New Hope New Year! for a - Look inside to learn how the Rivera family received new hope in Christ! - Joni and Friends
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M I N I ST RY N E WS JA N UA RY 2 0 2 1 New Hope for a New Year! Look inside to learn how the Rivera family received new hope in Christ!
“Let’s get going!” L ast year’s battle with coronavirus opened my eyes to a war zone that ravages most of the world – especially among people with disabilities. Yes, sequestering made me feel isolated, but every day that same specter suffocates the forgotten and neglected. Yes, my grocery store wasn’t always well stocked – but overseas, many with disabilities are succumbing to starvation. Yes, I had a hard time making a doctor’s appointment – but in developing nations, broken limbs go untreated, surgeries are too expensive, and medical care is non-existent. COVID-19 opened the eyes of all of us at Joni and Friends. I used to say, “People with disabilities are on the bottom rung of the world’s ladder.” But since coronavirus, it’s clear the disabled have been pushed off that ladder. In a world scrambling for its footing, they’ve been forgotten. Eclipsed by the strong and self-absorbed, they are invisible. At Joni and Friends, we stand up for these people. We are ratcheting up our resolve to reach and serve the lost and the hurting in the name of Jesus Christ. Personally, I am committing every ounce of effort to “be aglow and burning with the Spirit as I serve the Lord” in 2021 – the desperate needs among the world’s disabled are just too urgent. Please join me in shining the light of Christ more brightly into the kingdom of darkness to chase away fear and hopelessness. Thankfully, COVID-19 pressed Joni and Friends to come up with innovative and creative ways to rescue wounded and weary people with disabilities and their families. Such ministry makes me boast in the Lord! I am so proud of your Joni and Friends teams for pioneering ground-breaking ministry that exalts the Gospel of Christ while adorning it with deeds of mercy. You will read about this trailblazing ministry in this newsletter… and I know you will join me in lifting praises to God for the amazing way he is reaching the world’s disabled through you and this wonderful ministry. “ I am a child of the King, and one day I’ll cast my crown at the feet of Jesus who rescued me through his crown of thorns. Until that day, join me in gathering into that kingdom as many sick and wounded, lame and weary people as we possibly can. Oh friend, join me in zealously serving the Lord to the glory of Christ into 2021… Let’s get going! Never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord. Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer. ROMANS 12:11-12 (AMPC)
Family Retreat Supports Families “In 19 years, I’ve never seen anything like this!” All Year Long! shared Sandra. “Joni and Friends took time to reach out to us. They saw us. They got to know us and made us feel special.” D an and Sandra Rivera were super excited special-needs families, and provisions were made for when they heard about Family Retreat. Family Retreat at Home. Dan and Sandra received a Their sons DeMetrius (19), Nathan (11) and personal invitation from our New England staff letting Isaac (6) matched their parents’ excitement. them know they were wanted and valued. Both DeMetrius and Nathan have global developmental Sandra cried as she explained, “It was shocking to delays, making their day-to-day caregiving routines see Joni and Friends do something like this.” Because incredibly complicated – and making vacations before being connected to Joni and Friends, Sandra’s impossible. Little Isaac was perhaps anticipating experience was that “people don’t invest in us.” Family Retreat most of all. “I was looking forward to But you invested in families impacted by disability having my own assigned volunteer buddy!” like the Riveras! “In 19 years, I’ve never seen anything When in-person Family Retreat was canceled like this!” said Sandra. “Joni and Friends took time to due to COVID-19, the Rivera family was heartbroken. reach out to us. They saw us. They got to know us and But coronavirus couldn’t stop us from encouraging made us feel special.” You brought Family Retreat right to the Rivera's backyard! Dan went on to explain, “Joni and Friends made us to being God’s children.” And now, after Family Retreat feel loved and that we’re not alone.” And in a season when at Home, Sandra is part of our Joni and Friends online already isolated families are being pushed even further support group, receiving the hope and encouragement she into the margins of society due to coronavirus restrictions, needs as a full-time caregiver to her sons – and getting Family Retreat at Home came at the perfect time. that support all year long. No matter what is going on in our world, we will “I can’t believe God loves us so much to bring us into love and serve families by creatively engaging with them the Joni and Friends family!” declared Sandra. Thank you so they can find hope in their hardships through Jesus. for showing the Rivera family – and thousands of families Thank you for making year-long, hands-on ministry to like theirs – that they belong to the family of God! special-needs families possible! Sandra said it best, “You make us feel a little bit more Watch this video for more of the Rivera’s inspiring story! You minister to the whole family through connected to this world and a little bit more connected joniandfriends.org/support-families Family Retreat at Home! Thank you!
