Ordinary People, Extraordinary Faith

Over 30 years have passed since Tada (Diamonds in the Dust; More Precious Than Silver) became a quadriplegic as the result of a diving accident. Tada, who has inspired both the able-bodied and disabled for years, is the founder of Joni and Friends, a Christian organization that strives to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the disabled along with their families. Through this ministry, Tada has met thousands of ordinary people who have overcome extensive challenges; this book tells 12 remarkable stories of how faith in God transformed tragedy into hard-won triumph. Meet the beautiful Vicky Olivas, who was brutally shot and paralyzed in an attempted rape. The single mom struggled to make peace with not only her disability but the burning hatred she felt when her assailant served only three years in jail. Nine-year-old cerebral palsy sufferer Emily Shanahan has also learned to overcome her physical limitations through persistent prayer as she fights for acceptance in a regular school classroom. Another unknown hero, Barbara Carey Kolar, faced the accidental death of one son, the abandonment of her husband and the subsequent death of her daughter as she hung on to faith amidst questions and doubts. Tada's storytelling successfully woos readers with real-life tales of grief followed by unswerving devotion to God. In this gripping collection, readers witness the transfiguration of victims into victors.