Char's Friendship: Always Ready to Respond

On the last day of basketball camp in July, 2011 on the Navajo Reservation in Sanostee, New Mexico, a high school girl approached Lisa Lampkin who was part of a Saddleback PEACE Team. Lisa felt the seriousness of the situation when the girl motioned to follow her to a corner of the gym, then turned her back to the court. Avoiding eye contact, she quietly told Lisa her story.

Char was the third oldest in a family of five. Her mother was at home fighting for her life after a recent breast cancer diagnosis. A few years earlier, her father abandoned his family. Her older sister was married and her older brother went missing over a year ago. This left 16-year-old Char as the head of the household caring for two younger sisters. In the course of the conversation, Char spoke of her sense of hopelessness borne out through the scars on her arms from past suicide attempts.

Lisa gave her a hug and found out her immediate needs for the night. Lisa prayed with Char and could see a change in her the second they said "Amen.” After the prayer, Lisa and the other PEACE team members worked to find the items Char requested.

Lisa and Char exchanged phone numbers and after the camp ended kept in touch. Char began to blossom after this prayer. In addition to a successful basketball season, Char was named Homecoming Queen. Her mother’s recovery was going well. Reading the Bible became a priority for Char, who even convinced her mom to attend church with her.

When they reunited at basketball camp the following year, Char told Lisa about a school friend who was facing a difficult situation. Char assured her friend that "God has a plan for her and to hold on for His plan!" Lisa believes God showed Himself through Char, as she watched this young girl emerge from darkness, see the light of God and then help others into that light. Lisa saw firsthand that we never know when God will use us for His purpose, but we must always be ready to respond. If we do, He will find a way to help those around us. He may use a teenager, an elderly person, a bad or good situation...just trust God and always be ready to show his love.

Recently, Char’s church initiated a program for teenagers to fellowship together. God continues to grow His love in that community and is giving kids like Char exactly what they need most....a purpose.

Char’s friendship taught Lisa that God does have a plan and all she has to do is trust Him in all situation. Just a small prayer with a hurting individual turned a teenager away from hopelessness towards thriving in the love of God. And, Lisa still feels honored to be a small part of God’s plan for Char.

To learn more about Saddleback global PEACE trips, click here.