Today is Memorial Day and, like you, I am thinking of so many brave soldiers in the Middle East who have not only made the ultimate sacrifice--lost their lives--but I’m thinking of other soldiers who have experienced devastating disabilities. Last month, Ken and I had the pleasure of connecting with a group of disabled soldiers who had come back from Iraq. The stories these men told just made me shiver – many of them severely burned or disabled from explosions, or their vehicle being hit by IED’s. Some of these soldiers are quadriplegics like me – for them, it’s been a long, difficult process, but I'm so impressed with the Christian faith so many of these men hold fast to. And I really do think our time with them was such a blessing to them, yes, but to Ken and me too.
You know, recently Joni and Friends donated thousands of my cards – you know, the cards with my artwork? We sent these cards in gift packages to our troops. We did it through an organization we partnered with called Operation Gratitude. My cards – which have my story on the back of how I paint handling the brushes between my teeth – well, these things along with the other gift items included in the boxes sent to Iraq by Operation Gratitude I tell you it really touched a chord with these brave men and women who are fighting. I heard back from many of them.
One Lance Corporal wrote to tell us “Our cause here is for freedom no matter what the press is saying. We have built over 47 schools and I don’t know the count, but I just bet as many clinics and hospitals have been built.” Another Marine wrote to say, “We are willing to walk the streets of these towns at night because the people want to be safe. May God bless you as He blesses us.” And, of course, there are those army and air force medics to whom we have sent wheelchairs to be given to Iraqi citizens who have become injured in the war. I could go on and on.
So on this Memorial Day, find out how you can get involved – Operation Gratitude is doing a wonderful job and I salute them! Believe me, people like those fine soldiers Ken and I met with earlier this year… and those letters I just quoted from… these brave men and women need to know you and I are praying for them and supporting their valiant efforts.
You might want to get your Sunday school involved… or put together a gift package through your AWANA club… or maybe you serve with the Scouts or you have a high school or college community service club you’re a part of. Or maybe your Bible study is studying Ephesians 6 about putting on the armor of God – well, you can put together a package for soldiers as a missions project for your study group. There are all kinds of ways you can shore up the spirits of these service men and women. We’ll put info up all about Operation Gratitude on our radio page on our website or you can jot us a note, drop it in the mail. It’s Memorial Day, I think it’s a great way to remember the sacrifices and the service of so many courageous men and women who fight for our freedoms!
Used by permission of
JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 93176
© Joni and Friends