FEBRUARY 2019

You’re Sending the Gospel

Worldwidethrough Your Prayers and Gifts!

The longer you journey with your eyes on heaven, the more you begin to see. And that’s why I’ve written an updated version of my 1995 book,

Heaven. Why did I revise it? I’m in a very different place than I was 25 years ago. Maybe it’s the added years of dealing with the effects of remorseless gravity on an aging, paralyzed body. Perhaps it’s because of the tooth-and-nail battle with stage III cancer. Simply put, I’ve seen more, studied more, suffered more, endured more, learned more, and prayed more.

Most important, I’ve fallen more in love with Jesus. That’s the beating heart of what I want to say in this new edition of Heaven. In the original book, I made the point that heaven isn’t so much a Place as it is a Person. But I didn’t say nearly enough. Yes, Jesus said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” But it isn’t the mansion or celestial condo or quarter acre of heavenly real estate that really matters to me.

It’s Him. Truly. If Jesus is there—wherever there is—it’s heaven. Yes, of course I long for a new body that runs, dances, swims, and embraces loved ones on the other side. But what I really want is Jesus. The Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me. My Savior. My King.

And I want you to have that same delightful desire for Jesus, especially in your hardships. So, I hope you’ll order a copy of my book, Heaven… and pick up one for a friend who is going through tough times. It’ll help show how our sufferings connect us more closely to our eternal Home. And don’t forget, all proceeds of your purchase go directly to supporting the outreach of Joni and Friends – thank you for laying up your treasures in heaven as you partner with us!“ ”

But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

I John 3:2 Learn more at joniandfriends.org/100kby2020

Declare the Gospel & show Christ’s Love!

Five-year-old Ebenezer was the recipient of Joni and Friends’ 100,000th wheelchair at a Wheels for the World outreach in Ghana in 2014.

Four Ways You Can Get Involved

The need for wheelchairs worldwide remains great. But right now, in developing nations all around the world, the lives of disabled children and adults are being transformed because of you. Thank you for sending wheelchairs and the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Joni and Friends’

Wheels for the World program.

The gift of a wheelchair enables a child to go to school, or an adult to go to work and support their family. Most important, you give them hope, dignity, and the gift of eternity by providing a Bible in their language as local pastors share the Gospel with every wheelchair recipient.

So many children and adults are waiting for the gift of a wheelchair. Join us in this bold, God-inspired, vision! Thank you for standing strong and remaining faithful with your generosity and prayers!

Donate Volunteer Fundraise Advocate

Y ou brought hope to a mother and daughter from across the globe through your faithful prayers and support! Ganea from Romania desperately needed a miracle for her daughter, Denisa, who has multiple disabilities. When Ganea gave birth to Denisa, she had a twin brother, but only Denisa survived. Denisa is

paralyzed on her left side, cannot walk, and her eyesight is impaired.

As a single mother who solely provides for her six children, this mother was at the end of her rope. “We are very poor and I don’t have a lot of possibilities in my life,” she told us. Ganea knew she could never afford a wheelchair for her daughter with her small salary as a cleaning lady. But that afternoon, our Wheels for the World volunteers made a visit to her home, and a miracle happened… all because of your faithfulness!

Ganea watched as our volunteer Wheels physical therapist and mechanic tenderly and perfectly fit Denisa into her very own wheelchair. Ganea was moved with emotions and a smile came across her face! She told us, “I cried out to God because I know He loves me and He’s helped me every time. He has never abandoned me in my hardship and He’s answered my prayers through you!”

With this wheelchair you sent, Ganea can take Denisa to school, to the market, and outside in their community. Because of your faithfulness, Ganea and her family have much to smile about and praise God for today. Thank you for changing the lives of children with disabilities, one child at a time.

T H R O U G H Y O U R P R A Y E R S …

“ ”God will not forget your work and the love you

have shown Him as you have helped His people.Hebrews 6:10

A Mother’sFaithJesus’ Hope

Strengthenedis

with

“I want to thank you for this wheelchair for my daughter from the bottom of my heart. This wheelchair will change her life. We are very glad and God bless you.” - Ganea, mother from Romania

Jump into the adventure of serving people with disabilities worldwide and transform a life for Jesus! Your life is a

testimony to others. and when you choose to serve, others notice.

