The Luke 14 Project: Wheelbarrows are Made for Dirt, Not People
As a photojournalist for Joni and Friends, I have the privilege to see firsthand the life-transforming work that Jesus is doing around the world through your prayers and generosity. Along with many joyous moments, I’ve also seen the hopelessness and devastation that families living with disability experience in developing nations.
In February, a small team of us traveled to Haiti, a place overrun with political turmoil and poverty. There are many heart-wrenching stories of people I’ve met over the years; memories that I’ll forever hold close to my heart. One of those stories is of Josleen from Haiti whose mother brought her to our Wheels for the World outreach in Haiti in a wheelbarrow…
To put this in perspective, wheelbarrows are made for dirt, not people. You could see that Josleen’s family had done their best to make the wheelbarrow comfortable, but she was in desperate need of a properly fitting wheelchair.
When I approached this young girl, I could see she was wearing her Sunday best to receive her wheelchair. But it was apparent right away that she had not been bathed for some time. As I bent down to talk to her, touch her sweet face, and welcome her to the outreach, I noticed flies buzzing around her and a strong odor. She was 16 years old but so thin and frail.
We led the family inside the church to fit Joseleen’s wheelchair. There was no air conditioning, and the only fans we had stopped working. While the mechanics worked on her wheelchair, I sat beside her and fanned her with a sheet of paper as I sang Jesus Loves Me.
My hope was to bring her some comfort, something that she had probably never experienced from a stranger before. People with disabilities in countries like Haiti are not used to being interacted with, touched, spoken to, or even looked at. They are typically ignored and neglected. So, any simple human interactions such as a gentle touch, eye contact, or a smile go a long way.
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”
Psalm 139:14
When her wheelchair was ready, the team carefully lifted her out of the wheelbarrow and placed her, for the first time, in a seat of dignity. The Haitian pastor came over to Josleen and her family and gave her a Bible in her language. He shared the Gospel with them for the first time.
Josleen was able to hear and know that Jesus loves her and created her for a purpose. And her mother was able to hear the comforting words from Psalm 139:13 that their daughter was “fearfully and wonderfully made” by Jesus.
You may not have the opportunity to meet someone like Josleen like I did, but as someone who’s seen Jesus work through your prayers and your generosity, I want you to know that you are truly transforming lives for eternity.
The Luke 14 Project is our global monthly giving community that provides mobility, connection, dignity and the good news of Jesus’ love. Your commitment to the cause helps sustain hope and dignity for our generation and the next!
Become a Luke 14 Friend
As a Luke 14 Friend, you help every person living with a disability find dignity, practical care, and the hope of Jesus! Your monthly gift provides medical and mobility support, essential resources, and spiritual care so every person is welcomed into God’s house.
