Unforced Rhythms

Dear Parent,

We are ready, willing and able to assist you in your journey through the rippling waters that are Unforced Rhythms. We have seen the need to "create" a system by which other churches, organizations and families will be able to use in order to reach the growing special needs community. We have endured many years of depression that comes through living with a special needs child. We understand the despair, fear and hurt that is prevalent in the special needs community.

My wife and I were involved in a Son-Rise Program start-up training session in February 2007. During this week of training, we were taught how to specifically work with our autistic son, Caleb. We soon realized that the training we received could be adaptable to all special needs situations. We came home from this life experience to have hopelessness come crashing right back down on us again.

We weren't able to go to church because we didn't trust anyone to be with our son. We weren't able to leave the house because of the judgmental stares we received. Our typical children were loved and adored openly, while our "special" child would be ignored or ridiculed. We were forced to take drastic measures, so we moved to Wichita, KS, to be around our family.

Once back in our place of comfort, we soon realized that there was no help to be found for our Caleb; we stopped going to church again. People wanted to help. Nursery workers loved Caleb, and his innocent mind brought much joy to many faces, but we were living a nightmare. How many parents have to call their church every week just to make sure a nursery worker will be qualified and trusted to watch their child? We couldn't find anyone we trusted, until a close friend, Tim Satterfield, stepped in and volunteered his time for a solid two years of service.

Through Tim's willingness to serve and a growing sense of purpose, we soon found that God had been laying a path before us for many years. We were confronted with the reality that if we didn't do something, we would miss out on God's call for our lives. A little "push out of the boat" encounter occurred; we understood how we would reach the special needs community: We would need to train our churches, families, volunteers and pastors the UNFORCED RHYTHMS OF GRACE.

We want to serve you in your journey. Our mission is to reconnect hope to the special needs family. Learning the Unforced Rhythms of Grace is a process that we diligently strive to achieve. We know being forced to do something goes against the nature of God. We know there are many differing special needs and differing ways of reaching special needs children. So, we will reach these children and their families through the rhythms of true love and complete acceptance. Jesus said, "Let ALL the children come unto me!!" He said all, not only the typical, but the "special" children as well. Join our journey today. God Bless.

Most sincerely,

Jerod & Lindsey Yancey
unforc3drhythms@yahoo.com