Do you have a desire to serve and leave a legacy for Jesus in 2019? Don’t hold back—go and let God use you with the skills and giftings He’s given you!

Wheels for the World Share God’s love worldwide as you deliver wheelchairs to children and adults in developing nations. Our teams need:

• Physical/occupational therapists

• Translators

• General support – anyone can help!

• Chair Corps—collect wheelchairs

Family Retreats & International Family Retreats Join us this summer! Enjoy camp-style activities as you serve a family affected by disability.

• Volunteer as a Short-Term-Missionary (STM)

• Serve with your church group as a team

• Assist with recreation and activities for pre-school, children or teen programs

Share the Joy of Serving like Jesus in 2019

“ ”It is the Lord Christ

you are serving.Colossians 3:24

For more information on these exciting opportunities in 2019, visit joniandfriends.org or call 818.707.5664.

How May We Pray For You?

At Joni and Friends, we’re passionate about prayer. If you have any prayer requests, let us know… we’d love to pray for you!

Every morning at Joni and Friends, our staff gathers at 8:00 a.m. to pray. During that time, we thank God for you because of your faithful partnership in this ministry. We faithfully pray for any specific needs you have shared with us. Thank you for giving us the privilege to pray for you…and we know you are doing the same for us!

To share your prayer requests with our staff, please email: response@joniandfriends.org or call 818.707.5664.

Myrthe Verboom recently served at an International Family Retreat in El Salvador. "I saw first-hand the challenges that families affected go through daily, but how they still praise God. It's something I’ll never forget.” “

”Always be joyful.

Never stop praying. Be thankful in all

circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

IN HONOR/Given ByCANDACE & CIARA ALDERFER

Don & Amy McMenaminGEORGIA ALEWINE

Evan WellsMANDY ASANTE

Pamela MinneciSUSAN R. ASHER

Nancy MacPhersonMAUREEN ASUNCION MOBILE SICK RELIEF

Edwin JenkinsEmma JohnsonAmparito MamuadArmando RuzJacqueline SuaverdezAlma VelascoAristotle Venturina

