When Jesus Draws Near: A Life Changed Through Love and Disability Care

“Surely I am with you always…” Matthew 28:20 

Hunger pangs were the least of Javier’s suffering—nothing compared to the aching grief and loneliness pressing in, hour after hour, day after day. When Javier’s mother died more than ten years ago, he lost his primary caregiver and his closest relationship.

Living in a remote area in Guatemala with severe disabilities, including spina bifida, Javier spent most of his time alone in bed. Even after someone came to transfer him to his wheelchair, stairs separated Javier’s room from other areas of his community housing, leaving him stuck for days at a time, until a family member came to check on him.

“When my mother died, I was unwell for ten years,” Javier says. “I felt sad. She was my only support.”

While family members kept a roof over Javier’s head, they lacked the resources to properly care for him. Oftentimes at home, Javier went hungry. When he did get food, it was usually scraps from someone else’s finished plate. And, even with the help of a family member, their rustic bathroom was not accessible for a wheelchair user.

“I didn’t want to be alone here but there was no one to talk to or be with me. I felt that nobody supported me. When I was brought to my room and left alone, I would start crying,” says Javier.

How Javier’s Life Changed 

Today, Javier wakes up with light in his eyes because he knows he is not alone. Each weekday, a volunteer from our Joni’s House^® Guatemala team makes the trek to Javier’s neighborhood on the outskirts of town.

After a long walk down a narrow dirt path, our Joni’s House team member arrives at Javier’s humble dwelling. He greets Javier warmly and pushes his wheelchair back up the alley. A nearly two-hour van ride follows, while a dozen more students living with disability are picked up to go to Joni’s House Crossroads School.

For Javier, Joni’s House is more than a place to get an education. For him, it’s home—a safe place to grow physically, emotionally, and spiritually. From the moment Javier arrives, he and the other students, all of whom live with disabilities, experience the hands-on love of Jesus and have their critical needs met with skill and care.

Meeting a Critical Need 

Guatemala consistently ranks among the lowest nations in the world for quality of education. The opportunity for disabled children to receive an education is almost nonexistent. As part of our commitment to provide complete Christ-centered care through our Joni’s House programs, we began this urgently needed Christian education outreach.

Because Javier and other students don’t get enough food at home, their school day begins with a nourishing breakfast. In addition to basics like math and reading, students study the Word of God and even worship through music education. Joni’s House goes beyond education by providing physical therapy and nursing care on site.

“My favorite subject is learning to read,” says Javier. “And therapy has helped me develop more strength in my hands. I’m stronger now, so I can climb into bed. Before, I had to be lifted. Now I can do it on my own.” Best of all, as Javier adds, “God is in my heart. I feel closer to God than ever before. He speaks to me, and I now talk about God to other people. He helps me to speak to people and help people.” 

Making Disciples 

We have witnessed a stunning transformation in Javier’s life through your love and his time attending our Joni’s House school. Javier has gone from living in despair to becoming a joyful disciple of Christ. 

“Javier has found a place here where he can take his protective shell off and let us see who he is,” says our Joni’s House team. “He has learned to trust others and trust God. He has opened himself up. And it’s great to see how he’s been able to shine and be a joyous person.” 

Through therapy, education, and discipleship, Javier now moves independently, reads Scripture aloud during devotionals, cooks, cleans, and even creates crafts to sell. These skills give him dignity, confidence, and hope for the future. 

And Javier’s story doesn’t stop there! While Joni’s House became a haven for Javier, his home remained inaccessible, and breaks in the school year threatened to leave him hungry and neglected. But God used your love and generous support to provide for Javier.  

And during school breaks, Javier’s friends from Joni’s House go to visit him, provide necessities, and remind him that he is a beloved member of the body of Christ. In all these ways and more, your generosity shows Javier that Jesus—and your love—is with him always! 

Best, of all, Javier now loves to share the Gospel with others in need, serving with our Joni and Friends team in Guatemala. Joni always says that it’s not disability ministry until the disabled are ministering. And Javier is living proof of God’s transforming power at work, not in spite of our suffering, but through it!