Family Retreat! - Joni and Friends

S EP T E M B ER
2016
You’ve Brought
years of Joy
at Family Retreats!
25
“The Lord has done
great things for us
and we are filled
with joy.”
- Psalm 126:3
J O N I A N D F R I EN D S | M I N I ST RY N E WS
YOUR SUPPORT BUILDS STRONG FAMILIES AT
Family Retreat
When a special-needs family arrives at Family
Retreat, your prayers and passion for ministry go
before them, opening the door to a week of joy and
restoration in Jesus Christ. You see, all year along,
families with disabled children live on the edge of
exhaustion—emotionally, spiritually, physically and
financially. These families desperately need a place
where they can let down their guard and breathe
in God’s renewing presence. That’s exactly what
happens year after year to the Libby family who’ve
been coming to Retreat for the past 15 years!
“This is the only place our family has truly felt
accepted,” Bart Libby shared with us. When Bart
and his wife, Nancy, first came to Family Retreat 15
years ago, they had no idea what to expect.
Taking care of their son, Evan, who has intellectual
and developmental disabilities, left them feeling
at times overwhelmed, alone and desperate for a
genuine, loving community. Bart told us, “In everyday life, our family was the odd one out. We were
looked at as ‘different’ and not accepted.”
Nancy shared, “Coming to Family Retreat
validated and assured us as parents.
We finally found a community of families
who are going through the same thing
and experience the same feelings.
Our family has truly experienced a
slice of heaven at Retreat and we’ve
felt unconditional love from everyone.”
So many families like the Libbys have
experienced God’s love and strength
at Family Retreat—all because
of your faithful prayers and support. Thank you!
Your love has given me great
joy and encouragement…
– P hilemon 1: 7
You can help strengthen families like the
Libbys: Bart, Nancy, their son Evan,
and Short Term Missionary (STM),
Tony, (bottom row) at Family Retreat!
FROM
the HEART
O
ur summer season of
Family Retreats is now a
sweet memory, but the stories that keep pouring in burst my
heart with joy. Disability can often
mean disappointment and isolation,
but at Retreat, well… the pain is
completely overshadowed by the joy
of the Lord. It’s why we selected
Nehemiah 8:10 as our Family
Retreat theme for 2016.
Weary families, discouraged kids
and teens with disabilities,
frustrated siblings, and couples
with tough disabilities sometimes
forget that joy is possible. It’s why
we plan so many upbeat, fun activities at camp – it’s amazing how
the Holy Spirit can break through
the hardest hearts with playful joy.
It’s an endless source of wonder
how the greatest joy can spring
from the most wounded hearts –
that’s how Jesus works!
So thank you for helping us rescue
kids and adults with disabilities
and their families out of the
kingdom of pain, isolation and
darkness… and into the kingdom
of the joy of the Lord Jesus.
Your gifts and prayers made it
happen! God bless you for giving
life-changing joy to thousands this
summer through Family Retreats!
“Do not grieve, for
the joy of the Lord
is your strength.”
– N ehemia h 8 :10
Family Retreat’s
JOY, HOPE AND GOD’S LOVE
You gave all three to families at Family Retreat!
It can be all too common to hear special-needs families say, “We don’t always feel like our family is loved
and accepted.” All year long, families caring for a disabled child live on the brink of exhaustion, isolation
and discouragement. Disability demands every ounce of energy and can rip even the strongest marriages
apart. These families need your help! Meet the Boles family—Rob, Heather, Peyton, Mason and Jackson,
who has autism. They attended Family Retreat for the first time this summer and experienced God’s love!
GENUINE SUPPORT AND FAMILY BONDING AT FAMILY RETREAT. “From the moment we arrived,
our family had an instant connection with our kids’ Short Term Missionaries (STMs). Our family felt safe,
affirmed, and we were able to relax knowing our kids were comfortable and having a great time,” says Rob.
25 Anniversary
th
FUN AT FAMILY RETREAT. Kids with disabilities and their families experience many joyous “firsts”
at Retreat! Activities, outdoor games and events for every age group build courage and confidence,
empowering kids with disabilities, like Jackson, to say, “Yes, I can!” all year long.
