Every year, Joni asks radio listeners to join the “Heart for the Disabled” campaign by sending cards to five special needs families. Come Valentine’s Day, these families will be surprised by a box of letters from you. Find out how to share letters of love and hope to Brad and Traci at joniradio.org.
SHAUNA: Well, it’s Heart for the Disabled week here at Joni and Friends! This is one of our favorite weeks, isn’t that right, Joni?
JONI: That’s right, Shauna! It’s my favorite week at the radio ministry because I’m going to be sharing stories of families who’ve attended a Joni and Friends Retreat or Warrior Getaway. But now, being the middle of winter, a long time after the fun and fellowship, I tell you, these families really need a boost! So, grab a pencil and paper so you can jot down a few details as I share these stories, okay?
Brad and Traci got involved with our Joni and Friends team when, years ago, our office in Mississippi opened. Traci was very involved as a volunteer with us, and she also served as ministry leader at her church. As a special education teacher, she was an amazing help to our whole Joni and Friends outreach and supported the disability ministry at her own church.
However, in 2020, Traci contracted Covid and during her illness, she suffered a stroke. The combination proved devastating, and Traci fell into a coma. After many months she awoke from her coma, but she was not able to recover full brain function. Traci lives with paralysis and memory loss from the stroke. She is unable to go back to work and needs care all throughout the day. Thank the Lord, Brad and Traci’s two adult daughters serve as Traci’s caregivers, but last summer, both daughters got married. It was a happy occasion, but now, Brad is struggling to find caregivers. He can’t do it all by himself. He needs help. Any husband would need help. But finding reliable, compassionate caregivers is not easy.
So, it was wonderful when in 2022, Brad and Traci attended our Mississippi Family Retreat. And then, in 2023, they came to one of our Marriage Getaways – they were able to network with other couples who have a disability. And they experienced so much healing! But this is what I love about this story. Although Traci is unable to go back to work because of her paralysis and the residual effects of her stroke, she is excited to be able to go back to church and visit the disability ministry classroom as much as possible. After all, this woman has a special ed background and she still wants to serve!
So, even with all of their challenges with weariness, disability routines that are tiresome, and a need for caregivers, and more, they still have a heart for helping others. So let’s do the same! Let’s help them. Let’s all write Valentine cards and notes of encouragement and perhaps a scripture, or a hand-written prayer, or the words to your favorite hymn. Let’s assure Brad and Traci that we will be praying for them. Then, by all means, be sure to lift their needs before the Lord. This wonderful couple needs to be reminded that God has not forgotten them and he will carry them through this difficult time. So, please write a Christ-centered note filled with uplifting words to Brad and Traci. Get all the details about this special couple and see their heartwarming photo at joniradio.org. Shauna, where should folks send their cards for Brad and Traci?
SHAUNA: Send your cards to Brad and Traci in care of Joni and Friends at P.O. Box 3333, Agoura Hills, CA 91376. And Agoura is A-G-O-U-R-A 91376. If you missed our address, you can get all the details at joniradio.org. And God bless you for having a heart for the disabled!
JONI: Oh, and one more thing, I want to send you a copy of our Joni and Friends newsletter so just go to joniradio.org. God bless you today and thanks for listening!
© Joni and Friends