Help Karen McLean - Everybody's Friend

Many people go through life feeling alone, but if Karen McLean meets them, they won’t feel lonely long. Her spark, energy, and creativity lights up any room she walks into. Whether through the church doors, a grocery store, someone’s home, or her own, you will not leave without encouragement if Karen has been in your midst. I am blessed to have been friends with Karen since childhood and have witnessed and received much of her kindness.

Though she is a very noticeable and a busy bee, sometimes her efforts are in the quiet:

-Leaving prayer cards on little children’s beds of the houses she cleans

-Taking food to those who have lost loved ones or simply because it is Wednesday so she can provide for people with hungry bellies at church

-Praying, praying, praying, for everyone she knows and loves (or those she doesn’t know at all but a friend does)

-Meeting over a cup of coffee or lunch to provide counsel and love

-Mailing letters to the sick, hurt, imprisoned, lonely, and broken

-Planned and prepped events for church

-And COUNTLESS OTHER unseen acts of kindness

Karen, as many of you know, has been through quite the scare over the last few weeks. She was rushed to UNC Chapel Hill after having stroke-like symptoms and bleeding on the brain. She was then diagnosed with a Cerebral Cavernous Malformation. She is home now recovering well, but the reality of slowing down a bit has not been easy. Unfortunately, this was not the first time either that she had suffered a life-threatening episode like this. For years she has put her trust in a loving God, pushed through difficult circumstances, and pursued a life worth living, giving joy away to others.

Now is an opportune time to give back. Join us in showering Karen with love by giving a donation that will help with various things for the next several months while she recovers and is away from work. We all know that her “work” in the body of Christ will never stop (maybe slow down but not stop!) but her work as the “Cleaning Fairy”, as she calls herself, will have to for some time or indefinitely.

We are confident for her future and are saying “Thank you Jesus!” that Karen continues to be a miracle. We know it is not an easy journey, but through it all her hope and positive attitude has been a light for so many.