Reflections From Thailand

By Joni and Friends|Published On: October 28, 2019|Categories: 4-Minute Radio Program|

A scene of Joni and Friends volunteers kneeling next to a mother and her son who is seated in his wheelchair.

I’ve come far in this wheelchair, and I’ve got lots of people to thank.

And for one, I’m grateful to the many physical therapists who helped me. Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, and it’s National Physical Therapy Month. And I’ve got a great PT in the studio today, in Kimi Archer. Welcome, Kimi.

KIMI: Thank you, Joni.

JONI: Oh, Kimi, well, you work hard to recruit PT students here at Joni and Friends, and you also lead these students on Wheels for the World outreach teams. In fact, you just came back from Thailand with a whole group of physical therapy students. What was it like watching them serve in a place like Thailand?

KIMI: It’s really a dream, Joni. I just love watching students engage with people of other cultures, but also starting to understand what it’s like to become a professional who cares about people affected by disability. They learn to share the Gospel through simple means, and then they get to use their skills and gifts and talents that they just learned, and they incorporate them in the culture. So, we had a student, Tori, that did that.

JONI: Well, I tell you what – it must be quite challenging to give the Gospel in a country that’s entrenched in the Buddhist religion. What is it, only 1.2 % of the population that claim to be Christians. But in Wheels for the World, you’re not just giving the Gospel; you’re adorning it; you’re proving it; you’re showcasing it, aren’t you?

KIMI: Yeah, I think with the effort that we give, touching people gracefully isn’t something that they’re used to, often with a disability in another culture. And then also looking people in the eye and doing the absolute best, making sure every last detail of that wheelchair is fit to them perfectly, really shares God’s love with them.

JONI: Now, you mentioned Tori, a young physical therapy student. Tell us that story.

KIMI: Yeah, Tori Crook is her name, and she came ready for this outreach. She was prayed up and ready to share the Gospel with people. She also had really been working on how to fit a wheelchair – her and Anne. And we ended up – I think we adjusted everything on that wheelchair until that young boy, it exactly fit him. And those girls were not giving up. Those young ladies worked hard to make sure that wheelchair exactly fit him.

JONI: How many hours?

KIMI: Boy, it was probably about three hours by the time we were done.

JONI: Okay, now, in a culture where a child with a disability is scorned; is a symbol of shame; is a reproach to the family; the fact that you and your team spent hours helping that child – what does that communicate?

KIMI: Wow, and they’re not used to it, the love that comes through. Even without us talking about God, the love that comes through in touching people carefully and making sure it’s perfect, is really talking about God’s love for them.

JONI: So, someone of the Buddhist faith looks at Christians and thinks, wow, this person understands compassion; they have a love for my child that people in Buddhist religion just don’t. Am I correct in saying that?

KIMI: Absolutely. Tori called it manna from God. What is it? They’re asking the question, “What is it?” That’s what manna means, as you know.

JONI: Well, in a country where such a small portion of the population is Christian, you were there to plant seeds, weren’t you?

KIMI: Right

JONI: Not just see that many, many, many people come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, but you are changing a culture, by showcasing Gospel seeds through compassionate service. Six hours fitting somebody to a wheelchair has gotta show the love of God, right?

KIMI: Mmm. It’s really great, too, Joni, that we see the church folks come alongside us from the Thai churches and our in-country partners. So to see and to showcase that kind of cooperation as well is something that’s unusual to them.

JONI: Now, Kimi, what would you tell any physical therapists or occupational therapists tuning in today?

KIMI: Don’t miss the opportunity. I’ve had people say, “But I don’t know what to do!” I just want to assure you as PTs and OTs, you’ve been trained, you know all the things you need to know to fit wheelchairs and to love on people in other cultures. And there is nothing, absolutely nothing like incorporating your faith and your profession and using the skills that you have to be able to serve people and the Lord around the world.

JONI: Well, you know, I just bet there are some health care professionals listening. Why don’t you give them a call out to come and serve with us, would you?

KIMI: Absolutely, guys. Any country pretty much that Joni and Friends serves in we could use you and your skills and gifts and talents.

JONI: Thanks so much for joining us, Kimi.

KIMI: Thank you, Joni. It’s good to be with you.

JONI: And friend, I’ve posted a video of our Wheels outreach to Thailand on Joniradio.org.