MARCH 2020
FromHardship
to Hopein
Jesus
From Disability, Poverty, and Hardship to
Hope Found Only in Jesus
Jesus is working through you to open people’s hearts to the Gospel as never before! The Bible you send with every wheelchair given truly changes everything, and you’re planting Gospel seeds in the hearts of people worldwide!
Because of your steadfast prayers and faithful gifts, thousands of disabled people and their families will hear the Good News of Jesus that they so desperately need.
Families just like 9-year-old Jackie, and his parents, mom, Wandee, and dad, Ekkachai. Jackie was born a healthy typical boy. He could walk until he was five years old. “Then he started to fall down again and again. I didn’t really think much about it since I’m the village leader, I am responsible for everyone. I just thought he would be okay,” Ekkachai told us. Now, Jackie cannot walk or get up on his own. He has no strength and needed a wheelchair.
The doctor told Jackie’s parents he has Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD)— a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. Most people with DMD do not live past 30 years and there is no cure.
Here is a mother and father watching their only child get worse each day because of his disability. Wandee told us, “If we leave the house, we leave him lying out here all day long. For him to get into the house or go to the bathroom, I have to carry him in and back out. When I lift him, it hurts my back a lot.”
Jackie’s parents struggle financially to provide for their family. The little money they get goes to food and Jackie’s treatments. Through tears, Wandee whispered, “I am so sad.”
Jackie still has dreams for his future. He’d like to continue learning and shared, “I’d like to get a new wheelchair so I can go to school by myself.”
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“ ”For He stands at the right hand of the needyPSALM 109:31
After a 3-hour journey, Jackie’s mom brought him to our Wheels for the World™ distribution filled with hope and eager to receive his first wheelchair.
Wandee shared, “Sometimes Jackie’s disability makes me feel discouraged and in despair. But the Wheels for the World volunteers encouraged me to press on. They gave me so much strength. I was speechless and overwhelmed with joy!”
Wandee also told us, “What makes me happy is that the volunteers took time to teach me physical therapy [for Jackie]. This means so much more than just receiving a wheelchair.”
After hours of work from our volunteers, Jackie was finally lifted into his very own brand-new wheelchair—sent by you! Like most people in Thailand, Jackie and his family are Buddhist, but that day, they received more than just a wheelchair—they learned about the love and hope of Jesus and got a Bible in their language!
Wandee shared, “I am glad that Jackie could get a wheelchair. He is so excited. He likes it a lot!” Ekkachai added, “This wheelchair helps in so many ways. Now he wheels himself into the house and will attend school again. He no longer has to rely on us to carry him.”
Jackie’s simple yet heart-felt message to you, faithful donors, was said with a huge smile on his face, “Thank you!”
“ ”To see lonely, empty people transformed slowly but surely into
warm, loving, wholesome, and happy people is to become aware of why the apostle Paul describes Christ as ‘unsearchable riches.’
RAY C. STEADMAN
My wife Joni and I have traveled to nearly 60 countries, most of them in developing parts of the world. We’ve seen poverty, hopelessness and
the oppression that happens when people worship ancient idols. And it is always disabled people who suffer the most in those places. I saw it when I went to Thailand last year to serve on a Wheels for the World™ team.
When you have a disability in Thailand, you are seen as the lowest of the lowly. There’s a hollowness in your eyes. Family members seem bent over, weighted down by shame and social stigma. But then, you see hope spring alive when our Wheels team (called “people of the Bible”) show love, hug, share compassion, give the gift of a wheelchair, and talk gladly about Jesus. Just look at Jackie’s smile in this photo. I had to put down my wrench and screwdriver and just love on him. He made me so happy!
People in a country like Thailand are steeped in false religion. For generations, they’ve been deceived by demonic worship. So, if the Christian message is going to “get through,” you must show Gospel-hope in a practical way. And what gift could be more precious than a wheelchair for someone who must crawl in the dirt, feeling despised and rejected?! Other religions rebuke disabled people; Jesus celebrates them!
This is why Joni and I are so thankful to God for you, your steadfast prayers and financial support. God is using you to pry the grip of Satan off peoples’ hearts. And one by one, as they come to know Jesus, you’re changing the heart of a nation! Praise God for you and Wheels for the World!
