Back From Camp!!!

Well, we're officially back from camp. What an awesome experience. I was paired with 2 of the oldest boys in the camp whom I'll refer to as C and R. What's neat is God's always in the details.

First, God paired me up with C. My most vivid memory from my first year at camp was with C. C came in last year with his armor on full blast and he was way "too mature" and "too grown-up" to do a lot of the fun activities we did last year. I had the hardest time getting him to work on his balsa wood car last year. Then by the end of the week, he was having more fun than just about any kid there. So that was my most precious RFKC memory from last year. RFKC took a kid who was forced to be emotionally way more mature than he should be (due to abuse, neglect, etc.) and made him a kid again who sang songs and prayed to God. Well, wouldn't you know it. He was mine for this week!!!

During the week, C, R & I had a ton of fun playing in the pool, going down the zip-line, building planes & stools, blowing bubbles, painting toe nails (yes, somehow this was popular amongst the boys this year) and doing all sorts of fun things. But then on Thursday, during pool time, I accidentally kicked R in the nose while trying to kick a ball out the way that me and 3 other boys were trying to get. So we decided cut the swimming early and head back to the cabin. On the way back, the 2 boys started sharing to each other about their pasts and let me listen in. Then before I knew it, they were telling me just about everything. When they each shared the story of what incident finally got them in the DHS system, my heart just broke and then broke some more. The things C & R had been through was more than I would've ever imagined. I cried and prayed while they talked. I asked God to give me their pain & sorrow and relieve theirs. At that moment, I wondered if this pain and sorrow and love was the same Jesus had for you and I.

So then every night just before bedtime, I would get C & R's Bibles out along with their Bible Study books and C would sit on my left, R on my right and we'd do our Bible Study. Then we each prayed, C leading, me in the middle, and R closing. It was those 30 minutes of every day that I treasured the most. I can't tell you exactly why, but those were the special times with my boys.

All that were involved with RFKC this year vowed to be there next year. And C, who turns 13 in 2 months told me that in 3 years time, he'll be 16 and will be at camp. Helping out as a Rover.

So now its back to normal. I need to figure out what I'm doing job wise and how I'll support the family. But it was an absolutely unforgettable experience being able to serve God by hanging out with "my boys" (better known as "Senors del Cool Guys") for a week. Getting out my comfort zone and serving for a week especially in this setting was extremely fulfilling and reminded me what I should be doing with my life. If you get a chance, I encourage you to do the same.

Off to camp

Well, the time is here. God's arranged it and its come. Its time to head off to Royal Family Kids Camp. What's that you say? Well, its a camp for Foster kids ages 6-12 who are in the DHS system. They say if a kid's in DHS, then their parents messed up pretty big. I guess it takes a lot to get in the system. Anywho, the majority of these kids have been neglected, a lot have suffered physical abuse and then a very small handful of very unfortunate have been sexually abused.

Last year Sarah, Elise and I played the part of Aunt and Uncle (and cousin I guess) and although we didn't have kids of our all week, we got to interact with all the kids at camp. It was very interesting to see the first 2 days, kids would have their guards up and have some very frustrating behaviors. And then by Thursday and Friday, there would be no way you could tell them apart from any other kid you'd see at a park or playground having fun. I think outside of telling them about Jesus, there is no better gift we can give these kids. To let them be kids again....

So pray for us this week. Pray that we would have wisdom in how to deal with problem times and that we would be able accurately show the love of Jesus just as Jesus would. Pray that Satan would be bound away from the camp and also pray that we would have the energy to keep up with them and that we'd have a ton of fun.

This year, I have two kids of my own and someone else is playing the part of Aunt and Uncle. I'm quite excited. What does God have in store??? We'll see. The stories after all was said and done from last year would touch your heart and make you cry when you heard them. Hopefully, God's impact on the kids this year will just as big and perhaps even bigger!!!

Till next week,

Timmay!!!