Christian Living

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The Legend Of Robin Berg, United States Army
© 2008

by

Stephen A. Peterson


Robin Berg was the product of a biracial relationship. Her mother was African-American. Her father was Euro-American of Norwegian descent. When Robin was but three years old her mother was murdered while leaving the church on her way home. Believing himself unfit to take of little Robin as an over the road driver, her father abandoned her in a shopping mall in Oklahoma. Unable to tell authorities who her father was or where she was from, Robin was placed in state custody and put up for adoption.

For the next fifteen years Robin was moved from one foster home to another. When she reached her eighteenth birthday, she had been in thirty-one foster homes. Her first foster placement and most significant one was with an Air Force non-commissioned officer family of four. This Euro-American family wanted so much to adopt Robin but member of the African-American community fought such an adoption alleging her African-American. They argued that Robin should be adopted by an African-American family in order for her to maintain her cultural heritage. So this family sadly and tearfully returned Robin to the state after more than four years of loving care. During the four years plus, they taught Robin by their words and deeds about the unconditional love of God. They taught Robin to put her trust in the Lord, to pray daily and to keep herself in her Bible. These things Robin did faithfully.

When the social worker came to take eight year old Robin away, the Air Force family shouted to her “REMEMBER, HIS PROMISE!” as they separated tearfully. Throughout her foster placements, Robin remained a devout Christian. Her faith never wavered despite cruel treatment, great sorrow, and often serious illness for overtly stating her belief in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior.

In her fourth foster placement, Robin was routinely mocked, deprived food and beaten for praying and demanding she be allowed to go to church to worship. Following a beating, her foster mother asked, “Robin, how can you know there is a Jesus and Heaven? Where is He? You are so stupid, ignorant and out of touch with reality! Come on girl! Tell me where this Jesus is! Why isn’t He here to protect you?”

Exhausted from her mistreatment, Robin looked up with her hazel eyes shining, “Because I’ve got such a longing for my Lord right here,” she replied softly as she placed her wounded hand over her heart. Robin’s display of unrelenting courage and faith though being abused caused the foster mother to immediately order her out of her house as a child possessed by the evils of Christianity.


Finally, Robin became of age. She left her final foster placement with her Bible, two garbage bags of clothing, no money and no place to go. Though uncertain, she prayed, “Lord, I know You are with me. Show me what You will have me to do and where I am to go. I am in Your hands, O Lord!”

As she made a westward turn, Robin stood in front of an Armed Forces Recruiting Station. Something seemed to say “go inside Robin”. Entering through the first door, Robin made a right turn then was greeted by an Army Recruiter. They both sat down to talk about a career in the Army. Robin was given a room in a local hotel to return the next day to begin testing and evaluation for service. Following her tests, Robin learned she was best suited for the position as a Chaplain’s Assistant. She was certain the Lord was calling her to serve in this capacity. She joined the United States Army a week later.

During her Basic Training, trainers and peers were taken by Robin’s compassion, dedication, loving heart and ability to endure difficult periods. When asked what was her secret in overcoming stress-filled moments, Robin replied, “I have a longing to do the will of My Father right here,” as she placed her hand over her heart. “I am here for His purpose and His purpose only.”

Within six weeks Basic Training ended for Robin and her peers. She went on to additional training as a Chaplain’s Assistant. Following that training, she was sent to Iraq with Chaplain Michael Keith. Chaplain Keith was immediately impressed by Robin fervor and love for the Lord and willingness to go the mile to see to the completion of tasks he assigned her. Chaplain Keith could count on Robin to get the job done joyfully and without complaints.

On the morning of the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus, two orphaned children, a boy and a girl, appeared at Chaplain Keith and Robin’s compound very hungry and begging for food. Moved with compassion and love for these children, Robin invited them in and gave them enough food to satisfy their hunger and thirst before they slipped away into the Iraqi night. For the next six day, Robin’s thoughts were on the two orphaned children and their whereabouts and safety. Then on the seventh day, the two children re-appeared. As before, they begged for food. Robin, once again, gave them food and something to drink. On this occasion, she inquired as to where they lived and their parents. Through the boy, Robin learned they were brother and sister whose parents had died as a result of a bombing two months earlier. There was no one they could turn to so they lived on the streets of Baghdad begging whenever they could. Their story broke Robin’s heart as she recalled her own life story. Once again, the children left.

That evening Robin fell to her knees in prayer,” Heavenly Father, I am worried sick about these two Iraqi children, your children. Show me, Father, what I am to do to help the boy and girl. Please, Almighty Father, I cannot bear to see and know these children live in harms way and could be hurt or, even worse killed. If they are killed, my heart will be broken. Please, Father!” as she shed painful tears.

The next morning Robin approached Chaplain Keith about her concerns for the two Iraqi children, “Chaplain Keith, I am worried sick about the welfare of two children, a boy and a girl, who came to our compound begging for food. I’ve prayed for guidance as to what I can do to help them. They have no parents. They were killed. They are living on the streets. I can’t think of anything to do. What can I do Chaplain?”

“Robin, my daughter, you have a loving and kind heart. Continue to rely on the Lord. He will show you what to do. Just remember His Promise. Pray unceasingly for your answer. The Lord, in time, will answer you. Be vigilant and patient! I know this is not good enough for you but trust in Him. You’ll see!” responded the Chaplain.

Robin knew the Chaplain was right but her desire to help the children weighed heavily on her heart and mind. In four days, the children returned. Robin fed them as she had done twice before. When they left, Robin followed them hoping to see for herself where they lived and how they survived. She hoped to try to convince them to come back to her compound to stay with her. Her plan was to convince Chaplain Keith and her commanders that she should keep the children, care for them and finally adopt them. As the children entered a white building, Robin followed as quietly as she could. When she entered, Robin found herself standing before Jesus Himself. Recognizing Him, Robin fell to her knees to give worship to Him. “Lord,” she said. “It is so great that You are here with us!”

“Come with Me, Robin and enjoy forever the place My Father, Your Father, has prepared for you. You have been My faithful and loyal servant!”

Confused Robin asked, “What is going on? Where are the children, Lord?”

“They are here. They are my messengers sent especially for you. See they are right here!”

Standing before the Lord were the two children with smiles on their faces and praises of joy to God.

Robin asked a second time, “What’s going on Lord? Where am I?”

“You are in heaven, Robin!”

“Heaven?”

“Yes! When you entered that building on earth, it exploded and you died instantly to enter your new life! Come and enjoy your new life forever in perfect happiness!”

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