Samuel Koch’s Visit
I just love seeing how God works through our trials, don’t you? It was back in 2010 when stuntman, Samuel Koch, prepared to appear on Germany’s Live Television show “I Bet That” to perform one of the riskiest stunts the show has ever seen. He had planned to 'vault' over ...
Samuel’s Graduation
Do you remember Samuel? He’s written several guest posts for Kids’ Corner about what it is like to have autism. For many, many years, he couldn’t communicate with anyone and then he learned how to use a letter board. Once he had a letter board, he was nearly unstoppable! Recently ...
Samuel Capozzi Is Honored
Last week I introduced you to my friend, Samuel, who has autism – up until three years ago, he had no way to communicate. But now, his iPad has opened up the world and he'll be heading to college this fall. Recently Samuel received the Awesome in Autism Individual Award. ...
Samuel’s Story
Just three years ago, Samuel's world seemed narrow and small – as a young man with autism, he lacked the ability to communicate with the 'outside world.' He finally 'connected' through a word board, and his parents discovered that their son possessed an extremely bright intellect. Samuel managed to make ...
An Interview with Samuel
One of our Kids’ Corner friends is Samuel. You’ve probably read some of his guest posts here on our blog. Now, you can watch a short interview with him and his mom. He’s got some great things to say, so take a look. Then stop by the blog Wednesday to ...
What Holy Week Can Teach Us about Disappointment
Seasons of disappointment challenge us to understand God's idea of "good," if we’ll but listen. For it so easy to praise God when times are good… but far more difficult when times are bad.
The Year Baby Jesus Had Down Syndrome
As you prepare the stable of your heart to receive our Lord and Savior this Christmas, take a little journey with me, won’t you? Walk past the barnyard...
How Faith and Love Are Changing Disability Mission in Haiti
After graduating from a Christian university in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, Alfreno Dufrene moved back to Gonaives, Haiti, to pursue an internship...
Serving with Love: The Heart of a Volunteer in God’s Mission
The Lord’s call to Deb Butcher came through the radio… in a spot promoting Joni and Friends Family Retreats in her area in 2001. She had been looking for a...
Onward and Upward to the Higher Ground with God
The Rocky Mountains have always captured my heart and gripped my imagination. My Uncle Ted had a ranch just northwest of Denver, and from the...
You’re Not Normal
When I speak, my message is often about how God has helped me grow leaps and bounds using my wheelchair. However, one time after I gave that message, a woman approached me and said, “Joni, don’t worry. One day you’ll be...
Caring is Our Calling
In the beginning God cared. God’s Spirit ‘brooded’ over the waters of the new creation, meaning God doted over the world like a mother bird tenderly cares...
Advice for Ministry Leaders on Listening Well to People with Disabilities
Communication is a two-way street. But communication, ironically, requires more of the listener than the speaker. Poor speaking can be overcome by good...
A Job for Mephi: Why and How to Employ People with Disabilities
October is Disability Employment month. One in six people globally have a disability. They are the world’s largest minority group. Among them are some of the...
This Family Found Friendship and Acceptance at Family Retreat
This is what parents Samuel and Miriam had to say after bringing their four children to a Joni and Friends Family Retreat for the first time. Both of Samuel...
Purposeful Reminiscing
"Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you" 1 Samuel 12:24 (ESV) This weekend Ken and I celebrate 41 years of marriage! After a quiet dinner, we’ll push back our chairs and pull out our family ...
Finding Freedom in a Wheelchair
Can you imagine spending more than half of your life in a bedroom, unable to get out of bed or go outside? This was the life of Didina, a Romanian gypsy...
Community: A Key to Hope for Families Living with Disability
When Leisa Williams learned that her son, Justin, had autism, her hopes and dreams got sidelined. At first, the burdens of disability—denial, exhaustion...
Do You Need Hope and Courage?
Before finding Joni and Friends, Jayna and her 17-year-old son Nicholas didn’t have anywhere to go for support. And as the single mom of a child with severe…
Ebenezer’s Story: A Mother’s Prayer for Her Son
Ebenezer was born in Ghana with badly twisted ankles and his mother and father did everything they could to find a medical cure. When they were told that...
