There’s a verse in Luke that says when you throw a party don’t invite the people who can invite you back and return the favor. But invite the cripple, the lame, the poor and those who can’t return your favor. Then your reward will be in heaven.
About 4 years ago, a girl from Providence, who has a sister with special needs, decided to start a prom for people in our city with special needs….people who didn’t ever have a chance to go to a prom of their own. One of the reasons I love my church is because the people here are some of the most selfless people I have ever meet.
The 11th grade students from Providence take on this project, but the event requires hundreds and hundreds of volunteers from our church to run smoothly. I think it takes 2 volunteers for every 1 guest….there were over 600 guests who attended last night.
They think of everything - from providing dresses and suites, donated by the people in our church, to offering make-overs, portraits, shoe shines, flowers, and food for the guests. The guests are welcomed by escorts and fans cheering for them as they make their way down a red carpet, then are paired with a “date” (host) who takes care of them for the evening. The highlight of the night is the dance - the chairs are cleared out of the worship center to make a dance floor, a disco ball is hung up, and they dance the night away.
Danielle, Bennett and I went for a while last night - it’s definitely one of our favorite events of the year.
Melody Milbrandt
April 27th, 2008 at 7:34 pmDaniel - It’s funny how God changes us. Things come into our lives that, at first glance (and maybe even second) seem a bitter pill to swallow. Then, the Spirit moves, time passes, and if we look through Christ’s eyes we see the hand of God transform those same things into blessings. Where once was searing pain, now lies sweet purpose.
That is what God sent me today with this “Joy Prom 08″ story. What a precious gift! I am lifted up.
This post whispered promise to me - God’s perfect plan. I am a young divorced mom to four kiddos. Two boys and two girls. Both my boys have autism. They are small still (only 4 and 6) and have made so much progress through all of their continued therapies and the grace of God. I know God is already shaping awesome lovers of Jesus for every area of their lives - of all our lives. I hold the Lord’s promises close to my heart and claim His Word over them in faith every day… But I have to say, sometimes it is wonderful to have some other encouragement.
In Christ - Melody
“The parched ground shall become a pool…”
Isaiah 35:7
Luke Mundy
May 6th, 2008 at 9:35 amWow! I love it! I worked at Joni and Friends for awhile and Luke 14 was the central passage God used to open my eyes to special needs ministry. Nothing is quite as beautiful as watching His (entire) Body in action! Glad to hear about such intentional efforts to show love!