AL: What a week this has been here in the radio ministry of Joni and Friends. And with our broadcast host, Joni Eareckson Tada, we are delighted you joined us; and we are confident you will be too because you see here we are on our last day of Heart for the Disabled week where we encourage our listening friends to write Valentine cards and notes of encouragement to special needs families.
JONI: And today, Al, I want to tell you about Rico Talamantes – a broad, big man with a football player’s physique – you can picture him -- a man with black hair, dark brown eyes, and even a mustache, you can imagine him, right?
Well, Rico came to Family Retreat last summer with his wife Karen, his 9-year-old son Buddy, and his 11-year-old daughter named Brianna who was born with spina bifida. Brianna is in a wheelchair. First when Rico walked onto the Family Retreat campus with his family, he said, “I didn’t want to be there. I didn’t want to come to Family Retreat. I wasn’t where I should have been in my relationship with God. My marriage was strained and my family was stressed. But I love my family and so when my wife set things up, I knew I had to come.”
AL: It sounds like Rico was carrying a heavy load when he arrived at the retreat.
JONI: That’s right, Al. To be honest, he had distanced himself from God because he was wondering who would take care of and protect Brianna when he was old and unable to help her anymore. Rico and Karen take full-time responsibility for Brianna’s care. But after a day or two of Family Retreat, Rico was able to see that there are many, many families like his… that he and Karen weren’t alone… and neither was little Brianna. In the small group discussion, he was able to open up – that’s hard for a big, burly guy like him – but Rico shared his heart with other guys. When he heard how they were trusting God with the special needs of their families, well, needless to say, he did as he put it, a 360-degree turnabout.
AL: And I hear that things are a whole lot better in his marriage, with his family… and especially – this is the most important thing – with his relationship to Jesus Christ.
JONI: Oh, that’s the best part! Friend, it would mean the world to me and all of us at Joni and Friends, if you would please drop Rico and Karen a word of encouragement, letting them know that you are praying for their family (and then, by all means, please do pray for Brianna with spina bifida and her sibling, 9-year-old Buddy). Perhaps you could write the words to a favorite hymn or an inspirational poem... or maybe thank Rico for taking that first brave step in coming to Family Retreat. Thank him for being a good dad. I know the Lord will guide you in giving encouraging words. Just send your note to Rico and Karen Talamantes – although you don’t have to put that – right here at Joni and Friends and we’ll bundle it up with all the rest and get it to them in time for Valentine’s Day. I know it’ll mean the world to this strong big guy and his little family... and it sure does mean the world to me!
AL: And Joni I have a feeling there are going to be a number of our friends who are going to be writing to Rico. I’m certainly going to do that. I’m going to send him my favorite verse, which is Hebrews 10:36, “You have need of patience. After that you have done the will of God you might receive the promise.” So you do the same thing. Suggest a verse of Scripture, a poem, a hymn, whatever, and address it to Joni and Friends, Box 3333, Agoura Hills, California, 91376. You may be sure we’ll see to it that Rico gets your note.
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