International Ministries in Romania

Peace of Mind, Redefined

By 7017444915 • March 26, 2026
There is a certain kind of peace that comes when you know someone you love is safe. One mother, Jeanelle Stokes, shared that before Smart Living, there was always a quiet tension. Even when things were going well, that lingering question remained: What if something happens when no one is right there? At Hope Haven, we believe safety and independence should not compete with one another. They should work together. That belief is what led to the development of Smart Living. Smart Living blends personalized technology, remote support, and in-person care to help individuals live more independently while maintaining a dependable safety net. From our Remote Support Center in Spirit Lake, trained professionals are available 24 hours a day, ready to respond when assistance is needed. Jeanelle put it simply: “I don’t feel like I have to hover anymore. I know someone is there if he needs help.” Homes are equipped with thoughtfully selected tools such as motion sensors, wearable devices, secure video connections, and interactive reminders, all tailored to the member’s individual needs. These tools aren’t designed to replace care, but to enhance it. For Jeanelle’s son Jerrod, constant staff presence was increasing his anxiety. When part of his support transitioned to remote monitoring, there was a noticeable change. Within days, he began reaching out just to say, “Hi, I’m okay.” With that change, he had more space while still knowing support was just a call away. As Scripture reminds us, “The Lord himself watches over you.” - Psalm 121:5 Smart Living reflects that same premise of watchful care, encouraging independence while still keeping support within reach. As this initiative expands, more individuals will have the opportunity to live confidently in their own homes, and more families will experience the peace that comes from knowing help is always near. Your generosity makes that growth possible. It allows us to expand Smart Living into more homes, strengthen our Remote Support Center, and ensure that independence is never separated from safety. If you wish to contribute, please 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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