SPECIAL-NEEDS FAMILIES ARE RENEWED
AT FAMILY RETREAT. Heather shared with us,
“Our life is chaotic. All our days are planned
out—minute by minute with little time for rest.
Disability demands every ounce of energy from
you. Our family was able to recharge and release
the tension we carry every day.”
MARRIAGES ARE HEALED AND HOPE IS
RESTORED AT FAMILY RETREAT. “I’ve learned to
appreciate Heather more this week. This time has
been reaffirming and reassuring for our marriage.
The people at Family Retreat met us where we
were. Sponsoring a family is one of the greatest
gifts you can give to a special-needs family,”
Rob says wholeheartedly.
Your Gifts LIVE To Serve Others
We gratefully acknowledge contributions given in memory or in honor of loved ones to further ministry
in the disability community. To give a gift in memory of a loved one or in honor of a special occasion,
visit www.joniandfriends.org/donate or contact Joni and Friends at (818) 707-5664.
IN HONOR/Given By
NORA BARRINGER
Shawnee Mission Instructional
Support Center
KEENAN BEERE
Beere Family Charitable Gift Fund
ELAINA BOLLIER
Lisa Bollier
JUDY BOLLIER AND
THOR & LISA JOHNSON
Judy Bollier
JOHNNY AND MARY
CAMPBELL
Carol Taylor
SCOTT AND LISA
DONALDSON
Jane Donaldson
VIRGINIA EKLUND
Judith Palmer
KELSEY ELMORE
Phyllis Lowe
EMMA MEYER
Laurie Greeley
MARTY AND PATRICIA
MOREHART
Otto Schimmel
MY MARRIAGE
Edward Lepczyk
MARK OBLAS
Carol Otero
STEPHEN PLUMLEY
Bob and Deborah McGowan
SHAHNAZ POURBAKHTIARI
Carol Otero
BRIAN RESCINO
Nancy Rescino
ED AND CLAIRE SIEBERT’S
50TH ANNIVERSARY
Richard Shaffer
Janice Zawasky
SULLIVAN EAST HIGH
SCHOOL KEY CLUB
Harvey Anderson
FAMILIES PROVIDING
TLC TO DISABLED FAMILY
MEMBERS
TOM AND JAN WEISEL
REV. STEPHEN FUNCK
IN MEMORY/Given By
GIFTS FOR GOOD
KYLI MARGARET
ABBINANTI
GRANDMA ROSE
NADINE F. BELLISH
Betty Weisel
David and Cathy Theodore
Lynne Funck
Kathy Pham
Nancyanne Winey
Andy and Jodi Abbinanti
Kathryn Clark
WIN HATT
B. BENJAMIN
JIMMY HERRING
CHARLES BERGERON
Kathy Myers
Lanita Broadus
Maureen Shaw
Charlotte Bergeron
NANCY HOWELL
JOHN BORLAND
DANIEL AND MYRA
JENSEN’S 55TH WEDDING
ANNIVERSARY
FRANCES CANON
Jennifer Evans
Kimi Archer
Robert and Carolyn Borland
Maxine Naylor
JANIS CANTRELL
Krista Frederick
JESUS
JOHN P. CASHWELL
KELLAN AND LUCA
RHONDA CASHWELL
Vaughn Grace
John and Rebecca Dabrowski
NICHOLI LINK
Dawn Patrick
NELLIE LIVINGSTONE
David and Sandel Livingstone
OSCAR MACHADO
Beere Family Charitable Gift Fund
Marc and Courtney Butler
Marc and Courtney Butler
James and Sharon Simpson
MARGARET CHAPMAN
Naomi Chapman
MARY COAD
Naomi Chapman
BENJAMIN CUNNINGHAM III
Richard and Carol Allred
Frank and Helen Garrott
Godsey & Gibb Wealth
Management
Mary Ann Henry
Ann Kable
Liberty Capital Bank
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Madera
William and Donna Mansur
James and Cathy McConn
Frances Ann Monaghan
Jean Puckett
Cathryn Rathgeber
Dorothy Rogers
Dennis and Diane Saffold
Michael and Karen Smith
KIMBERLY DIXON
Wendell and Carolyn Creech
Diane Donaho
Patricia Han
Bob Hern
Everett and Linda Lamb
Hisashi and Lynn Nikaidoh
Randy Williams
