Joni and Friends Blog
“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy!”Psalm 126:3 The tumultuous events of 2020 brought many challenges to Louisiana – from the global coronavirus pandemic to a record-breaking hurricane season. But through it all, God faithfully provided new ways for Joni and Friends to bring spiritual encouragement and the hope of the Gospel to children and families living with disabilities. Nothing can stop us from sharing…
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“Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things!” Psalm 98:1 We are praising God that our Joni and Friends Arizona team was able to host an in-person Family Retreat recently. And while many special needs families gathered for fun, fellowship and faith-building – socially distancing, of course – one extraordinary family really highlights the transforming power of Christ’s love…
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“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…
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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,…
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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…
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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.…
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“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…
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“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…
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“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…
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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…
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