I stood with my fellow trainees waiting for the children to come out of the bus at the Royal Family Kids Camp. Balloons, music and everyone was ready to announce the names of the kids. Counselors held signs for each of their two campers.
The excitement was palpable. As each child came off the bus we cheered to their name and watched their faces as they met their counselors. First time campers such as the seven year old that this story is about took tentative steps.
He had read the letter from his counselor and was holding their picture close as he stepped down from the bus to the waiting crowd. Clutching the letter to his chest with a piece of his new t-shirt he met the person that would walk with him throughout the week.
I watched him at supper and then at the first chapel that night. The deer in the headlight look was still in his tiny face as he sat very near his new counselor and the camp Grandpa.
My sleep was fitful that first night as I wondered about him. Was he sleeping? Why was he in this place? His angelic face held worry lines way beyond his years. What happened in the lives of his parents? Were they worried for him?
I tried to put myself in his shoes. Every care had been taken from the check in, name tag, t-shirt and letter from his counselor to help him know that he was special in this place and very very wanted. His room had been decorated, his new pillow case waiting along with items to make his week the best it could be.
The next day I looked for him throughout the day. I sat with him at mealtimes, watched him in the activity center working on his cardboard boat and walking around the beautiful campground with his counselor.
Wednesday was birthday party day and I sang happy birthday to him when he arrived. I observed him when he received his very own little birthday cake. He said, "It's a giant marshmallow!" I laughed with him and said, "No it's your birthday cake. To celebrate that you were born and are here today." He stuck out his tongue and tasted the frosting before digging in.
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| Presents Ready To Be Placed in Birthday Boxes for each Child |
Thursday was practice for the variety show as well as the afternoon boat race. I stood expectantly beside the lake watching his boat launch and pulled around in the water. His little hand waving over the top of the cardboard was all I could see. Their boat floated expertly and as he walked up the steps my eyes filled with tears as I watched the pride in his eyes as he looked around watching everyone cheer him on.
At supper that night he showed me his special trick for the variety show. It was better then American Idol when he performed his act on stage and the crowd erupted in cheers. He was so proud!
Then Friday at the closing service I saw him back up to his counselor to be hugged and reassured. Then he stood close to me and the tears were streaming down his face as I patted the top of his little head.
I watched this little one struggle through and sort out all of the emotions, knowing that he did so in a safe environment that he had just spent five days soaking up all the love and affirmation possible.
Observing him pick up his new memory bag with his name, photo album, play away and notes from friends and wave goodbye...I knew that his life had been forever changed. The feeling that was imprinted on his heart and life will be with him forever.
I know what resiliency research says that children need but to have the privilege of watching a child immersed in those very intentional activities and experiences for five days and seeing him change was spiritually humbling.
"What we do for the least of these-we do for Him."
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