God is a Girl Dad

From Boot Prints on the Heart 

A Journey of Obedience, Faithfulness and Relationship 
Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of Teen Reach 

Serena Howell and Angela Prusia 

About three years after Teen Reach went national, a pregnancy clause needed to be added to the T.R.A.C. application so pregnant teens could attend camp. The goal was to make sure both moms and their unborn babies were safe during all activities at camp. 

Initially, we were concerned that these young moms might glorify teen pregnancy. To our surprise, however, our first two pregnant teens encouraged the other campers not to make the same mistake. They communicated that being a young mom robbed them of enjoying the innocence of childhood themselves. 

Over a decade later, Angela got a call from Teri, a T.R.A.C.life director in Torrance, California. “Can a pregnant teen be mentored?” 

The answer was an immediate. “Yes.” 

Guess who is mentoring Melanie, now a young mother?  

The camp doctor, Maggie.  

Sounds like a match made in heaven. 

Melanie felt so grateful to be able to ask Maggie questions about her pregnancy and upcoming delivery. Maggie, who has a specialty in internal and pediatric medicine, was an absolute blessing to a scared girl.  

Melanie’s friend in the T.R.A.C.life program wanted to meet the baby, so the mentors and teens arranged to get together. During their time, the girls were able to see the joy and the real struggles of having a baby so young in life.  

As much as Melanie loves her daughter, she speaks truthfully and honestly, encouraging young girls wait to have kids. “It’s harder than I imagined,” Melanie admits. “I’ve had to miss out on activities because of babysitter issues or a fussy baby.”  

Melanie is a good mom with an amazing, godly mentor and friend to help her navigate this critical time in her life.  

After Melanie turned 18 and aged out of the T.R.A.C.life program, some mentors and mentees got together for a celebratory dinner for Melanie and another graduating mentee. After reminiscing about stories from Royal Family KIDS Camp and T.R.A.C., Melanie spoke up. 

“I really liked the camp with the sparkly lake that glistened. That was the year I was pregnant, and I couldn’t do a lot of things, but I would look out at the beautiful lake that was so peaceful. And it made me really think that [God] is a girl Dad . . . because He gave us something so beautiful since He knew we would love the sparkles.” 

The way she spoke about Jesus caused Maggie to ask Melanie on the drive home if she had ever been given the option to make Jesus the leader of her life. Melanie shared that just a few weeks beforehand, her Uber driver led her to accepting Christ! Royal Family KIDS Camp and Mentoring, Teen Reach and an Uber driver planted and watered seeds, and God caused the fruit to grow. 

Teen Reach is making an eternal impact on the lives of campers and future generations.