For the last week of August, I spent 5 days tending to foster kids at camp organized by Lake Avenue Church and Royal Family Kids Camp. Our entire mission that week was to be the positive, encouraging memories for children enduring childhoods of questionably dark times filled with unknown forms of abuse. I couldn't tell just by interacting with them what they were dealing with in the other 51 weeks of their year, but I do know that when these campers come back next year, they will remember specific conversations they had with us counselors.
My primary job was looking after one particular child, “D-man”. Connecting with D-man was new for me. I'm not a parent. I have no pets, not even plants to care for. Being consumed with thinking about another living being for a week straight was completely new to me.
D-man is ADD and required the extra herding that comes with not hearing people when they are calling your name. He's quite the "ladies man" and went through a couple of girlfriends during the week. Relationships at 9-years-old are pretty volatile, I guess. He was aggressive and overly sensitive to every tease from the other campers. I spent good chunks of time breaking up his fights; nothing crazy, just frequent.
For the most part I'm a predominantly self-centered person. I'm usually thinking and praying about the next step to make my mark on history, giving occasional thought and effort to helping friends achieve their dreams. What meager acts of "other-focus" come out of me are largely due to Jesus. I've known for over a decade now that His plan for a fulfilling life is far more fulfilling than any stereotypical plan or any plan that I could come up with on my own. His plan means loving others so that's what I do when I'm not distracted by life's comforts, pleasures, or my pride.
I knew something was different the first day, when lunch arrived. I was so focused on helping D-man get his food that I forgot to get a plate for myself. I don't remember that happening in any other situation.
One day, D-man asked me why I picked him. I don't think any counselor picked their kids, but I went with it: "Because you remind me a lot of myself when I was a kid. You're always asking questions, very curious about everything." I don't know why he thought I picked him, but I'm glad he did.
To conclude this exhausting, fun, and incredibly meaningful week we put the kids back on the bus to their other life. Up until that moment I didn't realize how much D-man had touched my life. A little after noon, a string of kids stood in line to get on the bus. Some counselors were giving their final hugs and sharing some quick prayers with the kids before departing. Then, as usual, D-man got out of the line. But this time he came toward me and gave me a hug. Then he got back on the bus and the bus left with all the kids on board. As I walked back up to the cabin to gather some forgotten towels, bird houses and toys, I wept; tears of release, tears of joy. Something I did this week mattered for eternity. I connected with a kid named D-man.
I want to thank RFKC leadership: Staci, Tamara, and Leon for setting up a week where I never felt alone while trying to be the love of Christ to these kids. It was an exhausting and beautiful experience. An exquisite moment of mission and community, a time of catching kids doing things right. It was a reminder of why I pledged allegiance to Christ almost 10 years ago, and a solid confirmation of what I have always believed about the Love of God: the best way to experience it is to give it to others. Thank you for creating that opportunity.
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