40 WEEKS BEING THE Hands and Feet of Jesus Your generosity and steadfast prayers are sending the Good News of Jesus to the darkest corners of the planet. Thank you for sharing Life in Peru is incredibly difficult for Ursula and her God’s Word with those who need it 14-year-old daughter Karolay, who has cerebral palsy. most, like 7-year-old Mathias, who Karolay has been denied health care and as a result, her has spina bifida, hydrocephalus and disability has gotten more and more severe. And Ursula terminal chronic renal failure. He has struggled day after day for 14 long years, carrying was overjoyed when he received his Karolay everywhere – which had become close to first pediatric wheelchair through impossible as her body grew. Wheels for the World, and before he and his mother left our wheelchair But you gave Ursula heavenly joy when you sent a brand- distribution site, they were also new wheelchair to Karolay through Wheels for the World introduced to Jesus! and our 40 Weeks of ministry in Peru. No longer does Ursula have to carry her daughter to school each day, and Karolay sits in a seat of dignity where she is able to interact with others and be part of her community. Plus, you gave Ursula and Karolay the eternal gift of the Gospel when they got the Joni book and a Bible in their own language! Ursula is reading the Bible to Karolay every day and said, “I know God wants us to approach him daily!” Face masks and hospital robes can’t get in the way of God’s plans for the families living with disability – in Peru and all over the world. Thank you for giving Mathias and his mother the life- giving gifts of mobility, food and essential hygiene supplies, the Joni book and a Bible in their own language, and the eternal promise of heaven with Jesus! Your love shouts to the world that 2021 brings with it new hope for a new year in Christ! Everyone hears the Gospel and receives the Joni book and a Bible during our 40 Weeks of ministry in Peru, and when 12-year-old Rick, who has cerebral palsy, was custom fit into his new wheelchair, his sisters Cristine and Merly prayed to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior! As they left with their arms full of food and essential We know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. hygiene supplies – given through your love and support – they declared, “God is love!” Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 1 JOHN 4:16
Giving Back to Warriors Who “ ” Encourage one another and build each other up, Gave So Much! just as in fact you are doing. 1 THESSALONIANS 5:11 Peter and Olivia experienced God's overcoming joy at Warrior Getaway! P eter and Christy Strauch are true American heroes to Christy’s burden as their primary caregiver, and And Christy received new hope at the Warrior desperately need encouragement. And we’re inviting you in every sense of the word. Peter is a double Purple creating feelings of isolation and loneliness for the whole Getaway, too! At the Warrior Getaway, Christy realized to send your heartfelt Christian encouragement to Peter, Heart recipient who served in the Army from family. Christy’s own health issues have been put on the she’s not alone. The Bible teaching, worship, support Christy and their three beautiful daughters. 2004 – 2012. A paratrooper and combat veteran, Peter back burner while she carries the load of caring for her groups and encouragement from other Warrior families was deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan, and now lives family. And on top of everything associated with disability pointed her and her whole family to the Lord and gave Please pick up a pen and jot a Valentine’s card or a with Post Traumatic Stress, Traumatic Brain Injuries, and coronavirus, the Strauchs lost half their house when Christy the strength she needed to continue serving note, send a poem, maybe a Bible verse or two, or just a and stroke-like symptoms as a result of his service to his it caught on fire after a propane tank exploded. Peter her family despite the many challenges that come short letter to this exceptional family and let them know country. His wife, Christy, serves as his full-time caregiver suffered third degree burns in his effort to rescue the