Here is how you
can help!Donate a Wheelchair!Since 1994, you’ve delivered over 190,000 wheelchairs in 19 different countries worldwide! This month, you can serve with Wheels for the World™ by joining the collection efforts of your nearest Joni and Friends location.
Everyone in the community can get involved in collecting wheelchairs! Search your garage and basement, and check with your neighbors and community to find any unused wheelchairs and bring them to your local collection site!
Every wheelchair we collect is restored and gifted with a Bible to a person in need. It’s an opportunity for someone living with disability to experience the love and hope of Jesus!
Visit joniandfriends.org/chair-corps or call 818.707.5664 to find a collection site near you!
March is Wheelchair Collection Month at Joni and Friends.
You can join us to change a life!
People WorldwideNeed a Wheelchair*
75Million
*World Health Organization https://www.who.int/phi/implementation/assistive_technology/wheelchair-publications/en/
IN HONOR/Given ByPETE & TONI ALEWINE
Georgia AlewineGREGORY W. ALVEY
Gerald DepeppePaige LinleyHoward & Dorothy Ann McKinley
KAREN, DALE, & COLIN ANDERSON
Tom & Sally KopacekSUSAN ASHER
Nancy MacPhersonBARBER FAMILY
Elsa BarberDAVE, CASSY, & BEN BADDORF
David & Deana BaddorfSYLAS BADEN
John & Susan StroudROCKY BEATY
Rob & Eddi BeatySAWYER BERRIE
Beth BerrieJIMBO BINDEWALD
Chris SmithSHEILA BLYTHE
Macie JacobsonROB & LORNA BOB
Gretchen DelacruzJOHN E. BROOKS
Brookside Maze AdventuresNATALIE BROWN
Don & Cynthia BrownMELANIE BRUNELL
Jeanne BrunellBLAIR BRYAN
Earlene LittleIRIS MAE BULL
Dick & Becky BullRUSSEL CALDWELL
Marjorie AndrewsLUCILLE CANTELON
Ruth HacklerNICK & MARNICE CHARLES
Jesse & Sib CharlesCATHE CHERMESINO
Sandy Gavin
JESUS CHRISTWilliam Cooper
JUDY CLARKSteven & Jill Ericson
DICK & GINNY CLOSEConnie Coombs
BEN COOPERRonald & Beverly Stevens
CAROLINE CULPCharles & Elisabeth Culp
PETER CULPCharles & Elisabeth Culp
TITUS DAILYJason & Kelli Tarver
JACKIE & JOHN DAYElaine Hill
DEREK DORISDiane Doris
DANIEL DROSTENeal Droste
DON & ANN EBERHARDMichael & Sarah Dickinson
DONNA EBRONSteven Robinson
LISA ECKERTMarc & Marcia Johnson
BECKY ELLISAnn Cunningham
ERNEST ETTLICHBob & Donna Scebold
BARBARA FAGGARTLance Norman
GREG FIELDSDave & Sylvia Fields
NOAH & ADELIE FIKEGary Fike
SUSAN FRENCHGenaro Castro
SETH FULLERJason & Eve Fuller
PAUL FUNKSheri Parker
PAUL GEORGEJoseph & Betty Wilser
NADA GHATTASSamuel Matej
ERNEST GIANNICOJoan Vitale
GILBERTRebecca Cook
MIKE GRISHAMNick Grisham
JON GROVEAntonia Patrick
GRACE GYORIAshley Gyori
JAMES HARKEMAMary Ann Harkema
MARGIE HATTERJim & Betsy Uzzell
MARJORIE HAWKINSLaura Forester
LYNN HAYNESLarry Gee
THE HENDRICKS FAMILYLeslie Brown
MILDRED J. HENNINGSENDan & Lisa Miller
STEWART HITCHVaughn & Alice Hataway, Jr.
