Client 66: Every Time She Opens It
Maedeh wanted a reminder. We got one too.
After we circled up in front of the tax office and before we introduced Maedeh to her Toyota Corolla, our team shared words of encouragement with our 66th client, including the reasons why we selected her from our large pool of applicants. Then Lindsay gave her a Bible in her ‘heart language’ of Farsi. That’s when Maedeh, who had been quiet and reserved so far that morning, looked surprised, broke into a grin, and gave Lindsay a big hug.
In Maedeh’s home country, she and her Advocate Omid explained, a Bible in Farsi is extraordinarily difficult to find. Possessing one can be dangerous. And here she was, standing in a parking lot, holding one that had been freely given to her by a group of strangers who loved her before they even met her. Then she asked us a favor that no one had asked us before - she asked each volunteer at the giveaway to write a note and sign their name inside the cover of her Bible. So that every time she opens it, she’ll remember this day and these people. And she’ll remember how God provides.
Maedeh is Iranian, and she became a follower of Jesus in a country where that decision doesn’t come without cost. When her faith became known and her life was threatened, she fled to Turkey, hoping to find safety and build a new life. But the danger followed her, and when the time came to renew her Turkish visa, the same pressures that had driven her from Iran made renewal impossible. She was forced to return to Iran.
Through miraculous circumstances, Maedeh found her way to DFW. She had nothing, but she immediately got to work rebuilding her life. Omid, her employer and advocate, described her faith, discipline, and consistent effort in his initial nomination and at the giveaway. But he also noted that her lack of transportation was severely limiting her ability to work, get groceries, and participate in trainings to better her employment. She had the drive, she just needed the wheels.
That’s where OnRamp DFW comes in.
On the morning of the giveaway, Maedeh was reserved - thoughtful, taking it all in. But her joy was clearly there, showing in her words of thanks after seeing her Toyota Corolla, on her face when she first held the keys, and in the way she made sure that everyone signed her new Bible. She knew there were still hard days ahead and wisely saved up some of the joy from this day to be cherished in the future.
Maedeh, we are honored to have played even a small role in your story. We hope your Corolla takes you everywhere you need to go - and every time you open your Bible, may you be reminded of God’s everlasting love for you, and of our team who are cheering loudly for you and watching eagerly for what comes next! Thank you for reminding us to pause and record the ways God has shown up in our own lives, and for modeling for us a life of joy and hope in the midst of uncertainty and loss.
