Joni and Friends Mississippi

Our Great Commission
By: Tracy Traylor

Thankfully, Jesus came and died for our sins to save us from the train wreck we have created. He also gave us the Great Commission. He wants us to tell others about Him and help people. When we act like Jesus, people are curious, leaving you with a chance to share the Gospel. Everyone loves a helping hand. When you see one in need, your help is greatly appreciated.

As the years go by, we do not need to get caught up with "things" that have no value. This new year, we need to be sure we have done what Jesus has asked of us which includes OUR GREAT COMMISSION.

Registration is live for the Magnolia Classic Dodgeball Tournament! Sign up your team by clicking the link in the comments.

🏫Hartfield Academy
📆 Saturday, February 3, 2024
⏰Children and intense: 8:30 am check in, games begin at 9:00 am
⏰High Intensity: 12:30 pm check in, games begin at 1:00 pm
💲120 for a team of 6 players
✨All proceeds support Joni and Friends Family Retreat
(to guarantee event t-shirt, registration must be submitted by January 18)

Player divisions:
🤾‍♂️Children (12 and under)
🤾‍♂️Intense (13 and up)
🤾‍♂️High Intensity (13 and up)

For more information, call our office at: (769) 243-8976.

Born to Die
By: Tracy Traylor

We are in the Holiday season. Christmas music is playing and decorations are up. People get into "Christmas cheer," and the holiday is about giving and receiving . We forget the true meaning of Christmas which was the birth of Jesus.

In fact, the birth of Jesus had to happen before His death and resurrection. Saying it bluntly, He was BORN TO DIE for our sins.

As Christians, we have so much to celebrate this season! It has been a joy to partner with local churches as they go out into the community and share the love of Christ in a tangible way.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Who is ready to play dodgeball for a good cause?
🏫Hartfield Academy
📆 Saturday, February 3, 2024
⏰Children and intense: 8:30 am check in, games begin at 9:00 am
⏰High Intensity: 12:30 pm check in, games begin at 1:00 pm
💲120 for a team of 6 players
✨All proceeds support Joni and Friends Family Retreat
(to guarantee event t-shirt, registration must be submitted by January 18)

Player divisions:
🤾‍♂️Children (12 and under)
🤾‍♂️Intense (13 and up)
🤾‍♂️High Intensity (13 and up)

For more information, call our office at: (769) 243-8976.

Are you looking for ways to serve your community? We have faithful volunteers that serve in various ways throughout the year! Join us to bring hands-on help and Gospel hope to people with disabilities.

If you would like to learn more about serving with our local office, email [email protected] for more information.

Gone, gone
By: Tracy Traylor

As a baby when Mom was feeding me and the plate was empty, she would always say, "Gone gone." As an adult, when I finish my meal or coffee in a kidding way, I sometimes say, "Gone, gone."

In today's world, some feel like everything is gone and we are sad and depressed, but Jesus does not want us to stay negative. He wants us to understand that God had to make our lives GONE GONE, so He could fill us up with Himself.

🎄The Christmas Delivery fun continues! 🎄We are overflowing with gratitude for our incredible volunteers who embody the true spirit of Christmas! Each one has gone above and beyond to serve those impacted by disability throughout Mississippi.

A special thanks to Kokoa Men's Service Club for showing the love of Christ through your heartfelt joy at each delivery. Your dedication and kindness shine as bright as the holiday lights. Thank you for making our Christmas deliveries extra special!

If you want to make an eternal impact for people living with disabilities, come serve with us! Contact our office [email protected] for more information.

Interrupted plans
By: Tracy Traylor

We make plans and look forward to them happening. Unfortunately, our plans change leaving us disappointed.

The number one problem is leaving Jesus out of our plans. Since we cannot do anything in our own strength, we need His help! The reason why we have INTERRUPTED PLANS is because Jesus wants them to lead us back to Him.

We loved visiting our friends at The Mustard Seed today! Celebrating Christmas with our friends in the community and our volunteers is a blessing.

But Take Heart
By: Tracy Traylor

John 16:33 "In this world you will have tribulation but take heart, I have overcome the world."

