Reconnect and Carry One Another’s Burdens at Family Retreat

By Joni and Friends|Published On: January 24, 2025|Categories: Family Retreats|

Anakin, Asher, Ariella, and Traci are standing together, posing for the camera on the grass, with tall, lush green trees in the background.

Traci knows what it is like to look for rest and hope. When she was two, her left foot needed to be amputated due to multiple birth defects. Over time, Traci learned to manage life as an amputee. She didn’t let that stop her from being used by God to serve others.

When Traci was a young adult, she began volunteering with Joni and Friends and did so for seven years. She served at Family Retreat and shared the Good News of Jesus with others struggling with disability. Eventually, God called Traci to become a full-time missionary, which she did for ten years. And God grew her family with three beautiful children—Anakin, Asher, and Ariella. He also grew Traci’s faith, especially when disability entered her life once again.

Ariella, who’s lovingly called Ella, has Down syndrome, autism, and ADHD. “When Ella was born, although I had been around people with disabilities much of my life, I went through a short grieving period because I knew she would face so many challenges and life would be difficult for her at times. But I knew God created Ella and had a plan for her life, and we embraced her fully and completely into our family,” says Traci.

Ariella is excitedly leaning out of the car window, with her head and arms fully outside, wearing a big grin of happiness and excitement.

Over time, the challenges of caregiving impacted Traci’s marriage. During that challenging season, Traci looked for hope and found it in a familiar place: Joni and Friends. Traci says, “This process occurred over the course of several years. Each year we continued to attend Family Retreat. I encountered others who were struggling with their own difficult situations and was reminded from the retreat pastors and leaders to keep believing that God is good and loves us and is using our suffering to refine us and make us more like Jesus. I was prayed for and encouraged each year at Family Retreat. Those retreats blessed me so much. To see friends, reconnect, and carry one another’s burdens was a lifeline for me.”

Traci has been a single mom for four years now and recently attended our Single Parent Getaway, giving her the physical rest and spiritual encouragement she needs as a caregiver. Ella requires 24/7 supervision and is also a runner who will take off on adventures without telling her mom where she is going.

“Ella functions at a two to three-year-old level in many ways. It’s like having a two-year-old going on eight. Autism adds struggles like noise sensitivity, decreased safety awareness, and less refined social and interpersonal skills. She is full speed ahead most the time, so I’m constantly trying to keep track of her and make sure Ella is safe. It is exhausting, and it often prevents me from being able to give my sons quality time and attention,” says Traci.

Ariella is singing into a microphone while a woman holds it for her. She looks very happy.

Joni and Friends Single Parent Getaway and Family Retreats are precious times for everyone in Traci’s family where they get closer to each other and closer still to Jesus. Traci explains, “The Bible teaching challenges us to learn more about God and our relationship with him. The women’s small groups are where we share our struggles and joys and encourage and love on each other. It’s also a great time to brainstorm and share resources that we may not know about. The children’s ministry is where my children get to go hear about God on their level and do fun activities. There are also sibling groups that help provide support and encouragement for Anakin and Asher. Then there are fun, family activities that include things like the rock climbing wall, swimming, and the zip line. We’re building lifelong family memories at Family Retreat!”

While Family Retreat serves as a lifeline for Traci and her children, there were thirty families who could not attend this year due to a lack of space. That is why we will be launching a third Family Retreat in 2025! We know families like Traci’s depend on this time to rest, connect with other families, and reconnect with Jesus—and we don’t want to turn anyone away! Your faithful support will make this growth possible so that even more families will receive the physical, emotional, and spiritual care found at Family Retreat and all our Christ-centered programs.

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 faithfully offering your prayers, time, and treasure to partner with us in reaching families living with disability who desperately need fellowship with believers and the Good News of Jesus Christ!