A Veteran’s Journey to Genuine Connection Through Warrior Getaway
The day has finally come… the long-awaited embraces… the tears of relief. A warrior has come home. But quickly the excitement and joy falter. The warrior that set out for deployment was different than the person who has returned.
It’s a cry in the middle of the night—a night terror caused by the ravages of post-traumatic stress (PTS). It’s an unsteadiness in daily tasks—a traumatic brain injury taking its toll. Sometimes an unexpected trigger unleashes a flashback… and then what will happen?
Most People Don’t Get It
Just ask David, who served in Naval Intelligence for six years. After several deployments and missions supporting his brothers and sisters in arms, he has struggled with finding community in his rural area just outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico.
“Combat Veterans don’t always have community when they get out of the military. Once we get out, you don’t really have neighbors that are combat Veterans and understand military life or what we’ve been through.”
David, his wife Deborah, and their young son, Benny, first attended Warrior Getaway New Mexico in 2021. As David says:
“I was trying to find some help for my wife as well as myself. It is not easy for spouses when we come home, and they don’t, and can’t, understand what we have been through. She wasn’t familiar with that whole world of dealing with a spouse with PTS, sleeplessness, and social anxiety (who doesn’t like crowds). But she is learning to adapt and understand me more, as well as to support me.
I can go to the VA and find other Veterans to talk to, but there is not much out there for the spouses and families. We found Joni and Friends Warrior Getaway in 2021, and it changed everything for us.”
Like most Veterans Who Attend Warrior Getaway, David Wasn’t Sure He Wanted to Go…
You can’t blame him. There are plenty of excuses, not to mention good reasons why it’s easier to just stay in isolation. But David knew his family needed help.
Thankfully, Warrior Getaway has been exactly what they needed: five days set apart in a safe space. The chance to slow down, take a breath, laugh together, play, and move toward healing by reconnecting with the Heavenly Father.
Deborah and David share how they have seen God show up, demonstrating his grace, mercy, forgiveness, strength and love beyond measure.
“The biggest takeaway for me is community. To connect with spouses who get it. We’re vulnerable and honest with each other, and we realize we are not alone. Regardless of the flavor of each story, we are struggling and coping in the same ways. This kind of life stretches and grows you… I’m grateful for the change in my life, and watching David’s growth and strength in his life is amazing to watch.”
Deborah
“We have gone to Warrior Getaway multiple times. And every time I didn’t want to go. But Deborah encourages me, and then we go, and it really helps. Having been through Warrior Getaway with Deborah has enhanced our communication and made us closer because she understands me better. It gives us the time and space to talk about the relevance of day-to-day activities and what my day may look like if I have had a bad night.”
David
Preparing to Serve Fellow Veterans
Continuing to trust God, Deborah has gotten clearer insight on how to meet and adapt to David’s needs. And David has been healing from PTS and working through his social anxiety. He has also spent time learning from Veterans that have gone before him. Next, he looks forward to serving at Warrior Getaway to help fellow Veterans coming up behind him.
Support Joni and Friends New Mexico
Your gift today will make it possible for Veteran families to experience the transformational love of Christ at Warrior Getaway. Learn more about Joni and Friends New Mexico.
