Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and welcome to “Joni and Friends.”
I got a call the other day from Kay Arthur of Precept Ministries; she wanted to tell me about a woman with cerebral palsy named Tanya who lives in Uzbekistan. Things are pretty bad there, pretty dismal and very poor, not an easy place for someone with a severe disability to live. Plus, Tanya's cerebral palsy has gotten more challenging; she can hardly walk now. When we at Joni and Friends learned about this, our ministry was able to give her a wheelchair through our Wheels for the World outreach. According to Kay Arthur, it made a huge difference in Tanya's life. Not only in her life, but the difference was felt among Christians living all over that part of Uzbekistan.
How so? It seems lately that Muslim leaders in the city where Tanya lives (To protect Tanya, I can't say exactly where.) … It seems that Muslims are working hard to convert more people to Islam. Christians are being forced to leave their own region, and even recant their faith in Christ under the threat of death, but they can't stop Tanya. Actually, to be honest, the authorities don't seem to care about this poor crippled woman; she's disabled; she's handicapped; she’s a ‘nobody.’ What threat could she be?! And so, they leave her alone. They ignore her, as they do most disabled people.
But as they do, the Gospel then enjoys greater success. Because little do the authorities realize, they are actually opening up a door for the Good News. You see, every week Tanya quietly goes about her business. In her wheelchair, she makes the six-hour across town trip to the other side of the city to lead a Precept Bible study. It's not easy for this woman in a wheelchair. It requires taking various buses and a taxi, all in order to arrive in time to lead the Bible study. It started out a very small study, but now the room is crowded with people hungry to learn more about Jesus. None of this would be possible if Tanya were active and on her feet. She’d be noticed; she’d draw attention to herself; she’d be suspect. But her wheelchair has served to advance the Gospel, in the same way that Paul said of his own chains in Philippians chapter one. The authorities ignore Tanya in her wheelchair, and in so doing, they open the door of opportunity for the Word of God to go forth.
I want to thank Kay Arthur and the team at Precept for all that they are doing to train and equip disabled people like Tanya. And, friend, I want to thank you, too—you who are persevering in spreading the love of Jesus, despite the struggles with your own limitations. Just like the Apostle Paul, just like Tanya, perhaps an even wider door of ministry is opening up around you because of your painful circumstances. Only heaven will reveal the many souls reached because of the efforts of people like Tanya and people like you. That’s how critical Bible study really is! And this is why you must go over to my radio page today at joniandfriends.org and ask for your free booklet “How to Study the Bible.” I mean, look at the effort Tanya makes when it comes to Bible study. And I want you to join her in making it a priority in 2014. In this booklet are lots of great resources, guidelines and tips to help you make the most of your study of God's Word. And while you’re on my radio page, don’t forget to sign up to read the Bible all the way through with Ken and me in 2014. And when you do, let your friends on Facebook and Twitter know. Who knows, maybe they may even join you! This coming year, it’s going to be a great year digging deeper into the Word of God. Join us in the effort at joniandfriends.org.
© Joni and Friends, 2013
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PO Box 3333 Agoura Hills, CA 91376