JOHN ESKIND HOLLINGSWORTH
William & Gloria HollingsworthKRISTA M. HORNING
Robert & Mary HorningMARY BETH HOUSTON
James & Nancy MullisABBY HULL
Bill & Kitty JobHELEN HUTCHINS
Terry SanbornPATRICIA IBBOTSON
Deana SchindelLYNAE JACKS
Betty SpykermanKEVIN JEAN
Jerry JeanLINDA JOHNSTON
Alan & Lee WatkinsJOHN JONES
Catherine Bickerstaff
GWEN & KARENSharon Auldrich
R.J. & SUE KILPATRICKGretchen Delacruz
JOHN KIOKORose Kioko
HANK & BRENDA KLEHNGretchen Delacruz
LOUISE KORTHJanice Foerster
MARTIE KWASNYKelly Headley
ARTHUR A. LARSONEugene & Joan Eckert
LINDSEY LASSITER FAMILYSusie McCamy
DAVID J. LENNOXPeg Patton
NANCY LEVINJudith Gogolen
BRIAN LOCKHARTJeffrey & Nancy Lockhart
POLLY LOUDERMILKJanice Harris
STEVEN M. LOVELACEMichael & Bea Lovelace
JOHN (JACK) LUCASMarie Springer
ROBERT & PHYLLIS MANOOGIAN
Paula ColeCRYSTAL MARSHALL
Cliff & Lorraine MarshallKAREN MATETICH
Ashley BradfordMichael Matetich
CLAIRE MCCOYGabe & Angie McCay
ELISE MCDANIELChristin McDaniel
JAMES MCGEEStephanie McGee
HENRY & NANCY MESSERMr. & Mrs. Murphy
ANNE MILLERChristiana Maki
KRISTI MORLEYAidee Alanya
JOYCE MOROZINJudy Lewis
JOSH MORRISLarry & Alice Swayze
HILDA MOSNERCatherine Mosner
CHELSEY MOSSBURGMelvin Raab
STEVE & LISA NELSONDorothy Westberg
TIM & BETH NELSONDorothy Westberg
LANCE NORMANNancy Purvis
ALISON OWENSMargie Young
OLIVIA OWENSMark & Melanie OwensGracie BullJudy Salter
SANDY & PAT PAYNELaura Payne
DEBRA PETERMANNCherie Morrow
CAROL PETESCHBrenda Whiting
LINDSEY PHELPSFred & Carol Phelps
BRANDON PHILPJohn & Jean Eckert
ZACK PIETYKen & Pam Piety
ERIC POSTElaine Hill
LINDA PRAGMANDuane Holloway
QORBANJuliana Tilden
TOM REPPHUNDrew & Katie Beatty
LORELL RIEDERERChris & Julie Holden
LAUREEN ROBBINSKathleen Orrson
CALEB & ISAAC SCHOOLEYMarge Goodman
JENNIFER SIMPSONLaura Johnson
VIRGINIA G. SMITHWilliam Smith
DANIEL SPRATTDarrell & Annette Spratt
MY SONS & STEPSONGabi Weber
KRISTIE & BAILEY STORMESDuane & Marilynne Temple
BRIAN STRINGERCarolyn Smith
BEVERLY SWEENEYBob & Suzanne Biondini
JONI EARECKSON-TADADiane Gualtieri
NAOMI TARBOXSeth & Megan Thomas
EZRA THEISSFelix Lulusa
RUSSELL & TRACYGretchen Delacruz
JEREMY VANGSNESPamela Everette
MICAH VILLAGRANAJeff & Marci Brown
MATT & LIBBY WEDERTracey Jenkins
AARON D WEISSNolan & Lisa Dunkly
BETH WHITNEYDoloris Reed
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL @ CALVARY CHRISTIAN IN WINCHESTER
Kendra PoeKATHERINE & JAY WOLF
Kimberly ArnoldJOHN WORTMAN
Maria SloweyFOUNG VAN PANG YAM
Marylyn Pang YamHANNAH YARBOROUGH
Frank & Margaret YarboroughJIMMIE ZEIGLER
Mark ZeiglerRITA ZRALEK
Christopher Halm
IN MEMORY/Given ByHILDA ALLEN
Betsy CarterKENN ALTHAUS
Bruce DeckerGREGORY W. ALVEY
Jennifer AttardiNICK & BARBARA MIKEZ
Steve & Michelle MikezJOHNNY ARTHUR
Betty RawlsCLEOFE BALDOZA
Montesa PatawaranBRUCE BARNES
Mary Ann BarnesBELLA BARTLETT
Karen WelchBRANT BECRETT
Sherri HoganROBERT JOE BELL
Marjorie SibleyTONY BENAVIDER
Shawn BenavidezSOPHIE BOYER
Jennifer BoyerJESSICA BRICK
Bill & Su BrickRALPH BROWN
Jennifer Bertolini
Honor a Loved One, Transform a Life
We gratefully acknowledge contributions given in memory or in honor of loved ones to further ministry in the disability community. To give a gift in memory of a loved one or in honor of a special occasion, visit joniandfriends.org/donate or contact Joni and Friends at 818.707.5664
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PO Box 3333, Agoura Hills, CA 91376 • 818.707.5664 • joniandfriends.org This newsletter is published by Joni and Friends, a not-for-profit organization accelerating Christian ministry in the disability community. © 2020 Joni Eareckson Tada, publisher. All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce any material herein must be obtained in writing from Joni and Friends.
