Encouraging Our Partners in Argentina

Whenever our Joni and Friends ministry teams travel, I am always excited to hear about the ways that God is working overseas. Just last month, staff members from our Christian Institute on Disability returned from Argentina, where they taught our Beyond Suffering course to students, missionaries and pastors. There, we also met Rosa — founder of AMAD, a rehabilitation facility in Mendoza, Argentina. Rosa shared that, upon reading my autobiography in Spanish, Joni, Rosa felt inclined to help people with disabilities and so, she decided to major in special education. It was a risky move for Rosa: not only was she going into a career that was looked down on, but Rosa was going to start a nonprofit for people with disabilities. Praise be to God, Rosa’s dream came true. And now, 25 years later, AMAD serves over 90 children and teens with severe disabilities. But Rosa hasn’t done it alone. Along with her staff, the Word of Life Bible Institute and a local church have been instrumental in the growth and maintenance of this facility’s reach to many needy children. It’s why it was our pleasure to join AMAD and their partners in celebrating such a milestone — we had three days filled with opportunities for students to serve, fun games for the children and their families, and a leadership training at the local church. With tears in her eyes, Rosa looked upon what this world called foolish, but what God calls beautiful: people gathered to celebrate, serve and encourage God’s special children. Congratulations AMAD!