This is the United States Champion. He became my first self. Ladies and gentlemen. The following contest is set for one flaw. Introducing first from Lithuania, he weighs 123 kilos, the Russian nightmare, the kita coal.
Now the devil's nightmare. Welcome back to another episode of It's Time to Man Up. Hey, wait, I have a question. Would you ever... Consider.
Like just Selling everything. I mean, sell your house, sell your cars. I mean, just sell it all. buy a camper and set off on Let's just say on an adventure that with no necessarily any timeline in mind.
Well, with me today, a fascinating story, at least I think it's a fascinating story, and I think you will too. Bunky and Renee Griffith, welcome to the Man Up Show, guys.
Well, thanks for having us. Thank you.
Well, thank you guys. And let's go from intriguing our viewers and listeners with that opening to. Back up just a bit, and let's talk about Bunky. You and I, of course, so. I've met Renee more recently, but uh but you and I have met uh a while back.
Uh i if correct me if I'm wrong, I think I think initially at a uh a a men's conference, a men's dinner, something of that nature. Yes, it was down in Dagsborough, Delaware. and Frank Shelton, a good friend of mine and yours, was the speaker, and you were there also. And so I got to meet you, and I think we connected then and Been friends ever since. And we got to use Frank's name with real caution there, just so you know, Bunky.
And I'm kidding, of course. I'm kidding. I'm kidding. I'm kidding. Now, Frank is an amazing, amazing.
I want to tell you what, you know, I don't think I've ever met anyone that knows more people, and not just people, but high-profile people. And of course, he spent many of his early formative years on Capitol Hill and his family, the Shelton family, Has spent 170 years as part of the Capitol Police there in DC. It's crazy. It's a crazy story. It is.
But I got to meet his mother and father. And I'm sure you know, Frank and Ruth are now grandparents. I do know, which you wouldn't know yet, but I got a text from my daughter. I tell people she's suffering for Jesus out in Maui, Hawaii. Her and her husband have been out there now for 10 years.
A random text last night: the baby is on its way. They're having their third, and I knew it was any day. And so the baby is here, but I have yet to know a name or, you know, whether it's a boy or girl or any of the other particulars. But number 13 is here. Number 13 is here.
Congratulations. Congratulations and praise the Lord. Yes. Thank you guys.
Now, Renee, have you met Frank before? Have you met Frank? Yes, I've met him, his wife. His son and his father. Oh, you did?
Okay. All right. And I'm. Of course, you know, uh again, kind of tongue in cheek, but Fr you know, Frank uh leaves a lasting impression on anyone and everyone he meets. And uh but uh i Renee is not his wai his wife is just charming, is she not?
Yes, very nice lady. She is. And and and of course her Her, I mean, their son, Andrew, he's just a fine young man. They're doing a great job raising him. And so.
Bunky, did you did you know me uh well, prior to meeting me, I let me say know of me or was that just kind of your first introduction to me at that men's conference that night? That was kind of the first introduction, but as a child, I remember watching. uh wrestling on television, but I don't remember seeing you. I remember seeing um Andre the giant. And um The one that wore the skirt?
The the uh Roddy Piper. Yeah, yeah. That Bucky, that would be a kilt, Bucky. Don't offend our Scottish listeners and viewers and the fact that I I'm I actually have a kilt 'cause I have Scottish in my background, believe it or not. Uh more more so than Russian.
Let's just say that. Yeah. Right.
So, Renee, we wear kilts. We don't wear skirts. You know, I just want to know. I have a Scottish background too. Oh, so you know.
That's right.
So, you know. There there you go.
So, Renee, how far back do you know any idea how far back your Scottish roots go? That I do not. My brother has been doing all of the research. And he's also been over to Scotland and Ireland. I know we've got family over that way, but um The only thing he's found so far is the Mooney pub.
God, yeah, I did my dad. Prior to his passing, spent years and years and years re old school kinda but then once the internet came around, researching. He he got back as far as the late 1600s. Wow. Yeah, that he found.
Yeah. And although I haven't had the full Scotland experience, my sister. And my my Brother and brother-in-law went over to England several years ago to honor my mom, who is born. Born on The English-Scottish border. And so while we were up there on the border, we slipped into Scotland just briefly for about a half a day.
Would absolutely love to go back. My sister and her husband just spent two weeks in Ireland recently. Yeah, her husband has got a lot of Irish in him. And so, um, So we meet, of course, so you had a little bit of the. of the uh were familiar with the wrestling and and uh but we connect, we really connect.
What what what was it that really drew you to connect with me, Bunky?
