God’s Love Shines Through Joni’s House El Salvador

By Joni and Friends|Published On: February 5, 2024|Categories: Joni's House|

Meet Our Friend Ever…

Ever and his family have been part of the Joni and Friends community in El Salvador for more than a decade! Ever lives with cerebral palsy and an intellectual disability, and at age six he needed a wheelchair. His mom, Claudia, reflects on how God met her son’s need through Joni and Friends ten years ago, and how the ministry has continued to serve her family since then:

“Joni and Friends blessed Ever with a wheelchair when he was six years old. Now, ten years later, his wheelchair lets us bring Ever with us wherever we go, including to therapy sessions at Joni’s House,” says Claudia.

Now sixteen years old, Ever receives physical and occupational therapy through Joni’s House El Salvador. With the help of his occupational therapist, Ever has developed the hand mobility and coordination to feed himself. His therapists now focus on building mobility and strength in Ever’s body, and preventing muscle atrophy.

“We come to Joni’s House to feel God’s love.” – Claudia

Claudia continues to bring Ever to Joni’s House for many reasons. In addition to mobility support, Ever receives educational therapy, which has helped him develop more freedom and ability to connect.

“Because of Joni’s House El Salvador, Ever has more mobility, more independence, and he communicates better,” says Claudia.

But, as Claudia says, her family comes to Joni’s House for more than just equipment, and practical support:

“Joni’s House gives us hope. Joni’s House gives us God’s love… The people we meet through Joni and Friends—at Family Retreat and Joni’s House—they bring us closer to God’s love. We feel God’s love through each volunteer and staff member.

Through Joni and Friends, I learned that Ever and I have a purpose. We both have a mission to fulfill—a mission from God. Joni and Friends has changed every aspect of our lives,” says Claudia.

Joni’s House Welcomes People with Disabilities into God’s House

In Luke 14, Jesus issues a call to his followers:

“Go out quickly in the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame…. Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.”
Luke 14:21, 23 (NIV)

Through our Joni’s House locations, in El Salvador and around the world, Joni and Friends follows the command Jesus gives in Luke 14. By providing holistic care to individuals and families living with disability, Joni’s House demonstrates the hands-on love of Christ to families like Ever’s—and it makes an eternal difference in their lives. Just ask Claudia: