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ShareTeaching the Teacher at Family Retreat
Ty Coleman is a special education teacher in Laffayette, Pennsylvania. At the end of the school year, instead of taking a vacation, Ty heads to Family Retreat, where he serves kids and families with disabilities as a Short Term Missionary (STM) with joy and passion. Why? “At Family Retreat people with disabilities are happy and celebrated,” says Ty. “We see ‘God smiles’ all day long. God’s love is here in what one person does for another. At Family Retreat we’re all unified, we’re all unique and celebrated. Family Retreat is how God intended us to be!” Ty’s job as an STM is demanding as he serves Danny, who has developmental...
An Oasis of Hope for Families
God is using you to wrap His arms around families affected by disability or injury at Family Retreats here in the U.S. and at international locations worldwide. For our brave servicemen and women returning home from war with life-changing injuries and disabilities, Joni and Friends offers Wounded Warrior Getaway – the only military partnership program designed to minister to the needs of a soldier and his or her entire family. When weary and hurting families arrive at Family Retreat or Wounded Warrior Getaway, they find an...
Mikayla Scales the Climbing Wall at Family Retreat!
“There’s something at Family Retreat you can’t get anyplace else,” says Wanda Robinson, mom of 13-year old Mikayla, who uses prosthetic legs. “It’s God’s peace reviving my spirit and inspiring me to continue. It’s a place of safety and unconditional love.” “We’ve tried other camps,” says dad, Michael. “But the only thing Mikayla got to do was crafts—while the other kids did outdoor stuff.” Not at Joni and Friends Family Retreat! “This week I’m climbing the rock wall, zip-lining, paintballing, and MORE!” says Mikayla. For Mikayla, being a teenager with a disability is an uphill climb. People stare. Even her friends don’t understand how hard it is for her to keep up with them. But it’s different at Family Retreat. “I don’t feel alone anymore,” says Mikayla. “Family Retreat gives me more confidence to go back out in the world and be strong in Jesus!” Thank you for sending special needs families to Family...
From Attending to Serving at Family Retreat
Sarah came to Family Retreat for the first time when she was only 12. At that time, she and her mother Kathy felt broken and discouraged. Today, with the support and encouragement they’ve received at Family Retreat, Sarah and Kathy are now joyfully pouring God’s love out on others, giving freely what they had been given. “Seeing Sarah’s giftedness in prayer, encouragement and mercy, we asked Sarah to be our prayer ambassador at Family Retreat,” explains Retreat Director Cheryl. “She was so excited to give back what she received so many years ago!” Every day at Family Retreat, Sarah prays with the prayer team. During the day, she finds a way to meet just about everyone – asking how they are and how she can pray for them. “I love to pray for people,” says Sarah with her infectious smile. “Knowing God is the best thing possible. He’s just incredible!” Sarah is growing leaps and bounds as she uses the gifts God has given her to bless...
Kicking Off Family Retreat Season!
“Family Retreat is encouragement, hope, and strength we don’t get anywhere else,” say David and Tracy Brill, who attended with their three sons. “When you have a disability in the family, these things aren’t found in the world.” June marks the kick-off of 24 Joni and Friends Family Retreats this summer. Families will be given the blessed opportunity to rest from their usual routine, to drink in life-changing truth from God’s word, to worship and share God’s love in the embrace of others who truly understand. Family bonds are joyfully strengthened as moms, dads, and kids who live with disability build beautiful family memories to last a lifetime. “At Family Retreat, we grow closer together as a family and closer to God,” says Tracy. “Other families show us God’s love and encourage us to press on.” As a young father, David shoulders heavy burdens all year long that he can’t share anywhere else but at Family...
Changed at Family Retreat
Have you experienced “realness” at Family Retreat? Jeremy and Trisha Iford arrived at Family Retreat with three kids in tow —Alaina, 7, has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, Addie is 5 and Levi is 1. “We were welcomed with open arms,” says Trisha. “The STM’s (Short Term Missionaries) are like older sisters that want to spend time with my kids, and the other moms are eager to share their stories. There’s realness here.” This “realness” opens the door to acceptance and healing that comes from the...
From a Dad’s Heart
Jim and Lisa Hanks heard about Joni and Friends Family Retreat and were skeptical at first. “That’s a great ministry,” they thought, “But not for us. We have too many special needs.” Knowing firsthand how families with disabilities struggle, Jim decided to be a Short Term Missionary and serve another family just like his for a week. In the process, he realized Family Retreat was exactly what his own family needed. He came home and told Lisa and the kids, “We’re goin’ to Family Retreat!It’s the best thing ever!” “My wife Lisa and I stay pretty run down all year long. Our son’s care is consuming and takes all day, every day. When we’re here, the Lord...
Greetings From Peru!
With so many Peruvian special needs families being loved in Christ’s name this week at our first International Family Retreat in Peru, it’s no wonder they’re saying “We are all having a wonderful time experiencing God's grace!” This Family Retreat is one of 14 other Retreats that Joni and Friends is hosting this year in developing nations around the world. Through these Retreats, we’re reaching into the uttermost parts of the earth where the light of Christ is so needed, embracing...
Will You Be My STM?
Spend a week or two with us this summer giving and receiving the love of Jesus at Family Retreat! There are lots of ways you can jump into the joy of serving. You could serve a child or adult with a disability as a Short Term Missionary. Or be a part of Youth and Teen Program. Do you have creative skills? Help out with art and recreation programs. Or be a part of our Prayer Team. If you aren’t able to attend, you could even join in by sponsoring...
Meet Nick and Joseph
Watch this video and meet Nick and Joseph as they tell you about their week together at Family Retreat.