Well, I know that the that there they went ahead and showed the video of Manscamp. And when I saw it, I didn't know how much it was going to cost. I didn't know when it was, but I knew right then. I was gonna go. And so I went ahead and came over and introduced myself.
to you and I really thought that you were from uh Russia. Um because of being in um I think it was Moscow. Mm-hmm. Um Minnesota. Right.
Yeah, tongue in cheek, yes. That's right, that's right. And I I felt so embarrassed because I thought When you were up there talking, I I re kind of remember that you had made mention of your English teacher and I'm thinking he really caught on quick. Yeah. Come on.
So I was all gullible. Yeah. Well, you were, for the record, Buggy, you were not the only one. You're still not the only one. I was at a church recently, and I was in the sound booth, and this guy came over and talked to me, asked me a question.
I answered him, and he got this kind of dumbfounded look on his face, deadpan look. I'm like, you okay? And he goes, You just shattered my childhood. And I'm like, oh no, what did I do? He goes, oh, until right.
He goes, until right now, until this moment, I thought you were from Russia. I'm like, oh, part of the story, part of the story.
So, anyway, well. Yeah, and and what's great about This part of the story bunky is, you know, because guys tell me all the time, hey, I really want to come to that camp. I really want to go. I'm like, all right, great, go register. And then they never do, right?
So I hear that a lot. And so that's not to say when you said, I'm coming, don't care what it costs. Not that I didn't believe you, but I almost feel like I should have been from Missouri. You know, that's called the show-me state, right? Like, I'll believe it when I see it, right?
Well, you signed up and you came. And you, you, I think, not to put words in your mouth, you were impacted by what you experienced at man camp. Oh, mu m most most diffic most definitely. And I think that what impressed me the most was when we went out into the wilderness that day. And uh all the counselors or teachers or staff.
were there rooting with you and participating. And I think that I went from an experience with God to an encounter that day. Wow. And I think it has changed my life completely. And I liked it because we journaled that day.
And I still had the journal and So I think it made well, I don't think I know it made a big difference.
So if anybody is out there that is even thinking about going, You need to do it. put your words into action and just do it. Uh Take action, right? Application. And you said something interesting.
I wrote that: you know, you went from experience to encounter. And I'll add one more caveat to that. There's one thing to be exposed, right? You can be exposed to the gospel. It's another thing to experience the gospel, and then maybe a whole other level, a whole other depth to encountering.
And that's one of the things we say about campus. I know you know, but for those who don't, don't know about man camp is is that we say it's not just another event. There's lots of events you can go to, but that this is an experience. And it's different for every single guy.
So what Bunkie experienced at camp Most likely if you do commit and come And walk away is probably going to be somewhat of a complete different encounter and experience than Bunky had.
So, Renee, let me ask you: so, here we got the benefit of having a wife on the show today. And as you're hearing, you know, even Bunky talk about that. I know we've talked briefly in the past, you know, you and I, about this, but for you know, for our listeners out there, maybe there's a woman out there listening, would love to send her husband or her dad or a son or that special guy in her life. Renee, what would you say like when he came home I guess the question would be: Were there like perhaps noticeable changes, or you just saw some progress, you know, some progressive change? Am I saying that right?
Gradual, some gradual changes, or what did you. see upon his return back from man camp. No, it was a change right away.
Soon as I saw him are conceived. a difference. He was Like lit up. But like Moses coming down from the mountains, he had the experience with God and. His personality was changed.
Hey, um It was just totally different. For the better. You're listening to the Truth Network and TruthNetwork.com. If you would like to support Kolofer Christ Ministries, for a gift of $25, Nikita will send you his two CDs, Adoration and Declaration. For a gift of $50, Nikita will include his book, Wrestling with Success.
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You can give monthly, annually, or one time. God bless you for making a difference around the world. You're listening to the Truth Network and TruthNetwork.com. for the better and so 'cause you 'cause you guys, Renee, you guys how long you guys been married? Fifty-two years yesterday.
52 I didn't know that oh my gosh, happy anniversary. Thank you.
Wow. 50.
So, okay.
So, I want this to sink in for those who are dialing into the show today.
So, 52 years of marriage. And and uh Bunky comes comes to camp, spends a a handful of days Uh chasing after the heart of God. Not only experiences God but encounters Him, and it sounds like bunky. Again, don't want to put words in your mouth, but in fresh new ways. Returns back home, and after, you know, fifty plus years of marriage, um.
You see changes in him that have only in enhanced The the marriage, Renee, would that be fair to say? Mm-hmm. Rene, are there yeah are so are there a couple things specific like You know, like maybe he, like, for example, maybe he didn't pray with you before, but or prayed for you, but didn't pray with you. Are there a couple of little thing nuances, like things you see him do or do for you that you're like, yeah, he is definitely a changed guy.