from disability. that God is on their side! That’s right, pour out your while also caring for their three daughters, Neima (13), family’s animals during that fire, and they’ve since had to “I learned how to rely on the Lord,” explained Christy. love on them through your cards and letters, and please Neelah (7) and Olivia (6), who has autism. live in the remains of that home without electricity due to “And that our strength doesn’t come from ourselves. send them soon so we can deliver your notes in time for The transition from war to civilian life can be insurance complications. My strength comes from the Lord.” Thank you for giving Valentine’s Day. excruciating, as combat zones have a way of traveling Your love and prayers have helped this incredible the Strauch family – and other Warrior families like theirs home with our servicemen and women. And while Peter family through two Joni and Friends programs: our Texas – the much-needed opportunity to connect with each other You can send your cards to: and Christy have learned to navigate through their “new Warrior Getaways and Hearts for the Disabled. and connect with Jesus at our Warrior Getaways! Joni and Friends Heart for the Disabled Strauch Family normal,” they’ve had to endure incredible hardships – “Warrior Getaway is the best respite, healing, But Warrior Getaways aren’t the only way Peter, PO Box 3333 especially over the past year. fellowship and fun we’ve had together as a family in years,” Christy and their beautiful daughters can receive strength, Agoura Hills, CA 91376 Both Peter and little Olivia have lost access to their shared Christy. It’s where Peter has been able to find joy and hope. Our Heart for the Disabled outreach sends daily therapy sessions due to COVID-19 restraints, adding friendship, hope and healing. the love of Christ to families like the Strauchs who so Thank you for having a “Heart for the Disabled!” See what happens at our Warrior Getaways in this video: joniandfriends.org/warrior-getaway
Hands-On Ministry From Arizona From the Field! From New England 11 year-old Donovan, who has autism, and his 8 year-old sister Elliana, who has Caudal Regression Syndrome, also flourished during the New England Family Retreat at Home! When asked about the best part, young Elliana reported, “I loved the stories about Moses! I learned that Aaron and Moses were just like Donovan and me. I help my brother with his And thanks to your incredible generosity, we were able to put on in-person words so others understand what he’s trying to Family Retreats too, like the one in Arizona that served Dwight, Linny and their say.” Thank you for helping the next generation 14 children! Dwight and Linny have three biological children and 11 adopted know and love God’s Word! children, many with special needs. The scholarships you sent allowed this amazing family to attend Family Retreat where they were renewed and refreshed in the Lord. “We learned that we are not alone in our struggles,” explained Dwight. All of Dwight and Linny’s children experienced God’s love at Family Retreat, and From the 10-year-old Ruby’s smile represents the renewal San Francisco Bay Area felt by each family member. Ruby, who has hydrocephalus, cerebral palsy and epilepsy, And on the other side of the country in the Bay Area, was starving and left to die in an Ugandan Junior, who has cerebral palsy, chronic lung disease, orphanage before Dwight and Linny adopted and severe seizures, had the time of his life at Family her. Now, Ruby is a valued member of her family Retreat at Home! Junior’s single mom, Heidi, shared, and knows she is precious to Jesus. During “From the first night to the end of the week, our family worship times at Family Retreat, Ruby’s singing was part of a caring community and to my surprise, touched everyone’s heart. Thank you for giving the week was even better than I expected! God knew Ruby and other special needs children like her a exactly what my soul needed and I’m thankful to Joni reason to sing! and Friends for walking through this global pandemic with us!” Your love is spurring single mothers like Heidi – and children with severe disabilities like Junior – on in the Lord!
