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

Continued on next page

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