The Purpose of Claudia’s Disability

“I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.”

Job 42:2

Even when COVID-19 prevented our staff from traveling abroad, our international ministry has remained strong thanks to our faithful in-country partners – proving once again that coronavirus simply cannot stop the love of God!

In El Salvador, Joni and Friends Regional Coordinator for Central America, Claudia Aguirre, has been leading our International Family Retreat for ten years now. Claudia became a quadriplegic herself when she was only 11 years old after she had a diving accident much like Joni’s.  

When she was 12 years old, a friend gave Claudia the Joni book, and Joni immediately became her role model – inspiring Claudia to overcome life’s obstacles and share the love of Christ through serving others. And when Claudia got to meet Joni as our ministry began in El Salvador, “It was like a dream come true.” Now, God is using Claudia to transform the lives of children and adults with disabilities all throughout her country through Wheels for the World and Family Retreat.

“People with disabilities in El Salvador are neglected and discriminated against,” explains Claudia. “But at Family Retreat, they learn that the Lord has a purpose for every life. We spread the Word of God to families just like Andy’s.”

Andy was born without arms. Life was incredibly hard for him and his parents. In fact, Andy’s dad was so discouraged that he didn’t even want to attend Family Retreat with his family. But he eventually agreed to attend, and he met the Lord as he spoke to the other fathers of special needs children. And when it came time for the Talent Show, Andy’s dad got on stage and praised the Lord with the other fathers! His life and faith were completely transformed at Family Retreat. Now Andy’s dad sees the value of his son, his family and himself.

“Joni taught me that there is a purpose for my disability; to point other people to Christ,” continues Claudia. And that is exactly what she does all throughout the year through church equipping trainings and even by translating Joni’s radio program into Spanish so it can be heard on radio stations in El Salvador.

Like everywhere else right now, times are especially difficult in El Salvador due to COVID-19. Plus, El Salvador was recently hit by more than one tropical storm, leaving thousands of people homeless. “They have lost everything,” Claudia explains. “They are living in shelters. But even through this crisis and the pandemic, the Lord is opening doors.”

“We are learning to adjust to our circumstances and many families with disabilities who have never attended Family Retreat are now being served through Facebook Live events. The Lord has given us more exposure so we can reach more families. And for those who have lost everything in tropical storm Amanda, we are working with the churches to provide food, clothes, and medicine for families who have none.”

“The special needs families here are from very poor backgrounds. They usually never have the opportunity to leave their little houses, but Joni and Friends donors make it possible for them to go to Family Retreat where their lives are transformed,” shares Claudia.

And now under the strain of coronavirus and tropical storms, responding to those practical needs and providing spiritual refreshment is what’s needed for simple daily living.

Instead of questioning God, people are accepting Christ as their Savior.

Through all of their adversity, children and adults with disabilities in El Salvador are seeing for themselves that God is both sovereign and faithful. He is giving them opportunities they’ve never even dreamed of and turning their tragedy into triumph! But there is so much more work to be done… so many more families who need to experience the love and hope of Jesus.