Ministry Is Ongoing!
A few of you have been asking, how’s the ministry doing?
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, and at Joni and Friends, I’m so grateful, so glad that we are able to continue to do kingdom work. It’s not stopping; our staff is not retreating in the face of this virus. In fact, the people that we serve are the most vulnerable when it comes to COVID-19. People who are medically fragile, children on ventilators, disabled people with fragile health, and the elderly. Yeah, sure, we’re all struggling during this time of isolation, but that’s the way most of our special-needs families live every day – isolated. They are always experiencing social distancing. But, nevertheless, they have needs, and we are helping to meet those needs. Joni and Friends is going into overdrive right now to reach out, serve people with disabilities in brand-new ways! And please, help us with your prayers, would you?
Because I want you to know that during this time, wheelchairs are still being delivered. Our in-country partners are still providing wheelchairs and the Gospel of Jesus through our Wheels for the World contacts in countries like El Salvador, Guatemala, Thailand, and others, as governments allow. So, Wheels for the World is active. Our in-country partners are reaching out to families who previously received wheelchairs; and they’re doing follow-up, and checking on these families, reconnecting them; making certain that they are embraced by their local churches. Our prison restoration centers are still open and inmates across the country are still showing up every day to work on restoring our wheelchairs. And they will continue to do so until told otherwise.
Oh, sure, yes, a few Family Retreats are being rescheduled, but this is only temporary. In the meantime, we are reaching out to every family who planned on attending a Family Retreat to encourage them, and we’re determining their unique needs. These people have many struggles and requirements for medication and hospital supplies. Well, our staff is re-arranging schedules and we’re making certain to meet those needs and go to provide that help. And also, our staff is rearranging schedules for even more events during the later months when it’s safe.
Even at our headquarters in Agoura Hills, the mayor has asked our ministry to serve those in this area who are shut-in or disabled and or they cannot get out or find help. So, our headquarters is active in reaching the elderly and the disabled in our region. The Bible says that God visits His people. And elsewhere in the book of James, pure religion is described as visiting the shut-in and the widow and the orphaned. People with disabilities and the elderly, so many of them live in isolation, and we are bridging that distance; we are doing lots and lots of visits. So, pray that God will use this time to open fearful hearts to the Good News of Jesus.
Which reminds me. If you currently feel isolated, or anxious, or uncertain of what the future holds, then do not stay isolated. Joni and Friends is here to provide you resources, lift your prayer needs up before the throne, and talk to you one-on-one should you need an encouraging word. Just go to my radio page at joniradio.org and let us know how we can pray for you. Or visit joniandfriends.org/gethelp to share your prayer requests with us today.
Friend, no one should suffer alone; it is why God created spiritual community. So, let us help you through this difficult time, would you? And remember those wonderfully comforting words from the Bible; those words, “This too shall pass.” Can you believe it? It’s true; it will. Thanks for listening to Joni and Friends where we sure do love sharing hope through every hardship. Even during coronavirus.
© Joni and Friends
Bringing Hope and the Gospel to the Most Vulnerable Populations
Our kingdom ministry will not stop… “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 God bless you for your heartfelt prayers and faithful support during these uncertain times. As this COVID-19 virus continues to spread, it’s very easy to lose hope and…