JANE DWYER
Gerald Dwyer
PHYLLIS FERRI
Louis Ferri
TOD GRIFFITH
Connie Edwards
Stephanie Edwards
SUSAN KAESMEYER
Sebastian and Elizabeth Grassi
DAVID LYTLE
Carol Lytle
NORMA JEAN MARTIN
Donald W. Martin
RALPH A. MASON
Barbara Mason
RUTH MCCOWN
Michelle Schmidt
MELANIE
Conrad and Marilyn Nelson
MY SISTER
Anne Corn
MY STM EXPERIENCE
Jessica Jongekryg
TONI MICHELLE
Patrick Daspit
JAY MILLER
Sue Webster
WANDA NEAL
Kimberly Dugan
LENORE NEUWEG
Carol Otero
HELEN PETERSON
Skip Peterson and Family
FOUFOUK PANG YAM
Marylyn Pang Yam
JEAN ANN HAMMOND
PAT
RITA HILGART
BRIAN ROBINSON
JOHN E. HOLLINGSWORTH
PATRICIA RODRIGUEZ
DAVID HOOKER
JUANITA AND ELIAS
SANCHEZ
Robert Hammond
Mark and Susan Hilgart
William and Gloria Hollingsworth
Edith Hooker
LYNN A. HOYLE
Steven Hoyle
SCOTT RICHARD ILLIAN
Carl and Linda Illian
JAMES INMAN
Bruce and Eloise McLeland
LORENA JAEB
Community Bible Church of
Vallejo
The Cornerstone Bible College
and Seminary
Guideserve LLC Operating
Rob Harper
Paul Jensen
John and Mary Ann McLaughlin
McNamara & Carver, P.A.
Batts Morrison Wales & Lee, P.A.
PO Box 3333, Agoura Hills, CA 91376 • (818) 707-5664 • www.joniandfriends.org
This newsletter is published by Joni and Friends, a not-for-profit organization accelerating Christian
ministry in the disability community. © 2016 Joni Eareckson Tada, publisher. All rights reserved.
Permission to reproduce any material herein must be obtained in writing from Joni and Friends.
Norma Janzen
George Robinson
Arthur and Norma Rodriguez
Socorro Gennaoui
NEIL SEARS
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THELMA VOGEL
Ethel Greenawalt
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Kenneth and Shirley Vanderwall
Dianna Zachrey
Thank You, Monthly Donors!
Every month, you are sending the Good News of the Gospel to people affected by disability.
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International Family
Retreat, Ghana
THIS Y EAR’S CHRISTMAS CARDS ARE HERE!
Featuring Art by Joni Eareckson Tada
The N ativity
BC22 – $12.00
5 ¼” x 7 ¾”
“Worship the Newborn King” is inscribed with an embossed
copper foil detail on the card’s exterior. In Joni’s artwork,
Mary embraces Baby Jesus—the Savior of the World—in her
arms. Message on inside reads: “From the Cradle to the Cross,
Christ is Lord of All. May we Celebrate His Birth with all
the Joy and Honor due Him. Merry Christmas!” Each box
contains 15 cards and 16 foil-lined envelopes.
From the Cradle to the Cross,
Christ is Lord of All
May we Celebrate His Birth
with all the Joy and Honor due Him.
Merry Christmas!
Ringing Bells
BC23 – $12.00
5 ¼” x 7 ¾”
Nailed to a post, a beautiful Christmas display of a big pine
branch, a Swedish scarf, and a few brass bells ring in the
crisp winter air. The interior of the card reads: “There’s a
Song in the Air! For the Manger of Bethlehem Cradles
a King. Have a Merry Christmas As You Celebrate Jesus’
Birth!” This elegant card features red foil-embossed detail.
Each box contains 15 cards and 16 foil-lined envelopes.
TO ORDER
MAIL ORDER FORM
CALL TOLL-FREE: (800) 736-4177
ONLINE: www.joniandfriends.org/store