A Breakthrough Moment for Families with Disability

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

John 1:5

We are overwhelmed with gratitude to God for the lives transformed through your ministry partnership. Because of your generosity, families living with disability experienced the love of Christ in powerful, tangible ways—many for the very first time.

One of those families is Gena and her daughter, Lindsey.

Gena is a single mom. Lindsey has autism and is non-verbal. Their lives are often challenging, but Gena had a dream—to give Lindsey the joy and fun every child deserves. Thanks to your support, that dream came true at Family Retreat.

At Family Retreat, Lindsey rode on a firetruck, splashed in the pool, and giggled loudly on each of her golf cart rides. And Gena found rest, friendship, and spiritual renewal.

“I can’t tell you how much Family Retreat meant to us,” says Gena. “I’m in tears just sharing this… Family Retreat helped me relax and helped both of us have fun. Worship time and the Bible studies really helped me a lot. I let go of the depression I had and was able to share my story. Maybe I can inspire and help others sometime in the future. Family Retreat was life-changing!”

Family Retreat is a sacred space where families are embraced, encouraged, and renewed in Christ.

Today, Gena is taking a bold step forward. She’s now learning how to train churches in disability ministry—so she and Lindsey can find a place of belonging, and so she can help give others the same feeling of welcome and hope. Inspired by her journey with Lindsey and the sense of community they’ve found through Joni and Friends^®, Gena is determined to help others living with disability find hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ.

This is the ripple effect of your generosity.

Our prayer is to welcome even more families like Gena and Lindsey’s to Family Retreat, and more couples to Marriage Getaway. But we can’t do it without you.

Will you prayerfully consider giving a generous gift to Joni and Friends® Florida?

Your support will help us:

• Scholarship families to attend Family Retreat, where they find rest, joy, and Christ-centered community.
• Bring couples to Marriage Getaway, where they strengthen their relationship and rediscover hope in Jesus.
• Equip churches to serve families living with disability and include them in the body of Christ.
• Share the Gospel with more families who are desperate for an encounter with Jesus.

Gena’s story is just one of many. Every gift you give helps write a new chapter of healing, joy, and transformation for families struggling with disability. Thank you for your faithful partnership. Together, we are the hands and feet of Jesus.