Well, as far as praying with me, he's always done that. just little things around the house he's helped with and Uh one thing that has helped he's Well, he's always open the door for me if I go to Public place. But he started opening the car door for me and helped me get in and out. Go ahead. A very big plus.
Yeah, like chivalry still exists. Good job, Bunky. Good job. Chivalry still exists.
So, okay, so 52 years of marriage, a couple things. One, Bunky, maybe I'll bounce back to you just for a moment and.
So just give us a a quick glimpse beyond uh the marriage to the the rest of the family.
Well, we have two grown daughters And uh then we have Or grown grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Three great grands. Yes. Wow, so So two daughters, four grandchildren, and three greats. Yes.
And and let let okay, so I gotta ask you though. Uh Because I'm sure I'm sure somebody out there is wondering Were you born? Bunky? Oh, no, no, no, no. I was not born.
No, I was not born bunky. Uh my real name is Milton. But I was the first grandchild. And my grandfather's name was Milton and they called him Bunk.
So when they brought me home, he just called me Bunky, and it's now stuck this year in June. It'll be 71 years. All these years later.
So, so, so, bunky.
So, and I mean, in school, just everything. I mean, obviously, they, you know, they're doing roll call, but you're just like, hey, I'm Bunky. Yes, yeah. I mean, i if if they called me Milton, most of the time I wouldn't answer.
So, Renee, what did you think about when, and how long ago was it?
So, you've been married 52 years, Renee, but how long ago was it that you first met? Bunky and what did you think when he's like, Hey, I'm Bunky, what's your name? Uh when I first met him That's I'm not one hundred percent sure. I think I was six years old. I used to live next door to my aunt and uncle, and I used to go stay with them.
So because um I remember from eight years on I was uh with him and the whole family it was just like They were part of my family growing up.
So Renee, at what so which is fascinating, so so at what point Did you realize uh This is gonna be my husband one one day. Uh and then Shut up. one hundred percent sure. I've always once I got older I used to 'Cause I grew up in Virginia. and my parents were from Maryland.
And I used to come and stay with my aunt and uncle and my grandparents. But when I went back, I always say, I think ever since I was thirteen, I had a boyfriend in Maryland. I guess in Hawaii I've always known. That's pretty cool.
So so Bunky, so same question, Bunky.
So so what would your answer be? Like at what point did you did you know this is going to be my wife one day?
Well, according to Renee's mom When I was eight years old, I told her that I was going to be her son-in-law and marry her daughter. Come on, eight years old. Come on.
Yep, so so when I was eight, when we turned 18, we both got married because we wanted to, not because we had to. Oh, come on. That's great. Wow, that's amazing.
Well, So So you go back home, say you see this camp experience, you go back home and and things are shifting. And of course I've been back up in in Delaware, i which is kind of where you were making uh that that's what where home ha has been for me how many years in Delaware? Oh. Since toward 2000. Yeah, since 2000, we were there.
Okay, okay.
So. 25 plus years, guys. And I know you were out in the marketplace for many, many, many years, but you always have had a heart for kind of ministry and missions, right, Bunky? And of course, you've been back. In fact, pretty amazing, folks.
Bunky drove from Delaware, came down to one of our last man camps for just one night. He just drove all the way down, just wanted to come down and serve one of the dinners that we have and came down and did that. But something more recently has happened, you know, as I opened the show talking about or really challenging folks who are posing the question, would you ever sell anything and just go?
Now, I know you guys are not on an adventure, but something's happened more recently. Of course, you. Yeah, we we'll call it the blessing. But what's happened is Somewhere along the way, you guys have have sold off the house, sold off your cars, bought Uh uh uh i fifth wheel? What's the technical term for it?
No, it's a motorhome. It's a Class A. We drive it down the road.
Okay, motorhome.
So you guys basically sold everything. I want my. Those listening and viewing to understand. Basically, sold it. I know you had two cars.
In fact, you were gracious the last time I was up there. Let me tell you what kind of service heart Bunky has, and just drive home the point of his wife saying, you know, she sees changes in him. You know, last time I flew in, he drove all the way to the airport, picked me up, brought me back, brought me in for the weekend. They gave me the keys to their car for the weekend and let me use so I had some transportation and then drove me all the way back to the airport after I preached that Sunday and dropped me off. And so he invested hours in the car to and from and all around town, which is amazing.
But you guys were prompted to sell everything and buy this motorhome and.
So what prompted, Renee, what prompted the say, you guys had kind of joked about this or talked about this, but you didn't think he would ever do it? Is that. Accurate. Renee? Yeah.
Yes, that's correct. I had mentioned it off and on through the years. And he would always say, uh he didn't want to live in a A trailer or a tent. or whatever. But, um All of a sudden He decided He's questioned me again.
He says, Are you willing to go?
