Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and welcome to "Joni and Friends".
You know how you’ve heard it said: The Word of God is dangerous. It not only reveals unlawful things in our hearts, sometimes the Word of God itself is unlawful-- like in parts of China. This was driven home when our Wheels for the World team was distributing wheelchairs and Joni books in Chinese in an outlying province of that sprawling nation. For the most part when we take wheelchairs to China, we are free to distribute Bibles, but not in this particular part of the province. We were warned by our host pastors to be very careful, the Bible was looked upon with disfavor.
But that did not deter our Wheels for the World team who welcomed all the many poor and hurting disabled people who were arriving from outlying areas, coming in horse carts or being pushed in wheelbarrows or dragged on blankets. We welcomed them in the name of Jesus and, of course, tenderly fitted each disabled child and adult with a priceless wheelchair – something they had only dreamed about. And all the while our Wheels team was working, Chinese officials from the province stood on the perimeter and watched. They never smiled; they never talked to these families. They just watched to make certain that everything was done in accordance with their regulations.
We had Chinese Bibles with us and although we could not officially distribute them, they were there, available for anyone who wanted to take one freely. It was amazing how many Bibles disappeared off that table! Finally, at the end of the day, our Wheels for the World team members gathered with the translators and several families who were still being fitted. We gathered together to pray. But the Chinese translator warned one of our team members named Cindy to pray with her eyes opened. And so they did. After they prayed, Cindy felt the presence of someone behind her. It was one of those Chinese officials. He tapped her on the shoulder and said in halting English, “Madam, come with me.” Cindy’s eyes became wide. She was gripped with fear. Apparently not only were Bibles looked upon with disfavor; praying was, as well! Cindy glanced at the others in her circle, then silently stood up and followed the official outside.
When they turned the corner of the building, the official showed Cindy the Chinese Bible he had taken off the table. She froze. She didn’t know what to expect. That’s when the official then spoke up: “Madam,” he said pointing to the book, “Bible? For me?” Then he pointed to himself. “You have Bible for me?” Cindy was astounded and immediately the fear drained out of her face replaced by a smile. She quickly connected this man with the interpreter who was able to help him, just as we had helped all the others that day. Psalm 118 says, “The Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes.” Oh friend, God is doing marvelous things through Wheels for the World, whether in China or, well, in Uganda where we were giving wheelchairs and Bibles just last week. I really want you to get in on the blessing – just like Cindy experienced. So please, when you have a minute, visit my radio page today at joniandfriends.org and be blessed by the most wonderful video I posted about a recent Wheels for the World outreach into Romania. And pray for our teams who’ll be heading out soon to Ghana, Jordan and India loaded down with Bibles not only for people with disabilities but, hey, perhaps even a few government officials!
© Joni and Friends, 2013
Compliments of Joni and Friends
PO Box 3333 Agoura Hills, CA 91376