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.