Toby Miller was hit by a car in 1975 and thrown to the pavement while in her teenage years. Shortly afterward, a rare form of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis began to ravage her body. As a result of unsuccessful hip surgeries, she struggled to walk, but eventually was left wheelchair bound in 1984.  

In 1977 she was inspired by reading the life story of Joni Eareckson-Tada.  Joni has truly been a mentor to her.  Thank you  Joni and Friends  for your example. 

After listening to a radio plea in Josh McDowell in1992, Toby and Rick believed they were being called to go to Russia with Josh.  They answered the radio plea and asked the Lord to open doors so they could assist the Josh McDowell Ministry. This first short-term missionary trip changed Rick and Toby's eternal perspective, sparking an ever-growing desire to serve the Lord by making themselves available and saying in their hearts, "Lord,  Here am I, use us and provide opportunities for us to continue in our spiritual growth and usefulness". 

Following the "Mission to Russia 93" trip, Rick and Toby have since participated in Josh's "Mission to Belarus '99";  a church sponsored trip to help with construction work and night-time evangelizing in Monterrey, Mexico.  All because of the Lord's faithfulness and generosity.  Because of who He is, and whose we are.

ACT OF OBEDIENCE . . .

Toby has also gone on mission trips without her husband to Kenya and various parts of Mexico, including a trip to a small village in the mountains deep within the Mexican interior.  This particular trip was very special because of the extreme love demonstrated by the "other" team members who cheerfully hand-carried Toby (while she sat in her manual wheelchair!) up the side of the mountain, through jungle terrain, to get to the village.

As Toby describes it, "two people grabbed hold of each side of my wheelchair (four total), with me in it, and followed a fifth person up the mountainside who went ahead to chop a clear path with a machete (a long knife designed to cut through tough vines and plants).  Along the way, the brothers responsible for carrying me got stung by plants that the locals affectionately labeled 'bad women' plants". 

It can be very humbling to be at the mercy of others the way Toby is, and to know that you can do little to nothing at all were it not for the love and devotion of others.  Often times many must suffer for the benefit of a single soul, this is true for short-term as well as long-term mission efforts.  Rick and Toby wish to say a very heart-felt "Thank You" to the Body of Christ for all that has been done, and for all that shall be done for the cause of Christ.

Several short-term missionary trips would provide the impetus for Rick and Toby to begin growing in their Christian walk. Once you've gone on a short-term missionary trip with a group like the Josh McDowell Ministry, your life is changed forever. It is one of the most exhilarating adventures imaginable. This undeniable fact may explain why Toby has since been on several other short-term trips to places like: Minsk, Belarus (East of the Polish border); a hospital dedicated to the treatment of Chernobyl radiation exposure victims; orphanages in Nairobi, Kenya and surrounding areas (East Coast of Africa); Del Rio and Monterey, Mexico as well as the jungles of the interior of Mexico; Peru; and Alaska. 

CALL TO COMMITMENT . . .

Previous missionary experiences coupled with the day-to-day circumstances associated with life in a wheelchair and over thirty surgeries, have planted a deep-running desire for Toby to do what she can for the world's downtrodden.  That is why she feels compelled to collect and distribute wheelchairs, medical supplies, and other forms of comfort and aid in the name of Christ.  "Wheels of Love" is a personal evangelizing ministry whose slogan sums up the underlying philosophy of the ministry - "Where There's A Wheel, There's A Way!".  In the example of Jesus Christ, her desire is to render aid and comfort for the weak and afflicted of the world - wherever the opportunity presents itself. 

The above text was written not by Toby, but by her husband who is continually amazed at the many ways in which the Lord's power is made manifest through the weaknesses of His children.

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