July 2019 New Horizons

Disability and the Body of Christ

by Joni Eareckson Tada

In April 1995, a domestic terrorist bombed the Federal office building in Oklahoma City, leaving hundreds dead or trapped in the rubble. A pastor-friend of mine asked me to join a counseling team that would be ministering among the families who were awaiting news of loved ones. After I flew into the city airport—and before I could see and serve the families—I was escorted to an American Red Cross center to be cleared and credentialed. When I wheeled into the center, I noticed volunteers placing coffee and snacks on some tables, forms and resources on others. The place was slowly filling up with families and more volunteers. From across the room, an official-looking woman in a white lab coat saw me enter. She put down her clipboard and exclaimed, “Oh my goodness, are we glad to see you here!” I wheeled up to her, curious. At first I thought she must have recognized me from the Joni book. But when she introduced herself as head of mental health services for the Red Cross and asked for my ... Read more

Our Church’s Journey to Reach Families with Disabilities

by Stephen J. Tracey

Many Orthodox Presbyterian churches warmly welcome, encourage, and disciple people and families with disabilities. At Lakeview OPC in Rockport, Maine, we are learning that to minister to families with disabilities, you don’t need to be an expert; you just need a teachable and willing heart. There is plenty of reading material on disability and the church, with interesting titles like “How Wide Is Your Door?” or “Through the Roof” or “The Inclusive Church.” But it was not reading any of these that set me thinking, or that pushed Lakeview OPC to learn. It was Finley. Finley is one of God’s precious gifts to our church. He was born twelve years ago, a child of the covenant. His parents and grandparents are believers. He is fourth in a family of six children. At the time of his birth, we did not know there was a problem, but eventually, along with his mom and dad, we learned that the challenges were serious. Recognized, Loved, and Honored Around the same time, my own son, Mark, ... Read more

Joy in Volunteering

by Pamela Hughes

For years, I watched a former student volunteer every summer as a short-term missionary at the Joni and Friends Family Retreat. Each year, when this young man shared his experiences with our church, I would think, “Oh, I want to do that someday!” But caring for my aging parent and other responsibilities prevented me—until last summer. My responsibilities covered by others, I was finally able to go. Even though I am a professional educator, I still entered my week as a Joni and Friends volunteer with uncertainty. What type of needs would my camper have? I know about learning differences, but what if my camper’s needs were more profound than those with which I had experience? I was sixty years old; would I have the stamina to keep up with my camper? Would I be in over my head? I held tightly to the God of the impossible, trusting that he would, indeed, display his faithfulness during this week, for my good and for his own glory. But when I learned who my specific camper would be, and the nature ... Read more

Real Hope and Real Help

by Esther Vannoy

“Oh no! I forgot Finley’s medicine!” The singing in the back of the van stopped. Three of my kids and I were on our way to our first Joni and Friends Family Retreat, full of excited anticipation as we drove down the highway that sunny morning in August. But when I made that announcement, the singing stopped. They all knew that we would have to turn around and go back. Finley had to have his seizure medicine! We left the happy caravan we’d been traveling with and grimly headed back home—an hour and a half away. I felt sick. This was one more mess-up. One more disappointment for my kids. This is what happens, over and over again, when you have a child with special needs and an absent-minded mom. My anxiety (another unfortunate feature in a mom) crept out of the glove compartment and started choking me. “Maybe you should just not go,” it whispered. “This is too much to ask of your kids, especially Finley. And you will have to do the trip all by yourself now. No more caravan to ... Read more