A Family Found Gospel-Powered Hope at Family Retreat
When Oscar and Luindy moved from Nicaragua to the United States ten years ago, they didn’t imagine disability as part of their future. Before their children, Oscar (8) and Carin (2) were born, Oscar and Luindy set out to build a God-honoring and fruitful life.
Working as a hibachi chef while completing seminary, Oscar has pursued the Lord’s call to share the Gospel. And Luindy worked as an accountant, while completing her MBA. During their first pregnancy, Luindy and Oscar expected the challenges all new parents face. They celebrated the birth of their first child, Oscar, and still didn’t see disability coming…
When signs of developmental delays emerged in young Oscar, his parents sought help. They learned that their son is on the autism spectrum and would have low verbal communication skills. And as the realities of disability set in, so did fatigue, discouragement, and isolation.
Even at the church, Oscar and Luindy felt the icy chill of exclusion. Their congregation expected children to be quiet, and offered no accommodation or help for special needs families. So the family stopped going to church.
“Although we really loved worshipping God as a family, this was too stressful, so we stopped going altogether,” says Luindy
Finding “the right place” at Family Retreat
Not knowing what to expect, Luindy and Oscar pushed through their anxiety and brought their family to a Joni and Friends Family Retreat. Immediately the chill of uncertainty melted into relief and joy at the warm, accepting welcome they received.
“When I arrived at Family Retreat, I was exhausted, completely broken and desperately trying to find someone raising a child like my son Oscar—people who are walking the same journey as me,” says Luindy.
Luindy and Oscar breathed a much-needed sigh of contentment… they were in the right place! They made fast (and lasting) friends with other parents raising children with disabilities. Through small group time, open sharing, and time in God’s Word, Jesus poured refreshment like cool water into their thirsty, longing hearts. And all the while, they knew their children were well cared for and enjoying accessible, engaging activities. Luindy and Oscar both shared their joy:
“Oscar is with us 24/7, and we’ve only ever left him with family. So, we were amazed by the warm connection with Oscar’s one-on-one volunteer! We sensed that we could trust him from the very beginning.”
Luindy
“We liked the way everything was done. We felt understood, and that the entire week was planned just for us.”
Oscar
A Lasting Impact
For Luindy and Oscar’s family, the Gospel-powered hope discovered at Family Retreat was only the beginning. Because within their own home and hearts, God has gently brought seeds of life-giving change into full bloom. The fruit of the experience comes in different forms… including healing, joy, and deeper understanding of God’s presence in every detail of life, including daily challenges that come with disability.
Through Family Retreat Luindy and Oscar came to recognize that although their son has low verbal communication, young Oscar already speaks volumes through his artwork. They were delighted to see his artwork on display as part of talent night. As Luindy says:
“When I returned home, I realized that I was no longer depressed or blaming myself for my son’s disability. Oscar is a gift!
I’m much more empathetic toward others. Everyone has a story. And, instead of asking God to heal my son, I now ask him to help me to help Oscar. And I know God is there, right beside us in this journey.”
Answered Prayers and Sharing Hope with Others
Beyond their own household, Luindy and Oscar now walk with the strength of Christ, spreading Gospel hope through hardship to others. Encouraged by the other special needs parents at Family Retreat, Luindy and Oscar received strength to find a new church where children can praise the Lord in whatever way they are able. And—praise God—they now not only have a church home, but are taking action to support disability ministry to reach other families.
Support Joni and Friends New England
Your gift today will bring healing the hope of the Gospel to families living with disability! Learn more about Joni and Friends New England.
