Join Joni and Friends in meeting the challenge of Proverbs 31:8: Speak up for the poor and needy who cannot speak for themselves! Today on Giving Tuesday, help us reach more families with wheelchairs, Bibles, practical help, and the hope of Jesus.
Join us on Giving Tuesday in supporting people with disabilities around the world.
I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, and here’s my Bible verse for Giving Tuesday.
Yes, on this special day where we show generosity toward those in need, I’m thinking of Proverbs 31, starting with verse 8: “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute…defend the rights of the poor and needy.” And friend, that’s what I’m doing today. I’m speaking up for those who do not have a voice I’m speaking for children with disabilities overseas who cannot speak for themselves. Look, I’ve served in international disability advocacy for nearly four decades, and I’ll tell you no one – no one – is more destitute than a child living in poverty with a disability! I’ve traveled to 57 countries and have seen the desperate plight of special needs families time and again. Parents who are not only hoping desperately for a wheelchair for their child; they’re just uncertain even where their next meal is coming from.
It was like this in El Salvador for seven-year-old Levi and his parents. This little boy was born prematurely and suffered two heart attacks just days after his birth. Because of brain damage, Levi cannot walk or talk; add to that, his chronic kidney disease. We met little Levi earlier this year when his mother and father brought him to Joni’s House in El Salvador. Joni’s Houses are our new program we developed during COVID. They are centers of evangelism, practical help, support, therapy, food – you name it. Well, his parents had nowhere else to turn. They knew their son was in need of therapy and a wheelchair, but these things were far beyond their reach. Especially given that Levi’s mother had been recently diagnosed with breast cancer, and his daddy lost his job. This special needs family was in dire straits. But they knew they would not be turned away at Joni’s House. What they did not expect was the warm welcome they received from our team!
Through the generosity of people like you – yeah, you listening! – this humble family received the help they needed. Little Levi was fitted to a pediatric wheelchair way beyond his family’s means, and he was able to get the therapy he needed, as well at Joni’s House. Get this – local physical therapists volunteer their time to help the needy. What’s more, this little boy and his family opened their hearts to Jesus and got connected with a solid, caring church. The best part? They are plugged into Joni’s House and now will receive ongoing help through our various support programs for kids with disabilities. There you have it: powerful life transformation and unending hope in Christ. And now Levi’s mom and dad are telling the story of Jesus to all their family and friends in their village.
But there are so many more special needs families like theirs who need help. And so I’m putting the challenge of Proverbs 31 before you today; I’m speaking up for the poor and needy like Levi and his mom and dad. This Giving Tuesday help us reach more families like his with wheelchairs, and Bibles, and practical hands-on help, and the Gospel of Jesus. Go to joniradio.org where you’ll find a link to donate to the cause of Christ among the world’s disabled. You rarely hear me ask so directly, but Giving Tuesday is a perfect chance to support those whose needs are great. So join me in supporting families like Levi’s through Joni’s Houses in developing nations. You’ll be giving the Good News of Christ, Bibles, wheelchairs, and much more. Finally, thank you for being a Proverbs 31 person – come on, do it! Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, would you? And thank you as you do because it shows you’ve got a heart for the disabled. Oh, and you gotta see how cute this little kid Levi is! So go to joniradio.org where I’ve posted a fabulous photo. Most of all, though, thank you on this Giving Tuesday for having a heart for Christ.
© Joni and Friends