Sharing Hope in the Midst of Life with Disability
“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb…”
Revelation 7:9
Meet Da Wen and His Family
Twenty-eight-year-old Da Wen lives in Chicago with his mom Li Ping, and his dad Rin Xin. Da Wen has cerebral palsy, and loves connecting with others and serving as an advocate for and within the disability community.
Through the Pui Tak Center, a Chinese Christian community center housed in a landmark building in Chicago, Da Wen’s family—like others in their community—learned about Joni and Friends. Seeking places to connect and belong within American society, families living with disability like Da Wen’s encounter the love of Christ when they come to Family Retreat.
Overcoming Barriers, Finding Belonging
With the help of volunteers from the Pui Tak Center, who provide translation equipment and in-person, real-time interpretation services at our Family Retreat in Indiana, Joni and Friends serves many Chinese families, reaching them in both Cantonese and Mandarin.
With language barriers removed, families from a variety of cultural backgrounds who live with a broad range of disabilities enjoy Family Retreat, from outdoor activities to deep fellowship and hearing the Gospel, some for the first time.
Da Wen’s Family Retreat Experience
“My experience at Family Retreat has been cool! I’ve been experiencing God’s love through my buddies, and I’ve been making other people smile, too!”
Da Wen
Da Wen treasures Family Retreat memories and friendships so much that his staple talent show entry each year is a slideshow of the week’s highlights—inner tubing, worship, and plenty of fun, accessible activities. But he especially appreciates the volunteers who have served him and his parents at Family Retreat. He keeps pictures of every volunteer he’s connected with over the years—and remembers to text them personally on holidays and birthdays!
“Family Retreat volunteers love you and get you out of your comfort zone!” says Da Wen.
With his contagious joy and energy, Da Wen makes and keeps relationships within the Joni and Friends community. And as the top Walk ‘N’ Roll fundraiser for the Illinois Area Ministry of Joni and Friends, he prioritizes making a difference for others.
“Outside of Family Retreat, people only look at Da Wen with a glance, but here they really see him,” says Da Wen’s father, Rin Xin.
For Da Wen’s parents, coming to Family Retreat has made a deep and lasting difference. Through our Cantonese translator, they opened up about what it means to find belonging within the body of Christ at Family Retreat—and to know that their son is not just accepted, but seen and celebrated. As Li Ping says:
“Family Retreat is a big family. I feel the warmth and the love between families here.”
Rin Xin says his favorite things about Family Retreat are the deep thoughts and conversations that take place in the men’s group. These interactions, and other Christ-centered experiences at Family Retreat, have transformed Rin Xin’s spiritual life, introducing him to Jesus in a tangible way.
Family Retreat Is for Every Member of the Family
Family Retreat gives families the chance to reconnect with each other and with Jesus. And for many parents, it’s the only time they get respite all year. As one of the moms in Li Ping’s women’s group put it:
“The minute you arrive at Family Retreat, your whole family is taken care of. Family Retreat cares for children and adults with disabilities. And Family Retreat cares for their caregivers.”
Together, families find deep encouragement, hope to face daily life with disability, and… joy! On the last day of Family Retreat, Da Wen shared a message with all the staff and volunteers:
“Thank you for all the fun!” he said. Da Wen also had a special word of thanks for Joni… “Thank you, Joni, for starting Joni and Friends—and especially for Family Retreat!”
Support Joni and Friends to send more families to Family Retreat!
Your gift today will make it possible for families, at home and worldwide, to experience the love of Jesus through Joni and Friends.
