Don’t Give Up Hope Even When Things Look Hopeless
“At first I did not want to come to Warrior Getaway. But I knew I needed help and ultimately I felt it was my duty as a father and husband to try.”
Josh
Josh has a strong sense of duty. He joined the Army and served in the infantry from 2007 – 2015, including two deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan that resulted in back injuries, a traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.
When he describes the aftermath of a suicide bomb he witnessed in Afghanistan he explains, “It was hell on earth that I’ll never forget, and I still think serving my country was worth it.”
Combat duty left Josh with multiple invisible disabilities, and his psychological injuries became overwhelming.
“I was walking on eggshells and Josh started to withdraw and isolate from our family. Before Warrior Getaway, we were stuck.”
Stephanie, Josh’s Wife
“There’s nothing – nothing – that can prepare you for the reality of war. Without Joni and Friends, my marriage would have been over a long time ago. Coming to Warrior Getaway was the best thing for me and my family. It’s holy ground, meeting with other Warriors. I’ve never felt more open, real, and authentic than when I’m in the Warrior support group. And the ‘secret sauce’ is Jesus Christ the whole time.”
Josh
Stephanie agrees wholeheartedly. “The fact that Warrior Getaway is Christ-centered has really changed our lives – bringing us closer to God and encouraging us to bring our children, Savannah and Olivia, closer to God. I feel safe here. The most important thing I’ve learned here is not to give up hope. God’s love is going to get you through even when things look hopeless.”
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.”
1 Peter 1:3-4
“There’s nothing I could ever do to repay the kindness and love I’ve received here. At Warrior Getaway, I had experiences with my daughters I never had before. Warrior Getaway is Christ-centered care for your soul,” shares Josh.
Our Veterans and their families have made unimaginable sacrifices for our safety and freedoms.
At Joni and Friends, we know we’re the ones who can never repay these Warrior families for laying down their lives for us, and we are grateful for your partnership in honoring them now that they’re home.
Joni and Friends Warrior Getaway
Thank you for partnering with us as we serve the veterans who so sacrificially served our country. Through Warrior Getaways, we are pointing these very special families to Jesus – the only one who can truly heal the invisible wounds of war.
