by Lance Colkmire
Treating Abused Children Like Royalty
I
MAGINE A SUMMER CAMP where a relief for this child to know the girls Being Affirmed
every child who attends has been had their own cabins. When the bus arrives at camp, the staff
abused, abandoned, or neglected. That Why does it only last one week? For is waving streamers and pom-poms to wel-
is Royal Family Kids’ Camp, which the many of these children, this is the best come the kids. One by one they get off the
South Cleveland, Tennessee, Church of week of their year; for some, the best bus, their names are called out, and their
God has been providing for children in week of their life. Positive memories and counselor steps forward with a colorful sign
foster care since 1999. new hope are provided through every- bearing their name and its meaning. That
After last year’s camp, I, the camp thing being geared toward their special begins five days of nonstop affirmation.
director, received this note from a foster needs and secret fears. From “everybody’s Once each day, the campers receive
mom: “Thank you for the absolutely birthday party” to the annual talent mail from various camp staff. By week’s
wonderful experience your camp provid- show, from the memory photo album to end, this adds up to 40 or 45 notes. Notes
ed to my foster son. He is still talking the chapel services, from incredible crafts like “You were brave riding that big
about it. Thank you also for witnessing to to noncompetitive sports, Royal Family horse” and “You built the best bug box!”
him about the power of God’s uncondi- provides a lifetime of positive memories. When our camp theme verse was Jere-
tional love for him. You made a differ- Can I live with you? When Bridgit miah 29:11, I wrote this note to a 10-
ence in this kid’s life. P.S.: He says not to asked my wife (the camp nurse) and me year-old camper: “Bobby, I know God has
forget him next year because he wants to this question, it was so hard to say no. a special future for your life. I will be
come every year!” This was her fourth year at camp, and she praying for you.” Even though campers
had just been uprooted from her long- aren’t supposed to send notes, somehow
Asking Questions
time foster home. I did tell Bridgit I Bobby got this message to me: “Pastor
In nine summers serving some 300 would never stop praying for her, and I Lance, I know God has a special plan for
campers, here are a few of the countless am keeping that promise. your life. Love and prayers, Bobby.”
questions the kids, ages 7-11, have asked us. Is this true? While watching a video on
How much do they pay you to be here? the life of Jesus, Lavante turned around
Burying Bad Memories
We hear this question a lot because the and asked me, “Is this a true story?” On the last day of camp each year, we
kids know that foster parents, social Why are we crying? When God’s Spirit hand out slips of paper to the campers,
workers, and teachers are paid to care for touches children and workers during a and ask them to write a bad memory on
them. They are amazed to learn that all chapel time, it’s not unusual for tears to it and fold it. We tell them no one will
the camp workers are volunteers. flow. We tell the kids it is God’s love look at their paper. Next, we go to a spot
A girl asked, “Will we have to sleep with touching our heart that makes us cry. So where a hole has been dug. Next to it is a
the boys?” A victim of sexual abuse, it was it’s a good cry! small tree that is about to be planted.
24 EVANGEL • MAR 2008
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