The Hendrickson Family

            AL:  I don't know what its like for you, however, here in the ministry of Joni and Friends summer is always a busy and exiting time of spiritual outreach and our host, Joni Eareckson Tada along with her husband, Ken, are thoroughly involved.    Joni, you folks hard have time to unpack your suitcases.

            JONI:  Well, we do it long enough to do a load of laundry, then we're out on the road again.  In fact, next week we're heading out to our Joni and Friends' Family Retreat in North Carolina...

            AL:  Joni, I always love your stories; do you have one?

            JONI:  I love experiencing them, Al - like the story about the Hendrickson family.  There are 11 in this family - one birth child, two grandchildren, and seven adopted children who are disabled...

            AL:  Are they serious disabilities?

            JONI:  Well, put it this way:  four of them are in wheelchairs.  The Hendricksons were willing to pull together the funds to come to retreat, but when they learned there were scholarships available, they were so thrilled; so relieved. In fact, one of the volunteers who had heard about this family of 11 who was scrimping and scratching, trying everything to pull it together so they could come out there and helped raise funds for them to attend.  Isn't that great?

            AL:  That is great.  What was the best part for this family?  I would guess Mrs. Hendrickson really loved getting pampered... what, you folks do you do it style.  You cut hair; you do nails, facials and massages.

            JONI:  That's right!  And the kids love the kayaking, the go-carts, and horse back riding, the barbecue and the carnival and all the rest.  But you know what they kept talking about?  The children actually cried when they went into their room that we had assigned them and saw that there was a bed for each one of them.  Can you believe that?  These children obviously sleep together at home, but at our Family Retreat, they were blown away to see that each of them had their own pillow, their own blanket and bed for the week.  And that they cried over such a luxury...

            You know, in Exodus 33:14, God says that His presence will go before us and He will give us rest.  Often that's what we hear from these moms and dads and their children with disabilities.  Sure, it's the fun and yes it's the games and, it's even incredible times in God's Word.  But often, it's just the chance to rest; to almost forget about the day-to-day routine back home, to not be pressured about the pain of raising four children in wheelchairs.  And sometimes that rest is as simple as having your own bed to sleep in.

            AL:  Well, Joni, we will be praying for you and Ken as you head to North Carolina this week and the next of the 20 Family Retreats Joni and Friends is holding this summer.  And you know what?... I think our listening friends will be praying Exodus 33 over you, too... that God's presence will go before you and that you and Ken will enjoy some much needed rest, too.  In fact, let me pray right now, Father, thank you for ministering to the Hendrickson family and their many children, especially those four boys and girls in wheelchairs.  Thank you that you gave them a bed... you gave them a place to rest.  And we pray that as Joni and Ken share your love this week with other families like the Hendrickson's, you will bless them with your deep and abiding rest.  Give your Gospel success this week and bring many to a saving knowledge of your Son... until that time we all enter into your Sabbath rest in heaven. Amen

Used by permission of JONI AND FRIENDS  P.O. Box 3333  Agoura Hills, CA 91376

www.joniandfriends.org  ©  Joni and Friends