99 Balloons: A disability ministry organization worth knowing
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I knew about Matt and Ginny and Eliot before I became involved in special needs ministry. When I found out I was pregnant with my first child in May of 2006, I started reading more and more blogs. In doing so, I stumbled across a blog by these two parents, whose names never stuck in my mind back then, about their son, whose name I wouldn't forget: Eliot. He was born six months and nine days before my daughter, Jocelyn, yet he died before she was born. I prayed many prayers over their sweet family (and, to be honest, cried many hormonal tears!) as their son was born, lived his sweet but short life, and died - all during my pregnancy with Jocelyn.
I could tell his story, but this video does a better job. (Just a tip: Get yourself some tissues first.)
As I watch Jocelyn grow here on earth, Eliot grows as well - not in human form, but in legacy. God, through Eliot, taught Matt and Ginny much, including how many ways churches can show love to families with special needs. Out of their desire to honor both God and Eliot, 99 Balloons was founded.
About a month ago, Matt and I chatted via phone. We were both encouraged by it, probably me more so than Matt. During that call, I learned more about what they do. And, let me tell you, I love it.
One focus of theirs is church-based respite care in the United States. They call the events rEcess, with the E for Eliot. If you've been around this blog much, you know that's a passion of mine as well. I've blogged about our church's respite care programs before, and my friends at Key Ministry, Snappin' Ministries, and Nathaniel's Hope are deeply invested in the church-based respite care movement as well.
Their other focus is on orphans with special needs outside of this country. The needs are great, with the greatest need being Christ. The conditions are heart-breaking, but all words to describe them fall short. To that end, 99 Balloons has partnered with TEAMworks to bring home and therapy training to both orphanages and parents with children with special needs. Right now, their efforts are largely in the Ukraine and Guatemala. Read more about it here.
I'll have more to share about 99 Balloons in the near future, but they deserve an introductory post first. Pray for 99 Balloons and for Matt & Ginny and their family, including Lena who is still living in an orphanage in the Ukraine but who will be joining them through adoption (hopefully soon!).
I could tell his story, but this video does a better job. (Just a tip: Get yourself some tissues first.)
As I watch Jocelyn grow here on earth, Eliot grows as well - not in human form, but in legacy. God, through Eliot, taught Matt and Ginny much, including how many ways churches can show love to families with special needs. Out of their desire to honor both God and Eliot, 99 Balloons was founded.
About a month ago, Matt and I chatted via phone. We were both encouraged by it, probably me more so than Matt. During that call, I learned more about what they do. And, let me tell you, I love it.
One focus of theirs is church-based respite care in the United States. They call the events rEcess, with the E for Eliot. If you've been around this blog much, you know that's a passion of mine as well. I've blogged about our church's respite care programs before, and my friends at Key Ministry, Snappin' Ministries, and Nathaniel's Hope are deeply invested in the church-based respite care movement as well.
Their other focus is on orphans with special needs outside of this country. The needs are great, with the greatest need being Christ. The conditions are heart-breaking, but all words to describe them fall short. To that end, 99 Balloons has partnered with TEAMworks to bring home and therapy training to both orphanages and parents with children with special needs. Right now, their efforts are largely in the Ukraine and Guatemala. Read more about it here.
I'll have more to share about 99 Balloons in the near future, but they deserve an introductory post first. Pray for 99 Balloons and for Matt & Ginny and their family, including Lena who is still living in an orphanage in the Ukraine but who will be joining them through adoption (hopefully soon!).