These moments....

Last week I got to spend an incredible week with 19 children at Royal Family KIDS Camp. We had fun playing in the sun and the rain, chasing adventures, playing princess, and building memories! I will treasure each child in their own unique way, but one will always be closer to my heart.

I began the week by telling my team my story of how I got to RFKC which ended with...

"I will serve God this week with the image of a 10 year old in my head. Who despite 21 moves, more abuse and neglect than anyone should ever experience, and profound loss chooses to believe in God and loves Him deeply.

I will serve God this week with the image of deep brown eyes looking up at me in trust. And I will wonder what if 1 person had taken the time to love her mommy for even just a week as a child; would she have a different life, and would Neve have had a mommy that didn't throw her greatest treasure away?"

I knew I would see pieces of the "children of my heart" in every child there, but I didn't know that one little girl in particular would remind me of both. We had a young girl there whose name was the same as Neve's middle name. She was one of our most difficult children (though they were all good most of the time). In every struggle I saw a little of "A" being played out and had flashbacks of my daily struggles with him. Mostly a battle against too many drugs in their system; diagnosed to make them "normal." Despite her struggles we developed a bond. There were times she hated me and other times that she asked for the "tall lady." When she left, we both cried and she reached for my hand one last time.

On Friday morning I joined them all in chapel. We sang the song

I have a Maker
He formed my heart
Before even time began
My life was in his hands

I have a Father
He calls me His own
He'll never leave me
No matter where I go

He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And He hears me when I call

He Knows My Name by Tommy Walker

I cried as I thought about my children and this dear girl at camp. I pray that God will comfort her tears just as He was watching each tear stream down my face.

"S" is why I do Royal Family KIDS Camp. She is why I love these children. Because I know behind each child's front is a lonely child that just wants to know they are loved, cherished, and can be someone's best friend! We plow the field so they know they are loved and sometimes we get to plant the seed of salvation, but mostly I know every act of kindness paved the way for God's amazing love to break through someday.

 

And I will be forever changed by these moments!