Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope

Speaker 1

And you know, Joni, as the mom of a disabled child, I love heart for the disabled.

Speaker 2

And I do, too, Shawna. We are having a great time this week sharing stories of the families that we serve.

And I can't wait to see the encouraging notes and cards that are going to come in to bless these precious families.

Now, during this long winter season, things can get hard for families struggling with a disability. You know that well, don't you?

Speaker 1

Yes, ma'am.

Speaker 2

It could be so isolating. But you listening, friend, you're going to help us deliver hope. We're going to package up all your happy notes and inspiring letters and deliver everything to these needy families on Valentine's Day.

So let me tell you about another family who really needs to be reminded that Jesus cares. It's Scott and Christina. They've got five children, and two are adopted. They adopted Josiah from Liberia, West Africa, when he was two and a half months old. Now, at the time of his adoption, Scott and Christina were unaware of Josiah's cerebral palsy. When they discovered the diagnosis of their little son, doctors told them he would not be able to walk or talk. And that started a torrent of therapy sessions, medical appointments, and evaluations. By the time Josiah was in kindergarten, he was using a wheelchair. Mainly, he communicated through facial expressions and sounds that his family learned to understand.

Josiah's teen years brought a whole new set of challenges. It didn't take long for the isolation and the loneliness of disability to completely overwhelm him and his parents. Now, he had a circle of friends as a child, but once his disabilities increased, he needed a power chair and more extensive hospital stays. This teenager's access to his few friends was limited, and over time, Josiah's friends just stopped reaching out to him. I'm just hearing that makes my heart ache.

Praise God that Christina and Josiah came to family retreat in 2023, and they had an amazing time. When they came home and couldn't stop talking about it, Scott knew that he had to join them next time. And that's exactly what happened in 2024. Scott says, and this is a quote, "Josiah had never been surrounded by kids who had challenges like his before. But at family retreat, he was able to do new things with other teenagers, and he was free to be himself without mom and dad there all the time." Josiah feels freedom at family retreat like at no other place.

Well, at family retreat, Scott, Christina, and Josiah feel valued and loved. Christina says, "Everywhere else we go, we look different and we stand out like a sore thumb. But at family retreat, we all understand each other and have an instant bond with other families. There is no place where we've felt more safe and encouraged."

We only wish it were longer. Listening friends, Josiah and his family would benefit tremendously from your Christ-centered note or maybe an assurance of prayer, the really good meaty words to a Kim or a few scriptures. They shouldn't have to wait months until the next family retreat to receive encouragement.

So Shawna, where should folks send their valentines?

Speaker 1

Send them to Scott, Christina, and Josiah in care of Joni and friends at PO Box 3333, Agora Hills, CA 91376.

You'll find their photo at joniradio.org as well as information about all our heart for the disabled families.

We thank you for listening and thank you for having a heart for this family.

Speaker 2

Oh, I cannot wait to read all those cards that are coming in from all of you wonderful listening friends who, as Shawna just said, have a real genuine heart for the disabled. The disabled like Josiah and Christina and her husband.