So I said yes. Yes, we sold our house. Both of our cars All of our friends everything that the children didn't want. and took off. And away you went.
And so, Bunky, um. A quick quick detail. I think it wa did camp and I I could be mis misstating this. Did the was the camp kind of a catalyst or kind of help? C like was it after camp, post man camp that you went home and said and kind of not surprised her, but said, Hey, you ready you ready to go, you know, You ready to sell everything and go?
Well, it w you know, it was after camp, you know, because life is too short. And I think that we need to live it to our fullest potential And what we did was, I got tired of watching television and saying, one day I want to go there. And life happens. regardless if you're a Christian or if you're not a Christian, it happens. and things happen and it pushes it out farther and farther.
So you've been in our home before, and it was built in the 50s. But you know, I didn't want to go through all that repair and it still be an old home.
So I just decided and asked Renee, I says, why don't we just go ahead and buy an R V? and sell everything and hit the road.
So we put our house up for sale and it sold in eight days. And we sold both vehicles and bought the R V. and have bought a Jeep, and we've not turned back. And we went ahead and called Our new home, it's called the blessing, because we believe that everything comes from God. And he orchestrated this whole thing.
for it to happen in this type of economy. And that's why we believe that it's a a blessing from God.
Well, and I and I know, which is amazing. And I know, and you know, I was calling it an adventure, but I know I really already know it's really not. Like, in fact, I wrote down Motorhome Mission. Like, you guys see this as a mission, and I know you've committed at least three years to traveling to the United States. I know you, one of your first stops was yay, North Carolina, where we got to see you.
And that was one of your first stops. And now you're currently in Florida. Is that correct? Correct. We're in Lakeland.
So currently in Florida, Lakeland, Florida. And you're going to, as the Lord leads, just kind of work your way across America. And part of which you're just seeing who God is. Brings across your path each day, right? And who you can minister to, and how you guys can be a blessing.
Does that sound accurate, Rene? Yeah. That is correct. And we have on the front of the w um Of the RV, and on the back of it, in a decal, it's called the blessing.
So people can see it going down the road. And then if they if they if we stop, maybe that'll go ahead and trigger some questions that we can Tell them what had happened, and if we're at a campground, we can do the same thing.
So, yeah, so that can just create conversations, right? And well, we only got a couple minutes left, but if you've got just a Since the time you've departed Delaware and are now making your way across America, is there one real quick story, uh uh Bunky, that you could uh That you've already had a conversation with somebody? Yep. Yeah, we went ahead the other night, we went ahead and at our last campground. I was asking somebody about Starlink because that's what we just got for our RV.
and I didn't know how to hook it up. And then somebody said, well, this guy Um that I was talking to was a Christian and he went ahead and set another guy down. And he started a group called The Gathering of the Nomads. And so It was just a divine appointment that we all got to meet and we had A campground. uh meeting that night around the fire and we talked about That we yeah, we had a Bible study, we sang, we worshiped.
And there was probably about 20 of us there. And that was just a good witness for the community that we could be able to witness to people. That's amazing, Renee. Just a few seconds log lo any quick experience or how's the experience been so far? You mean living in the RV?
Yeah, just in the travels. Yep. Or anything. Um. It's an experience, but I still enjoy it, and I'm looking forward to what God has planned for us.
I'm excited about that. And it's been nice to meet I'm not an outgoing person.
So I have to push myself even the little bit that I do, But I have been meeting a lot of people and Come to find out. When I get talking to them, And I've something about the Lord or something like that and they'll tell me, well I'm a Christian also. Or I love the Lord, or I'll ask them what church they go to and how they know the Lord.
So it's Every Every place we've gone I've got to meet different. Women and men that love the Lord. That's good.
So God is, sounds like. God's stretching you, Renee, is what that sounds like to me. A little bit. Yeah, a little bit, helping you grow.
Well, what a blessing. What a blessing as Renee and Milton, aka Bunkie, Griffith are making their way across America. You keep them in your prayers, and they're a part of my prayer team and have been so instrumental in supporting Kolaw for Christ ministries. And Bunky, we'll have you guys back sometime and catch up on, get a report on and some more stories on what God's doing in your travels, okay?
Sounds wonderful. And we just want to thank you for the opportunity and everything that you do uh is you just prove to everyone that you just got a servant's heart. I appreciate it. I love you guys. I appreciate you guys.
Hey, and for all of you out there in listening, Land and viewing Land, until next time, I hope you were blessed by the Griffith story of the blessing. Have a wonderful day. God bless you. This podcast is made possible by the grace of God. and your faithful prayers support and generous gifts.
May God bless you for your continual contributions. Go to koloff.net. and donate. Today. If you are enjoying the Man Up Show, would you help us spread the word?
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