The church was meeting in a rented ballroom at the Sheraton on Airport Road, and would set up and tear down all equipment every Sunday. On the stage leading worship are (l-r) Sam & Pastor Chris Dean and Adam Pinto, Pastor Joe in front preaching, and Robbin running media.
At first, Robbin shouldered many tasks at Riverbend on a volunteer basis while continuing her weekday work with the other congregation. It has been a joy as more and more people have connected with Riverbend to share some of her original tasks with others. She loves to see how quickly people come in and start finding ways to be a part of the family at Riverbend, shouldering the work together. She loves that there aren’t the typical hoops to jump through before people can find a place to fit and contribute here.
From the outside, if people would just read a checklist of descriptors, they might think she has a kind of difficult life. She is single. She has chronic pain. But Robbin has a different perspective. She said, “My life is easy. I’m at peace. My family gets along.” When the chronic pain entered her life, interrupting a life filled with ultimate frisbee commitments and outdoor adventures, she said, “Okay, Lord. This is what we’re doing now.” She remarked, “My whole life is how it is because of my faith…I’ve given up the right to myself, to my own agenda.”
And each time she gives up her agenda and adjusts her expectation lens, God brings more. “He does a lot that is extra, that is beautiful. The Lord does fun things!” One of the fun things that has evolved is a weekly open house-type gathering. Right now, Robbin and her sister live together in Easton. She and her sister cook for a group of friends they have met through various connections over the years. Their goal is to provide a place to belong, a place to be “loved on,” a home. One person shared, “You guys are lucky. You don’t find this many places.”
Robbin describes herself as a pretty logical, practical person, but even that is being adjusted. She’s been talking with God about how she doesn’t have something she’s really passionate about…and how did He answer? Gingerbread houses! It doesn’t make any sense. It’s not practical. It’s not useful. But it is so much fun to do, to plan, to anticipate, and to create. “God has given me a fun outlet—a pastime.”
One of Robbin’s gingerbread house creations.
Throughout her life, God has been challenging Robbin to adjust her lens of expectations. Each time she did this, she saw God’s hand at work and received God’s beautiful gifts of joy. Looking back, she realizes that these seasons and the beauty in them were only visible when she adjusted her lens to align with God’s vision for her.
Psalm 84:5 “Happy are those whose strength is in You.”
Editor’s Note: This story is the first piece in an exciting new project from the Riverbend Writing Team, the Stories Series. We are excited to bring more stories of God at work in our community to you in the future! For more thoughts on the project and how it ties into our recent series on Hebrews 11, read Stories Matter. If you have a story of God’s faithfulness in your own life you’d like to share, leave a comment on this post or on Stories Matter to be contacted by the writing team!