It’s time to get those pens ready to write to John, Lois and Joshua! Get the details of where to mail these letters of extra encouragement at joniradio.org.
SHAUNA: As the mom of a disabled child, I love Heart for the Disabled, Joni!
JONI: AndI do, too, Shauna! We’ve been having a great time this week, haven’t we? Sharing stories of families that have attended our Joni and Friends Family Retreats and Getaways. And I cannot wait to see all the encouraging notes and little gifties that you’re mailing in to bless these precious families during this long winter season. Because things get hard for our families around this time of year. But come February, we’re going to package up your happy notes and thoughtful letters and deliver them on Valentine’s Day. And I can’t wait to see the looks on their faces! So, let me tell you about another family who really needs to be reminded that God has not forgotten them.
Last year, John reached out to our Joni and Friends office in the Northwest through our website. He explained the challenging journey their family has been on for over 15 years. Their son Joshua, who is now 44 years old, “Used to be strong, muscular, healthy, and active”, John told us. “When [Josh] was well, he went on mission trips to Mexico three different years. He has a strong desire to minister to those people. His mind is clear, but his body does not cooperate.”
When Joshua was 28, he experienced a painful cramp in his foot. It increased to the point that now, it’s constant. The never-ending pain has spread over his entire body. He’s so weak, he now needs help with nearly everything, and he’s always hunched over. His muscles contract rigidly, so a few times an hour he needs someone to uncurl his fingers and stretch his arms and legs. And he has non-stop tremors. Though Joshua doesn’t have a definitive diagnosis for what’s going on, doctors call it “Parkinsonism of a muscular disorder.” For most of these years he's lived with his parents but has recently moved into an adult care home. His parents live across town and though they visit him several times throughout the week, it’s a big commitment as now they are older. And Joshua’s dad is recovering from major surgery to remove a cancerous lesion from his lung. Then John contracted Covid [oh my goodness]. It means he can’t visit Joshua as often as he’d like.
When John originally reached out to us, he was simply asking if we could direct their family to some resources. But we invited them to attend last summer’s Oregon Family Retreat. And their whole family had a fabulous time!
It was an amazing week, and the family made all sorts of new friends. The activities, the water sports, the ball court, times of worship and prayer, the one-on-one connection with fathers and mothers – all of it blessed Joshua and his family! When you think of Joshua’s disability, and when you think of the challenges his dad is facing from Covid and his surgeries, you’ll agree that this family would benefit tremendously from your Christ-centered words of encouragement, or an uplifting note, an assurance of prayer, the words to a hymn, or a few scriptures. John, Lois, and Joshua have endured so much, so let’s cheer them on. And where should folks send their Valentines, Shauna?
SHAUNA: Send your cards to Joshua and his family in care of Joni and Friends: P.O. Box 3333, Agoura Hills, CA 91376. And you’ll love the photo of them that we have on joniradio.org. And thank you for having a heart for this family. That’s again, joniradio.org.
JONI: And one more thing, we here at Joni and Friends would love to pray for you in your troubles. So share with us your prayer need today at joniradio.org.
© Joni and Friends