A Breakthrough Experience for Families with Disabilities

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

John 1:5

Fredrea had a bright future. She was working towards her doctorate in finance, had recently married, and was expecting her first child. Her faith in God was strong, demonstrated by her heart to evangelize nearly everyone she met. Fredrea loved to encourage others, pray, and share the hope she had found in Jesus. This hope was critical when her pregnancy was met with major complications.

When her son, Joshua, was born, his condition was so urgent that he had to be transported to a different hospital immediately. At the same time, Fredrea developed a fever that escalated into her own life-or-death situation. At one point she was told to make final arrangements with her family—for she would certainly die. But God had other plans and Fredrea made a full recovery. That’s when she was told that there was something wrong with her son.

Joshua was diagnosed with autism, prompting deep questions in Fredrea’s heart. She began to feel the strain of caregiving while going to school as a new mother and wondered if she would ever accomplish her dream of becoming a professor.

When Fredrea became pregnant again a few years later, she was both excited and nervous. Thankfully, she did not have a medical emergency as she did with Joshua. However, doctors came to her bedside and explained that there was something wrong with her newborn son, Emmanuel.

Learning that Emmanuel was also diagnosed with autism was difficult to hear. Fredrea knew her life was about to change again. The additional caregiving needs forced Fredrea to make a difficult decision. She left school to care for her two beautiful sons full-time. And then, her mother asked Fredrea to take in her brother Deondre, who also has autism. Fredrea’s love for her brother compelled her to welcome him into her home.

The new caregiving challenge became nearly unbearable. Fredrea often cried herself to sleep praying, “God, why did you give them to me?” She held fast to her faith but struggled to comprehend God’s plan for her. God reminded her that her son Emmanuel was named after Jesus—Immanuel, which means “God with us.”

Soon, Fredrea would receive another call from her mother. Her other brother, Joe, who also has autism, was going to be placed in a group home. Fredrea prayed and believed God wanted her to welcome Joe into her home, too. At that point Fredrea’s marriage ended. Fredrea never felt so isolated and alone.

As the primary caregiver to four men living with autism, Fredrea needed support. A friend told her about Family Retreat and described it as “heaven on earth.” Skeptical, Fredrea signed up, unsure if her friend’s claims were true.

“When we arrived at Family Retreat, there were people holding up signs with our names on them. They were making a joyful noise, and I wondered, ‘Is this for us?’ All I could hear was Psalm 100, ‘Make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Worship the Lord with gladness.’ The rest and respite there gave me a much-needed break. God opened my eyes to the community, and I thought, ‘Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!’ I began to hear the song, ‘When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be.’ There I was, thinking to myself, ‘I belong. My sons belong. My brothers belong. We will no longer feel isolated. We belong! My son was able to play his instrument and praise God without someone yelling, ‘Get him!’ I cried most of the time, feeling safe and included. I was in heaven. God is so good!”

Fredrea

Fredrea credits Family Retreat as a critical source of joy and hope at a difficult time in her life.

“Only God can do such a marvelous thing! I was placed into God’s community of safety—in a non-threatening, non-judgmental atmosphere, where I met new families of hope, joy, love, and spiritual blessing. After returning home, I felt rejuvenated. I wanted to tell everyone about my experiences with Joni and Friends. I feel that everyone needs to have the opportunity to experience the things that I experienced, the anointing and the power of God. No one should feel lonely or discouraged.”

Fredrea learned that Family Retreat is a safe place where she can be herself and openly share her struggles with other families experiencing similar difficulties. Your faithful support made all this possible for Fredrea, her family, and all the other families attending our Retreats and Getaways.

Thank you for your faithful partnership in ministry. God is working through you to bring desperate families struggling with disability closer to Jesus Christ!