Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV

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December 26, 2009

Connell finds fulfillment serving others in need

By Bill Archer

PRINCETON — Lisa Connell’s smile tells a story of hope and love. Most people would think that the events of the past 10 months have been an ordeal for Connell and her family, but she sees everything in her life as being a blessing.

“I have a passion for helping people,” Connell, 39, a Mercer County resident for most of the past 20 years said. “I think God has put me out here to encourage people. God has given me such strength to keep doing this. When I’m here, I see so many people. I’m always thinking of ways to help people.”

On Wednesday morning, Connell was at her post, checking off names of people signed up to participate in Operation Compassion. “It’s not my place to judge anyone,” she said. “Jesus said he came not to be served, but to serve. I’m here to follow Jesus’ example.”

Ten months ago, Connell was diagnosed with breast cancer, and a month after she was diagnosed, her husband was laid off from his job. She underwent a mastectomy and went through additional chemotherapy treatment, but in recent months, she learned that the cancer metastasized and had gone to her brain.

“The good news is that chemotherapy appears to be working,” Bob Osborne said. Osborne and Connell have worked together since Operation Compassion got its start. “She still has lesions in her brain, but she has never stopped working to serve others. She’s fighting cancer, but she’s inspiring others.”

“I can already see the headline,” Pastor Greg Hall, executive director of Operation Compassion said. “She’s fighting cancer while fighting hunger.”

Connell is currently working as a church secretary at the Princeton Church of God, but her health challenges have strengthened her commitment to service. “It has been a blessing in disguise,” she said. “You would never know how many people are praying for me. God’s done a miracle here, and I feel blessed.”

Although her husband hasn’t been able to find work since he was laid off, Connell doesn’t complain. “We’ve not gone without food or anything,” she said. “There has never been a need that has come up that hasn’t been filled. We are thankful for all the blessings we have received.”

Connell said that all of the Operation Compassion volunteers are aware of her health challenges, and that many of the 800-plus people signed up as participants know her as well. “A lot of them recognize me out here each month,” Connell said. “I want them to see my smiling face.

“It’s easy to get depressed at this time of year, and people can get down,” she said. “We have a lot of people who come through here. I want to give them a smile and encourage them. This is what God has me here to do.”

Connell plans to spend time with her blended family today, Christmas day.

– Contact Bill Archer at barcher@bdtonline.com

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