For Community
The Sumpter family served ours in the most amazing way during a Lighthouse Retreat for families going through a cancer journey. I mean, they brought us meals, cleaned our space, watched all of our children and contributed financially for us to attend the retreat. I just had to go back and find out what is was like to serve as a family in such a big way. Here is the interview I had with mom and high school teacher, Angela Sumpter.
Alexis: “We met at Lighthouse Retreats where you volunteered to serve families on childhood cancer journeys. What moved you to serve this group?
Angela: I had heard about Lighthouse through my church, and it seemed like something I wanted to be a part of. Like kids, I like working hard and having fun.
Alexis: First, let’s talk about taking care of a child with cancer. Many friends and family wouldn’t volunteer to do this but you did it for a stranger. We were very thankful by the way. How did you feel about this and how did you get over any fears about taking this on?
Angela: When I first thought about being on a retreat with kids that have cancer I thought it would just be too sad. So, I asked people about it that had been before and they assured me that while there can be some sad moments, overall we try to fill the days living in the moment, creating memories of joy and laughter for the families. I was a little nervous about what to say and what to ask and not ask, but in general the families are so gracious and are happy to communicate with who they are partnering with.
"I would say, 'Just show up.'"
Angela Sumpter
Alexis: Serving required a lot out of you and I want to get into your thoughts and feelings about all of it. You babysat a one year old on prescription medications, a feeding tube you had to be careful with and who was used to being with mom all the time. Then, you raised funds for your family and ours to go on retreat. You also took time out of every day on your retreat to clean and bring meals to us.
Angela: Serving is for sure hard work sometimes. When we were paired with your family, we had our own three kids, and your three kids – so 6 kids at the pool – with floaties, snacks, sunscreen…plus making sure Cayden was ok. So there of course were moments where it could get a little stressful. But once we got everyone where they needed to be it was so good! The boys played in the pool and watching them laugh and jump and just be in the moment is so heartwarming. And holding Cayden and praying over him was a privilege. It’s also an opportunity to show my own kids what it means to put others first- not just once- but every day, all day, for an entire week.
Alexis: So how did you raise funds for two families to go on retreat? That sounds like a large commitment in itself.
Angela: Since my husband Reggie hosted the retreat, that sort of “paid” for our retreat so we did not have to raise the funds. For others, I know they start early! They do things like post on facebook for their birthday things like “please donate to LFR for my birthday this year” or send out letters asking for support as you would for a mission trip.
Alexis: How did your family feel waking up early every day while they were at the beach to bring us food and take care of our kids?
Angela: Well, I had young kids, and they wake up early anyway! Lighthouse does a great job of making everything fun- so going down early wasn’t too bad for the family since there was always music, games, donuts, and smiling faces waiting for us when we got down there to pick up the food. It’s fun the be the one to show up with breakfast and get to tell kids “hey, it’s going to be another awesome day at the pool!”
Alexis: What did it mean to you attending a toddler’s funeral knowing he passed just a few short months after meeting him?
Angela: It was an honor to attend Cayden’s funeral. As a mom also of 3 boys, my heart was aching for the whole family. I wanted them to feel loved and supported. I wanted Cayden’s family to know that we believed even though his life was short, his life mattered. He was dearly loved.
Alexis: Was this a one time thing or do you and your family serve in other ways?
Angela: We have served at Lighthouse with the kids for 4 or 5 years. That’s our one thing we do as a family- it’s easy to do with the kids since it’s during the summer and they are out of school.
Alexis: What would you say to someone else wanting to support families with cancer?
Angela: I would say just show up. You don’t have to be an expert in anything. I sure wasn’t! If you have a willing heart and are ready to be flexible, you can make a big difference in someone’s life. I know raising healthy kids can be so hard, so parents raising kids battling cancer are doing so much. A meal, a kind word, a few hours to themselves, a clean load of laundry- all these things just help get them through the day and can give them time to focus on the good. And if you have your own kids – bring them along! They learn that working hard and helping others is FUN!
