Empowering Interns with Disabilities to Serve and Share the Love of Jesus

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl…”

Matthew 5:14–15  

Emma puts the finishing touches on her origami crane—a welcome gift for Mikaelley, the ten-year-old girl Emma has been paired with for our International Family Retreat in Brazil. While her nervousness reminds Emma that she is far outside her comfort zone, she is eager to serve children who, like her, live with disabilities.  

Emma, who has spina bifida, severe scoliosis, and an amputated leg, in addition to developmental disabilities, grew up in an orphanage in China until age eleven. Though she didn’t know Jesus as a child, Emma prayed to be adopted. And God answered her prayer when a Christian family first adopted one of Emma’s friends who then asked his parents to go back for Emma.  

Remembering what it feels like to face exclusion and isolation because of disability, Emma has a heart to share the love of Jesus with those coping with similar challenges. Serving with Joni and Friends gives her a deep sense of calling to help children like Mikaelley—showing them they are loved and never alone.   

Empowering People with Disabilities to Serve  

During their trip to Brazil, Emma and Amelia, who are both students from Shepherds College, volunteered alongside their classmates at International Family Retreat and Joni’s House® in Brazil. They served as one-on-one buddies for children with disabilities, using their gifts to demonstrate the love of Jesus.   

“Shepherds College is a school designed exclusively for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” says Dr. Tracy Terrill, Shepherds College President.   

“It’s a school where students come for three years, live on our campus, and we challenge them to grow into their God-given potential. Our partnership with Joni and Friends is quite an honor for Shepherds College, reaching people for Jesus and people with special needs.”   

Dr. Tracy Terrill, Shepherds College President

Being part of International Family Retreat and Joni’s House Brazil through our Joni and Friends Internship Program gave Emma new confidence and purpose.   

“I am a shy person,” Emma says. “But I don’t want to use that as an excuse not to serve people, especially kids with disabilities, even though it’s not my comfort zone. And I do it all for Jesus. I think this experience changed me. We are all created for a purpose, and it’s okay to ask for help.”   

Emma is looking forward to serving again—and she encourages others with disabilities to do the same, sharing her favorite Bible verse:  

“I can do all things through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13, NIV  

For Amelia, who has autism, serving in Brazil opened a new way to see how God works through every person’s unique gifts.   

“I’ve been working with people through Joni’s House and International Family Retreat,” says Amelia. “And what I love is I got to have a new buddy, and she’s autistic like me! We share a lot of the same interests. So, I really enjoy speaking to her, even through the use of a translator.”   

Amelia saw firsthand how friendship and shared experiences can offer encouragement despite a language barrier. 

“Being there and empathizing with others, even through a different language, is so meaningful,” she says. “We show our buddies that there are people around the world who can relate to them—and then they don’t feel alienated. And I’ve learned that I can do a lot more things than I thought I could, more than on my own, and to rely on God’s strength.”   

“All this is accomplished by God, and when we come here—when God calls us—it’s a great experience because we can watch Him work in ways in us and around us that we don’t see anywhere else.”

Amelia