June 15th, I left with the other counselors and headed to Camp on a bus. We talked and chatted, and I was full of excitement and nervousness. This was not unlike Brasil: I was heading away from home, to a new place, to work with those who need Jesus' love, and I didn't know hardly a soul. (I knew one or two people, but since I was going with a church that I didn't attend, I was mostly a stranger to everyone).
Sunday we set up the stations and decorated the kids' rooms. We had a "Take Apart" station, where the kiddos could un-screw and hammer old printers, computers, coffee makers, etc. We had a "Store" station, where new-donated clothes were organized so that the kiddos could come get things that they needed. We had legos, playdough (one of my favorites!) crafts, volleyball, and a playground. We had fishing and swimming, and lots of laughter in between. The rooms were decorated with Christmas lights and streamers.
The kiddos arrived Monday morning and stayed through Friday afternoon. It was a amazing week... an emotional week... an exhausting week... an exhilarating week... it was the best week of my life.
Some of the kids stories were hard to comprehend... it makes you angry at the adults in their lives that have inflicted so much on God's innocents. At the same time, the perpetrators as well as the receivers of abuse and neglect need our prayers. Jesus loves each one unconditionally.
The atrocities happening in our own communities I don't think many people are aware of. Indiana needs more foster homes, more loving adoptions.
These kids were not "different" at camp: they were Kiddos. They laughed, they bickered, some of them didn't like the food, they gave hugs, they bonded.
Thursday night the staff had a special Prayer Time for the kiddos. ("Prayer Time" nick-named the "Crying Fest".) I'll admit, I sobbed and sobbed. Praying ~ because that is ALL you can do, because God is in control and not us ~ gives peace but it also is hard.
After all of the tears that I cried Thursday, I honestly thought I was cried out and wouldn't cry when we said good bye to the kiddos on Friday. I was wrong.
One asked me at breakfast, "I am graduating from RFKC this year... what am I going to do with my summer?"
The older girls cried.
Oh, and my precious little girl, one of the ones that I made strong connections with, sobbed and cried "I don't want to leave!"
That's when I lost it. It was okay ~ everyone was crying. Even the adults. Even the teenage guys.
All that I could tell these kids was this "I love you. Jesus loves you."
The Lord is using RFKC to change lives ~ this year, we had a camper come back at 16 years old and be a staff! What a testament to God's healing grace!
Friday when I was driving home, I thought, "I cannot wait to be in this for life. I want these kiddos all year... not just for one week!"
Someone mentioned to me that I must've chosen one of the hardest, most soul-depressing careers... but since it keeps one on ones knees (since you have no control), it must also be one of the most fulfilling. Because it is close to our precious Lord's heart.
(James 1:20)
(Isaiah 31:8-9)