40 Weeks Being The Hands And Feet of Jesus
When COVID-19 put a halt to sending teams overseas, God brought forth a whole new way to serve called 40 Weeks.
Working with essential in-country healthcare providers, we’re spending one day a week for 40 weeks to transform the lives of families impacted by disability in Peru. These therapists can only get one day off from their hospital jobs each week, and they’re choosing to spend that one day serving the least of these in their communities.
Gathering together first to pray for the families that would be served each day, these selfless volunteers prove once again that social distancing mandates are no threat to the power of prayer! And Kandy, a prayer warrior who showed up to serve others in her old, broken down wheelchair, was custom-fitted into her very own new wheelchair that same day!
But Kandy and the other people impacted by disability left the outreach with much more than a wheelchair that day. Their spiritual needs were met when they heard the Gospel, got their own Bible and Joni book in their language, and prayed to receive Christ! And their immediate practical needs were met, too, as each family was given care packages full of food such as eggs, beans and rice.
“Coronavirus has made life so hard for these people, that without the food we’re providing, they would starve.”
—Jason Holden, Vice President of Global Operations for Joni and Friends
Through your partnership, we’re doing everything possible to make sure these special needs families living in poverty have the gift of mobility given through a wheelchair, right alongside basic necessities such as food and hygiene supplies that sustain life and ensure dignity. Because the Gospel must always be coupled with tangible evidence of Christ’s love!
Silvestra is 84 years old and suffers greatly from physical disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease, and the impact of COVID-19 in her community. But when she received a new, properly fitted wheelchair along with nourishing food and the hope of the Gospel, “God fulfilled her heart’s desires.” And her two daughters, who have been completely depleted from the 24/7 caregiving demands placed on them, received new life through Christ as their dear mother received her new wheelchair.
Silvestra and her family remind us all that no matter how long we’ve been waiting for our prayers to be answered, God is on the move. Everyone at the 40 Weeks event saw firsthand that God’s love never fails!
Beto, who has cerebral palsy, is one of the young men served through this 40 Weeks of service. His family was overjoyed!
“This is a dream come true from God and helps us understand that God is love. He cares for us and our needs!”
And Beto, hearing Joni’s story, felt truly inspired to never stop dreaming and striving to fulfill the plans God has for his life. 40 Weeks is delivering biblical truth to those who need it most!
Be sure to look for future Joni and Friends posts where you will find continuous updates from these 40 Weeks of service, and you’ll hear even more powerful stories of transformation!
Your Gift of Any Amount Is Needed Today!
Your Gift of Any Amount Is Needed Today!Your generous donation will reach more people with disabilities through 40 Weeks and all our other Joni and Friends programs. Thank you for your prayers and gifts today!
