A Family’s Journey to Healing and Hope Through God’s Love
We are thrilled and humbled to report this year has been incredibly significant for Joni and Friends Tennessee, and God made it all possible through you! Serving three times the number of families as the previous year, and more than doubling our community involvement, we find ourselves repeating the words of David in Psalm 9:1, “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all of your wonderful deeds.”
As we recount the Lord’s “wonderful deeds,” Chris and Lori’s story comes to mind. Their son, Elijah, has autism, ADHD, OCD, and anxiety. Lori and Chris received a scholarship to attend Marriage Getaway in the spring, and after “all the touches of love” they experienced that weekend, they signed up for Family Retreat, as well. They knew God had something special waiting for their whole family.
During the children’s program at Family Retreat, Elijah was listening to the songs and observing everyone in the room. And then he quietly began to cry. His volunteer buddy gently asked, “Is Jesus talking to you, Elijah?”
Looking at the floor, tears streaming down his cheeks, Elijah nodded his curly head. It was clear God had lovingly spoken to his spirit. Amidst songs, dancing children, and streamers floating through the air, Jesus hugged the heart of one of his children.
“I am still in awe of what God did within our family. Our lives were changed, my son’s heart was turned toward God, and we were blessed one-hundred-fold,” says Lori.
This is what happens when a family struggling with disability—who has had no support and feels exhausted knowing they are slowly becoming invisible—is seen for the first time.
The Gospel becomes real, and the tenderness of Jesus changes their lives and the lives of those witnessing their transformation.
Family Retreat, as well as all our Christ-centered programs, is full of fun. We create intentional activities that are accessible to all ability levels, and our volunteers have personal interactions with both children and adults. But it is not done apart from the motivating love of Jesus. Our vision is that every person with a disability will find hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ.
Hope. Dignity. And a place of belonging. To us that is God’s tangible love.
Thank you for making God’s love tangible through your prayers and generous support. This year, Marriage Getaway, Family Retreat, and Warrior Getaway changed the lives of countless others like Chris and Lori’s. Still, many more families have not found hope, dignity, or their place with Jesus. They live with the pain and burden of isolation, carrying their struggles alone. But with your help, all that can change!
Would you let Jesus work through you today to reach these precious families with the power of God’s unfailing love?
We are depending upon the generosity of friends like you to help us reach even more people struggling with disability. Our goal is to serve even more families through Family Retreat, Marriage Getaway, and Warrior Getaway. Your gift will support all our Joni and Friends ministry, reaching vulnerable people who otherwise may never hear the Good News of Jesus!
Thank you for bringing the help and hope of Jesus to families struggling under the strain of disability. God bless you and your family always!
Support Joni and Friends Nashville
Your gift today will bring healing the hope of the Gospel to families living with disability! Learn more about Joni and Friends Nashville.
