JONI: Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and I’m back today with my guest Becky Oprean. Becky, welcome to the program.
BECKY: Thank you so much, Joni.
JONI: And as I shared the last time we met, I met Becky many years ago when her family immigrated to America from Romania. Becky has spina bifida, she’s in her early 20’s, and this woman has such a testimony. She has been through so much, but she loves heading back to Romania to tell other young people with disabilities that God has a plan for their life too. Becky, I’m so glad that you are taking time to join us again.
BECKY: Thank you Joni. I’m honored.
JONI: You must have a favorite Bible verse that has really encouraged you these many years. What is it that you must often find yourself quoting from God’s word?
BECKY: My favorite verse is from Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength.” He is the one who always gives me the strength every single day when I feel that I’m sad or down.
JONI: Well, Becky, you are in your early 20’s now, any advice you would give to other young people dealing with a disability?
BECKY: Have someone by your side. Have them to give you encouragement. Have them to read a verse from the Bible; pray with them. For myself, there is times you can imagine having a day when it’s very lonely and I feel sad, but what I do is I go to my mom and even to my dad, and we pray together and we cry together; we read the Word of God and listen to Christian music – that always lifts me up. I never give up; I go on with my life, and I know that even in our circumstances, my circumstance, and even people with special needs, God can use us for His glory.
JONI: Well, my goodness, you have certainly inspired me this day. I cannot tell you just seeing your smile, the sparkle in your eye, your love for Jesus and the composed way you share your testimony, I am so blessed. Okay, Becky, I’m looking at a photo of you right now and it shows President George Bush presenting to you “The President’s Volunteer Service Award” and what is so wonderful is that he is bending down and kissing your forehead. Tell me about that moment.
BECKY: Well, it was an honor to meet him that day, and in this picture him kissing my forehead says a lot about his love and compassionate heart toward people with special needs. I know that on the judgment day God will tell him, “You did an amazing job.”
JONI: You know, I am so glad you mentioned that. I think on the day when we all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, God may have this picture up there and He is going to show it to all the pastors and Christian leaders in the world, and He is going to say, “Look, the president of the United States honored this young girl with her disability and embraced her and showed her the kind of special honor that 1 Corinthians, chapter 12 speaks about, and what did you do to reach out to embrace special needs families?” I think this is going to be very convicting to a few Christian friends. Oh, it’s a wonderful picture, and friend listening, you really must see this, it is so endearing. So would you go to my radio page today at joniandfriends.org and not only look at this great photo of Becky and President Bush, but also I have provided a link to her website, Becky’s Hope, so you can find out more about what she and her family are doing to reach other special needs families with the Gospel of Jesus in her former nation of Romania. Becky, you have blessed my heart and I know you have blessed the hearts of our listeners. Thank you for joining us.
BECKY: Thank you so much, Joni. I love you!
JONI: And I love you too, Becky. Visit my radio page today at joniandfriends.org and while you are there be sure to share a prayer request if you are feeling down and wanting to find the way up. We want to pray for you. Oh, and when you have a chance, today, drop by joniandfriends.org.
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