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“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food. Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David," Isaiah 55:1-3


I am excited to be participating in the Joni and Friends internship to China from July 11-August 1. Joni and Friends is a ministry dedicated to extending the love and message of Christ to people affected by disability around the world. After a diving accident at age 17 that left her a quadriplegic, Joni Earekson Tada devoted her life to serving people affected by disability and equipping the Church to do so.

The internship will incorporate hands-on-ministry, training, and being mentored. Our team of seven will be volunteering at Shepherds Field Children’s Village, a temporary home for orphans that are not eligible for adoption due to a disability. They provide therapy and medical treatment for the children that will enable them to be adopted. 

We will also visit Hope Ranch to learn about hippo therapy as well as receive training through the Beyond Suffering course on disability and suffering from a biblical and cultural perspective. During the internship we will be mentored on how to serve the disabled with the personal skill-sets God has given us.

I am really looking forward to this because the last few years the Lord has broadened my desire for serving children-at-risk. He has deepened my compassion for those suffering from disabilities and other chronic and terminal illnesses. Previously, I lived in Leticia, Colombia, teaching English at a children’s home and served short term at a children’s home medical clinic in Guatemala. In Memphis, I have volunteered at Su Casa Family Ministries, an international campus ministry, and the Night to Shine prom for people with special needs and disabilities. Since receiving my license in practical nursing in 2016, I have been a caregiver for a disabled veteran in my church.

These special groups of people are a reminder to me of who I am - the one God loves. They know their reality -dependence. All they can do is drink from the waters of Jesus and in doing so they proclaim the source of satisfaction and life. And God is glorified. That is what I want to do with my life. And that is my prayer going into China. My desire through this internship and the special children at Shepherds Field is to know more of God’s heart. I invite you to pray this with me and for me. I would love for you to follow my trip here. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Grace and Peace,
Anna Leigh

By June 11 I must raise $3,700. If you would like to help in this way with a tax-deductible donation you may do so by going to http://jaf.convio.net/goto/goannaleighmann  and clicking on Donate Now. You can also write a check to Joni and Friends with Anna Mann-C4L-China in the memo line. Mail to:

 Joni and Friends
Attn: Cause 4 Life
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 91376

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