LILAH BURCHPaul & Gina BurchLori McKelvy
JACK BURLESONScott Edwards
PAUL BUTLERCarol Butler
BECKY CHAPMANPhyllis Upperman
PEYTON CHURCHRobert & Debra Brunner
MARY HELEN COLLIERMarty Strayhorn
TRACY CONNELLYDavid Tullar
MARTHA COOPERJim & Betsy Uzzell
FRANK COSTELLOKen & Maureen Vineyard
KATHERINE COTHRUMAnn Cunningham
MICHAEL COUGHLINBruce & Carolyn Coughlin
WILLIAM RANDALL CREMERRuss & Jo Ann Richard
JEAN DALE JAGGARDGreater Milwaukee Foundation Inc.
LISA DANIELSNoel & Teresa Daniels
LAURIE DICKMANNancy Hauser
PAULIE DILLAHUNTYDonald & Marilu Dillahunty
LUCY DITULIOBenjamin & Gloria Mikelski
KIMBERLY DIXONJames & Marilyn Dixon
ELLEN VAN DORENRon Van Doren
ARTHUR C. DOUGLAS, SR.Christina Pankey
RICHARD & LORRAINE DRIESSNACK
Christine HillesheimJANE DWYER
Gerald DwyerANNA RUTH ERICKSON
Warren & Cheryl EricksonMY FATHER
Diane DavisPAYTON LYNN FISCHER
Steve & Melanie FischerJOHN & LAURELLE FORREST
Eric & Candy NixonJEANNINE V. FRASER
Michael HansenGEORGETTE GLEASON
Penny Gleason
BOB & MARTHA GRIMMJohn & Linda Brooks
JAMES KIMBER GRIMMJocelyn Grimm
TRACY HERRICKDavid & Sharon Volponi
KATHY HILLJudy Lewis
JOHN E. HOLLINGSWORTHWilliam & Gloria Hollingsworth
PAUL FUNKKenneth & Jane BrenemanBonnie BarnettJulie CurtinManorfield FarmJoanne FergusonChadd FunkEmily FunkHilda FunkWorkman Funeral Homes, Inc.Michael & Kathryn JoffredEdna PucellKevin QuiltyLois ReviDonald & Cynthia RikerDan & Bonnie SchusterEd & Paula SchwabenlandWilliam ShorePeggy Soltis
DAVID J. HOOKERCindy Hooker
BETTY JEAN HOWARDMartin Howard
MICHAEL HOYTPam Schumtz
KATHY JENSENJoel & Jody Tiefel
LEIGH JOHNSONNancy Brewold-Johnson
RUTH JOHNSONLori Johnson
EUNICE KANEKathleen Cain
JOHN MICHAEL KEELINGStacey Chastain
JON KELTNERAndrew & Margaret Constable
ANTHONY JAMES KEPLERPaul Kepler
JOHN KEPLER JR.Nina Pomeroy
JANET K. KRAUSEMarvin & Sharon Krause
JOE LAFFERTYHelene Baum
PETE LAFFERTYHelene Baum
WARREN LALLATHINJanet Lallathin
DALLAS LEHMANAnne-Marie Dyer
GERALD LIEBERGENGerald & Marlene LiebergenLane Liebergen
JERRY LILLIBRIDGEGerean Pflug
JACK LUCASShari Anderson
GERALD MAHLERGretchen Evans
AMANDA & PAUL DE MALHERBE
Theresa MalherbeMARILYN MOONEY
Richard & Mary ShapiroANN MORRIS
Walt & Melissa ChilesMAGGIE MYATT
Catherine & John LewisFRANCIS NEDDO
Meme NeddoKRISTIN NELSON
Dorothy WestbergDOLORES A. NEWHOUSE
The Cramer FamilyMORGEN NIELSEN
Sheri PriceNancy RushCharles & Linda Wong
VIRGINIA OFFERSOClair Kozlowski
TIM OLPHIEGwynne Tillinghast
WINONA OSWALTCrystal Oswalt
ANTHONY PANTALEOAnonymous
DICK & BLANCHE PATTERSONElizabeth Hall
ARLAND PAULIKathy Nichols
CORNELIA PAYNELaura Payne
LAURA & GEORGE PETERSLaura Payne
JAMES POOLMr. & Mrs. Dennis Bronson
