Volunteers: Scott Dale & Pete

By 7017444915 December 23, 2025
For the entire beginning of his life, Luke lived life on the floor. We met him on our fourth distribution day in Kenya. His arrival at the site was quiet, but his story spoke volumes. Luke, 11, lives with cerebral palsy. Before he was brought to a children’s home for the disabled, he had endured years of neglect. He was tied up, unable to move around, and kept inside his home so his disability would remain hidden. When they found him, he was emaciated, in constant pain, and X-rays revealed a broken hip that had gone untreated for years. His caregiver, Don, brought Luke to our distribution site for the first wheelchair he has ever owned. Fitting his chair took more than two hours, but Luke smiled through every moment of it. He seemed to understand that his world was opening up for the first time. During the fitting, one of our team members stayed by Luke’s side, comforting him. She shared, “I spent a lot of time with him, praying and singing and just stroking the side of his face. And I think that’s one of the things that really got me, I don’t think he’s had much human contact. He would just lean into me, wanting me to keep going, and he grabbed at my hands like he didn’t want to let go.” Every wheelchair you help provide becomes a turning point - a chance for a child to sit upright for the first time, attend school, join their peers, or simply experience life beyond the walls where they were once hidden. For Luke, it meant being seen, supported, and cared for in ways he had never known. This Christmas season, you can give the gift of mobility and change a life forever. Your support ensures that the most vulnerable are not forgotten and brings dignity and hope to children who have endured far too much. Luke is not alone — children like him are waiting across the world. “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” — Matthew 25:40 You can change a life today. Every gift brings light into the darkness and gives children like Luke a future filled with possibility. Thank you for giving children like Luke, and so many others, a chance at dignity and hope. If you wish to contribute, please CLICK HERE to donate today. We are deeply grateful for your support and prayers as we continue our mission to serve and uplift those in need.
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From our very first day of operation Hope Haven has been blessed by tremendous individuals volunteering their time and talents. They vary in age background  and skill sets but share the common thread of simply wanting to help others.   

Pete Mellema  Dale Thorpe and Scott Thorson all volunteer for Hope Haven International Ministries at the Sioux Falls location. They each came to Hope Haven through different paths.  Pete heard a presentation at his church and a seed was planted.  Dale started out serving on the International Ministries Advisory Council after being connected through a different community engagement. For Scott a distribution trip to Vietnam was especially impactful sparking a relationship with Hope Haven that continues long after he returned home. 

All three men spend a portion of their time driving for Hope Haven International Ministries delivering wheelchairs to refurbishment centers around the Midwest and returning them to Sioux Falls when they’re completed. In addition to driving Scott has been instrumental in instituting a wood shop where they build trays seat backs lateral pieces and foot rests for wheelchairs. Pete and Dale also help out in the wood shop and assist with boxing up wheelchairs for shipment. 

The men have also shared their gifts on many distribution trips traveling to Guatemala Vietnam and Romania. They are filled with stories from their trips and come back with renewed perspectives on how God can use them to serve. They appreciate the opportunity to do meaningful work and bless others in the process.  As Pete points out  “It’s like it is in the Bible.  There’s a need and God chose imperfect people to do the work.” 

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