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Stories From Camp

We have decided to include some letters that were written by the campers themselves
as well as some stories as told by the staff at camp

During the week of camp all of the campers get to celebrate their birthdays.
Along with the birthday cake all campers get a Birthday Box which has been prepared
in advance by two area churches.
The following stories tell of how God worked through those boxes.

Jennifer noticed that in her Birthday Box she had not received a necklace like Cindy. Cindy saw that Jennifer was sad and, while Jennifer wasn't looking, she placed her necklace into Jennifer's box. Later Jennifer found the necklace and said "Look, I have necklace too," Cindy just smiled. Jennifer then realized what Cindy had done and gave Cindy her stickers. This was a miracle because it totally out of character for Cindy to give up something she likes. She learned to put her friends needs above her own.

Timmy was so excited when he opened his Birthday Box and inside was the very same Matchbox car he once had. It had been stolen while at school, but now he had a new one. What a great way to show Timmy God's faithfulness, even in the small things.

Beverly had a similar situation. She had received a Barbie doll watch in her Birthday Box. She loved Barbie, but what was even better is that she once had a watch just like this one but she gave it to someone to use and never got it back. Through the Birthday Box, God took care of that!

The last Birthday Box story is about a little boy named Ricky. During the second week of camp, we had a Cocker Spaniel camp dog named "Bradly." Bradly was great therapy for Ricky. Ricky became very attached and wanted to take Bradly home. Well, in some ways he did, with the help of his Birthday Box. Inside his Birthday Box, Ricky got a TY Beanie baby Cocker Spaniel that looked just like Bradly.

"Dear God" Letter from Sally
"Dear God, I want you to kiss me and I want you to hug me. I want you to help me when I get hurt. I want you to help me to not hurt myself or kill myself or threaten myself or bang my head against the concrete and I want to not get hurt. I want you to be with me all the time. Love, Sally"
Sally also wrote why she like being at Royal Family Kids Camp
"It's easier than staying home"

"Story of Hope"
During our second week of camp, we met a boy named Jerry. Jerry had been expelled from school last spring because he had threatened to blow up the school. He will be going into a juvenile detention center this fall. By the middle of the week, Jerry was confessing his sins and praying God would help him to be good. On Thursday, Jerry began asking questions about how to make Jesus his best friend.

"Can You Find It In Your Heart"
One Jerry's friends at camp was Bill. Bill was a tough kid on the outside, but on the inside he just wanted to be loved and accepted. Many times while Bill and I (Heidi, camp director) were in time-out we would pray for forgiveness, ask that God would help us to make the right choices and talk about how it was important to ask the person we wronged for forgiveness. On Friday when we were getting ready to leave, Bill got into an argument with Jerry and his Big Brother (the camp volunteer). We talked about it, but the bus was leaving and we did not get to pray or finish our talk. Later that evening, Heidi was given a letter that Bill had written to her during the bus ride back to the church. Here's what Bill wrote,
"Dear Heidi, I am so sorry for fighting with Jerry and my Brother. I hope that in your heart you will forgive us all. Thanks for inviting us to camp and for my Big Brother, he is fun and good with me."
Heidi asked if anyone had made Bill write the letter and was told that he had
done it on his own and wanted to make sure that she got the letter.

These stories from camp show how awesome God is and how He can make a difference in someone's life.
Even in just a week.

If you have comments or suggestions, email us at royalfamily@royalfamily.faithweb.com

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