MARY KAY BELISSARYChristine Belissary

BISHOP JEROME BERNARDFather Boksy Harlan

SAWYER BERRIEBeth Berrie

GINNY MORGAN & VIRGINIA BERNARD

Heather GiambroneTROY BIERNBAUM

Robert & Joy StaffordVERNA BIXLER

Isabel HeinmillerNATALIE BROWN

Don & Cynthia BrownCAROL BURGER

Wesley BurgerSTEVE BOYNTON

Becky BarnettJon & Adrienne Butler

LAUREN CHAUVINLee Noack

ELISA CLEMENTELindsey Phelps

LOUISE CLIFFORDHolly Woodbridge

BEN & PATTY CUNNINGHAMDean Crane

DANIEL, ELISE, MATT, MELISSA, MICAH & SOPHIA

Laurel A. JenkinsMR. & MRS. JOHN DAY & KENNY

Elaine HillRACHEL DeRYK

Chris NewhouseDANIEL, MELISSA, MATT, MICAH, SOPHIA & ELISE

Laurel JenkinsRACHEL DEVEREAUX

Jane CadettCHRISTOPHER DIAZ

Hugo & Pamela EnriquezAMANDA & JESSICA EBERSOLE

Luke JebbJESSICA EBERSOLE

Jon EbersoleJON EBERSOLE

David & Margaret HirschTHE EISENHAUER FAMILY

Lauri EisenhauerTAL & ERIC

Deborah EmielitaPAUL & DEBBIE FACULJAK

Cheryl GarciaMY FATHER

Amy SmithGREG FIELDS

Dave & Sylvia FieldsBONNER FINK

Travis GriffinROY & REBECCA FITE

Charles & Renny JohnsonGRANT & SARA FOX

William & Stephanie PriceDR. WENDALL FUNK

Eli & Abbie GonickJESSICA GARDNER

Edmund RowlandMARIBETH GIBSON

C. Edward GibsonTeri Dallas Jordan

MARY CAROLYN GILESue Bessette, Family, & Friends

JACOB GRAHAMJohn & Gail Graham

MY GRANDCHILDRENDorothea Jordan

CAROL HAASE GREELEYRebekah Wilson

KATHLEEN HALECarol Otero

JACOB HALZELBetsy Halzel

MAZZY STARR HAMLINGene & Ann Hatcher

FAYE HAMMONDLeah Pinnix

JOSHAUA DAVID HARNNancy Evilsizor

CAROL HARRISJohn & Linda Brooks

JOYCE HEELydia Banaga

JOHNNIE HENRYElizabeth Smith

CLIFF & ARLENE HESTERMANLynette Hesterman

SCOTT HUNTJames Hunt

HELEN LOU HUTCHINSRoger & Terry Sanborn

MIMI HUTHRobert Huth

JONIMel & Gloria BlowersMichael & Cynthia BruceSue KlotzSuzanne MorenoElaine RobbinsCharles Scott

JONI & KENLiz Jones ByersVincent & Nancy CarusoJulie CasacciaAuggy DonlonJames & Lane EstepDyeanna FlowersMartha KelleySusan KoesslerLynn Pyle Sheila Thompson

JONI AND FRIENDS CHARLOTTEJamey Dagenhart

JONI AND FRIENDS DALLASDoug & Lorraine Mazza

THE LORD JESUSAmy CorriganSam & Amy GambinaMatthew MillsSuzanne MorenoSheila Thompson Maranatha Weaver

AICHA KATTAndrew & Penny Katt

CARRI KIRKPATRICKLinda Storey

HANK & BRENDA KLEHNPete & Gretchen Delacruz

CAITLIN KNOOPCornelia Vooys

RON KWASIGROH FAMILYMary Peek

JOHN & MARTIE KWASNYWilliam & Stephanie Price

CHARLES & REBEKAH KWONJessica BonnerMichael ChungClydette PowellMark UyedaKiyanda Young

