ESSAYS | CFOT AND AUTISM
Tue, Jan 26, 2010
It is hard to believe that it has been almost two years since I made the decision to respond to God’s call on my life to become a Salvation Army Officer. And if you’ve read my bio on this website you’ll know that one of the greatest challenges I faced in making that decision was the changes that it meant for my then nine year old son Josh who suffers from autism.
Well today, I’m happy to report that the journey of training college has been nothing but a positive and rewarding experience for both Josh and I. God has continually amazed me by the ways in which He has provided for our every need since arriving in Winnipeg by putting people and resources in our path. As a result my faith has been strengthened by the knowledge that, in the words of one of my favourite choruses, He is able to do so much more than I could ever dream.
In particular, community living has turned out to be an excellent opportunity for Josh’s social skills to be developed as he has made real friends for the first time in his life with many of the cadet children with whom he spends significant time with. Josh has also gone from barely grunting at my fellow cadets when they greeted him in September 2008 to actually initiating conversations with many of them on a daily basis. I firmly believe that this unique environment has allowed development that may never have happened for Josh otherwise and I am so blessed that God’s hand has been at work even in his life as I followed God’s plan for our life.
Eighteen months ago I wrote that I was pleased to have arrived at the part of my life’s journey where I would get to spend a two year layover at CFOT filling my mind and heart with knowledge of God’s word. And here I am now, nearing the end of this part of the journey, Josh is now 11 years old and I am again looking forward to what God has in store for both of us in 2010.
So today, I quote again the same verse that I carried with me to CFOT – Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6) God has indeed, once again, proved Himself worthy of my trust since my son and I began what I thought would be a difficult transition. As it turns out, every change has brought blessing rather than challenge and I have no doubt that God will continue to go ahead of us as we look forward to finding out where the next phase of the journey will take us when I begin full-time ministry in six short months.
May God richly bless each of you in 2010.
Cadet Kristen Gray
Tags: CFOT-People, Field-Reports, Prayer-Warriors
January 26th, 2010 at 8:56 am
Praise the LORD!!! Keep your eyes on our lovely LORD and you and Josh will do wonderful things for the KINGDOM!!!!
I have boys with special needs, including two who are autistic and although there have been some serious challenges God is always faithful. My daughter (the youngest) has good training for becoming a teacher. She is the one who encouraged my one boy to start talking while we were in training college ten years ago even though she was just learning to talk herself. All four of our children have been involved in ministry mostly through music. God uses “the foolish things to confound the wise.”
He has a special plan for you and Josh.
BLESS YOU AS YOU FINISH THE LAST LEG OF YOUR TRAINING.
THANK you for sharing your testimony!!
Darlene
January 26th, 2010 at 10:15 am
God bless you and Josh! Enjoy your final days!
January 26th, 2010 at 10:26 am
Praise God is right!!!
This is sooo inspiring. I pray that others who are contemplating Officership, that may have the same hesitations as Cadet Kristen did, would be encouraged and know that the Lord is near. Just keep listening and “God will make a way…”
Be blessed!
January 26th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Hey Kris, I’m so excited to hear how Josh has excelled here!!! I’m excited to see where God takes you both in the coming future! God bless you and Josh, love ya guys! =)
January 26th, 2010 at 9:06 pm
I know that God will hold you both close and that His plans for you both will be wonderful! So excited to see where you will be serving Him! Blessing to both you and Josh! We all miss you tons!
January 27th, 2010 at 6:31 am
Very heart warming….God has called you and Josh, you answered and He is equipping the both of you for your own unique ministry. Josh will be a major part of that ministry. May God continue to Bless you both in these days.
Sincerely
Tony
January 28th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
So glad to hear this testimony! Thank you for sharing what God has done and IS doing. Let’s pray you are sent to Canada’s best kept secret
You know where I mean. 
January 28th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
Kristen…the Lord’s Hand has been upon you from a young age. You were an insipration to us at Cedarbrae and you are still an inspiration. Officership is very demanding and very rewarding as well and I know God is using you through your journey and you will continue to reach out and touch people for God. Blessings upon you and Josh! He’s a wonderful kid and I witnessed the community you guys are so blessed with. See you at commissioning! Love you!
January 30th, 2010 at 8:10 pm
Kristen,
I just want to say you are an inspiration! I know God has a wonderful plan for you and Josh. It is good to see the improvements in his life. God is with you each step of the way and I will continue to keep you both in my prayers as you head off to your first appointment in June. Keep writing, you always bless my heart and I’m sure others too.
Blessings,
Tonia
(Ambassador of Holiness)
January 31st, 2010 at 7:07 pm
After reading your comments, I too feel encouraged that God will give me strength to do what is right for my child. We are struggling right now and are somewhat discouraged but believe that God placed our son in our lives to make us better people and to give us hope in humanity. If all we can teach him is that God loves him then that is all that matters.