I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and it’s Heart for the Disabled week here at Joni and Friends.
Oh, friend, you ought to see our mailroom! The cards and letters and notes and, yes, even McDonald’s gift certificates – my goodness, some of you dear listeners have even sent – I can’t believe you did this -- dollar bills tucked into your notes – all these Scriptures and copies of hymns and poems, wow! It’s because all this week I’ve been telling you about disabled people and their families who attended last summer’s Family Retreats, and now, mid-January, these folks are in such need of some Christian encouragement, what with the day-to-day routines, medical appointments mounting up, and other demands that go with a disability. I am so impressed with the way you guys have responded. I can’t wait for these families to open their mailbox on Valentine's Day… we’re boxing up all these letters and little gifts and getting ready to mail them out in time for them to receive Christ-centered encouragement on Valentine's Day.
Today I’m thinking of Carren (now her name is spelled CARREN). Carren has two sons, Luke and Gerard – Luke is in his mid-20’s, he’s a quadriplegic in a wheelchair, he has cerebral palsy, and is non-verbal and he needs total care. Carren and Luke have been coming to our Spruce Lake Family Retreat for years and, boy, have they been an inspiration to all the other families! Carren is such a fun-loving person and Luke’s excitement for life is so contagious. He may not be able to speak or walk… he may have to have everything done for him, but come Talent Night at Family Retreat, you put Luke on the stage, and give that 20 year old a tambourine, park his wheelchair next to another buddy with a similar disability… put dark glasses on them and then play Luke’s favorite Christian rock group and you’ve got The Blues Brothers up there. Luke smiles and shakes that tambourine, bringing the house down he does.
However, this past summer at Family Retreat was different. Earlier in the year, she was diagnosed with a unique blood cancer. As a single mother, working full time, and giving full care to her son Luke, Carren quickly became overwhelmed, especially after receiving cancer treatments. Carren’s older son, Gerard, who is a missionary, had to come home from his overseas assignment, and he got a job locally so he could take over the care of his younger brother Luke and just… be there for his mom. This is an incredible little family with great needs, but – get this -- they seldom ask for help!
So, friend, I’m going to ask for your help. Would you please encourage Carren (that CARREN) and, yes, Gerard (that’s GERARD) who is pulling his weight, and jot a note to Luke, too. You could tuck a poem inside or share a bookmark, write out your favorite Scriptures. We’ll take your card and package it up with, oh, maybe I don’t know 100 to 150 other cards which will probably arrive in our mailroom just for them… we’ll package up that gift of encouragement and express mail it out in time to arrive on their doorstep for Valentine's Day. Remember it's Luke with his cerebral palsy, and his mother Carren (CARREN), and Gerard, the missionary brother who’s now taking care of his younger brother. Remind them that they can do all things through Christ who gives them strength. And let them know you will be praying for them. This family really needs some support; they need prayer… especially regarding Carren’s blood cancer, so please be the hands and heart of Jesus and share His compassion by sending your note to this special family in care of Joni and Friends, P.O. Box 3333, Agoura Hills, CA 91376.
Used by permission of
JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 91376
© Joni and Friends