VIVIAN R. LANDRUMRoger Landrum

SUE LANGEMartin & Ruth Cunningham

ANNABELLE LEATHORNMarilyn Nathan

MARIA LEEHilary Anglin

SARAH CHRISTINE LEHMERDebra Lehmer

MARCY LESESNETiphanie Backhouse

TOPHER LEWISTab Lewis

HAYDEN LePOREMatthew & Kimberly LePore

ALEXIS & LANE LISTERThomas Lister

DEBORAH LUEDYIsabel Heinmiller

RACHEL ALEXANDRA LYNCHWilliam & Nancy Lynch

AUNT JUDY MANNJoel Brown

CAROL MATHENYWilliam & Stephanie Price

BENJAMIN McANLYMichael & Laura McAnly

DR. & MRS. RICHARD McCOYMark McCoy

ROGER McDONALDBecky Barnett

MARLENE McKINNEY, MOTHERSandra McKinney

LU McLEANGary & Mary Grimes

JEN McNALLYSusan McCamy

KAREN MATETICHAshley Bradford

DONALD & LOUISE MEDLEY

Brian & Deborah MedleySherrie Geosling

BILL MEYERIsabel Heinmiller

DAVID & DARLENE MICHAELGail Broom

HALLEE MINGUS, GRANDDAUGHTER

Mike & Gloria SchmillenALBERT & BRIEANNA MOLINA

Carol OteroMARJORIE MONTGOMERY

Paul & Carolyn MontgomeryFRANK & GWEN MUND

Connie WilsonSAGE NEAL

Jeffrey NealABBY NELSON

Dorothy WestbergTIM & BETH NELSON

Dorothy WestbergSTEVE & LISA NELSON

Dorothy WestbergALICE E. NOE

Hope NoeMARGARET NORRIS

Rebekah WilsonGREG ORR FAMILY

Mary PeekDONNA OUTT

Rebecca McClellandMICHELLE PARFITT

Leigh O’DellPAUL

Kathryn GallagherSIDNEY PEEK

Mary PeekWARREN PEEK FAMILY

Mary PeekPEPPERS FAMILY MINISTRY

Thomas DuHain IIIRANDY PIJOAN & EVY McLEAN

Dean CraneHELEN KEELER PHILLIPS

Amelia RussellGENE & SUE PIGNATARO

Dana R. ViersTHE PIPPENGER FAMILY

Ashley VonderaheMR. & MRS. ERIC POST

Elaine Hill

LYNETTE PROVINSEDon Steiger

DORIS RASMUSSENPaul & Carolyn Montgomery

ELISABETH RENNEYNicole Carbone

ANTHONY & LIESL RICCIARDELLIThomas Leiser

JEANNIE RIVARDSheri Odekirk

GLAUCE ROBERTSONErinn Kanney

CRISTOPHER RODRIGUEZMaria Tavarez

STEVEN ROGERSJohn Rogers

BETH ROYALLTom Royall

SARA & CHARLIELinda Harding

DAVE & DEBBIE SCOTTGeorge Scott

JILL SHARPE & FAMILYLinda Harding

JOSEPH & MAUREEN SHAWAshish Farmer

DONNA FAYE SHIFLETSara Nguyen

HERBERT & BEVERLY SIBERTSharon PearsonBruce Sibert

TIM & MORGAN SMITHDebra Rumeau

GALEN SOMMERSBeth Sommers

DOYLE SOUSERClaudia Souser

JOHN STEINERIsabel Heinmiller

STM EXPERIENCEJessica Jongekryg

THE JOHN STROUD FAMILYRichard & Andee Lucas

KIM SUNKaren ChongErin Osako

MICHAEL SWIASTYNDarrell Spratt

JIMMIE TANNERGeorgia Alewine

PATRICIA TERRYRebecca Duvall

GWEN THAYERSteve & Karen Thayer

KEVIN & DARCI THOMASJacquelynne Thomas

RAMEY NEIL THOMPSONMichael DeGiovanni

MY BROTHER, TIMCrystal Gorter

Honor a Loved One, Transform a Life

We gratefully acknowledge contributions given in memory or in honor of loved ones to further ministry in the disability community. To give a gift in memory of a loved one or in honor of a special occasion, visit joniandfriends.org/donate or contact Joni and Friends at 818.707.5664 ext. 1740.

Continued on next page

PO Box 3333, Agoura Hills, CA 91376 • 818.707.5664 • joniandfriends.org This newsletter is published by Joni and Friends, a not-for-profit organization accelerating Christian ministry in the disability community. © 2019 Joni Eareckson Tada, publisher. All rights reserved. Permission to reproduce any material herein must be obtained in writing from Joni and Friends.

