Howdy y'all! My name is Abigail Keesler, I'm 22 years old, and I LOVE Jesus and special needs ministry! I have been so blessed serving with Joni and Friends for the past 3 years. This ministry has changed my life, and I?m so grateful to be stepping into not just one but TWO internships with them this summer! These internships will provide me with the opportunity to learn and be trained in various aspects of this ministry, both locally and globally. After serving in the mountains of NC at a local Family Retreat, I will have the opportunity to serve at an INTERNATIONAL Family Retreat. 

On June 15th, I will fly out to meet my team at the Joni and Friends corporate office in Agoura Hills, CA, where we will stay and be trained for a few days before flying to EL SALVADOR. ?? In El Salvador, we will serve/run an international family retreat, do some evening VBS activities, and visit an international Wheels for the World collection site. On the 30th of June, I'll return, and a few weeks later will start a virtual internship with the Joni and Friends NC office. This internship will provide me with training in both preparation and planning of retreats and other Joni and Friends events, while also helping me connect the services Joni and Friends provides to churches, so the impact made by retreats or getaways can be expanded to the other 51 weeks of the year through special needs ministries. I will finish this exciting summer of opportunity by returning to Bonclarken for the last 2 weeks of Joni and Friends North Carolina Family Retreat. Both of these internships require some funding, so any financial donation would be greatly appreciated! If you are not in a place to give, please be praying for me, my teams, the communities in El Salvador, and the families coming to Bonclarken. May this summer, these retreats be a blessing and bring glory to God! Thank you and have a blessed holiday season!??