Family Retreat Saves Marriages and Strengthens the Whole Family!

“Magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!”

Psalm 34:3

Adam and Katie have two children with disabilities. Caroline, who is 12 years old and has a congenital heart defect as well as cerebral palsy, and 8-year-old Luke, who has spina bifida. Their lives are full to the brim with doctors’ appointments, multiple therapy sessions, and administering medications around the clock. It’s no wonder they’ve felt overwhelmed and exhausted at times. 

But their whole family was refreshed, renewed and rejuvenated at our Mississippi Family Retreat! Caroline and Luke beamed with joy as they played games and learned all about the love of Jesus. And after six solid months of total isolation due to coronavirus, Family Retreat came just in time! It was the first in-person event they attended since COVID-19 locked everything down, and it was truly a breath of fresh air for their whole family. 

Adam and Katie were so delighted with their family’s experience that they left wanting to tell other special needs families all about Family Retreat! And their children felt the same way.

“Caroline and Luke were such cheerful campers and brought so much joy to their Short-Term Missionaries!”

Six-year-old Vaida – who has cytomegalovirus, cerebral palsy, and global developmental delays – is one of the other campers that Caroline and Luke got to meet at Family Retreat. And Vaida really let her light shine for all to see at Family Retreat!  

Being non-verbal didn’t stop sweet Vaida from making new friends and experiencing true joy in Jesus. And because everything at Family Retreat is fully accessible, nothing got in the way of Vaida having the time of her life! 

Vaida’s Short–Term Missionaries made sure she stayed safe and happy – freeing up her parents, Matt and Mary Katherine, so they could focus on each other instead of the non-stop caregiving demands that are always before them. 

At Family Retreat, “We could put our marriage first,” explained Mary Katherine. And so many special needs couples agree, God uses Family Retreat to strengthen and save marriages!

“This was our first Family Retreat and we loved it! The Short-Term Missionaries were so prepared for us and our unique situation. That was such a blessing!”

Mary Katherine

Vaida’s Short Term Missionaries had backgrounds in physical therapy and occupational therapy. They did a fabulous job utilizing various communication strategies and giving Vaida exactly what she needed at Family Retreat, which also allowed the rest of her family the time they needed to encounter Jesus in personal ways.

At Family Retreat, we care for the entire family through parent groups, marriage enrichment activities, and programs for every child. Children with disabilities experience freedom in Christ, and so do their siblings! Vaida’s 9-year-old brother, Knox, does his part to help take care of her all year long, but at Family Retreat he got to take a break from being a caregiver.

“Family Retreat gave Knox a chance to just be a kid!”