Invite Those Who are Uninvited
I was humbled to be a part of the Joni and Friends Internship team in Uganda. My experience as an intern hit close to home because of my own family experience and familiarity with the daily challenges of disability. When my younger sister, Addie, was born with Down syndrome, my parents were able to receive the necessary information and community support to stay committed to each other and faithfully raise Addie. But imagine a family raising a child with disability, and instead of being surrounded they are abandoned, outcasted, and rejected. Serving in Uganda opened my eyes to broken families and broken relationships because of the shame associated with disability. But as a Joni and Friends intern, I was able to educate and encourage the Ugandan community about disability!
Invite those who are uninvited.
My continued hope and prayer is that Christ continues to cast out all fear, abandonment, and shame associated with disability in Uganda, as well as other countries around the world. Jesus invites every single person to his banquet table, especially those who are cast out from their communities. My challenge for you is to get uncomfortable, inconvenience yourself to help another who is suffering, and invite those who are uninvited. Christ is continually teaching me how to love people the way he loves. I am so grateful for the hands-on experience Joni and Friends provided to learn about how to be a better leader and advocate for people with disabilities.
Joni and Friends Internship Program
When you intern with Joni and Friends, God will work through you to serve families living with disability—and he will also work in your life, deepening your faith and joy!