ANN TIPPINSBilly & Rebekah Resh

REBEKAH TOLBERT FAMILYMolly Read

RON TUCKERBecky Barnett

MARYJANE TYLERTruly Pompei

EMMA KATE UNGLESBYRachel Unglesby

BETSY UPSHURLiz Dodson

ERIN VACHON-VIERRARonald & Eileen Vachon-Vierra

EVAN VANDOVERPatricia VanDover

DAN & JULIE VAN HOOSENDean Crane

RUBEN VILLARREALBeverly Villarreal

ARLENE W.Robert Giuliano

ELIZABETH WALTONSusan McCamy

LORRIN WATSON, SISTERLynne Gale

DORIS WAUGHDale & Paula Martin

SCOTT & ROBIN WILLIAMSDean Crane

KENNEDY WILLIAMSKimberly Cheek

ZOLTANBrittney Mangum

IN MEMORY/Given ByDOROTHY ALBIN

Martin & Ruth CunninghamCALVIN ALDRINK

C. Joe SturzSTEVE ALLEN

Margo LockeDANIEL ALVAREZ

Manny AlvarezJOY ANDERSON

Dan & Lynn FuglestadHOWARD & RAMONA APPELTOFFT

Andrew KochisMICHAEL G. BAILEY

Linda BaileyANTHONY BARILLA

Emelie LovaskoBRYAN BENNETT

Rachele JonesMARGE BEXFIELD

Kevin & Laurie HowardPETER & SANDRA BOONE

John & Anita RigelEUODIA BROMAN

Richard & Karen Clements

MARGIE BROWNBeverly Brown

BARBARA BRYANTAl & Margaret Sanders

ANDREW BURGHERDan & Erika BurgherPeter & Karen Hanson

VIRGINIA BURTONRegina Burton

JAN CANTRELLKaren DeLoriea

ALBERT CASTANEDARaquel Monteiro

RONNIE CARTERJanet Carter

PAUL CERNYJackie Nadel

LOUIS & DORIS CINELLIBryan & Jamia Cinelli

G.J. CLEVELANDAlan & Thalia Cohen

NOAH JAY COXTammy Cox

BILL CRAPPSStephen & Barbara Sturgis

KERI ROSE DAHMENRonald & Sheryl Thompson

MASON D’AMATOLife Change Church

CHRISTOPHER & GABRIEL DAVISBridget Swihart

CAROLYN DeVANEYMarilyn Zuercher

CEPHAS & ADA DONALDSONGloria Donaldson

CHARLES & KAZUE DREWGladys Drew

JANE DWYERGerald Dwyer

TIM DWYERTim Dwyer Family

ERIC EICHINRichard Eichin

KEN ELSESSERKathleen Woolner

ANNA RUTH ERICKSONWarren & Cheryl Erickson

KENNY WAYNE EVANSRob & Ann MatthewsBob & Mary Jean Van Deusen

GERALDINE FOSTERKimya Tuama

ROY & MAXIE FRENCHBryan & Jamia Cinelli

LAWRENCE “SAM” FRICKEYPaula Frickey

ANNETTE FRIZENTed & Anita Frizen

LUCILE GANNElaine Chinnici

ROGER M. GARRETSONKathleen JohnsonLouise Johnson

MARGIE GILCHRISTRobert & Christine Vernon

CYNTHIA GIVENSMichael Givens

MAYA GONZALESKevin & Laurie Howard

GRANDMOTHER & TWIN SIBLINGS

Paula HarrisGEORGE GRIFFIN

Annette GriffinROBERT GRIM

Judy GrimMIKE GRISHAM

Nick GrishamGILBERT N. GROVER

Brent & Cindy BartonIRENA HALT

Delinda CarrHANS H.

Janet DayMARY ANN HARDER

Steve and Shauna AmickLisa BollierArmando FreitasAndrew GrummAmy HurtadoGodfrey MubiruLeanne PortzelLaura Pulido

LAWRENCE HAYMANJune Hayman

LORI ANN HENSONBarbara ConroyBetty KirbyAlan Turpin

BETTY HILLHOUSEFriends at eSoftware, Inc.

