A Community of Care Team Story

Recently, we contacted a Community of Care team family and asked them two questions about their experience. We loved what they said, so we knew we needed to share with you. If you are interested in finding out more about this program, reach out to the Community of Care Manager, Angie "AJ" Johnson, at angiej@lighthousefamilyretreat.org

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO VOLUNTEER WITH LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY RETREAT, AND HOW HAS THE EXPERIENCE IMPACTED YOU PERSONALLY?

As a small group of community outreach ministry volunteers, we are naturally inspired to serve the community's needs; however, volunteering with the Lighthouse Family Retreat has inspired us on a whole different level. That inspiration allowed us to support and serve a family who quickly became an addition and an extension of our church family. We welcomed Racquel Black and her family with open arms and quickly identified them as our adopted family.

In our initial conversation with the Black family, it was important to us that the family was able to maintain a sense of dignity, that they would be able to recognize us as part of their support group who would assist in any manner possible to help them to adjust to their new normalcy, after the fire, without a home, a child, a sibling, and a grandchild, but having a newly diagnosed child with cancer.

Finding normal was hard, and so our journey began. We had several conversations, spent time with the family, and celebrated birthdays and holidays. After a while, it became evident that the family was adjusting to their new normal. Little A' Meria had started school. Isaiah, the child diagnosed with cancer, became the student coach of his high school baseball team. Their home was renovated, and they were able to move back in. And Ms. Constance, grandmama, even though she took up residence separate from her daughter and grandchildren, remained a strong support, picking up little A' Meria from school each day. In our last meeting with Racquel, we delivered a Lasagna dinner. She and little A' Meria were headed out to attend a carnival. Yes, life had become normal again.

To see this family overcome the tragedy of a house fire and childhood cancer was nothing short of divine intervention. They now walked in new normalcy that didn’t look much different than others who had not endured the insurmountable things this family had had to endure. It was amazing to witness. We hope we have played a very small part in assisting them and making a difference in their journey.

CAN YOU SHARE A MEMORABLE MOMENT OR STORY FROM VOLUNTEERING TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF SERVING FAMILIES LIVING THROUGH CHILDHOOD CANCER?

It is very important when serving a family dealing with childhood cancer not to forget the impact it has on the siblings who are not being treated for cancer. While volunteering with the Black family, it was expressed how little A' Meria was having difficulty coping with the family’s new normal. She was not in school but spent her days at home with her grandmother. We immediately decided to focus extra attention on her. We talked with her, had Sunday brunch, celebrated her birthday with small girly gifts, and did a small shopping spree. We wanted little A' Meria to start thinking about things little girls her age typically think about.

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