JIM POOLAllen & Carol BrownRobert & Betty DavisScott & Bobbie DavisIrving MunnGeorgann TurlingtonAmy & Kyle
LYN PRESCODGeorge & Maria Troullas
VICKI PRICEScott & Laura Price
MARYANA RICEJill Rice
GERALD RIEDERERChris & Julie Holden
3 Easy Ways to Make a Lasting Difference
In just a few minutes, you can make a lasting impact by naming Joni and Friends as a full or partial beneficiary of one of your financial accounts, such as:
• IRA or retirement plan
• Life insurance policy
• Commercial annuity
To request your FREE guide to Beneficiary Designations: The 3 Easiest Ways to Make A Lasting Difference or to learn more about the benefits of this important choice, visit joniandfriends.org/beneficiarydesignations or contact Degna Horton today at 818.575.1762 to make your request.
LARRY ROOTGlenda Root
JACK SALTERJudy Salter
GEORGE H. SANDERSONJudith Sanderson
VIRGINIA SCHIEFERMr. & Mrs. Schiefer
EVERETT SEATONScott & Sarah Willis
ADELLE SHAPIRORichard & Mary Shapiro
BENJAMIN CLYDE SHIRLEYDeborah Brown
GRACE SKOJACMargaret Locke
JUDY SMITHThomas & Leelia Cornell
NORA L. STARKSLonnie Starks
BRIAN STRINGERPatrick Tsai
EDWARD CURTIS TAYLORCynthia Taylor
BENJAMIN TEMTEJohn & Lori CrellinRobert & Kay Witt
DAVID TEMTEJohn & Lori CrellinRobert & Kay Witt
GWEN THAYERJohn & Carol HaugeSteve & Karen Thayer
SHARON THOMASRonald & Renee Thomas
MAIDIE THOMPSONNeal & Rebecca Moon
TED TOLLTamara Toll
GARY URSOYDanae Schwatka
GEORGE VOSSAndrew Voss
JEANETTE WALFORDCornerstone Church of Skippack
CHUCK WALLACESusan Wallace
CASSI WEAVERSteve & Lisa Weaver
JIM WEBBJudy Lewis
JOHN WEIBLEJessica Hines
RUTH WHISNANTVianne Kent
DANIEL WHITEHEADBart & Judy Dolley
SHEILA WICKLUNDDennis Wicklund
GRETCHEN WINKLEMANEloise McLeland
BUDDY & ZEL WIRTSherri Wirt
MAURICE PANG YAMMarylyn Pang Yam
JOSH ZUEHLKEKaren & Tom Carlin
Wen Ling Chin Wen Ling has faithfully partnered with us to give practical help to people living with disability. In 2019, she included Joni and Friends as a beneficiary on her retirement plans. She comments, “My decision was based on the guiding principles I found in the scriptures. God asks us to be good stewards.” To read more of Wen Ling’s story, visit joniandfriends.org/plannedgiving
Wen Ling and her mom
100% of all sales go directly to support disability ministry!TO ORDER: • Mail order form • Call toll-free: 800.736.4177
• Online: joniandfriends.org/store • Phone: Text ORDER to 818.707.5664
A Light in the ForestBrand-New Art Print by Joni
A Light in the Forest Art PrintJoni’s beautiful painting A Light in the Forest captures iridescent sunlight falling through trees, transforming a dark forest into a cathedral of praise! Fill your home and heart with the “Light of Christ” as you gaze on this beautiful art print!
16 x 20
$24 AP045