An Anchor for the Soul

Jorge’s* daughter has cerebral palsy, which affects her ability to move and care for herself. She is nonverbal and depends on her family for help with everything—moving, eating, washing up.

“Disability brings many unique needs for families, including unique needs for rest and respite, spiritual care, and a loving community.,” said Vinnie Adams, a Resonate Global Mission missionary who works with Tesoros de Dios.

Navigating daily life is challenging for many people with disabilities. In Nicaragua, it can be even more challenging with limited transportation, accessibility, and resources. Tesoros de Dios is one of your Resonate ministry partners that serves individuals with disabilities and their families. The ministry recently partnered with Joni and Friends to host a retreat, free of cost, for families affected by disability.

The purpose of the retreat was to support and encourage families, to give them space for rest, and to remind them of the hope they have in Christ. God especially had that last part in mind for Jorge.

An Invitation for Rest

The staff invited Jorge and his wife, Maria, and their family. But five days before the retreat, Maria called. Jorge couldn’t come. He needed to work.

It’s pretty common in Nicaragua for one or both of the parents to spend a lot of time working. So while the staff was disappointed, they weren’t surprised. They asked if there was anything they could do to make it possible for Jorge to make it to the retreat, but Maria said it was unlikely. She and her children would come alone.

But on the day of the retreat, Jorge showed up.

“I don’t think anyone really knew … the spiritual situation of the family. We were just glad he was there,” said Vinnie.

Discovering the Hope of Christ

Tesoros de Dios is a Christian ministry, but not everyone the ministry serves is necessarily a  Christian. While Maria was a Christian, Jorge was not. 

“When he came in, he was incredibly reserved. Not much emotion exuding from his face,” said Vinnie.

But as the retreat’s activities unfolded, that quickly changed.

“If you just walked into the retreat, you would experience an overwhelming spirit of joy that people had,” said Vinnie. 

The retreat was full of activities for both children and adults. The families worshiped together, ate meals together, and played games together. Jorge was ministered to and cared for by the volunteers. As he connected with other families, he started smiling and laughing.

At one point, everyone split into small groups. As the pastor spoke about God providing hope and an anchor for the soul, he asked if there was anyone who had not yet placed their trust in the Lord—but wanted to.

Jorge raised his hand.

Ministry Beyond the Retreat

The pastor prayed with Jorge as he chose to give his life to Christ. And over the next couple of days of the retreat, volunteers and new friends continued to encourage him. Vinnie and other Tesoros de Dios staff members are working to connect Jorge and his family with a church community that’s accessible for his daughter.

Thank you for your support of missionaries and ministries through Resonate! You helped make it possible for Jorge to experience the hope of Christ.

Will you please pray for Jorge and his family—and all the other families who participated in this retreat?

“Please pray that God would continue ministering to these families that had this unique experience. We know what a retreat experience can do—it can be that mountaintop experience but eventually it’s just a nice memory,” said Vinnie. “Pray that the Holy Spirit, Tesoros, and the local church could continue to minister to these families well.”

Vinnie and Tesoros de Dios staff are committed to walking alongside Jorge and his family as they grow in their relationship with Christ and navigate daily life with a disability. And your support helps make that possible!

*Name has been changed