Stand By Me

“The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:7

I’ve always had monumental respect for the men and women who defend our freedoms. My grandfather, a World War II Veteran, instilled that in me from the time I was a very little girl. A soldier in uniform never ceases to elicit a profound sense of gratitude in me, and I admit – the Star Spangled Banner can bring me to tears. But my patriotic heart was touched like never before when I attended last month’s Warrior Getaway.

Gathered together were 24 military families broken by the trauma of active combat duty, and I understood afresh the far-reaching impact that active duty has on the entire family. Combat Veterans are forever changed by their service, to be sure, but so are their spouses and children.

As one soldier’s wife explained, “War zones have a way of traveling home with you. Even when your Warrior comes home, war is ever by his side.” Her husband elaborated, “My body came back, but my soul stayed over there.”

Transition from war to civilian life is excruciating for many – or most – of our Veterans. That’s exactly why our Warrior Getaways are so critical to their re-entry and healing. During their five days at the Warrior Getaway, Veterans and their families experience rest and restoration through worship music, biblical teaching, recreation, and fellowship with other military families.

“It’s so good to be surrounded with other Warriors who get it,” said one Army Sergeant. 

“No one else can relate to what I’ve been through, but here we stand on common ground. The walls come down and healing can begin.”

That healing is perhaps most evident during the daily Veterans’ support groups run by professional therapists during the Getaway. There, in that sacred place of fellowship, our Veterans make life-long friends and learn that they don’t have to journey down their rocky roads alone. Whether their war-induced disability is physical or invisible due to a Traumatic Brain Injury or Post Traumatic Stress, for our wounded Veterans, coming to the Warrior Getaway is like being with extended family.

“I know I can call on these guys any time,” shared one Marine. “I know they have my back.”

That truth came to life during the Talent Show at Warrior Getaway. What started out as three soldiers singing Stand By Me, quickly turned into a stage full to overflowing as one by one, each of the other Veterans in the audience ran up to stand with their buddies and fellow Warriors. It was a powerful picture of the Body of Christ bringing once isolated and battle-weary Warriors together into a safe place where they finally found the courage to be real and share their stories.

“The Warrior Getaway taught me how to trust again.”

One Warrior wife said it best, “Nothing else ever worked. Nothing else was ever able to get through to my husband. Here at Warrior Getaway, we have found peace. And we realize God has so much more for us.”

“The Warrior Getaway taught me how to trust again,” confessed her husband. “Here at Warrior Getaway I have come back to Christ. And I have learned that I have value as a father, husband, and friend.”

The harsh reality is that there are 3 million Veterans suffering from the devastating symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the United States. As a result, 80% of these military marriages end in divorce, and every day, 21 Veterans choose to end their pain by ending their own lives. Joni and Friends will not sit by and do nothing while our brave service men and women suffer. We are committed to serving our Combat Veterans and their families through our Warrior Getaways, and we will be forever grateful for your partnership in bringing the good news of Christ to these special families who have sacrificed everything to defend our freedoms because we see God’s faithfulness transform one family after another.

Warrior Getaways are a safe haven where the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guards the hearts and minds of our courageous Veterans, their spouses and their children. Thank you for partnering with us as we serve those who so sacrificially served our country.

Written By – Shauna Amick