Support Foster Care

News came out today regarding the State of California budget cuts effecting foster children. A story from KGET http://www.kget.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=346d8cd8-b71f-49ea-8065-0d03dfbe4f3b details the information.

Abused and neglected children that enter foster care have had enough trauma. It is apparent that the State is far removed from the plight of foster children and over-worked case workers. What children need is more not less. The average foster child has few people in their corner. They need someone to fight for them and a social worker, a competent and compassionate one, is a key player in the life of a child. If social worker positions are cut the State must find alternative methods to advocate for children.

Please get involved in being a voice for children that don't have a mom or dad sticking up for them. Contact your representative or legislator and request that funding for foster children remain in tact. The future belongs to our children so let us invest in their lives today.

Kids Have Talent ...

Thursday - Royal Family Kids Camp 2008

Today the children had the privilege of riding horses. The Kern County Sheriffs Mounted Posse brought up 10 horses to lead the children on a ride. There were many smiling faces and over 10 kids that had never been on a horse before. The young campers enjoyed "Babe", a miniature horse. In addition to the excitement of the horses the kids enjoyed participating in a talent show.

I look forward to the talent show each year. Normally shy and reserved kids come out of their shell and display amazing talent and skill. The kids dance, sing, do skits, tap, cheer and act out dramas. One girl, Lisa (not her real name), wrote an entire play that captured the theme of camp.

The play was about two young girls that were fighting at school. The girls were arguing over a school project and eventually were sent to the counselor, Lisa. The counselor, the playwright camper, spoke to the girls about God's word and their need to "get along" and be humble. The play ended with the girls "making up" and completing their project. It was an accurate and thoughtful play that showed Lisa's grasp of interpersonal struggles and relationship issues.

I know that there are many, many, many talents and skills each of these 44 campers have that are dormant. RFKC fans gifts to life and speaks to the success and talent in a child rather than their behaviors and issues. The talent show is one way RFKC builds resiliency in kids. Resiliency is the ability to bounce back from the trials and difficulties of life. When I watch the talent show I am not watching 44 kids that are destined to fail but destined to succeed and win at life. RFKC build overcomers through accepting kids as they are and speaking to their ability and capacity not their dysfunction and behavior.

As we tucked kids in tonight, I listened to multiple children say, "I can't wait to come back next year." Some kids cried, others hid, and some just smiled and said thanks. The older kids have the toughest time as they know this is their last year. It is sad to look a child in the eye and know you may never see them again. I can't imagine what the child feels like that has found hope and love only to watch it slip away. This is the difficulty of camp ... saying goodbye.

Tomorrow, we will hold our annual rock altar ceremony with the campers. At this event, the kids bury their problems in a hole and we cover it with dirt. Lastly, each kid and counselor throw rocks on top of the hole and we pray. It is as this moment we release the kids into God's care and make our goodbyes matter. RFKC teaches children that rarely get to say goodbye how to say goodbye in a healthy way.

Here is some stuff we heard today:

"RFKC is the best place ever - I never want to leave." - A child at Thursday's Thanksgiving dinner

"When I get older I want to be a cowgirl" - a little girl thanking the Posse after riding horses

"Thank you for the birthday party and putting on this camp. It is the best camp ever!"

"Smores and a camp fire - no way! This is awesome!"

For foster kids it's all details ...

Wednesday afternoon RFKC 2008

During lunch today a 9 year old girl had a breakdown as the children were served food. She was being comforted by her counselor when I walked over to see if I could help. I asked her, we will call her Suzie for her privacy, what was bothering her. She just cried. I sat with her and her counselor on the couch for a few minutes just letting her cry and then engaged her again asking what was making her cry. Suzie looked up at me and said, between sobs, "I feel like something is missing".

Since Suzie opened up I sensed the need to press a bit further and asked her how long she has been in foster care. I was amazed at what happened next. Suzie began to share with me every detail of her family background, her life before removal from her home, and the actual removal by law enforcement and CPS. She explained everything. I was in shock at the depth of detail and memory she had surrounding this crisis.

Suzie finished her story, we prayed and talked about hope for the restoration of her family. She shared her new-found hope from the Bible lesson on Wednesday ... Jesus helps me with my problems. Again, I was amazed. In the middle of a painful moment, Suzie not only recounted every detail of probably the worst day of her life but she shared her source of hope just embraced earlier the same day. How cool is that?

What I am learning through the incredible journey of RFKC and foster care is that for foster kids it is all in the details. They remember everything. Therefore, everything has the potential for transformational impact. This is purpose of RFKC - creating positive memories. We replace the negative tapes kids unfortunately have to play with new memories of joy and hope. Thanks for sending us to the children.

When they say they "love you" they mean it!

RFKC is a place where kids that have suffered abuse and neglect find hope and learn to trust again. A moment at camp captured this truth perfectly.

