Volunteer Of The Year

You’re never too old and never too disabled to serve the Lord Jesus.

Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, and with National Volunteer week coming up, I’m thinking of my friend Mary Jane Ponten who’s 91 years old. I love this lady, and I respect her because we all call her the matriarch of Wheels for the World. Back in her 70s and 80s, this woman served – get this – on over 35 Wheels for the World teams. And I mean, this was back when she was in her 80s. Mary Jane was traveling to Cuba with us, to Africa and many times to China. Now if the aches of older age were not enough, you should also know that Mary Jane has cerebral palsy. She can walk, albeit leaning on someone’s elbow, and she can talk, although her guttural speech is very difficult to understand. And to be honest, she looks like a little old lady who can barely hobble around. I remember she once came to Joni and Friends to share her testimony and she said, “When I was born they called me a cripple; then I was told I was handicapped; and then, disabled, but now I’m just old.” She’s got a great sense of humor and an indomitable passion to give the Gospel of Jesus and boy does she open doors.

I recall years ago when we were trying to make inroads into China, and we were explaining our mission to government officials. They were not buying any of it until Mary Jane got up to speak. She hobbled to the front, steadied herself on the lectern, and then gave a speech that was worthy of an international ambassador. So articulate, so filled with grace! And because the elderly are honored in China, everyone listened, and barriers, they came crumbling down! 

At every Wheels for the World outreach, Mary Jane would set up what she calls her encouragement table. It’s where we stacked lots of resources, extra Bibles for families that were receiving wheelchairs. And she’d sit behind that table and counsel people, open the Bible to relevant passages; she’d pray with folks, and just, I don’t know, she’d open up conversations, as well as people’s hearts. Everyone loved being around this old crippled lady, gleaning from her wisdom. 

Leviticus 19 offers this wise directive; it says: “You shall stand up before the gray head and honor the face of an old man, and you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.” You know, with that verse in mind, last year I had the joy of presiding over a Zoom event in which Joni and Friends honored Mary Jane Ponten with our Volunteer of the Year award. Actually, it should have been our Volunteer of the last three decades award! And it was such a blessing to shower accolades on this precious saint who, in recent months, has begun to decline. But at 91 years of age she still has spunk, still has drive, as well as a love for Jesus! Hey, I have posted a screen shot of that little ceremony which includes Mary Jane and her winning smile. Just visit joniradio.org and be blessed. There’s also a great video that shows what happens on a Wheels for the World outreach. It’s brief, it’s touching, and it’s something to share – I think on your Facebook page. And finally, it’s National Occupational Therapy Month, and if you know an OT or a PT who’s a Christian and looking to serve the Lord, then direct them to joniradio.org and a link to our Wheels for the World page. It’s all there for you at joniradio.org. And Mary Jane if you’re listening, you’re still the matriarch of Wheels for the World. God bless you for your service in Christ’s kingdom.

© Joni and Friends