Hear Joni share an amazing story of how God connects people to further his kingdom. Learn how you can sign up to have a meaningful spring break by interning with Joni and Friends at joniradio.org.
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and I love the way that God connects people.
As well as places and things and needs. God knows how to connect the dots, especially when someone needs help. And little Caio down in Brazil really needed help. Caio is a little boy with cerebral palsy. He can’t walk or speak. When he was very small and it was clear that his disability was permanent, his father left him and his mother, Claudia. Caio and his mom live in poverty but, thankfully, the government pays Claudia a small stipend to go to school with Caio and be his helper. And it’s a good thing – because she cannot care for her little boy and hold down a real job. And so, there was no way to afford a wheelchair for Caio. His mother carried him everywhere. Now, remember what I said about God connecting people? How he connects the dots for folks who need help? Well, it just so happened that Claudia was friends with a taxi driver who happened to drive a disabled person to our Wheels for the World distribution. Are you getting the dots here? The cab driver recalled that his friend, Claudia, had a disabled son without a wheelchair. He puts two and two together, connects the dots and tells her about our wheelchairs.
Hurriedly, Claudia lifts her son into the back of the taxicab and off they go. Unfortunately, by the time they got to our distribution, we had run out of wheelchairs. Or at least that’s what we thought. After searching our stock room, we found a suitable wheelchair and our Wheels for the World team even constructed a little lap tray for Caio. He and his mom were ecstatic. But there’s more! Because from there, we were able to invite him to our Brazil International Family Retreat. And for a little boy with cerebral palsy who can’t speak? The Family Retreat was just the best. He did things he had never dreamed of doing! Like, jumping on a trampoline with his volunteer. He made things at the arts and crafts station. Claudia just stood back, folded her arms, and watched her son and volunteers have the most amazing time. She turned to us and said, “You know, this is the first time Caio is able to be on his own without me.” And then she thoughtfully added, “And this is the first time I can be by myself.” For her, it was overwhelming. Ever since Caio was born, Claudia has not experienced a break. Morning, noon, and night. Day after day. Toileting, feeding, washing – never a break.
Oh by the way, those volunteers who helped Caio and his mom? They were interns – global missions interns from Joni and Friends. Our interns not only served alongside the Wheels for the World team, but also helped staff the International Family Retreat in Brazil. And I have got good news. During spring break, we are putting together another group of interns to go back to Brazil and serve with us in northern Brazil. Now, I just learned that this intern trip is full. But there are lots of other opportunities. So, if you are majoring in special education, therapy, or are gifted with organizational skills, come and join us! You’ll receive training, mentoring, you will help churches get exposed to people with disabilities and their needs. And you will serve at our International Family Retreat. Get all the details at joniradio.org. Plan something exciting during your spring break and serve with a team of like hearted Joni and Friends interns. Just go to joniradio.org to see a short video clip of Caio enjoying painting on his lap tray and see a video of Caio having a blast on a trampoline for the very first time. This kid is way too cute, so see for yourself at joniradio.org.
© Joni and Friends