Caring for Caregivers in Texas and Beyond

“Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble.”

Psalm 41:1

When Andrew and Jeanette answered God’s call to serve special needs orphans as missionaries in China, little did they know that their hearts were being prepared for a journey designed specifically for them.

Many of the orphans Andrew and Jeanette cared for needed life-saving surgery, but discrimination was rampant on their mission field, and the children impacted by disability were not allowed to recover from surgery in the hospital. Who would be willing to care for the very children who had already been rejected due to their disabilities? How could these little ones be expected to recover from surgery without anyone by their side?

God’s perfect plan was set into motion when Jeanette and Andrew selflessly opened their hearts to a child who needed a healing home after his surgery.

But what appeared to be a short-term commitment blossomed into a lifetime of love.

Enter Ryle, a 1-year-old little boy with spina bifida, hydrocephalus and clubbed feet. He had already lived with four foster families over the course of his short life, so he customarily cried when meeting someone new. But no tears were shed when he met Andrew and Jeanette.

He was all smiles, and they knew this was a match made in heaven!

Andrew and Jeanette fell in love with little Ryle, but they also knew that major surgeries would be a necessity in Ryle’s future. That fact could have been daunting for young, first-time parents, but the Lord used their missionary experiences and training with other special needs children to prepare Andrew and Jeanette. Their hearts saw Ryle as fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s image.

“God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

Genesis 1:27

Despite their love for Ryle, raising a child with significant disabilities comes with serious day-to-day challenges such as surgeries, therapies, doctor appointments and a host of other issues. However, the less obvious demands such as unexpected trips to the emergency room take their toll physically and emotionally, too. All this leads to frustration, exhaustion, and discouragement. And these are all red flag symptoms of caregiver fatigue.

Jeanette says that there were times when she was so tired her “body gave out and I simply couldn’t get out of bed.” The cultural transition from China to the United States added another layer of pressures unique to those who have lived overseas for an extended period. Customs, language, social cues, lifestyle, and food were strange and intimidating to a little boy from China. Encouraging him through the uncertainties of a new life in America was mentally and emotionally exhausting.

Jeanette felt that “she always had to be strong.” She simply had no time to rest or recover from the never-ending demands of caring for a child with disabilities. She and Andrew were desperate for help, but they knew that God is always faithful. They prayed for God to rescue them and lighten their load, and the Lord answered their prayers through Joni and Friends Texas.

When Andrew, Jeanette and Ryle attended Family Retreat, Ryle had the time of his life and told his parents, “I want to stay here forever.”

But Ryle wasn’t the only one blessed at Family Retreat. Andrew said, “We met other parents who understand what we go through every day – who live life with the same pressures. There was an immediate connection that we do not have with family and long-time friends.”

This type of respite and support is all part of the miracle of Family Retreat. It’s no wonder special needs families call Family Retreat “a little slice of heaven on earth!”

“Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble.”

Psalm 41:1

Worn out and weary parents on the brink of giving up come to Family Retreat and receive the rest and spiritual refreshment needed to continue caring for their disabled children once Retreat is over. And our team at Joni and Friends Texas supports special needs families all year long, providing hope through hardships for those who need it most.