Hi, this is Joni Eareckson Tada and I am so grateful to Christian radio!
Some time ago, I met Jack and Kathy Pike who work at Christian radio station WIHS in Connecticut, and they told me the neatest story that I just had to pass on to you. It all started when our Chair Corps representative for Wheels for the World up in that area had contacted WIHS to see if they would help spread the word about our wheelchair drive that we were planning. A wheelchair drive is where we put the call out for people to look in their basements and garages for used, but serviceable wheelchairs. Sometimes people give us a pediatric wheelchair that their child has grown out of. Well, the good folks at WIHS were more than happy to broadcast our need for their listeners to donate used but serviceable wheelchairs—in fact, the radio station became one of our drop off sites.
Well, after a few public service announcements had gone out over the radio, the word got around. Listeners were getting involved and were bringing all kinds of wheelchairs to the station. One morning, the secretary at WIHS (her name is Kathy), heard a beep, beep, beep, beep really loud! Now the front of the station building has a large pane glass window at the front and they looked up and—lo and behold—there is this huge garbage truck backing up and getting closer and closer to their glass window. But just as they were about to jump up, rush out and yell stop, the huge vehicle stopped a foot in front of the curb and the trash man hopped out.
It seems that while he was doing his rounds and picking up trash, he was listening to WIHS and had heard about the wheelchair drive. Well, while he was driving his big truck on his route, he spotted a used wheelchair propped up against a couple of the trashcans. It appeared to be in good shape and he didn’t have the heart to throw it into his bin. And so, he hoisted the wheelchair up into his front seat and, after his rounds, drove his truck over to the radio station to present it to Wheels for the World. Needless to say, the folks at WIHS were thrilled and so was our Chair Corps representative. Because as you well know, each wheelchair donated represents a life touched for Christ.
I love this story. To me, it shows that every one of us, each of us can make a difference; we can play a part. And what a part we play together in the kingdom, what a difference you and I can make when we simply keep our eyes open for opportunities and when the opportunities come obey the 10-second rule and seize them—just do it. That’s what that garbage man did when he saw that wheelchair sitting by the trashcans. So today, friend, look for opportunities to meet a need, offer a kind word, lend a hand or pick up a gift or run an errand for someone. It doesn’t have to be picking up a wheelchair; it could be whatever. Just keep your eyes open and God will show you just how you can help make a difference.
And, hey, if you’d like to join a “Wheels for the World” team in taking the Gospel of Christ, as well as Bibles and Joni books in foreign languages and, of course, wheelchairs to needy disabled people overseas, then please, by all means, today visit joniandfriends.org on our radio page and learn more details about Wheels for the World. We have a whole new rostrum of outreach trips lined up for 2013 and we’re looking for Christian physical therapists, administrators, prayer warriors, seating mechanics, and people who can translate. Does it sound like an opportunity that suits you? Well I hope it does. And if so, then seize it today at joniandfriends.org.
© Joni and Friends, 2012
Compliments of Joni and Friends
PO Box 3333 Agoura Hills, CA 91376