AL: It’s that wonderful time of year again when we ask you, our listening friend, to write a Valentine card or a note of encouragement to a family with a disability. It’s the middle of winter, it’s been a long time since the fun and fellowship of last year’s Family Retreats... and these families of children with disabilities, these husbands or wives in wheelchairs, these disabled people... they need a lift and you can help provide it by just jotting a note, maybe including a prayer or the words to a favorite hymn, a favorite Scripture that you use when you’re going through tough times.
JONI: That right, Al, and I just want to say that we need as many of our friends listening to pick up a pen, grab a card or a piece of paper and encourage someone like, well today I’m going to talk about Bill and Deborah Hopson. I met this extraordinary family last year at one of our Family Retreats. Bill and Deborah have eight children – six of them are adopted, and four of those adopted have pretty serious disabilities. Some of these adopted children have been impacted by fetal alcohol syndrome and, I tell you, all of the children had a fantastic time at our retreat.
AL: I'm always amazed when I hear of a couple who adopt that many boys and girls, especially with disabilities. What motivated Bill and Deborah to adopt?
JONI: Well, Bill and Deborah are an African-American couple and they understand the challenges that kids growing up in big cities face every day. Anyway, when Bill and Deborah were reading through the Bible together, it occurred to them how often God spoke about His care and concern for orphans. So, they looked around and realized there were plenty of at-risk kids right in their own city. So besides their own two children, they went ahead and adopted six – four with developmental disabilities.
AL: With that many children, the Hopsons must run a pretty structured household.
JONI: You got it. All those children have chores and responsibilities at home, and they all participate in family devotions. In fact, at Talent Night, the Hopson children stood up and all of them quoted their Bible verses by heart – and for a couple of the kids with developmental disabilities that wasn’t easy. But they did it!
AL: Well, I know I certainly want to jot a Valentine to Bill and Deborah Hopson and their eight children. And, friend, I know the Hopson family would love to hear from you...a favorite Scripture...a few words of encouragement...a poem...the words to a hymn...anything you believe might provide encouragement to a mother and father of eight children, four with disabilities.
JONI: By the way, Bill said to me after the Family Retreat, “Joni, the way we are all treated here is so God-honoring because in the world today, people with disabilities are not honored this way. And our kids remember Family Retreat. In fact, I have a feeling when school will be over for the year, I ask them, “Where do you want to go this summer? Disneyland?” And they say, “NO! Joni Camp!!!!”
AL: Just address your card of encouragement to the Hopson family, Bill and Deborah and their eight children. Shall we give all their names?
JONI: Okay for those who are brave enough to write all this down, there is Gabriel and Porsha, Michelle, Michael, Mike, Adrian, Gabriel again and Kenny. If you don’t get all the names of the children, just remember the Hopson family – spelled Hopson. Get your card in the mail today and we’ll make certain to bundle it up with all the rest and send it off right on time for Valentine's Day. Thank you, friends…
AL: For having a heart for the disabled.
Used by permission of
JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 93176
© Joni and Friends