09/22/2025
I spent 7 days presenting Wheels for the World at a local fair. Here is what happened!
Wheels for the World at the Fair 2025
Wheels for the World at the Farmington Fair 2025 was an amazing time full of God’s presence and blessings!
Facts
We were present for 70 hours over 7 days.
We gave out 800 business cards and 500 Joni tracts (we’re all out now!).
Seven wheelchairs were donated during the fair, along with walkers and crutches, and more to be collected from a thrift store and loan closet.
Visitors led to the booth by our Lord
Several pastors whom I asked to speak at their church.
Naomi McLaughlin, on staff with Joni and Friends.
A Christian school who offered to make wheelchair bags during their sewing class.
A local Lions Club, who asked me to come and speak.
Nurses, OT’s, doctors, and other medical staff who took a flyer.
People asking to volunteer at outreaches, retreats, and one who wants to help me!
A christian man who is starting a podcast about ministries in Maine and wants to interview me.
A former president from New England Bible College who encouraged me to to ask to speak there with his recommendation.
Helpers
God provided wonderful helpers
One who spent two hours helping with setup.
Two older ladies (a retired PT and a teacher) who have a sweet spirit about them.
A retired nurse practitioner who knew everyone and drew them in.
A woman who is preparing a Celebrate Recovery ministry who knows how to address the broken.
A former missionary to Russia.
A woman who was saved out of extreme darkness and is bold and very knowledgeable in the Word.
My best friend, who spent her own money to come extra days to sew. She sews wheelchair bags in the booth at the fair and people come to her asking what she is making, leading her to explain the ministry! People take the patterns (with my contact information) and can give them to me when completed.
Ministry highlights
As if all these blessings are not enough, more ministry happened.
I handed out Joni tracts to vendors around me who were not already Christians:
the ones selling jello shots
a man from India selling gemstones he believed had metaphysical powers
The trinket sellers across from me
As I was sharing with parents, their young son opened his wallet and gave me a dollar
A woman named Rhonda stopped by who had to have her lower leg amputated last month. We listened to her, gave her the Joni tract, and encouraged her. Pray for Rhonda.
A woman broke out in tears, still hurting from losing her daughter many years ago. We hugged and I prayed for her. Pray for her.
I shared the Retreat pamphlet with many families who came by who were affected by disability. A woman and her mother were almost in tears (of joy) when I explained how family retreat works (I have volunteered a few times).
A fellow believer named Nancy came and told me the story of her son Jacob, how doctors did not have any hope for him. He is now in his thirties. She wanted to show me a picture of him, but she could not find the one she wanted. She promised to bring Jacob by the next day. She did, and brought her husband Jerry as well. She introduced me to her family and said I was her new friend. They were new to the area and desperately looking for a church. I was able to recommend some. Just finding a listening Christian ear did wonders for her!
A young man (18-20ish) stopped by with whom we shared the gospel. He told us he was a sinner and God would not accept him. We tried to explain to him, but he walked away. We immediately prayed for Michael. He came back later and appeared more open. I was busy with someone at the booth, so my helper spoke with him and gave him a Bible and other helpful materials. Pray for Michael!
A man with a very tall mohawk walked by and I engaged him about it. We then started sharing the gospel with him, but he was argumentative. God had him stay in one place, so we were able to tell him more about God, but he made it clear repeatedly that he wanted to stay a sinner. When I asked for his name, he said ‘JC’. “Oh, just like Jesus Christ,” we said. Pray that his name will forever remind him of Christ Whom he is currently rejecting, but Who loves him. God had a reason for bringing him by. Pray for his salvation!
And then there was Bob. When he walked by he was wearing a cross necklace. I asked what the cross meant to him. He answered, “A lot of little things” and proceeded to tell me his story. He could not stand for long, so we sat down in what I call my ‘ministry area’ in the back of the booth (a small table covered with a table cloth and flowers, with a bible and other ministry materials). He told me his life story with lots of heartache leading to two su***de attempts. There were ‘coincidences’, which he recognized as God intervening. I was not sure he had a clear understanding of the gospel, so afterwards, I explained the gospel to him and prayed for him. I invited him to church, but he said he was not ready. The next day, he returned announcing that he had thought about my questions and he now knew what the cross meant to him. “You know what it is?” he said. “Everything!” I was glad to hear that! On the last day of the fair, I met with a Christian friend a few booths over and we shared blessings and prayer requests. She shared a man came by smiling saying he had gotten saved ‘with that lady over there’ and pointed to me. I never used the word ‘saved’ with him, but he clearly understands! I am so happy for him! When I saw him later that day, I invited him to come to our men’s breakfast at the church. Pray with me that he will!
Much more happened during this week, but these are some highlights!
Psalm 150:2
“Praise Him for His mighty deeds; praise Him according to His excellent greatness!”
