Amir Mahadi’s life changed forever on the day the Shah of Iran was overthrown. “I went to bed all good and woke up to guys with guns in the streets,” said Mr. Mahadi. His father was part of the Shah’s administration, which meant his family went into hiding. When his grandfather was killed, they realized they must leave Iran and everything they owned behind. After living in Turkey, Italy and New York, the family finally arrived in Texarkana.
As the only foreign student in the school, Mr. Mahadi was an outsider. He was extremely lonely. He said, “I used to have everything, and now nothing. I would sit alone at school, and then cry myself to sleep.” In just a few short months he went from having “it all” to complete isolation when forced to move to a completely different part of the world. Being in America was a culture shock.
One day his life changed again not by revolution, but rather by an invitation. A fellow student asked him to play basketball in a church league. The only catch was he had to attend church. At first, he focused on the sports aspect and tolerated the “church part” but soon was listening.
He was accustomed to forcefulness, hatred and traditions. This message said that Jesus was all about love, grace and freedom. Mahadi was intrigued and wanted to learn more.
Before a basketball game, Mr. Mahadi prayed to give his life to Christ. At camp that summer, he cried in awe of all God had done for him and really committed his life to Christ. He could finally see that there was a plan all along.
As a response to God’s love, he founded Joshua Expeditions, which plans and coordinates mission trips domestic and abroad. The non-profit also has feeding programs and 10 international orphanages.
Mr. Mahadi shared his testimony with students during All School Worship. The service also celebrated Sanctity of Life Month with stories of adoption.
“As Christians, we must remember that the Lord always has a plan,” said Middle School Counselor Denise Thornton. “When you give your life to God, you begin to see the beauty in waiting.”
Mrs. Thornton had prayed for years for a child, and finally He brought a daughter to her, fourth grade student Haley Thornton, just a year and a half ago. God had chosen them for each other and brought them together at just the right time.
Freshman Kimberly Warren shared her story of adoption and the beauty of returning to the Buckner Children’s Home, where she had been adopted, for Service Project Day. She also related her journey through vitiligo, a condition that causes loss of skin color. She said, “Psalm 139:14 says, ‘I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.’ For a while, it was hard for me to go out in public. Then I realized God had given me a platform through track to help others.”
God wants to adopt every person into His family and cares for the needs of all His children, just like He did for Mr. Mahadi, Mrs. Thornton, Haley and Kimberly. Mrs. Thornton pointed to Lamentations 3:55-56, “I called on your name, O Lord, from the depths of the pit; you heard my plea.” He always hears, and He always has a plan.
