AL: Summer is usually the time when many people try to slow down a bit… vacation… take more time outside in the fresh air… but that’s not really the case for Joni Eareckson Tada. You see, summers are reserved for one of the most important ministry arms of Joni and Friends, which would be our Family Retreats. They are held in strategic conference centers all across the nation. And this year has already been a fantastic time. As a matter of fact, tomorrow begins the Southern California Family Retreat and I know you’ll want people to be praying for this, right?
JONI: That is right, Al. And there’s someone special who will be attending the Southern California Retreat… his name is Sergeant Robinson and I’m so glad he and his wife are coming…
AL: Now… I recognize that name. Wasn’t he one of the recipients of our Heart for the Disabled outreach earlier this year?
JONI: That’s right, and Sergeant Robinson served in Iraq last year, but he broke his neck and became a quadriplegic when this young soldier was hit by a roadside bomb. It was a devastating injury…
AL: … and we’ve been hearing in the news about so many soldiers returning home with extraordinary injuries…
JONI: That’s because, unlike any war in the past, they are receiving extraordinary emergency medical care immediately, right there on the field of battle.
AL: So… this sergeant who is now in a wheelchair… he and his wife will be coming to one of your Family Retreats? That’s wonderful!
JONI: You know, when so many of our listeners responded to this young man with Valentine cards (remember that?), letters of encouragement, gift cards, and even monetary donations – can you believe that – all of us at Joni and Friends were so touched. Peoples’ hearts really went out to this soldier and his wife. So… after we sent him all those Valentines, we contacted our Joni and Friends team down in Orange County, California, not far from where this family lives, and we told them about Family Retreat. They went on our website, got all the details, and I’m just thrilled that Sergeant Robinson and Sarah, his wife, will be attending. It’s going to be five days of fun and activities, great workshops, Bible studies, getting in the pool, one-on-one counseling, games, prizes, times of prayer, and wonderful plenary sessions… we are going to shower so much love on this wounded soldier and his wife.
AL: And I have a feeling that Sergeant Robinson will be an encouragement to a lot of others attending the Retreat this week, too. Hey, how about interviewing him for a future broadcast?
JONI: Oh, I love that idea. I’ll make certain to take a recording thing with me. But still, you have to remember he is newly injured, facing life as a quadriplegic when you are young. He experienced courage and conflict on the battlefield, but he needs a lot of courage right now so I would love it if my listening friend right now would join us in praying for him… and for all the husbands and wives and families who’ll be attending not only this retreat, but the other ones we’ll be holding over the next few weeks of summer. May Sgt. Robinson find the grace to be found in 2 Timothy 2:3 where it says, “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” May God give him the grace to endure the hardship of quadriplegia… and may he find that grace this week at Family Retreat.
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JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 93176
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