This summer at Joni and Friends family retreat, a time that is specifically for families who have a member with a disability, I had the opportunity to connect with one of PazNaz’s special needs moms. We enjoyed a very nice, relaxing evening talking and connecting while my amazing husband, Jeff, spent time with our son and Nathalie’s boys. The boys enjoyed splashing in the pool and Nathalie and I enjoyed some mom time together.
During this precious time, Nathalie shared some of her journey since her family came to PazNaz. I treasured this time as there is not always an opportunity to just sit and talk and hear stories. Since that time, I am making it more of a priority to listen and hear what God is doing and how he is transforming the lives of families who deal with special needs on a daily basis. I was so moved by how God has worked in her life and the life of her sons that I wanted to share it with you. This is truly a picture of what happens when the people of God step up and live out mission in their world.
My name is Nathalie Abdoyan. I am a single mother of two handsome, beautiful boys; Serge (12) and Andre (9). I came across PazNaz during Vacation Bible School (VBS) in 2014. On the first day of VBS, Serge had challenges since he is on the high functioning autism spectrum. I was fearful that the people at PazNaz would not accept Serge like many other churches had done before. But that wasn’t what happened. I was amazed at the love, care, and support that Serge and I received from the PazNaz community.
At PazNaz’s VBS, I met a beautiful lady by the name of Judy who offered to help me with a situation I was going through at the time. I said to myself, “She just met me and knows so little about me, but offered me moral support and made me feel loved and welcomed.” Life was hard for me at that time and the challenges were very scary, but I always felt God was with me. He was the one who directed me to PazNaz where I would feel that I was not alone. There would be love for me and my family.
Serge started to attend the Special Needs Ministries classes every Sunday while Andre attended PazNaz Kids, and I went to church. Every time I picked them up from their classes they both would start to share what they had learned about Jesus that week. Even today they still are eager to share the lesson of the day.
After attending PazNaz for a while, Serge had a situation at school. He wanted to buy a gift for a child who had been bullying him. When I asked him why he wanted to buy a gift to give to a kid who hurts him, his answer was, “Jesus came for everyone even for the bad ones, mommy. So I want to tell him I love him even if he hurt me.” This situation brought tears of happiness to my eyes, because I saw the seed, God’s Word, he was receiving from Sunday School was building him up and bringing him closer to our Lord.
PazNaz gave me and my family the opportunity for the last three years to attend the Joni and Friends Family Retreat. I couldn’t have done this without PazNaz. I am forever thankful to this community for caring to send us to this family retreat. This retreat is an opportunity for the families to get closer to each other and receive unconditional love for our special needs children. Every time we come back from this retreat we have so much spiritual hope and desire to help everyone around us. It has become a tradition for our family, and we want to continue going every year.
I want to thank the PazNaz community as you have lived out mission in the life of Nathalie and her boys, as well as so many others. Sometimes the smallest things have the greatest impact.
PazNaz’s Special Needs Ministries gave Serge love and welcoming support in a safe environment. Every single person who serves in this ministry has gone beyond my expectation in their care and support. I could feel the love of God in their heart. Thank you to all those people who gave Serge love unconditionally. I was and still am blessed by Pastor Julie Keith, our Special Needs pastor. From the day I met her she never judged me, but received me with love. I love you Pastor Julie and thank you!
About a year ago Serge asked me to be part of PazNaz Kids which is the ministry for Elementary School children. Since he had shown improvements, Serge made the transition to PazNaz Kids with the help and support of the ministry team. Recently, he showed a desire to move to the Middle School class and is now going to their Sunday School class and worship service.
Life is full of challenges, but being around people who put God first, like those in the PazNaz community, makes those challenges seem less scary. I trusted God during my darkest days and will continue to trust him for the rest of my life. Now that I look back, I praise God for the challenges in my life. They helped mold me and to understand situations that I couldn’t understand before. They have made me get closer to God. I know he loves me and everyone no matter where we come from. His plans are bigger than my plans or anyone else’s.
I want to thank the PazNaz community as you have lived out mission in the life of Nathalie and her boys, as well as so many others. Sometimes the smallest things have the greatest impact. Thank you to all who have reached out to them. Thank you for your generosity by supporting the Love Walk and Roll which made it possible for PazNaz to send Nathalie and her boys to this amazing family retreat for the past three years. Each year your contributions have helped to send families like Nathalie’s so they experience a place that is truly not to be found anywhere else. I trust that you have been blessed by Nathalie’s story as much as I have.
– Pastor Julie Keith
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