DEBORAH HOLBSusan Wells

JOHN E. HOLLINGSWORTHGloria Hollingsworth

DAVID HOOKERCindy Hooker

SHERRY HORWITZ, SISTERBarbara Miner

THOMAS J. HUSTONNancy Evilsizor

JOHAH S. HOWARDTimothy J. Howard

MATTHEW INGRAFFIASteve & Trudy Semones

HAVELOCK JORDINELisa Allen

JOHN & MARGARET KOCHISAndrew Kochis

PETE LAFFERTYDan & Erika BurgherJohn Lowy

PETE & JOE LAFFERTYAntoinette LaffertyArchie & Dawn Turcotte

TIM LASCHLinda Lasch

DAVID LEININGERAlice Kauffman

THE LOPEZ FAMILYSocorro Gennaoui

THOMAS LUCIAJohn Young

REYNOLD LUMKarin Kruger

LUVENIAWanda Battiste

ANYA MACIULEWSKIMelanie Miller

DELORES MAHARITYSarah Howell

REV. G. MANNINGPaula Harris

CASSANDRA MARKSMary Albizures

DANIEL MASTNancy Kilgore

KRISTEN MAXWELLOle BirklandDave & Janet MaxwellSteven McGuire

ED McPHERSONJody Koch

RUTH ALYSSIA MERRILLMeadow Merrill

ARTHUR A. MEIERGary & Maureen Meier

RALPH MELOONWalter Hett

CHARLOTTE METCALFMel & Linda Wines

TONI MICHELLEPatrick Daspit

NICK & BARBARA MIKEZSteve & Michelle Mikez

ZACHARY MILLERRay & Sheila Miller

MARY MORGANShelley Lopez

BARBARA HELEN MULLINSDouglas & Mabel Greene

KRISTI ANN NELSONDorothy Westberg

BEN NOBLEDan & Erika Burgher

ANNALIESE MADISON NOELLWilliam Pollard

STEVEN JOHN NORBERGLoren & LaVonne Norberg

MARY WALKER NORMANJohn & Helena Jones

MRS. MARY OLSONGraciela Chediak

JIM OTTWalter Bowen

THOMAS OVIKIANDeborah Vasser

ADAM & AMELIA PANYIKMelinda Anthony

MY PARENTSVickie Bonds

JOEY PATEBetty Rawls

PIOTR PAWLOWSKIDelinda Carr

HELEN PETERSONSkip Peterson & Family

ANNE PETHELStanley Pethel

SKYLAR PIETYKevin AdamsDavid & Carol TomljanovichGilbert & Virginia Gordon

HOWARD A. POMMERGary & Maureen Meier

PHIL POPEJOYBarbara Frey

ROSE POTTERCheryl Fuller

CASEY & KAY PUDERTimothy Puder

MARCH PURINTONRonald & Catherine Brotemarkle

PETER RAMIREZRebecca Jones

MIGUEL REGESKIDoug & Theresa Aadland

NANCY REJHOLICCarol GarySandy HayJill NeuenschwanderBetsy Uzzell

MARCELINE REMYGina Caravano

CHARLES RIESTERGail Riester, Friends, & Family

PATRICIA RODRIGUEZArt & Norma Rodriguez

BILL & LINDA RUSTDeborah Dillon

THE SANCHEZ FAMILYSocorro Gennaoui

LINDA SARACOWinslow & Ella Peters

TOMMA SARGENTBible Study FriendsKathleen McGough

BILLIE SAWYER, MOTHERJeffrey Sawyer

WILLIAM H. SCHUMACHER, JR.Marty Schumacher

COLLEEN SELLDavid & Barbara Schexnayder

CHARLES A. SENSENIGDale & Levina Huber

CALEB SMITHHarry Baker

MARY LOU SMITHDeborah Proffitt

TIMOTHY SMITHCarolyn Guerdet

BOB SRNKACheryl Fuller

DON & NORMA STEINGreg & Paula Clark

KRISTY STUEBSMark Stuebs

DR. RALPH A. SVEHAUGGary & Maureen Meier

DONALD ALLEN SWANZYVickie Stewart

LANDAN SWIHARTBridget Swihart

TONY TARANTINODale Tarantino

MARIA THERESA TRACYMargaret Dupree

BETTY VANDERHEIDEBarbara Vanderheide

MILDRED WARNECKERichard & Janet Grayson

W. ALVIN WATSONLorrin Watson

JEFF WHEELERLu Wheeler

CAROL WHITTAKERCorey Whittaker

SUSAN WILKECarolyn Guerdet

WILL WILLIS, SONMelanie Willis

BETTY JO WILSONPatricia Wilson

MIMI PANG YAMMarylyn Pang Yam

JERRY YANGKathleen Scott

For the past twenty-five years, Heaven has inspired us to live well on earth even as we long for eternity. Drawing on Scripture, Joni Eareckson Tada answers

the deepest questions of our hearts about what heaven will be like, who we will see there, and who we will be there.

This updated and expanded edition of Joni’s classic brings a new understanding of what heaven is, along with new mysteries and hopes. Now in her late 60s, Joni is much closer to heaven than she was when she first wrote the book in her mid 40s. And she says, “I will soon—soon!—hear His voice, look into His eyes, and feel His embrace. And He will say, ‘Welcome home, Joni.’”

At the end of each chapter in this updated book, Joni includes additional reflections that speak to where she is now, higher up on the hill of perspective. She calls these thoughts “Climbing Higher,” and that’s her invitation to all who make this journey with her.

Size 5.5 X 8.0

304 Pages

$15 HVNSCE

Every purchase you make from Joni and Friends goes to support disability ministry!

TO ORDER: • Mail order form • Call toll-free: 800.736.4177 • Online: joniandfriends.org/store • Phone: Text ORDER to 818.707.5664

Brand-New!HeavenYour Real Home...From A Higher Perspective