A few weeks ago, eight families from our AWANA group at church went to visit the Joni and Friends International Disability headquarters in Agoura Hills, CA. Joni Earickson Tada's ministry, ministers to the disabled community in so many ways - one of them being providing wheelchairs to those who need them in developing countries. We drove for two hours in the middle of a terrible rain storm to visit this beautiful place we'd been talking to our kids about all year long :)
It was such an honor to have Joni come speak to us, sharing the story of the diving accident that landed her in a life of paralysis...the most amazing part is hearing about the amazing way she's being used by God since she decided to get out of bed and into her chair, making the decision to live the life she had to the fullest, even if it was lived sitting down. Since then, she has written over 40 books, is known for her incredible artistic talent, and speaks on her radio and TV programs, and to live audiences all over the world. Her life is the most beautiful example I've seen of how God takes a heart that is fully His, to heights unimaginable by our human minds. I think I cried the entire time we were in the room with her. I walked in knowing her story but was so moved by her JOY right in the middle of her circumstance. Only because of Jesus. He is so good. Oh to be JUST like Joni. A woman after God's own heart.
The photo below was taken of Ryder reciting for Joni, his favorite passage of scripture...the Lord's Prayer.
Our kids had been memorizing Bible verses since November, and each time they did, they earned a sticker to place on our Wheels for the World poster. They even got a chance to recite some for Joni that day! Every sticker earned, helped us get one step closer to providing a wheelchair for a child somewhere around the world who otherwise, would have to be carried everywhere they went. The director of Wheels for the World came and spoke to us about the boy who would be receiving the wheelchair our kids had earned. Right now, he was being carried by two friends in a blanket, everywhere he went. This wheelchair would mean he could go back to school, church and anywhere else he wanted to go!
Joni asked us to lay hands on the wheelchair and join her in praying for the boy who would soon sit in it for the first time...He will also receive a Bible in his language so that he can learn about and grow to know the God who loves him unconditionally.
What a JOY it was to visit with Joni and her husband, Ken...to tour the headquarters of this amazing ministry. To see the incredible hand of God on this place, it is so evident that their efforts are a deeply-transforming blessing to the disabled community and to those of us whose eyes have been opened to the need around us. What a gift to experience more of the heart of God for the people He loves who are disabled. Our kids even got to experience disability centers where they had tasks they were asked to perform, but first had to wear something that would help them understand what it felt like to complete the task if they were blind, or had autism, or without use of their arms, etc...
We went so our kids could give Joni the money they raised for a wheelchair...and I think it's safe to say, we all left, changed.
What a beautiful woman,
in a beautiful place,
through a beautiful ministry,
for beautiful people,
and ALL
for the glory of a simply incredible God.
Thank you, Joni and Friends!
We hope to be back next year!!!
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Until then, my kids have LOVED learning more about their friends with disabilities at the Kid's Corner on the Joni and Friends website. They have coloring pages, games, videos, and more!
It beats playing video games any day!
We're even featured over on the Kid's Corner Blog today! Check it out!!! What an honor!
We're even featured over on the Kid's Corner Blog today! Check it out!!! What an honor!
