Boosting My Average

“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Jim Rohn

This past week Isabella and I were able to spend her fall break volunteering at a family retreat camp held locally. It was something I had never even heard of - a family camp for missionary families affected by disabilities.

I guess I had always thought that having a child with extra needs would prevent you from serving in ministry - at least on an international level. There’s already so many challenges that come with each. Surely you couldn’t do both. This week I found out how wrong I was.

The opportunity to volunteer with Stronger Together showed up on Isabella’s school Facebook page, and she was excited to sign up. I agreed to come along to help out and provide some specialized medical care since the camp nurse had to cancel because her home was affected by our recent historic floods.

We arrived early Monday morning with the other volunteers - many of whom had participated in previous camps. There was a team from the US with the co-sponsors, Joni & Friends who came to help with the programming (I knew Joni’s story from the movie, Joni, that I went to with my class in 1979 at 10 years old! - check them out too). We started with some training to help us interact with people with disabilities. I have been around many people with differing disabilities but was introduced to several concepts that I’d not thought of including how some families are even rejected from sending organizations because of their child’s disability.

Welcome signs were made and then the volunteers were given information sheets on their campers. In the early afternoon as the families arrived each was welcomed with soft, medium, or loud shouts depending on what they would best enjoy based on their child’s reactions.

Where most of us assume everyone enjoys the loud clapping, the cute decorated headphones on several children suggested otherwise.

The volunteers met their camper each morning at 8 am for breakfast & stayed with them one on one (except for a 2 hour break) until 8 pm. It allowed the parents some much needed respite. It provided a safe space for the kids to just play - choosing to be a part of the programming or not. And it also provided the “typical” siblings with some time to do what they wanted. I loved watching Isabella and the other teen volunteers serve - sometimes out of their comfort zones.

Each day started with devotions followed by a full schedule of activities for different aged kids as well as for the parents to help encourage and empower them in their ministry work and personal life. Evening activities included a dance party, movie night, minute to win it games, and the favorite - talent show! There was even a date night for the parents - many of whom never get the opportunity once they have a child that requires specialized care. Each evening the volunteers debriefed to share their own challenges and wins.

At each meal I tried to sit with different parents and some of the volunteers who had served previously. I wanted to hear their stories to better understand what those challenges had been like. But mostly I wanted to see where God had shown up to walk alongside them - sometimes when others didn’t. It gave me a peak inside a world I didn’t even know existed before now. I met some who had audibly heard God’s voice telling them where and how to serve. Others kept taking one step at a time as they felt led. They are all involved with different ministries but share the common goal of spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth.

Some went into ministry before having a child with disabilities; others found themselves having to pivot into their new routines. Whether the child was adopted or biologic, physical or developmental disability - each was welcomed into their family with loving arms. I developed so much respect for these families over the week.

God weaves people with disabilities all through the Bible and His message is clear - we are to help them through service and advocacy. What a gift to witness this in person.

Being around this group for the week definitely boosted my average - now I want to strive to keep it up by looking for the opportunities that God puts in our paths everyday.

How’s your average?

Jeanne