Lessons Learned from Family Retreat

A seed was planted in my heart a few years ago when Spencer shared about Joni & Friends Family Retreats at Trinity. It's funny—in a way, I felt like I should have known about this ministry much sooner. I spent nearly 20 years as a pediatric nurse, caring for children and walking alongside families navigating complex medical needs and disabilities. During those years, I saw both the incredible strength of these families and the weight they carried every single day. I knew they needed support, community, and moments to simply breathe.

As I heard how Family Retreat had impacted a couple of Trinity families living with disabilities, I felt the Lord gently tugging at my heart again to serve. When I found out that Caleb, our Youth Director, and his wife, Whitley, had signed up to volunteer as well, it felt like the final nudge I needed.

A couple of weeks ago, I finally had the opportunity to serve at the Oregon Joni & Friends Family Retreat, and it was one of the greatest blessings—and highlights—of my summer. It was also a gift to serve alongside Caleb and Whitley, sharing the experience together and seeing firsthand how God is at work through this incredible ministry.

A Week Filled with Joy

I spent four days alongside an incredible, kind, and courageous 11-year-old girl who happens to have autism. Watching her experience the joy of camp was unforgettable. By the end of the week, she told me she didn't want camp to end—a sentiment shared by many campers and volunteers alike.

One of my favorite parts of the retreat was sharing meals with her family each day. Those conversations gave me a glimpse into both the joys and challenges they experience, and they reminded me how meaningful it is when families are simply welcomed, known, and cared for.

The moment that will stay with me the longest happened during the talent show.

My camper walked onto the stage and sang the hymn Take My Life and Let It Be. Her joy and quiet confidence filled the room. As I listened to the words, I found myself hearing that hymn in a completely new way. It has become one of my favorites because now, whenever I sing it, I'll remember her and the beautiful picture of wholehearted worship she shared with all of us.

Learning to Serve

The week was also stretching. The days were full—lots of walking, talking, playing, and caring. By the end of each day, I was physically exhausted. Yet the Lord faithfully sustained me and reminded me that serving isn't ultimately about my own strength. It's about depending on Christ and reflecting His love to others.

Serving with a servant's heart means remembering that every act of kindness, every conversation, and every moment of presence is an opportunity to bring glory to God.

A Vision Worth Sharing

I came home deeply encouraged by the vision of Joni & Friends and convinced that it's something we can continue to cultivate here at Trinity.

Joni & Friends' vision is "a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ." Their mission is "to glorify God as we communicate the Gospel and mobilize the global church to evangelize, disciple, and serve people living with disability."

What struck me most is that disability ministry doesn't begin with having all the right answers or specialized training. It begins with friendship.

You don't need to be an expert. You simply need to be present. I've realized that's true not just in disability ministry, but in much of following Jesus. Some of the most meaningful ways we love people begin simply by showing up and saying hello. 

The greatest gifts we can offer are kindness, compassion, and genuine care. Every person is made in the image of God, deeply loved by Him, and has a valuable place in His church. As followers of Jesus, we're invited to create communities where everyone belongs and where every family experiences the hope and love of Christ.

One of the things that excites me most is that we're already seeing this vision grow at Trinity. Through our Trinity Kids Support Buddy Volunteers and our growing Special Needs Ministry, we're taking small but meaningful steps toward becoming a church where every child and every family is welcomed, known, and able to participate fully in the life of our church. It's growing inch by inch, and I'm grateful to see how God is leading us along the way.

One of the things I love most about Trinity is that our vision is Jesus Himself. We want everything we are and everything we do to be from Him and for Him. As we seek to be with Jesus, become like Him, and live for Him, my hope is that we continue growing into a church where every person—including those living with disability—and every family knows they belong and has opportunities to grow as disciples of Jesus. We are loved by God, are being changed by His love, and are learning to express that love in the places where we live, learn, work, and play. 

I'm grateful for the opportunity to serve at Family Retreat, and I hope it's only the beginning. If you'd like to learn more about serving as a Support Buddy in Trinity Kids or about our growing Special Needs Ministry, I'd love to chat with you. Feel free to connect with Spencer or me—we'd love to share more.