The year 2007 marks not
only the 50th anniversary of Reba Place but also the 25th
anniversary of the Sonshine Group. "The
main purpose of this ministry is to provide a point of outreach and a place of
welcome and acceptance at Reba Place for people with mental disabilities"
explains Char Oda, the co-leader of the Sonshine Group. "Sonshine Group gives folks a sense of
belonging, a place where they can experience God's love, and a friendly social
event that they can count on regularly."
Char sees the Sonshine
Group as "part of the ministry of Jesus described in Luke 4:18: to heal the
broken-hearted, to set the captives free, to make the lame to walk again, and
to call the blind to see. Many of the
Sonshine Group people have felt rejected by society and by family members; many
were placed in inhospitable institutions in their youth."
For this reason, the
Sonshine Group ministry focuses on hospitality and creating a welcoming open
place. "We have dinners on the first
and third Fridays of each month, followed by clean-up with everyone helping as
they are able, and a time of sharing and prayer or other activity to close the
evening." Members of Reba Place bring
stories to read and Sonshine Group members are invited to contribute as
well. "Jack, Ron and Robert get up and
sing at almost every dinner. Each event
feels like a success because there is laughter and loving and the
broken-hearted are blessed and healed."
Char goes on to describe
how the Sonshine Group has ministered to not only those with diagnosed
mental disabilities but to those of us in the Reba Place community as well.
"Sonshine Group also ministers to me, although I'm not visibly
disabled. I would not naturally choose
to spend time with people with mental disabilities, but God has opened my eyes
and heart to see how much He loves each person, including me. God wants me to love others, especially those
who have the challenge of a mental disability and have been marginalized. The people with mental disabilities teach me
about acceptance, faithfulness, friendship, simplicity, generosity of spirit,
wonder and sincerity." Char feels
especially blessed when members of the Sonshine Group express their joy to
God. "I am blessed when Kathleen shouts
out on Sunday morning, ‘I love Jesus.'
I know God has blessed us and His Kingdom is coming."
Quotes taken from 2001
Sonshine Group Ministry Report to the Reba Place Church Council, written by
Charlotte Oda. Edited by Aaron Scott.
