Family Retreat

This year's Family Retreat was held from July 28-August 1. It  involved 30 families with children affected by disabilities plus a 15-member Joni and Friends team, our organization's staff and dozens of volunteers including doctors, therapists and special education teachers.

There was a carnival, talent show and countless games and activities for the kids.

It was a meaningful experience for all!

Wheelchair Distribution

We partnered with Wheels for the World (Joni & Friends) to distribute 100 wheelchairs at a primary school at the outskirts of a neighboring city. Aided by family members, all of the recipients came to us to receive the chair donated by Joni & Friends.

These two young adults with cerebral palsy were the initial reason we approached leaders in this area to distribute wheelchairs. 

Every year, the Wheels for the World team combines compassion and professional focus to offer the best to each recipient. It is quite an honor to be involved with this team.

Halfway through our distribution week, the school (where we distributed the wheelchairs) invited me to teach the 6th graders about charitable work and the concept of receiving and giving. The students were very, very attentive.

They gave me thank you notes the next day. The notes themselves were written in Chinese, but the students had a fairly good use of English.

During recess time, many students were eager to see us. For the far majority of students, we were the first people they had ever encountered who were not Chinese.

~ Kevin

Family Retreat Part II

It is always a privilege to partner with the Joni and Friends team. 

Dr. Zhang shared during our training. His daughter joined us this year as a volunteer. Dr. Zhang translated Joni's autobiography into simplified Chinese.

I'm always glad when my family can join me in our activities.

On Saturday, the kids enjoyed flying kites. It was a nice windy day.

The kids also enjoyed bubbles. Bubbles near and far!

And then there was water! Hudson did not enjoy being soaked, but most of the kids thought it was great fun!

Meanwhile, the parents were receiving training and encouragement. This is Melissa and Clemen's group. Dayna and Leah led the other group.

In the afternoon, we had another two guests share their stories (to my right). Their stories were powerful. All of the men who attended the dad group this afternoon were impacted. It was my favorite hour of the retreat.

Inside, the kids had lots of songs and crafts like a typical VBS setting.

More outside fun! This time with water guns.

Molly and Hudson loved their new best friend, Mary, who was one of the team leaders of the Joni and Friends team.

Saturday night was family swim night. One of the mother's cried as she expressed gratitude for her to be able to take her child swimming with friends.

And of course, my kids loved the swimming. Dayna repeatedly voiced, "This is so much fun!"

Here is one of my good friends. I gave him the English name of Jimmy. He would like for me to visit his home every day. I could only promise to come in a few weeks, but I'll do my best to see him when I can.

On Sunday night, the Joni and Friends drama team started the talent show with dramatic mime interpretation.

When it was the kids turn, they filled the stage with more energy and excitement than I can express with words.

They were ready with costumes and all.

Our musician friend continued to play Mozart-like pieces.

And of course, Molly and Hudson had a puppet show to perform. Many evenings in our home look like this. In this drama, they are acting out Joshua and the walls of Jericho.

One of the best parts of the retreat is the closing ceremony. This is what it looks like for a family to walk through the tunnel of volunteers and JAF team members. Words of encouragement and hope and love were spoken over the family as they traveled.

At the end of the tunnel, they were greeted either by Dayna and me or Steve and Melissa.

The family retreat is truly only the beginning. A few days after the retreat, this grandmother (on the far left) had to go to the hospital for cerebral infarction, a type of stroke. This family asked us to come and pray, which we were honored to do.

~ Kevin