A Family Day Out In Jordan

Every parent knows that parenting is a full-time job. For parents of children with disabilities, the load is even heavier, and they seldom get to spend time with people who understand just how much they carry. And in the Middle East, opportunities for these families to get support are very limited, and enduring social stigma often means disabled children and their families live very isolated lives.

We are working with local believers who are passionate about reaching these vulnerable families with the love of Christ. In April, working through our partner, Inclusive Jordan, we hosted a Family Day Out for 20 children with severe disabilities and their families. Every child was matched one-on-one with a volunteer who assisted them throughout the whole day. This meant that all of the parents could have much-needed time to just breathe.

While their kids were playing games, doing crafts, and being cared for by volunteers from local churches, the parents gathered together for a mutual support session. The hosts built in time for parents to share, and their responses were raw and powerful. One father said, “I feel like I have been recharged with new energy.”

At the same time, across the field, something else was happening. Kids who are often hard to engage were laughing, participating, and fully included. Spaces like this just don’t exist in their day-to-day lives.

It’s hard to overstate what that kind of day means.

Most of these families come from Muslim backgrounds. Efforts like this meet them where they are and show them the embodied love of Christ.

And the work keeps moving forward.

Also in April, we helped Inclusive Jordan launch a sign language class in partnership with Jordan’s Department of Social Development. The first course is being offered to staff of institutions that serve people with disabilities to help them better serve the deaf community. Further courses are already being planned for church volunteers from several denominations.

The impact of these initiatives cannot be overstated.

It’s an exhausted parent getting a moment to rest.

It’s a child being included instead of overlooked.

It's young Christian volunteers catching a passion for reaching their neighbors.

It’s leaders learning how to communicate with people they couldn’t connect with before.

It's an isolated Muslim family experiencing the warm welcome of a Christian church community for the first time ever.

This is what happens when followers of Jesus walk in His steps. This is what it looks like when believers live out the love that they proclaim.