Restoring Smiles in Pennsylvania!

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.”

Lamentations 3:22

Stephanie lives with the challenges of a cognitive disability, physical disabilities and an anxiety disorder. She is 27 years old, and while life has been hard on Stephanie and her mother, Denise, for the past 27 years, their hardships were intensified beyond belief when Stephanie’s father suddenly died.

After her husband’s unexpected death, Denise didn’t just have to navigate through the turbulent waters of grief, she also had to face the fears of being a special needs mother alone.

While Denise mourned and worked through her new normal, Stephanie dealt with the loss of her father in her own way. And what became apparent quickly is that God used Joni and Friends Pennsylvania to bring this modern-day widow and orphan great comfort and peace.

Family Retreat became a safe place and a real place of belonging after Denise and Stephanie had experienced such tragedy.

“It has been their lifeline! And they realized that Joni and Friends was truly family!”

But when we couldn’t hold an in-person Family Retreat due to coronavirus restrictions, Denise and Stephanie felt the sting of isolation once again.

“Stephanie was heartbroken when Family Retreat was forced to cancel because of the pandemic. After all, it was our little piece of heaven on earth, and we had to miss it.”

Denise went on to explain, “Family Retreat was the highlight of her summer – a place to feel unconditional love and acceptance and to learn of God’s great love for her.”

Knowing that other families relied on Family Retreat much like Denis and Stephanie, we worked quickly to bring them Family Retreat at Home. With great excitement and anticipation, Denise and Stephanie registered for this one-of-a-kind event, and they were overjoyed with the experience!

“I haven’t seen Stephanie smile that much in a very, very long time!!!” beamed Denise. “Stephanie smiled more than she has at any time during this entire period of quarantine. That is all because of Joni and Friends Family Retreat at Home. What a blessing and gift to have that as a source of encouragement. We reconnected with old friends, made new ones, and felt so loved. We sang, danced, played games, and heard Bible lessons, all through ‘Canvas’ and ‘Zoom.’”

“After my husband passed away, Joni and Friends comforted us, cared for us, and loved on us. And Joni and Friends continues to do that for us every year. We are so blessed to be a part of this amazing family. Because it has impacted Stephanie’s life, it impacts mine as well, giving me support, spiritual guidance, and a safe place of refuge. Thank you, Joni and Friends!”