Biblical Commission
“Go out quickly in the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame…go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.” Luke 14:21-23 (NIV)
Vision
A world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ.
Mission
To glorify God as we communicate the Gospel and mobilize the global church to evangelize, disciple and serve people living with disability.
Our Ministries
News, Stories, Inspiration
A Brand-New Year of Ministry!
“Behold, I am doing a new thing!” says the Lord. “Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”Isaiah 43:19 It’s a New Year filled with God’s provision and new beginnings! I know we’ve all had our share of hardships in 2020, but now, here at Joni and Friends, we’re rolling up our sleeves and…
Hands-On Ministry in the San Francisco Bay Area
Trusting in God’s great love and taking refuge in him can be difficult for families living with disability. Especially for Heidi, who felt isolated and alone before COVID-19, but even more so once shelter-at-home orders were put in place. Heidi is a single mother. Her son, Junior, has multiple and complex disabilities including cerebral palsy,…
True Quality of Life
When people learn that most quadriplegics cannot bathe or toilet themselves, feed or dress themselves, they are quick to think, What a poor quality of life! They think a good quality of life means higher pay, good health, or a stable home. Hardly ever does someone associate a “good” quality of life with disability. Having…
Mission to One
COVID-19 separated us dangerously. As in any crisis, the threats of the virus disproportionately affected the vulnerable and marginalized. Hospitals had no choice but to conserve very limited medical supplies. Without serious advocacy and intervention, this meant that people with disabilities were often last in line, in some cases, left alone to fend for themselves.…
When Your Plans are Interrupted
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11, NLT The other day, a friend lamented aloud about a well-thought-out plan that had come to nothing. She sighed, then ruefully said, “Man plans and…
Giving Back to Warriors Who Gave So Much!
“Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 Peter and Christy Strauch are true American heroes in every sense of the word. Peter is a double Purple Heart recipient who served in the Army from 2004 – 2012. A paratrooper and combat veteran, Peter was deployed to both Iraq and…
Family Retreat Supports Families All Year Long!
“God sets the lonely in families.” Psalm 68:6 Dan and Sandra Rivera were super excited when they heard about Family Retreat. Their sons DeMetrius (19), Nathan (11) and Isaac (6) matched their parents’ excitement. Both DeMetrius and Nathan have global developmental delays, making their day-to-day caregiving routines incredibly complicated – and making vacations impossible. Little Isaac was perhaps anticipating Family Retreat most of all. As he explained, “I was looking…
Sharing God’s Word With Those Who Need It Most
Life in Peru is incredibly difficult for Ursula and her 14–year-old daughter Karolay, who has cerebral palsy. Karolay has been denied health care and as a result, her disability has gotten more and more severe. And Ursula has struggled every day for 14 long years, carrying Karolay everywhere – which became close to impossible as her body grew. But Ursula experienced heavenly joy when we sent a brand-new wheelchair to Karolay through…
Let’s Get Going!
“Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord. Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer.” Romans 12:11-12 Last year’s battle with coronavirus opened my eyes to a war zone that ravages most of the world…
Closing out 2020
Today on New Year’s Eve, I am reflecting on the many ups and downs I’ve struggled through this year, especially coming up and out of a difficult bout with the COVID virus. Every breath is a blessing. Even the chance to sit up in a wheelchair today is, for me, a precious gift (caregiving help…