Because of Your Gift, Families are Finding Hope and Love in Christ
God is using Joni and Friends Georgia—and he is using you—to make an incredible difference in the lives of people living with disability! We are reflecting on an amazing year of ministry and want you to know our hearts are filled with gratitude and joy for your faithful support. Through your generosity, we have been able to extend the love and hope of Jesus Christ to children and families living with disability—empowering them with resources, encouragement, and community.
This year, because of your prayers and financial gifts, we hosted our first week-long Family Retreat in May that provided much-needed rest, spiritual renewal, and fun for 22 families. (This represents a 62% increase in families served!) One of those families is Lorna’s. Let us tell you about this single-mom and her daughters….
Lorna and her daughters, Natalia (16) and Amelia (9), have attended Family Retreat in Georgia for the past two years. Natalia has cerebral palsy and requires daily assistance with everyday tasks such as dressing, eating, and brushing her teeth. Lorna cares for Natalia around-the-clock and brings her to countless therapy sessions and doctors’ appointments—all by herself.
“It’s a lot. I always look only at the day ahead.”
Lorna
Despite her strength and resolve as a single mother, Lorna knew she needed something more to keep her going. That’s when she discovered Family Retreat!
“I didn’t realize I needed this space so much to decompress! Natalia has many hours of therapy sessions each week, which can be quite stressful for all of us. Meeting other parents at Family Retreat encouraged me and reminded me that I am not alone. I am not the only one fighting with the insurance companies, going to all the therapy sessions, etc.”
Natalia and Amelia love Family Retreat! “The girls are always so eager to jump out of the car each year to meet their buddies and head off on their own adventures. Natalia and Amelia feel safe and confident at Family Retreat. It’s a space for us that we have never experienced before.”
Lorna
Joni Eareckson Tada’s testimony has been an encouragement to Lorna for many years.
“When I was little, I remember seeing Joni’s movie when I lived in Puerto Rico,” says Lorna. She knew that just as God used Joni’s pain for good, he could do the same for Lorna and her girls, as well.
“We can easily wallow in suffering. I fight to become joyful. The joy of the Lord is our strength. Jesus said he is not going to leave us alone. He never said life was going to be glittery, shiny, or pretty. But he says he is going to be with us always.”
Lorna
The connections Lorna and her girls have made at Family Retreat are invaluable.
At Family Retreat, they can be themselves and openly share the highs and the lows of life—gaining the encouragement and support needed to keep going.
“Everyone’s situation is intense, but we all want to do what is best for our kids and we are all fighters! You connect quickly with other special needs families on a deeper level. Family Retreat gives me hope!”
Lorna
We’re thanking God for life transformations like Lorna’s. But our hearts ache over the thousands of disabled children and families still desperate for help and hope in Jesus.
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. 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 suffering under the strain of disability. God bless you and your family always!
Support Joni and Friends Georgia
Your gift to Joni and Friends will promote Christ-centered friendships and create spaces of true belonging for people living with disability. Learn more about Joni and Friends Georgia.
