Joni and Friends Special Needs Family Retreat Report
Last week my family had the honor of attending a Joni and Friends Special Needs Family Retreat at the Maranatha Center in Muskegon, Michigan.
I’ve been on the Joni and Friends Chicago Equipping Team for the last year, teaching churches about special needs ministry on Sunday mornings and about respite.
My friends at Joni and Friends gushed about Family Retreats that take place in several different locations in the United States, and in the world every year.
“You have to go!”
Our family signed up …
Well, we’re back.
Here’s my review in one word: WOW.
I’ll say it again: WOW!
Special needs parents, picture this:
A beautiful retreat center complete with a heated pool, Lake Michigan, horseback riding, a rock climbing wall, comfortable housing, tennis, putt putt golf, and a petting zoo, a talent show, a Hoedown, parent date night, and so much more!
Awesome food all week long, three times a day, Gluten-free if needed, plus snacks!
Short term missionaries (STMS) assigned to your family to help out/care for your child with special needs.
Adult worship and study and connection in the morning, while the kids learn the word of God together through stories, crafts, and songs.
Free time in the afternoon.
Yes, you read that right …
FREE TIME for families to hang out, do activities together or slip away for a nap while the kids have a blast with their STMS.
We were there from Monday afternoon until Friday Noon.
The best part
Our family was encouraged individually, spiritually, collectively. We rested. We played. We laughed, and yes, we cried. Wonderful and difficult aspects of the week melded the whole experience into a great time of learning and comfort.
I have to say, the best part of the week was just being with other families, being able to share our joys and struggles without confusion or judgement.
As one sibling put so eloquently:
“Here, we are just a normal family.”
Now we are back home in normal life, and our family really isn’t considered normal anymore.
At camp, we were encouraged to start with Jesus instead of our circumstances. I’m a mom who struggles with depression, and once we got home you bet it flared a bit after such a huge week. God gave me these words from the book of Hebrews:
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in times of need. Hebrews 4:15-16
Joni and Friends Family Retreat allowed our whole family to pause every day life and draw close to the throne of grace. Camp helped me remember that the throne of grace is there, always, and at any moment in our lives, we can come close.
And all are welcome.
Thank you Joni and Friends! God willing, we’ll see you next year!
10 Responses
This camp looks amazing! Do you know if it is open only to US residents? Or can international (ie Canadian) families apply?
You know, great question. I’m sure you could find out here:
http://www.joniandfriends.org/family-retreats/
I’ll ask about it, too.
Thanks for the comment :).
There was at least one Canadian family who came during one of the two weeks at the Retreat this year, if I remember correctly.
What a wonderful ministry! So very glad you guys were blessed with going.
Thanks so much. I am so very glad as well :).
so glad you enjoyed, Gillian!! Your family blessed us too. thanks for sharing this…did my heart good to read 🙂
ps- retreats are open to internationals too! we have a family come from Canada!
It looks like my friends from Joni and Friends have some leads for Canada below :).
Hi Gillian,
So great to spend the week with your whole family. God was truly present as everyone experienced being the body of Christ together at Family Retreat. I agree with Michelle, your family was a blessing to all of us. Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures too.
Thank you, Karen. We were so happy to come!
Gillian, it was such a treat to all of us that you’re family came – one body. It wouldn’t have been complete according to God’s design for the first week if you were missing. God manifested His love, grace, joy and presence in so many ways at retreat by His Spirit and through others. You give a wonderful description of it with story telling photos. As you point out from Hebrews, we have access to the Throne of our Father, the fullness of His love, grace and presence always. I’m so grateful!!
I want to also make mention that there is a Canadian organization, Christian Horizons, who has some similar mission components as Joni and Friends do, They’re headquartered in Kitchener, Toronto. Joni and Friends helped them start Family Retreats as of a few years ago. Your friend may be interested in knowing about their retreats too by going on their website.