Special Needs, Special Calling

Bonnie and her husband had been on the field for five years, and they were expecting their second child. When prenatal testing revealed her daughter would be born with Down syndrome, Bonnie’s theology was shaken. After all, she and her family had given their lives to missions. Why did this feel like a death sentence for their calling? Listen in to find out how God used their daughter’s diagnosis to transform their lives and ministry in Southeast Asia.

** BONUS Content ** Bonnie shares a story of how her experience as a mother of special needs children prepared her for an encounter with a local woman and built a bridge of understanding between them.

Bonnie wrote a chapter in the book Disability in Mission: The Church’s Hidden Treasure, a book that explores how God uses weakness to accomplish great things in His kingdom.

Check out Enabled, a Pioneers ministry that serves disabled people in South Asia. You can find out more about that team and even give to support ministry that seamlessly integrates gospel proclamation with meeting physical needs.

Also, we want to give a shout-out to Joni and Friends, an amazing ministry led by Joni Erickson Tada that brings practical help and gospel hope to people with disabilities around the world. Bonnie wrote an article on the story of how their daughter Anna was able to get a visa in their host country once she turned 18.

The book Bonnie recommends in this episode is In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership, by Henri Nouwen.

Ready to take the next step, but not sure what it looks like? Schedule a call with our team at Pioneers.org/Start or chat today.

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