Family Retreat is Bringing Hope to Special Needs Families

By Joni and Friends|Published On: September 12, 2022|Categories: Family Retreats|

A group photo of Joni and Ken Tada along with Natalia and her four boys, Jeremiah, Izaiah and Nico who is seated in his wheelchair. They're all posing in front of a colorful balloon arch with gardens behind it.

Natalia is a single mom with three sons: fifteen-year-olds Jeremiah and Izaiah, and seventeen-year-old Nico who has a seizure disorder, is nonverbal, and needs assistance to walk. Because of Nico’s complex needs, being away from home can be scary for Natalia.

When Natalia heard about Joni and Friends Family Retreats from a friend, she had hesitations, but signed up, trusting God for financial provision to make the trip work. The Lord provided for the family’s financial need, so they made the decision to attend.

Close up of Nico's buddy welcoming him with a poster with his hand on Nico's shoulder as he smiles at him, one of Nico's brothers is pushing his wheelchair and smiling at someone to his right while Natalia stands next to Nico's wheelchair and smiles down at him.

During their six-hour drive to Family Retreat, Natalia battled anxiety. She often feels self-conscious about some of the noises Nico can make, and she didn’t know how he would respond to the new environment. But entering the retreat area filled with welcoming volunteers, Natalia’s anxiety turned to peace. She said,

“There were so many people willing to help us! I felt so supported as soon as we arrived. It was such a loving and welcoming environment.”

From the first night among the Joni and Friends community, Natalia said she’d never seen Nico so happy.

And his enjoyment continued through the whole retreat. He loved playing drums, riding go-carts, and being surrounded by love.

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
John 15:12

One of Nico's brothers, Nico's buddy and Nico seated in his wheelchair as they sit in the auditorium during worship, Nico's buddy is smiling at him.

Jeremiah and Izaiah had a great time at Family Retreat, too!

Natalia shared, “It was fun for me to see them have fun and be busy. Even though I didn’t see them a lot, I knew they had fun and were safe—they got to be free!”

For herself, Natalia treasured the parent small group time where she connected with other parents and felt accepted, understood, and loved. She also appreciated the encouraging message on hope that Joni and Ken shared when they came to visit.

Before Family Retreat, Natalia recalls, hopelessness weighed heavy on her shoulders. But by the time the week ended, the hope of Christ filled her heart and followed her whole family back home.

“May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.”
Psalm 33:22

Joni and Friends Fresno serves local families living with disability. At Family Retreat and throughout the year, Joni and Friends cares for special needs families and connects them with churches so they can thrive within the body of Christ.