The Day a Whole Village Met Jesus!
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Psalm 139:14
When our Joni and Friends Central California team arrived in Haiti on a Wheels for the World outreach, no one even knew that Franz existed. Franz had spent all 17 years of his life completely alone on a cold, dirt floor cut off from the rest of his village and the rest of the world.
Franz was disabled at birth. His father abandoned him thinking that Franz was cursed and would somehow invite evil into his life. Soon after, Franz’s mother died, and if not for the compassion of Franz’s uncle Albalo, Franz would have been left for dead.
Albalo took Franz in but also feared his neighbors and the voodoo culture of Haiti. He hid Franz away while he worked all day and night… for 17 years. No wonder Franz’s muscles were so terribly atrophied.
On the day of our Wheels for the World outreach, Albalo carried Franz out into the sunshine for the first time in his life. His neighbors stared in utter shock. They had never seen Franz before! They had no idea that Albalo had hidden him away!
While our teams perfectly fit Franz into his brand-new wheelchair, our Joni and Friends Central California team showered him with love and attention – sending a strong message to his whole community: Franz’s life is meaningful and valuable! He is God’s image-bearer!
“God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”
Genesis 1:27
It was apparent by the smile that swept across Franz’s face that he fully understood what it meant to be surrounded by such a crowd of friends who accepted and welcomed him. After knowing nothing but dirt and darkness, Franz was being embraced by the body of Christ!
And once Franz was safely in his new seat of dignity, the local pastor shared the Gospel not just with Franz and Albalo, but with their entire community.
On that day, God used Franz as his mouthpiece declaring that we are all precious to God. We can all have new life in Jesus!
The pastor went on to explain that God created Franz with love and purpose. He discussed how Franz could help bring them together as a community. The way God used Franz that day was a modern-day miracle! God used Franz to bring the hope of Jesus to his neighbors!
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Ephesians 2:10
On that day, not only did God transform the life of a 17-year-old young man who had never seen the light of day.
On that day an entire village met Jesus!
See for yourself when you watch this powerful video, and hear the rest of the story on our ministry podcast.
Joni and Friends Fresno
Please pray for our Central California team as they continue to serve in Haiti. And show your generous support today so that more children and families living with disability can be brought closer to Christ!
