Hope In Jordan

By |Published On: April 16, 2021|Categories: 4-Minute Radio Program|

I love sharing hope in some of the hardest, most difficult places.

Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, and when I think of those hardest, most challenging places in the world, refugee camps along the Syrian border come to mind. You know the story – Isis terrorists ripped through villages, destroying homes, businesses. And these families – back, well, years ago – they ran for their lives with their few possessions on their backs. Basically, they were driven into camps – crowded camps with no infrastructure, no water, electricity, sewage. Since the start of the conflict in Syria in 2011, Jordan – the country – has shouldered the impact of a massive influx of Syrian refugees. And today, even now, still refugees from Syria account for more than 10 percent of Jordan’s population, placing immense pressure on the country’s over-stretched resources. 

Around 650,000 Syrian refugees from Iraq and Syria live in tents; they live in crude homes with tin roofs, in canvas lean-tos – wherever they can find safety. And among these thousands of makeshift homes live family members with disabilities – kids with disabilities, the elderly, men and women maimed by the war. But Wheels for the World hasn’t forgotten them. And it’s why we love working with the church and our international partners in Jordan. Our partners in Jordan recently distributed wheelchairs and Bibles and the “Joni” book in Arabic at a church in a northern village near the Syrian border. This church has served as the site of several wheelchair distributions, and God is doing amazing things through this congregation. Because once a Syrian child or an Iraqi adult receives a wheelchair and Bible, gets followed up with discipleship, humanitarian aid, vocational training, medical help, and a school for refugee children, including those with special needs! And you know what? The leader who oversees the fittings and adjustments for the wheelchairs is himself a refugee from Iraq. Our partners in Jordan have been deeply touched with the friendships that they have made with this Christian Iraqi who fled Mosul when ISIS took over his city – some who followed Jesus every step of the journey; others, like him, once they arrived in Jordan found the treasure of eternal life in Christ. These people lost so much when they left everything behind. They were successful businessmen – some with big enterprises – but they say they’d do it all again for what they’ve gained in knowing Jesus. 

I salute our incredible international partners, not only in Jordan, but in Peru, Thailand, Uganda, El Salvador, Ukraine and all over the world. Psalm 117 says, “Praise the Lord, all you nations. Praise him, all you people of the earth.” And that happens every time we give a wheelchair, and a Bible, and the salvation message of Jesus Christ in places like Iraq, Syria and Jordan. Especially among displaced people. So be praying as our Wheels for the World team heads out later this spring to Guatemala and beyond. We’re going to be working with some wonderful churches; some great partners like those I mentioned in Jordan. And pray for people to come to Jesus, just like these Syrian refugees. Hey, I’ve posted a few photos of this outreach in Jordan at joniradio.org, so take a look. Also, a video of a Wheels for the World outreach so you can see exactly what we do. Visit joniradio.org, and see firsthand the changes that happen when we give hope in Christ to people in great hardship. And I trust this same hope encourages you in your hardships. So I’ll see you later at joniradio.org.

© Joni and Friends

Volunteer with Wheels for the World!

Our Wheels for the World program provides life-changing mobility and the hope of the Gospel to people impacted by disability worldwide.

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