We Live in a Broken World

I am honored to be working with an organization like Champion Recovery Community here in the Sequatchie Valley/Marion County area of Tennessee. This organization has a clear view of a very deep need in the community and a strong commitment that only by God’s intervention can true healing occur. We do live in a broken world, and the women that we are seeking to help have in many ways been a by-product of that brokenness. 

My view of addiction has changed dramatically since I felt called to support this ministry any way I could. I grew up in the “Just Say No” culture – drugs should not be a problem for anyone that has an ounce of self-determination. But I’ve learned that addiction is really a symptom of some deep type of brokenness – and that brokenness produced serious trauma – and that trauma had to be dealt with. Most of the time the underlying trauma occurs (once or many times) and impacts an individual well before they are adults and as a result, they have little or no resources to deal positively with their trauma and general life situation. I have also learned that very often the source of the trauma was someone who was trusted as a protector. 

In working with the leadership team at Champion Recovery Community for a few years, I now understand that it is not addiction that is the enemy or root cause but it is really this broken world – and the only cure for brokenness in this world comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Champion Recovery Community is at its very heart a faith-based organization seeking to share God’s love and promises with those that need healing from trauma and can then put their addiction behind them. Our primary goal is to introduce our participants to a relationship with the Great Physician and Mighty God. Helping to heal women helps to heal families. Healing families leads to more productive members of the community – truly a win-win for those we help and those we live with in this community.

But this vision and corresponding positive outcomes are not possible without financial support. And honestly, we have been struggling lately. We currently receive no government support or funding, nor have we ever received any. We compete for philanthropy dollars in our community with organizations that have more emotional appeal than a broken adult life, and many also get government funding in addition to private contributions. Abandoned and abused animals get more sympathy dollars than abandoned and abused adults, especially from someone like I once was who is sure these individuals themselves were really causing their own problems and did not want to help themselves……

I am more than a bit ashamed of my previous attitude toward helping these types of individuals. God has clearly shown me that they are made in His Image like I am and just have had to deal with more of the brokenness in the world than I have and they need some help to put that trauma (and all the baggage that comes with trauma, including addiction) behind them.

Please join me in praying for healing for those that come to us for help and giving regularly to faith-based ministries that help heal the brokenness in our land.  Please consider partnering financially with Champion Recovery Community today, either with a one-time gift or an ongoing, sustaining contribution. 

Laurie Marson

CRC Board Treasure and Mentor