Stephanie’s Story

One year ago, Stephanie and her mom were driving to Los Angeles when her mother lost control of her vehicle. They careened off an embankment and Stephanie was hurled from the car. After paramedics airlifted her to a nearby hospital, doctors told her that she would never walk again. An athletic senior about to graduate from high school, Stephanie plummeted into depression. Soon, Stephanie was entertaining thoughts of suicide. That’s when her aunt gave her a copy of the “Joni” book. Suddenly, this 17-year-old realized she wasn’t alone – Joni went through everything I’m going through! Stephanie called our Joni and Friends Bay Area office, searching for help. Our Bay Area team shared the Gospel and asked if she wanted to receive Christ as Savior. “Yes, I want to know Him,” she replied, “and I believe He was with me in the hospital when I felt so alone.” She received the gift of salvation that day, and now, Stephanie and her mother attend a local church (a short time ago, they even drove down to Agoura Hills to visit me). Stephanie and her mother are just one of the families that our Joni and Friends’ Local Offices are reaching for Christ– keep praying that we reach more young people like Stephanie in 2012!