One of our counselors overheard another male counselor as he tucked his boys in for the evening. The counselor was telling the boys, "I love you guys - goodnight." The boys settled in their beds and the counselor left to use the restroom. Another counselor laid in his bunk nearby and heard the boys talking. One of the boys began to talk about the counselor saying I love you and making fun of the counselor, "yeeewww, I luuvvvv youuuu!" The other boy quickly shut him down and stated, "no, when these people tell you they love you they mean it - they are not like other people."

This is the story behind RFKC. God's people telling kids that have suffered great injustice that God loves them. God's people allowing Him to use their tired bodies, fragile emotions and weary hands to speak His love and acceptance over kids that rarely feel accepted. This is RFKC. God moving through His people and kids being blessed.

God Speaks to His Children

Today was a great day at RFKC. Although there were many problems with the camp facility, sick or injured staff, and other non-child issues, camp moved forward. The children played, heard Bible stories, swam, created crafts and enjoyed the outdoors. It was a great day where kids just got to be kids!

At the evening activity, I felt impressed to share about God's love during difficult times. I spoke about the pain, shame, hurt and loss involved with foster care. The children listened attentively and soberly. As I shared, I watched the faces of kids as they reflected on there experiences in foster care. The mood changed from extreme joy to deep reflection.

Through the RFKC curriculum, the kids learned that "Jesus wants me on His team" and "Jesus sees the best in me". I jumped off from these two strong statements and let them know that He does this based on His great love. Additionally, I let them know that the camp, each volunteer staff, and the entire week was destined by God to share His love, acceptance and hope.

Following the evening activity, the children were released to their cabins for bed. One girl stayed behind with her counselor and cried. I went to the girl and she shared her sadness over being apart from her parents and siblings. I gave her a hug and we discussed God's word from the Beatitudes that God comforts those that mourn. As we talked, her countenance changed as God began to speak comfort to her heart. Suddenly, RFKC was not just a "camp" but a reality where God speaks. She heard Him and felt His comfort. We prayed for her comfort and peace and she began to smile.

As she was walking off to her cabin one of our staff asked if she was having fun. She quickly replied, "Yes!" accompanied by a big smile. It is amazing to watch God comfort his children with His love and grace. A little girl went from despair to hope as she heard the good news of Jesus' love. She went from sadness to joy as people shared her pain and offered comfort. Now, she is armed with the strength and hope to tackle her fears. She knows that God will never leave her and that there are safe people that will help in trial. This is what RFKC is all about.

Treating Children Like Royalty

This week a talented and compassionate team of 45 individuals are serving 44 abused and neglected children in the cathedral of the outdoors. Royal Family Kids' Camp 2008 began on Sunday, June 8th as volunteer staff and counselors were commissioned to serve children at Canyon Hills Church.

We began the experience with team building and prayer on Sunday evening prior to the arrival of children on Monday. Our time was rich as God poured forth His grace, acceptance, anointing and love. Our hearts have been tightly knit together as we serve under the common mission of "creating positive memories" for abused and neglected children.

The "Opening Ceremonies" at RFKC included a presentation of each child. It was amazing to watch the joy and excitement on each child's face as their name was called and nearly 100 people shouted and clapped in ovation. It was a remarkable moment that spoke volumes to each child of love, acceptance and worth. It was the foundation of things to come.

When we treat others as royalty they respond in appreciation and with reciprocity. Each child at RFKC has a file as thick as a phone book yet the behaviors and issues that are witnessed at home often are not experienced at RFKC. Why? I believe it is due to the unconditional love, support and attention given each child. Is it possible to provide this as a foster or biological parent? You bet. But the cost is high. Fortunately, the outcome is worth it.

The miracle of RFKC is that individuals take time for kids. Each person here is taking a week "off" from their life of work, family, and relationships to serve foster children. This is high cost and we are witnessing the blessing of an incredible return. Just yesterday, during the "Opening Ceremony", one such incredible God moment happened.

During Opening Ceremonies each child was lead in procession through a tunnel of staff that waved branches over their head. After making their way through this tunnel of love the children came to a podium made from stumps of a sequoia. Once they stepped onto the podium, a medal was hung on their neck and a picture taken to capture the moment. It was at this moment that one little boy froze. He simply stared down at his medal and stated, "this is the best gift I have ever been given".

The next day, while at Bible Time, Mrs. Birdie, our Bible Teacher, asked the campers if they understood what treasure was. Many children nodded and shared examples from Pirates and other movies. Mrs. Birdie next called on a little boy and asked, "Do you have anything you treasure?" The little boy grabbed the medal that had hung on his neck since Monday and stated, "yeah, this is my treasure!"

RFKC is a God encounter. We witness the love of God poured forth from earthen vessels that simply treat kids like royalty. Kids that have been beaten with hoses, burned with cigarettes and locked in closets. These kids need hope and they need someone to believe in them. As we treat them like royalty they feel the love of God and hope comes to life. I am thankful for these God moments that reveal the truth that treating children like royalty leads to amazing outcomes that transform and bring hope.