Tune in to hear a touching story about a Joni and Friends Family Retreat and dreams coming true. To learn more about Family Retreats, or if you want to sign up to serve, go to joniradio.org for more information. You won’t regret it!
I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, and don’t you love it when dreams come true?!
The seed for this dream was planted way back in the 1980s when I spoke at a banquet in Kansas. Little did I know that at that banquet was a young woman with cerebral palsy named Charlotte. Charlotte has a variety of cognitive, emotional, and physical disabilities that require her to live not only in a wheelchair, but in a residential home in Kansas, while her mother, Carma, lives in Missouri. Well, somehow that night they were able to attend that dinner and Charlotte heard me give my testimony from my wheelchair. I talked about how God’s grace sustains me and helps me smile. I shared how knowing Jesus is more satisfying than even walking or having use of my hands. I explained that one day I will go to heaven and exchange my disability for a new, glorified body. All of these things and more captivated Charlotte’s heart. That’s when her dream got started.
Now, that was way back in the 1980s and ever since seeing me at that banquet, Charlotte has followed my life story. And I’m honored to say she considers me “one of her greatest heroes.” She enjoys listening to these radio messages and watching the YouTube videos. She has her helper at the residential home pull up the Joni and Friends social media posts. And for many years, she has sent me a card every July for my wedding anniversary. Now! Back to Charlotte’s dream. Living with cerebral palsy in a wheelchair, it was her heart’s desire to attend a Family Retreat. For years she’s wanted to do that. According to the people at the residential home, it’s all Charlotte ever talked about. But due to her circumstances – her mother in one state, and Charlotte living in another – due to some tough logistics, they just didn’t think it would work for them. Back in 2022, they learned about our Family Retreat in Missouri, but by the time Carma and Charlotte got around to applying, the retreat was already full.
Well, when our Joni and Friends team in Missouri learned Charlotte’s story, we were heaven-bent on making certain she and her mom got registered next time. And so in the summer of 2023? Carma and Charlotte, mother and daughter, arrived at our Family Retreat and had the best time ever. Charlotte was able to take part in almost every activity and the highlight was the talent show when she sang along with one of my songs. When I saw the little video of it, oh, was I blessed!
And Charlotte and Carma were blessed, too. Their confidence in Jesus Christ was restored and their faith was strengthened, especially during times of prayer, and Bible teaching, and morning worship. And it helped to meet other Christians with disabilities. It reminded them that they’re not alone. Hey, friend, it was a miracle that Charlotte was able to attend Family Retreat. And I thank God for the friends and volunteers of our ministry who provide practical help for the disabled people we serve like Charlotte. So, learn more about Family Retreats at joniradio.org. And spread the word about our retreats to the special needs families in your church. Invite them to any one of our 46 Family Retreats that we will hold this summer across the country. Get all the details at joniradio.org, and please join me in praying for Charlotte. I mean, this young woman still lives in that residential facility. And also pray for her mother, over there in Missouri – I know she misses her daughter very much. Pray for them that their faith in Jesus Christ will always stay strong. And visit joniradio.org to find out more about our Family Retreat this summer and get involved!
© Joni and Friends