A New Season of Hope and Joy for Mapalo in Zambia
The day Mapalo and her mother, Kongwa, came to our Wheels for the World® outreach in Zambia, they felt the presence of God and discovered a hopeful new season of life.
Mapalo, who lives with cerebral palsy, has never had a wheelchair. Even as an adult, she has traveled from place to place on Kongwa’s increasingly weary back. While Kongwa adores her daughter and has raised her with Christ-saturated love, Mapalo’s needs represent only a fraction of her constant responsibilities.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28–30
Not only is Kongwa the sole supporter of her immediate family; she has also become the primary source of care and financial provision for her sister who has Parkinson’s disease, as well as her adult children.
During the day, Kongwa sells plants to earn income for her family’s many pressing needs. Meanwhile, Mapalo has often had no choice but to sit at home. Without a wheelchair, she couldn’t go out to interact with peers and use her sharp, lively conversation skills.
Respite and Freedom for Kongwa and Mapalo
As our veteran volunteer, Rose Hull, met Mapalo and Kongwa, she was immediately treated to a beautiful smile and warm hug from Mapalo. She soon discovered this radiant young lady is ready to venture into the world with more independence, sharing the love of Jesus, which has sustained her and Kongwa through many years of hardship.
“Having a wheelchair will be a blessing for Mapalo and Kongwa, who has carried her daughter on the 25-minute walk to their church just to take part in worship,” says Rose.
You can see the delight on Mapalo’s face, soaking in the love of Jesus as our Joni and Friends team carefully fitted her for her first wheelchair.
A Word of Thanks…
Kongwa has a word of thanks for you, who sent her beautiful daughter a new lease on life and a reminder of Jesus’s unfailing love:
“I am so grateful for your generosity, which has given Mapalo happiness and independence. Thank you is not enough. No words are enough!”
Kongwa
Now, Mapalo and Kongwa can’t wait to spread the word about the love of Jesus throughout their community!
Spread the Hope of Jesus Around the World
Today, you can send a wheelchair and the Gospel to a person with a disability like Mapalo, changing the course of a life and bringing glory to Jesus.
