Supporting Single Parents In Their Journey With Disability
As the single mom of five children eight-years-old and younger, Chelsee carries a heavy load. Working full-time and meeting her children’s needs is daunting on its own.
Learning that her son Luke has autism added a new layer of unexpected challenge and struggle.
On top of everything else, Chelsee’s church was ill-equipped to welcome families with disabilities into their community.
But when Chelsee and her children received a scholarship to our Single Parent Family Retreat, everything changed.
Thanks to the support of generous donors, Chelsee was given the gifts of respite and support at Retreat. At the same time her children enjoyed a weekend of fun camp-style activities, fellowship, and interactive Bible lessons about Jesus.
Chelsea enjoyed spending her days with other single mothers who knew firsthand about the challenges she faces. She frequently shared with the leaders that she was not sure what to do with all her free time at the Retreat!
“At Family Retreat I learned that I am not alone.”
Chelsee
Indeed, Chelsee and her children learned that they are necessary members of the Body of Christ.
“For the body does not consist of one member but of many…. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.”
1 Corinthians 12:14, 26
And that truth followed them home after Family Retreat. Chelsee’s church recognized the need to better serve families impacted by disability. Its leaders met with our Joni and Friends Mississippi team who provided insight and support to the church.
Since this training, Chelsee’s church has prepared its community to support Luke and include him with his peers. This allows Chelsea and all her children to be more involved within their church body.
The Lord used Chelsee and her family to open their church’s eyes to the vitality of including the entire Body of Christ.
They now stand ready to serve people touched by disability with open arms and excited hearts.
Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the Body of Christ. Locally we do this by reaching people where they live, caring for them where they are, and connecting those with disabilities where God wants them to be – knowing him personally in a local Christ-honoring church.
Support Joni and Friends Mississippi
Your generous donation today will welcome families living with disability into the Body of Christ.