We have difficult times that drive us batty! I'm there because having this "middle-lobe syndrome" in my lungs is so frustrating! There is no cure; however, I have done everything to help it. I wear a vest vibrating my lungs, and that makes me feel worn out when I am through with it. Every morning, I am so disappointed when I still have my problem. Many can join me in my disappointment. We have bad times. Jesus tells us in His Word BUT TAKE HEART, I have overcome the world. Since Jesus has overcome the world, He can surely handle our problems.

We were so excited to kick-off Christmas Deliveries today. It is always a joy to celebrate the birth of our savior with our local group homes, families impacted by disabilities and churches. Shout out to Kokoa Men's Service Club for leading the way in singing Christmas carols and serving with joy!

We are so grateful we got to promote the Magnolia Classic Dodgeball Tournament at Hartfield Academy! They are such wonderful hosts to us and we want to see you all on the courts on Saturday, February 3. Start forming your teams of six players, registration will open soon!
It is a joy to be able to provide scholarships for our families impacted by disabilities through the tournament each year.

We are grateful for Mississippi College inviting us to be a part of the Philanthropy Market for students to learn about volunteer opportunities in the community. We served alongside KOKOA Men's Service Club and love seeing how they strive to honor Christ in all that they do!

If you would like to learn more about volunteering with Joni and Friends Mississippi, give us a call at 769-243-8976.

A Dear Moment
By: Tracy Traylor

One afternoon I saw three deer in our backyard chasing each other and kicking up their back legs.. Then, they leaped over the fence into the pasture. Any time I see a leaping deer, I like to think the Lord is reminding me that one day I'll be leaping into my Savior's arms!

Joni Eareckson Tada is a quadriplegic, she is a Christian speaker, author, and an artist. She holds the paint brush in her mouth to do her artwork. She has a world-wide ministry to the disabled called Joni and friends. She and I shared a "leaping deer" ministry. Mom and I would send her leaping deer necklaces with the verse from Isaiah 35:6: "Then the lame will leap like a deer." She gives them to people needing encouragement. The other day, I needed something positive and then saw the deer. A deer moment turned into a DEAR MOMENT.

The Barnyard Dance was a blast! It was a blessing to reconnect with friends and meet new ones. Thank you to all the sponsors and volunteers that made it possible.

Jesus is the cure
By: Tracy Traylor

I went to the doctor hoping to cure my chronic congestion. I was told that I have "middle lobe syndrome" of the lungs. I expected a cure but there is not one. Instead, I was given a lot of breathing exercises that would help. When I got home, I did my exercises, and my congestion became better. I want to give Jesus the credit. He gave me the determination to do my exercises. It was not "me", it was Him!

We have sin syndrome. Thankfully, there is a cure. We cannot take the credit for making ourselves better; JESUS IS THE CURE.

We are so grateful for the many ways the Lord provided for the third annual Barnyard Bash! Thank you to all the families that came out and had fun with us.

Thank you Longview Heights Baptist Church, Hope Community Church, Compel Church Olive Branch, Brown Missionary Baptist Church, Northpoint Christian School, The Arc Northwest Mississippi, Olive Branch Florist, Olive Branch Police Department, Desoto County Sheriff Department, Desoto County Search and Rescue, Haggard Farms, Niagara Bottled Water, Michael Hatcher & Associates, Inc., Nursing School Northwest, Domino's Pizza, Party Towne Photo Booth, Christy Pursley and everyone that made the horse riding and petting possible! We appreciate you all for giving of your time and resources to make this event possible!

We loved meeting new families, eating Penn's and dancing to Full Circle Party Band! We want to see you all again next year at Kimberlin Farms, it will be like family reunion.

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His Way
By: Tracy Traylor

Things in this life force us to make a turning point as we travel the "road" of life. Things pile up making us feel confused and overwhelmed.

Jesus gives a simple solution. Instead of continuing in destruction, we can turn HIS WAY as we turn HIS WAY as we make it to our destination which is heaven.

Join us this Saturday for an afternoon of fun, food, and fellowship in Lena, MS for the Barnyard Dance.

📅 Date: Saturday, October 21
🕒 Time: 3:00 - 7:00 pm
📍 Location: 1141 Midway Road, Lena, MS 39094
💲Cost: Free
✨Families do not need to pre-register

There's something for everyone:
🍔 Delicious food
🎯 Games
🚜 Hayrides
🐴 Horses
💃 Dancing and more!

