Welcome someone with open arms today at a Family Retreat! Learn how to sign up today at joniradio.org.
A Joni and Friends Family Retreat is a little slice of heaven on earth! Learn how you be part of providing a Christ-centered, accessible week of respite for families living with disability here.
SHAUNA: Get ready, because today we’ve got a worst-case scenario from Joni.
JONI: Those are hard words, aren’t they? And suppose they were applied to your child; suppose other parents, or even educators looked at your son or daughter and thought of him or her as a worst-case scenario. Well, it’s a little like how Robin felt. Her son, 13-year-old Matthew, had always had problems, whether on the playground, in their neighborhood, at school or at church. Matthew is diagnosed high on the autism spectrum and has a lot of other secondary disabilities: loud noises and crowds can cause Matthew to burst into tears. And emotional meltdowns aren’t far behind. Matthew can easily go ballistic which, in turn, causes so much fear among other children, as well as ostracizing from other adults. All Robin ever wanted as a young mother was to see Matthew fit.
Now Robin had heard about our Joni and Friends Family Retreats, but when she registered, she thought for sure their family would be refused given all Matthew’s problems that she had to list on the form. She was even a little surprised when they were accepted. And when her family arrived at Retreat, Robin did not know what to expect for Matthew. Even though he was barely a teenager, Matthew had never been able to attend a camp. Due to his multiple disabilities, both church and school camps were impossible. It was that thing about loud noises and crowds that made it hard.
But from the moment they arrived on our campus, Robin was taken aback. Oh yes, there were crowds and there was a lot of noise at Family Retreat, but there was also a structured program that provided quiet spaces and low-lit sensory rooms. There were opportunities for Matthew to simply sit by the lake with his volunteer. They’d sit there, look for fish, watch people in canoes, play Uno. Our Family Retreat team worked hard to make sure Matthew’s special challenges were addressed. More than that, we worked hard to help Matthew become a “best-case scenario,” an example of a camper who, despite a tough disability, was having fun and learning about Jesus.
By the end of the week, Matthew had taken a big step. He was canoeing in that same lake, and even ziplining, all to his mother’s amazement. The best part, though, was watching Matthew bond with his volunteers, and learning to make friends. It was enough to reduce his mother to tears, and then for her to see Matthew access the Bible lessons really moved her heart. It was clear; for the first time her son was not only welcomed, but he truly belonged. For this little family, who for so long had felt unwelcomed, unwanted, and even rejected, well, Family Retreat was the chance to become a full part of the body of Christ.
SHAUNA: And friend, you can make a difference in the lives of people who feel rejected because of their disability. Family Retreat season is underway, and we’re always in need of volunteers. So, please check out all our Family Retreat opportunities by visiting joniradio.org today. There’s a Family Retreat in your area; I just know it! And there’s a disabled boy or girl just waiting to be your friend. God will use you this summer to change someone’s life at Family Retreat, and he’ll change your life in the process. Remember that’s joniradio.org! listening friend, we want to pray for you. Go to joniradio.org today and leave us your prayer request. And while you’re there check out the many resources and radio programs there at your fingertips. And be sure to share that link with a friend in need of encouragement too. It’s joniradio.org.
© Joni and Friends