Open Air Campaigners
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OACI Update 1998

Reaching the disabled & their families in Spain

Following a visit by Joni Eareckson in 1994, Chris and Hilde Mathieson from OAC, with others from Spain, began to pray together as to how they could reach Spain's six million disabled. That led to the birth of Mefi-boset.

In Madrid, where Chris and Hilde are based, the local ministry gathers mentally disabled people and members of their family for evangelistic meetings. Most are not church members, but appreciate the opportunity to meet people like themselves in a friendly atmosphere. While the disabled attend the programme, the families learn from the Bible and each other how Jesus makes a difference.

A typical example is Vicente and his mother Teresa. His uncontrollable autistic behaviour has calmed down, he has learnt to pray, and understands about forgiveness. On the verge of marriage break-up, when they first came, the family has stayed together.