God Weaves Stories of Love and Joy at Family Retreat
Ellie’s heart races as the first van pulls up to Family Retreat. It’s Ellie’s first time volunteering with Joni and Friends and she’s been paired with Molly, a vibrant young lady with Down syndrome. Questions swirl through Ellie’s mind: Will I be a good volunteer buddy for Molly? Will I know what to do—how to interact, what to say or not say?
But when Molly gets out of the car, along with her mom, Peggy, and sister, Mary Kendall, Ellie’s uncertainties don’t stand a chance…
“God always shows up when his people get together.” – Peggy
Molly and Ellie bonded right away. Whether dancing, enjoying ice cream sundaes, telling jokes, or going down the water slide, they had a joyful time. As Peggy shared:
“Ellie helped Molly be all she could be. She gave Molly the freedom and independence she craves, but at the same time, she gave Molly support and friendship.”
For Ellie, getting to know Molly was nothing short of transformational.
“I had an amazing experience as Molly’s volunteer. My heart has definitely changed in such a good way. It feels warmer. Molly has taught me so much this week! She has taught me to be more patient and more joyful,” says Ellie.
Joy for the Whole Family
While Molly and Ellie had a blast, her mom and sister had unique and powerful experiences of their own. Peggy appreciated the deep sense of community she felt with the other special needs moms.
“One thing I love is being able to share with the other moms and getting ‘real’ very quickly. At Family Retreat, we can share the tough stuff, knowing that everyone there understands.
At Family Retreat, God showed us that we are part of his amazing story! He is chasing after us because he wants us to be in relationship with him, and he wants us to be more like him—more kind, more compassionate, more merciful, and more generous. He knows exactly what each of us needs, and he provides for us through the body of Christ at Family Retreat.”
Peggy
Belonging in the Body of Christ
For Molly’s sister Mary Kendall, the Family Retreat experience reflects many facets of God’s grace. For one, as Molly’s big sister, it’s a joy for Mary Kendall to see her younger sibling’s kindness and magnetism bless those around her.
“I really don’t remember life without Molly… she was always really a gift to our family. For me, I always felt a sense of pride in being Molly’s big sister. Anywhere we went, we always met new people. She always had a way of drawing people in that was very special,” says Mary Kendall.
Mary Kendall also entered wholeheartedly into Family Retreat as a volunteer, paired with a young man who is blind and lives with autism. And not only did Mary Kendall enjoy getting to know the family she served during the week—she is also the leader of the disability ministry of the church they attend. So the friendship and trust cultivated through peaceful long walks, shared meals, and joyful worship times at Family Retreat will continue to build, strengthening their local body of Christ.
At Family Retreat, and every Joni and Friends outreach, God weaves his threads of grace through the intertwining stories of his beloved children.
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”
Psalm 133:1
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Your gift today will send families living with disability to our Retreats & Getaways where the love of Jesus shines brightly. Learn more about Joni and Friends Knoxville.