It's going to be a day full of smiles and joy. See you there!

We invite all individuals and families touched by disability to come out this Saturday for an afternoon of fun, food, and fellowship in Lena, MS for the Barnyard Dance. Rain or shine, we will be there and hope to see you too!

📅 Date: Saturday, October 21
🕒 Time: 3:00 - 7:00 pm
📍 Location: 1141 Midway Road, Lena, MS 39094
💲Cost: Free
✨Families do not need to pre-register

There's something for everyone:
🍔 Delicious food
🎯 Games
🚜 Hayrides
🐴 Horses
💃 Dancing and more!

It's going to be a day full of smiles and joy. See you there!

The Barnyard Bash was a blast! Thank you to all the families that joined us.
We appreciate all the volunteers and churches that made this event possible. We are so grateful the Lord allowed us to have beautiful weather and sweet fellowship together.

Join us for an afternoon of fun, food, and fellowship at Kimberlin Farms in Olive Branch for the Barnyard Bash. Rain or shine, we will be there and hope to see you too!

📅 Date: Saturday, October 14
🕒 Time: 3:00 - 7:00 pm
📍 Location: Kimberlin Farms, 8650 Center Hill Road, Olive Branch, MS 38654
💲Cost: Free
✨Families do not need to pre-register

There's something for everyone:
🍔 Delicious food
🎯 Games
🚜 Hayrides
🐴 Horses
💃 Dancing and more!

It's going to be a day full of smiles and joy. See you there!

We invite all individuals and families touched by disability to come out next Saturday for an afternoon of fun, food, and fellowship in Lena, MS for the Barnyard Dance. Rain or shine, we will be there and hope to see you too!

📅 Date: Saturday, October 21
🕒 Time: 3:00 - 7:00 pm
📍 Location: 1141 Midway Road, Lena, MS 39094
💲Cost: Free
✨Families do not need to pre-register

There's something for everyone:
🍔 Delicious food
🎯 Games
🚜 Hayrides
🐴 Horses
💃 Dancing and more!

It's going to be a day full of smiles and joy. See you there!

We invite all individuals and families touched by disability to come on out this Saturday for an afternoon of fun, food, and fellowship at Kimberlin Farms in Olive Branch for the Barnyard Bash. Rain or shine, we will be there and hope to see you too!

📅 Date: Saturday, October 14
🕒 Time: 3:00 - 7:00 pm
📍 Location: Kimberlin Farms, 8650 Center Hill Road, Olive Branch, MS 38654
💲Cost: Free
✨Families do not need to pre-register

There's something for everyone:
🍔 Delicious food
🎯 Games
🚜 Hayrides
🐴 Horses
💃 Dancing and more!

It's going to be a day full of smiles and joy. See you there!

Wheels for the World provides life-changing mobility and the hope of the Gospel to people impacted by disability worldwide. You can be a part of this by volunteering with us in our JAF MS office!

It was encouraging to see the next generation serving! Thank you Civitans, Kokoa Men's Service Club, Hartfield Academy, and Madison Central for making this wheelchair loading day a success.

We are looking for more volunteers to join our Chair Corps team in MS. If you are interested, please contact [email protected].

Check the link in the comments to learn more about Wheels for the World. 👩‍🦽👨‍🦼

Down and Disappointed
By: Tracy Traylor

Recently, I had a procedure at the hospital. As I was wheeled into the surgery room, I was calm joking with the nurses. I thought when I was put to sleep, I would wake up in Jesus' Arms, but that is not how the story went. When I woke, I was surrounded by nurses and my parents.

We have times in our lives when we are DOWN AND DISAPPOINTED as we try to plan our lives and it does not go as we wanted. Instead of leaving us with a negative attitude, Jesus gives us a positive thought as we begin to think "He is with me and in me" therefore, what have I got to lose?

It was a joy to be at Redeemer Presbyterian Church! We love seeing churches embracing families impacted by disabilities. Shout out to their disability ministry, Redeemer Engaging Disability, for loving their families so well.

Join us for our Barnyard Dance on October 21 from 3:00-7:00pm in Lena, MS! You won't want to miss this free, fun event.

Volunteers register here: https://joniandfriends.org/event/mississippi-barnyard-dance/