A Life-changing Experience
This was my second year serving at RFK. The week was challenging, draining, and emotionally heavy. The week was also full of Christ-like love, positivity, community, support, and power. RFK truly is an experience that is life-changing and life-giving.
I had the opportunity to be a cousin (counselor) to two 7-year-old boys. Both are currently in the Foster Care System, thankfully placed in seemingly loving homes. On Sunday, before they arrived, along with the rest of the campers, I was given a little insight into who they are and what they have experienced in their pasts. I remember feeling anxious and inadequate to deal with some of the potential challenges they both posed and I was nervous I wasn't going to be able to pour into them much this week. On Monday, the campers arrived. Initially, I tried to make the campers feel comfortable at camp and with me, and throughout the course of the week, the two boys became more and more comfortable, as their walls went down. They came out of their shells and showed who they were in a safe environment with safe people. I got to see them be creative, fun, adventurous, kind, and playful; I got to see them be kids. The control of their past trauma and hurt was weakened while they were at camp. RFK provides a safe place with loving people so kids who have been mistreated, abandoned, and shown they aren't valued can be loved, rooted for, and be who they are. RFK shows kids who have experienced hurt and pain the love of God.
God is always present, and His presence and power at RFK are especially evident. He empowers the team of volunteers at RFK to support you as you come across challenges with the campers. God provides fellow leaders for you to lean on, to help you in any way they can, and to empower you to love these kids well. During my week at RFK, it was amazing to see the power, love, and commitment of the church. Prayer, a listening ear, and kind encouraging people were all around me. You are so filled up by God and the church at RFK, that it enables you to pour out love onto these kids and to provide them a safe and transformative experience.
RFK is special. The opportunity to serve with fellow leaders to love some of the most vulnerable people in our world is amazing. God uses you in ways you won't expect. If you feel called to serve at RFK, I would encourage you to do so.
- Caleb (Camp Counselor)