More Stories From Louisiana From the Field! Family Retreats aren’t the only ways your prayers are meeting the needs of families impacted by disability. Joni and Friends Louisiana hosted an accessible outdoor adventure hike for special needs families using all-terrain wheelchairs! Families From North Carolina that had been cooped up for too long due to COVID-19 regulations were able to Penny, a single mom in North Carolina, hit the trails to enjoy God’s creation and knows that the emotional impact of caring the fellowship of other families who truly for a child with disabilities is enormous. understand the challenges of disability. Her son, Christian, had a stroke at the age of 13 and now has a traumatic brain injury, And for Bobby, Amy and their son Dustin, paralysis in his right arm, and speech it was a time of great thanksgiving difficulties. Caring for Christian alongside after both parents had recovered from her other son, Braxton, and doing it coronavirus. While Amy and Bobby were alone only intensified Penny’s emotional sick, Joni and Friends Louisiana supplied and financial burdens. And the impact them with groceries, essential hygiene of COVID-19 has greatly increased the supplies and other household items – loneliness and isolation Penny and her and connected them to a local church for sons feel on a daily basis. ongoing spiritual care. But at Family Retreat and the Single Parent “Joni and Friends has been a blessing Getaway put on by Joni and Friends North to our family!” shared Amy. “We feel Carolina, Penny was thoroughly refreshed accepted and loved by everyone!” physically, spiritually and relationally. Thank you for sharing the love of Christ “The times of refreshing were life-giving in beautiful ways! and restorative” for Penny and her two sons. The love and people at Family Retreat bring families like Penny’s closer to each other and closer to the heart of God. Thank you for making the miracle There are lots of exciting events of Family Retreat possible all across the country! happening in your area, too! In addition to Family Retreats and Wheels for the World outreaches, “ our Field teams are offering Respite Events, Support Groups, Church Trainings and all sorts of Family Fun gatherings. Visit joniandfriends.org/events today and But encourage one another daily, find out how you can get involved! as long as it is called “Today.” HEBREWS 3:13
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Dean Moody Jr. Joni and Friends at 818.707.5664 JOAN EMMA Janet C. Young Paige Patton Joe & Carolyn Marty Young SUMMER NICOLE SMITH JOANIE ENGLISH Priscilla Young Tina Morton Sarah Jakkola William Young WILBERT C. & EVELYN E. ST. JOHN IN HONOR/Given By NORI GONZALES JONI EARECKSON TADA CHRISTOPHER FLYNN BILL MILLS St. John Family Foundation Trust Melba Muniz Marijke Dam Ron & Wendie Benton LUCILLE V BAILY Dimon Flynn JOHN T. CHLOE GRATTON Brad Edson MY MOM Jane Baily Robert Elion JOE FORMISANO Barbara Southall Angie Gratton Terry Roberson PAM BALDWIN Barbara Etheridge Sparrowbush United Methodist Church Inc LINDA TATSUNO BRUCE GUSTAFENSEN MARTIN MOREHART Jo Ralyea Lisa Fischer LINDA FRANKENBERRY Robyn Kam Charles & Diana White Gary Carmichael LAURA BARNETT June B. Gibble Walter Frankenberry LOIS R. 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Ramzel DONNA BROWN Kathy Urbassik Carol Otero ALEXANDRIA LEBERE DEBRA PALMIERI Mary Shank Nora Joyner Lisa Wright Vicky Vandervort KRISTY KARJALA Michelle Palmieri TERESA MARIE TIEMAN PAIGE BROWN Chaplain Col Lyn Von Seggern Susan Karjala EMILY MAYFIELD JUDITH RINTZ Mark Tieman Mary Britton Cummings Pamela Benton Thomas Wade KYA KEEN Bryan & Lynn Gerlach MARSHALL TWIDDY AMY BURKHARDT Menelle Weiss Holly Lightkep Julie Mayfield FRANK RIOS Theresa Laver Robert & Geri Malberg Cheri Work SAM TROTTER LORRAINE KELLERMAN Jacqueline Cardona DICK VANDENBERG CHRYSTAL CAREY LEE MICHAEL MOORE Curtis & Margie Clarkson Mark & Heather Valesano KENNETH & MILLIE ROBERTS Richard Santos Enis Harrison Teresa Young JASON TYNER GARRETT KERR Michael & Margarita Taylor SHERI VANDERLUGT SHIRLEY CROOKS PATRICIA NORRIS Rachel Freeman Monty & Lou Anne Kerr KENNETH C. ROBERTS Richard & Linda Antonini Dr. Mary Waters Maryjane Esteves Linsey Vos BENJAMIN & LYDIA KES Van D. Baxter Timothy