International Ministries in Romania

By 7017444915 June 26, 2026
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others…” 1 Peter 4:10 At Hope Haven, we believe every person has God-given gifts to share. That belief is at the heart of the Hope Haven Ambassadors, a group of individuals served through Hope Haven’s My Day program who are learning to use their voices, share their stories, and advocate for themselves and others. The Ambassadors were formed in January 2025 after a community experience sparked a bigger conversation about inclusion, dignity, and the way individuals with disabilities are perceived. Since then, the group has been working to help change that narrative. The Ambassadors have presented to community groups, attended advocacy trainings, traveled to the Capitol, and spoken about issues that matter. Along the way, they are building confidence, developing leadership skills, and helping others understand that every person deserves to be included and respected. For Maggie, being an Ambassador is about helping her community see people with disabilities as equals. “I want individuals with disabilities to be treated as equal to everybody else,” she shared. “I want my community to know it’s okay to be different.” For Lori, the message is simple but powerful. “We are regular people who have different challenges,” she said. “I want to help my community understand that people with disabilities are not less of a person because of their disabilities.” For Octavio, advocacy means using his voice not only for himself, but also for others who may struggle to speak up for what they need. Through his experience with the Ambassadors, he has learned something important: “Our voice matters.” Programs like My Day are about so much more than daily activities. They are about friendship, confidence, purpose, community, and belonging. They create opportunities for people to discover their strengths, build relationships, serve others, and take part in the world around them. Your support helps us continue creating opportunities like the Hope Haven Ambassadors, where individuals can build confidence, share their stories, and discover the power of their voice. Your gift allows us to keep growing alongside those we serve, making an impact that lasts. If you wish to contribute, plea se CLICK HERE to donate today. Thank you for your continued support, prayers, and partnership in Hope Haven’s mission .
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Jaclyn went on her first wheelchair distribution trip five years ago and has traveled annually with Hope Haven International every year since. The physical therapist from Le Mars Iowa says her simple mission is to give people their freedom. “Many of the people we serve on our trips have spent most of their hours and days in their beds. The wheelchairs give people mobility and that means freedom.” 

Jaclyn admits her training as a physical therapist is beneficial but emphasizes how much she also learns from others on the trips.  Her parents accompanied her on the distribution trip to Israel but only after she convinced them they didn’t need to have her specific skills. “I always told my dad as long as you can use tools unload boxes or talk to kids we can find a use for you ” she says.

One of her favorite memories comes from her second trip to Romania where she bonded with a wheelchair recipient over a shared love of crocheting.  “We didn’t speak the same language and she was much older than me but we just hit it off ” she explains. When Jaclyn returned the next year she had a gift for the woman. “I sewed a blanket for her and this time when I found her she was still crocheting but she was moving around in her new wheelchair instead of sitting in her bed.”

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