50th Anniversary Reflections

By |Published On: July 16, 2017|Categories: News|

During July, Joni is reflecting on the past 5 decades of God’s faithfulness following her 1967 diving accident.

Decade 3: 1988-1997

Billy Graham CrusadesLooking back over the last 50 years, many highlights include Billy Graham Crusades. Back in the 70’s, Ruth Graham read the Joni book and told Billy that he should invite me to speak at a Crusade. So, in October 1976, I shared my testimony at Pontiac Stadium near Detroit. Fresh off the farm, my sisters and I were star-struck when we met Johnny Cash (who sang at that Crusade). Sharing my story in front of 80,000 people? I was breathless! But I had been asking the Lord to give me opportunities to tell my testimony, and I wasn’t about to blow this one! I shared Romans 8:28 and how God had fit my broken neck into a glorious plan – a plan to make me more like Jesus. That was the first of 12 Billy Graham Crusades in which I shared my story.

But none were quite like the one in Budapest, Hungary. In 1989, I traveled over 6,000 miles to speak at that Crusade (and to also sing ‘Joni’s Waltz’ which I learned in Hungarian)! The best part was seeing hundreds of people with disabilities line the track of the 100,000-seat sports stadium. Mr. Graham’s team underwrote the train fare for any special-needs family who wanted to attend the Crusade. ADAEarly in the afternoon, families started bringing in their disabled loved ones… some were dragged in on blankets or mattresses; others were carried in old lawn chairs, or on the backs of husbands or fathers! That night virtually all of them opened their hearts to Christ! Billy Graham and his team always made a point to “go out… find the disabled, the lame and the blind… and bring them in” (Luke 14:12-14).

Another highlight from that era? I served on the National Council on Disability when the ADA was first drafted. What a joy to sit on the south lawn of the White House and watch President George HW Bush sign the ADA into law. Later, at a reception, the executive director of our Council commented that this new law would stop discrimination in jobs, create accessFamily Retreat in public accommodations such as restaurants, and one day provide for mechanical lifts on all buses. “But this law will not change the employer’s heart. It won’t change the heart of the maître d’ at the restaurant or the bus driver’s heart.” Then he lifted his glass and said, “Here’s to changed hearts!” I cried when I heard that, because changing hearts is God’s job. Government’s laws can’t do it. Only the church has the Gospel message that changes people’s hearts!

WFTW

One more highlight? In the early 90’s, Joni and Friends held its first Family Retreat and Ken and I were privileged to be there (at Spruce Lake, PA, 1992). We also were a part of our first delivery of wheelchairs through Wheels for the World. So many memories! More on that next time!

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