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On Christmas Eve 2002, my ten-week-old great nephew was diagnosed with stage four Neuroblastoma cancer. Within days, his parents, Farrell and David, took him to Sloan Kettering in New York City. Charlie was there to be the patient of Dr. Kusher, who led research on this awful and often fatal childhood cancer.
That January of 2003, in the shock and fear of Charlie’s diagnosis, all we knew was that prayer was our only source of strength, comfort, and hope. Soon several friends gathered at our dining room table to find strength in prayer together. We vowed to pray every day at 12 noon no matter where we were or what we were doing. Of course, we prayed all the time, but at noon we were all united. Charlie’s Angels circle of prayer began. Soon the news about prayers at noon for Charlie spread, and we received emails from around the globe of more Charlie Angels praying at noon.
Tim and Nan Cleveland called us in February of 2003 with the idea of a Fun Run for Charlie with proceeds to help fund Sloan Kettering’s research for this cancer. Remember in 2003 there was no social media, so we sent letters to all our local Charlie’s Angels. We planned for a response of maybe 50 people, set up our run route, and had t-shirts made. None of us had ever planned a run – I don’t run, I walk.
I’ll never forget that Saturday of the Run. Our plan was to gather in FPC’s chapel and have a prayer before the Run started. We hoped that maybe 50 people would come. As I stood in the Chapel pulpit to open with prayer, I looked out at a multitude of Angels. Every pew was filled, and all the doors were open so that the crowds outside could hear. “Glory Hallelujah!” I said. To remember that moment still makes my heart sing!
Thank you to the multitude of Charlie’s Angels who prayed, drawn by the Holy Spirit. Today Charlie is a delightful, fine young college junior.
Angels are everywhere, and we are blessed by so many at FPC. They show up and lift us up. “He will command His Angels to guard you in all your ways” Ps. 91:12.
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