AL: It’s that time of year when friends like you start signing up to serve as short-term missionaries at our Retreats for disabled people and their families. And in case you think you don’t qualify, I think Joni’s guest today might change your mind.
JONI: Here we are at Camp Allen, Texas, the Family Retreat and I’m looking at this big tall guy, leaning on his can and he’s got a brace on his leg but a big smile on his face—Earl Cox. Earl I’m glad you’re here. Tell me a little about why the can, why the brace—what happened?
EARL: Well, it all started June 12th, 1987, I fell off a grain elevator, which is an industrial building. I wasn’t working, just messing around with some friends and fell out of a window that went 110 feet to the ground and it was concrete. First of all, I nearly bled to death the first 24 hours. And then I was in a coma for six weeks. At one point I was brain dead. Seventeen out of 19 doctors gave me no hope at all. In fact, they told my parents to pull the plug. But my mom didn’t listen to that. She listened to Jesus who said, “I’m the resurrection and the life. He who believes on me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” That’s from John chapter 11.
JONI: Wow! I don’t think I’ve ever heard John chapter 11 described that way. But this big smile on your face and the light and life in your eyes tell me that you’re experiencing the resurrection power of Christ in your life. Tell me what this disability has meant in drawing you closer to the Lord Jesus.
EARL: Well, for one thing, it’s broken me. Broken me physically, but also broken my soul. It’s in that breaking of the soul that the spirit of God really shines forth. It’s powerful!
JONI: I can tell it’s powerful because you are not sitting around with your disability waiting to be served and helped. No! You are out here at Camp Allen, not as a family member, you are out here as a volunteer, as a short-term missionary. You are here serving, even with your disability. Tell me, how does your disability help you, assist you, aid you in your working here as a short-term missionary at Family Retreats?
EARL: Well, for one thing, I understand what it’s like to have a disability—to live with a disability – and I think that gives me a great advantage. But, mainly why I like to be here is the interaction with the people – incredible people. They’re just people like you and me going through life and it can be hard, but just incredible joy in their lives.
JONI: I would agree and I’m so glad you’re serving as a short-term missionary. I think there are a lot of folks listening right now who have disabling conditions and they are wondering if they could be a short-term missionary. What would you say to them?
EARL: I would say definitely. Go for it! It would really enrich the lives of the disabled persons at the camp. It’s just an incredible ministry! Incredible mission! We are called short-term missionaries. It’s all about Jesus, really.
JONI: Well, it is about Jesus and I’m so grateful that you are serving Him by volunteering here, by being a short-term missionary and helping out the families, pushing the wheelchairs, sharing with the kids, connecting with adults, ministering, helping to carry the cafeteria tray in line, holding the Bible and turning the page. Thank you! And I hope, friends listening, if there are any who have a disability and you’re thinking “gee, could I serve as a short-term missionary at a Joni and Friends Family Retreat?” believe me—what would you say to them Earl?
EARL: Yes, definitely!
Used by permission of
JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 93176
© Joni and Friends