ELLINWOOD — “Stay Together”  is the theme for this years conference/summer camp for families of children with disabilities in Romania on Aug. 21-24 offered by Star of Hope
Most of the families who have children with disabilities are isolated, and experience some degree of discrimination in the Romanian society. It is considered a shame to have a child with a disability (mental retardation, autism, cerebral palsy, etc.)
During the conference, the parents will have the opportunity to go for a short holiday, be together as mother, father and child and meet other families who are in the same situation. They will see that they are not alone in this world.
There will be an opportunity to present the Gospel in a way the people have not heard before and be the recipients of spiritual guidance. Most of these Orthodox people have not visited an evangelical church before.
A family will be traveling to the Romania conference this coming August as a Star Team to minister and be a witness to what God can do.
Debbie, a pediatric nutritionist, and Scott, physical therapist, go first and foremost as parents of Chase, a handicapped child. Of course their distinctive professions gives them extra words, thoughts and advice to share but they go as parents with tender hearts that will be able to empathize with the Romanian parents and be able to share their faith in and love for Jesus that sustains them on a daily basis. Scott will be an enigma to the Romanian fathers when they hear how he involves himself in Chase’s life, something they are not accustomed to doing in their culture.
Then there is Chase. A disease has captured his body but not his mind nor his spirit. His faith is active and evident in his life on a daily basis. His hands have gnarled so that he can no longer ‘sign’ but that does not stop him. He uses his elbow to type messages on an iPad. He is anxious to share his testimony with the Romanian people at the conference. He is a walking testimony.
Star of Hope is accepting donations.