Angel Faces — healing retreats designed to inspire adolescent girls with severe facial disfigurements to achieve their optimum potential.
Dear Friends, Angel Faces' Family and Supporters:
Welcome to our world of strength and courage and yes, a little pain too, but there is nothing we can't honor, embrace and overcome.
Look up! Yes, that photo is of all of the Angel Faces participants after the fifth retreat. When I look at the photo I see the girls as though they are standing on a launch pad, ready and open to their lives. When the girls arrive at the retreat, the volunteers and I see that they are wounded, scared and not very hopeful. This picture fills my heart with joy, knowing that Angel Faces has made such a difference in the futures of these young women.
In January of 2009, we launched our monthly online classroom sessions for the girls who have attended Angel Faces from all over the world. The girls click in through CISCO's WebEx system. They connect with both myself and each other and learn such topics about toxic love vs. real love, setting goals and dealing with yet another upcoming reconstructive surgery. It's wonderful to actually see the girls on the webcam, follow up and hear stories of their ongoing triumphs and challenges, all a part of life. Now, we are able to be here for them – all year round!
As we head towards our sixth retreat in June, the applications are starting to come in. As I read them, I realize the mountain of work that needs to get done.
I would like to introduce you to Mariah, one of this year's applicants. Mariah was born without her left eye. Today she is 13 years old and lives in Colorado. Mariah has had over thirty surgeries in order to build an eye. She is coming to Angel Faces for the first time this year. As I read through her application her struggles are real to so many people with facial differences. She asks, "How do I cope with the endless staring in public? What do I say to the kids who tease me at school?" She continues, "I feel so rejected when I'm the last one to get picked for a team at school. What do I say to people who won't stop asking questions about my face?" "I feel so alone…."
In the application process we ask for a letter of recommendation. I was so moved by the letter that came with Mariah's application that I wanted to share it with you:
To Whom It May Concern:
I have had the privilege of being Mariah's youth pastor for over a year and a half. When I first met her and found out her story my heart broke because here was such a beautiful girl who has so much potential in life, but may never reach it because of the way the world has treated her. Even though I have seen Mariah excel in different areas over the past year, I know that she is still struggling with her cleft palate and eye. Mariah is at a crucial age where she is moldable to everything around her. I unfortunately have heard that she is still being made fun of at school and treated differently just because of her physical appearance. While her parents and some close friends have really been there for her, it's still a tough environment to live in each day.
We chose Mariah to compete in a "Fear Factor" type event. It started out with 12 contestants. Her tenacious little spirit carried her through the 3rd event over the 8th grade girl dynasty. She was up against two older guys and some tough obstacles. She threw everything she had into the event but was unable to catch up to the boys. In my book it was an absolute win. I think it was a great experience for her and it cast light onto her desire to be known, respected and treated like any other person, a desire that this world is trying to steal.
Mariah is such a treasure and now that I have been around her so long I no longer can see the scar on her face. What a beautiful thing it is to be able to look past the physical aspects of our image and be confident in who we are. Mariah needs Angel Faces to accomplish that. I know that she wants to see herself as the beautiful girl God created her to be, but when I see her cover her scars each week with her blond locks, I know it's not sticking.
Mariah has a higher power in her life named Jesus. He can heal all, but sometimes Jesus comes in the form of a program or person who has shared in the same experiences. Mariah needs to be with girls who have the same struggles. She needs to be given the confidence to pursue life with everything she's got. Thank you for creating a program that makes this possible for young girls. I can't wait to see her come back to our community and shine like the angel she was created to be.
Ryan Anderson
Middle School Pastor Crossroads
Church Loveland, CO
We will follow Mariah's journey as she prepares to enter the world of Angel Faces.
On another note, again I find myself humbled from the numerous prestigious awards Angel Faces continues to receive. Peek into the "Awards" tab to follow our progress.
One question that we often ask ourselves is: How do we really know that what we teach is really getting through to the girls. Are they understanding and making changes? Please watch the brief six minute DVD (click on the arrow in the screen below to view it) and see for yourself the answers to these questions.
Lastly, I'm so grateful for ALL the women volunteers who have stepped away from their lives to give of their time, heart and spirit for an incredible week of inspiration and healing – to girls they never knew, until now. I am humbled.
Be the light,
Lesia Cartelli
Founder and Director