Bliek SALLY D’ALESSANDRO RBC Capital Market Doug & Susan Kes CAROL OTERO Billie Bowler Lisa Buffinga Steve & Robin Weaver Helen Oda Abe STEVE W. WEAVER ROBERT “BOB” KEUNE Michael & Rosa Taylor Christopher Fait PAULIE SAMUEL DILLAHUNTY Donald D’Alessandro Matthew Agen ZACHARY PATRICK ROBINSON Marcus Muallem VIOLA & ANGELO PONE Marilu Dillahunty Rachel Myer LYNN WHEELER RUTH KRAKE George Robinson Cheryl Murray CARL DORMAN Douglas Wheeler Marilyn Vaughn BETTY JEAN ROTHENBERGER Jeffrey Schechter RAMON & ELVIRA QUEVEDO Nora Joyner Cecilia Kronawitter KIM WILLIAMS FRITZ & STELLA KRASOWSKI Penny Lindsay Valerie Schmieder BEN DUNHAM Carol Otero Carol Gulino Baum, Smith & Clemens, LLP Beth Spaman REGINA RAMIREZ Kathy Dunham Alicia Martinez OLIVIA WINGARD CAMELA KWASNY Geraldine Seipt Marnie TenCate David & Andra Noland Barbara Zeng Kwasny Cornerstone Church of Skippack Marybeth Weber MINA ELBERS WALK N ROLL Shelly Crawford Ronald Benton MARIE THERESE PANG YAM TED LEHMAN David W. McClure GUSTELIA WARD Marylyn Pang Yam Karen S. Beitzel Mary Rothenberger Barbara Southall TYLER ENGELHAUPT JUANITA & ELIAS SANCHEZ Hiliary Riley Socorro Gennaoui ZELLIE LENNON PAUL RUNION LEVI H. WEAVER DR. DENNY FLEMING ISAIAS HERRERA SOL IN MEMORY/Given By Newton & Edwina Butts Debbi L. White Mildred Weaver Jude Joseph Fleming Christina Munden CHARLES LOVE JACK SANDERS HERB WELLER ESTHER ALBRECHT Julie Weller JAMIE FLOWER GUS SORENSON Yvonne Haase Julie Elliott Jayne Oden Sandra Flower Cheryl Lasselle PHYLLIS LOWTHER BENJAMIN SHIRLEY BOBBIE WOLGEMUTH MICAH AUSTIN Regina Sentell MARY CHECCHIO-FOX RANDY STANSBURY Charlotte Hart Deborah Yellowhorse Susan Austin Roger Fox Kellie Stansbury JENNIE MACKAY JULIAN SHRAMOVYCH MARY JOYCE PANG YAM TIA VERA AYALA Marylyn Pang Yam JILL FRITZ HEIDI STAVENGER Lilia Flores Svetlana Shramovych Evelyn Chaidez Dr. Jason Fritz Adriane Koehne CAROLE MAGHAKIAN WAYNE SCHRIVER BRANDON YOUNGBLOOD ANN BENSON Tari Bruner DOLORES FREDERKING MARY STORY Anthony Maghakian Nancy E. Schriver Timothy & Paula Erson Allen & Margaret Bernthal Chet Story ELLEN BRADLEY DONALD FULKS JONI & KEN TADA Stephen & Cheryl Hobbs PO Box 3333, Agoura Hills, CA 91376 • 818.707.5664 • joniandfriends.org This newsletter is published by Roger Harris Deborah Vasser ELOISE FLEMING BRASHIER Joni and Friends, a not-for-profit organization accelerating Christian ministry in the disability community. CLARISSA GABRIEL NANCY TEICHER Sandra Breland Nora Joyner Tom Teicher © 2020 Joni Eareckson Tada, publisher. All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce any material herein must be obtained in writing from Joni and Friends.
One Year Pray for Life Bible I n The One Year® Pray for Life Bible, you’ll not only learn the truth about the value of people with disabilities, but you’ll also find God’s heart on topics such as mental illness, euthanasia, global pandemics and more. Pray for the urgent need to protect life as you read through the whole Bible in just one year. “I believe that as you use The One Year® Pray for Life Bible, it will take hold of your life. Your hand will fuse with the Sword of the Spirit. You will become one with the Word, and it will be your mark of valor and distinction. Others may cower as the culture of death moves through the earth like a dark, poisonous cloud; others may retreat from the frontlines; some may collapse in fear before the enemy, overcome by anxiety and overwhelmed by battle fatigue. But you will stand firm on the frontlines, holding fast to Scripture and winning victories for the cause of life and for our King.” F R O M T H E FO R E WO R D BY J O N I E AR EC KSO N TADA Product Details: • Size: 6”W x 9”H • Softcover • 1200 Pages • 9.25 Font Size • New Living Translation of the Bible divided into 365 daily readings • Daily prayer prompts for ethical life issues • Twelve four-color full-page stories from Jim Daly, Joni Eareckson Tada, Russell Moore, and others • Foreword from Joni Eareckson Tada $19.⁹⁹ Interior Detail 100% of all profits go directly to support disability ministry! TO ORDER: • Mail order form • Call toll-free: 800.736.4177 • Online: joniandfriends.org/store • Phone: Text ORDER to 818.707.5664
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