We just enjoyed an incredible week at Joni and Friends Family Camp at the beautiful Calvary Chapel Conference Center in Murrieta Hot Springs (July 20-24). I had the privilege of leading worship for the families. It has been some of the most encouraging, powerful, delightful experiences of my life, being at these camps. The families (all having at least one handicapped member, siblings invited) are blessed with great teaching, workshops, fun activities and a special "helper" (STM--for "short term missionary") who assists them with the handicapped member all week. The joy in their worship is beyond compare, their confidence and hope in Jesus is real and profound, and the unhindered, unconditional love shown by all at this camp is truly a slice of heaven. Joni Earekson Tada (the founder of Joni and Friends) and her amazing husband, Ken, were at the camp all week. Last year they were not able to make it as Joni was battling breast cancer (What?!), which she took on as one more opportunity to bring glory to God.
Joni has been my hero since I read her biography when I was 16. She became a quadreplegic at the age of 19 due to a diving accident and has, through Christ, literally changed the world and blessed millions of people through her disability. To see her in action at this camp only deepened my love and admiration for this hero of the faith and her amazing husband. She is tireless...ministering and teaching to each group at the camp, posing for hundreds of photos, signing books (with a pen in her teeth), praying with people, enjoying all of the social functions. She is physically radiant and just full of the joy of the Lord, which comes from a deep faith and trust in Christ, and the study of God's Word. Above is a photo I will always cherish.
Check out a couple more clips shot from my little camera from the camp:
http:www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqXsGs4gg14 This one shows our friend Keith singing to my parents, Lynn and Rita Montjoy, who came to visit one evening.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wivb_2T7XVI This little clip shows Joni posing for photos with the singles ministry up there.
I've posted many more photos from the week on my Facebook Music (Jana Alayra Music) page. Please visit there and enjoy! And you just might want to check out www.joniandfriends.org as well!
It was such a blast leading these kids in praise and worship. In no time, they were on the stage helping me!
Below: Singing our theme song, "Free to Fly"; and little Nicholas bringing down the house belting out "He is God!"
