God Opens Doors - Literally

There are many aspects of preparation for a “Wheels” trip. In addition to passports, packing, and praying – supplies are needed and I volunteered to bring wheelchair bags. Each recipient receives a bag with their very own Bible, “Joni” book, and little gifts. Thankfully, many of my friends offered to sew the bags.

However, one friend called half-way through her sewing project, so disappointed and concerned – her sewing machine broke. Her husband offered to buy her a new one, just so she could finish the job. I assured her somehow they would get sewed, and we agreed to meet for lunch the next day where she would give me the finished bags and the fabric for the remainder of them.

The next morning I wondered who could sew the rest of the bags, since I’d already asked almost every seamstress I knew. But after stewing awhile with no answers, I realized I should pray. Unfortunately, I’m often of the – “stew first - pray later” – mindset, but trying to improve.

A few hours later I was hurrying to leave work for our lunch and I walked past a closed office door. Just as I hurried past, the door opened. Out came another friend, and it hit me – She sews wedding dresses! “Really, God? That quickly?” Not only did she agree to sew the remaining wheelchair bags, but later told me how much she enjoyed doing it – “because I say a prayer for each person that is going to get the bag I am sewing.”

How precious are all the helpers, senders, and pray-ers back home!

"Thank you, Lord for each one of them and thank you for inviting us to bring our problems to you, the small ones and the big ones. For when we pray, not only do we see You answer, but we see your Love reaching out to us. Help us, O Lord, to convey your tangible Love to those we will be reaching out to in your name. And thank you for the doors of help you open. Amen."

God's Provision

September 17, my husband and I got home from a most wonderful Wheels For The World trip to the Ukraine in conjunction with partner organization, Global Aid Network, the humanitarian aid arm of Campus Crusade for Christ. While rejoicing over the incredible team we had served with in the Ukraine, I was talking to the Lord about raising support for my next trip, a "Wheels" trip to Peru that was coming up in about 6 weeks. I still needed $1700. Then an e-mail came from Jill and Richard, our Ukraine trip leaders, telling us that there was some money left over after the Ukraine trip and we could apply it toward my Peru trip! Thank you, Lord!! After applying that surplus to my Joni and Friends Peru account, I was trusting Him to provide the remaining $1,300, but I had no idea how. One of my many flaws is a tendency to rush ahead of the Lord. I often try to figure out how He should answer my prayers and then procede to tell Him my plan. After so many times of seeing Him answer in ways MUCH better then my plans, you'd think I'd learn, but ...

Anyway, the next day I received an e-mail from a Ukraine team member telling me that she knew I was planning to go on the Peru trip and she was willing to apply her Ukraine trip surplus to my Peru account. Now you need to understand that this friend is a missionary who has to raise her own support. I knew she needs every dollar she has and yet she was willing to share her "widow's mite" with me. Knowing the kind heart of my friend, but not feeling right about accepting her offer, I went to the Lord in prayer. I asked Him to make it very clear to me whether or not I should accept the money from my friend. The next day, a totally unexpected tax refund check arrived in the mail from the IRS! It more than covered the remaining balance due for my Peru trip! How I rejoiced as I thanked my heavenly Father and was then able to share this answer to prayer with my generous friend and with others I met at the Global Aid Network warehouse in Lancaster, PA who are contemplating going on mission trips overseas. He just asks us to trust Him for all of our needs and He will provide. (Psalm 23). I hope I have finally learned that lesson.

HOW IT WORKS

Wheels For The World (WFTW) Trujillo 2009 is an outreach program of Joni and Friends. 

Dedicated volunteers have collected used wheelchairs across the United States and transported them to Restoration Shops where carefully trained inmates in seventeen separate correctional facilities have restored them to like-new condition. 160 of these wheelchairs have been shipped overseas to meet up with our team of short-term missionaries to distribute them in Trujillo and Cayalti, Peru November 5-15, 2009.

We partner with the Peruvian disability ministry, Corazones Unidos, which means "Hearts United".  They serve by our side during the distribution and follow-up with each family after we return to the States.

A wheelchair is a greater gift than gold to the disabled in an underdeveloped country who otherwise face a lifetime of isolation and confinement. Our team of seating specialists and wheelchair mechanics will custom fit the wheelchair specifically for each recipient and train him or her in wheelchair use and upkeep. Our support and evangelism team members give each recipient a Bible and communicate the message of God's love for them.

As a recipient of the love of God in action, many place their trust in Christ. They experience new life and purpose with their new mobility . . . and disability ministry grows all over the world.

Thank you for reading our blog. We would be very grateful to have your partnership in prayer for our WFTW Outreach in Peru. Please check this site frequently for updates over the next several weeks.