Orange City Groundbreaking Ceremony

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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On Wednesday, October 2, Hope Haven held a ceremony to celebrate the start of construction of a new facility to be completed in March 2025 that will serve multiple purposes. This facility will accommodate the Hope Haven International Ministries volunteer workshop and the My Day program, located on Frankfort Place SE and 16th St in Orange City, IA.    

Since 2020, a team of volunteers in Orange City has worked exclusively on creating the seating parts needed to complete these chairs. Each seat is custom-sewn. “Sewing is a hard skill, but we are willing to help train. Linda Feikema and Sharon Moss were recently in Kenya along with Jerry Dykstra. They taught women who had never sewn or used a sewing machine this valuable skill while Jerry worked to help set up the shop and acquire materials,” said Luke Russell, Hope Haven International Ministries Director.

When the team began in 2020, the output was about 20 seats per month; today, they average 50 seats a week. They began in the back of an old auto parts store located off Highway 10 and recently moved to an industrial garage space at 14th and Frankfort Place SE. 

Jerry Dykstra shares, “The new space will double our workshop space and give us much-needed storage space as we receive products and prepare them for shipment.” He adds, “Our current sewing room is very cramped, and this will allow for more space for sewing and also space to add more machines and volunteers. We are always looking for more volunteers. Volunteers can work one to 15 hours a week.” Volunteers will continue at 14th and Frankfort Place until the new space is complete. For more information or to become a volunteer, email dutchmadeoc@gmail.com or call Jerry Dykstra at 712-441-5967.

THE CURRENT CHALLENGES:
  •  Lack of a permanent space: HHIM – moved 3 times in 5 years and My Day – moved 4 times in 5 years
  • Need extra area for growth: HHIM – 30 volunteers and My Day – 8 residents
  •  Disadvantage of layout and navigation
  • Issue with parking
  • No kitchen area
 
THE NEW MULTIPURPOSE FACILITY WILL PROVIDE:
  •  Future of consistent space
  • Create an intentional work area
  • Solve layout inefficiencies
  • Advantage of ministry growth
  • Partner together in the workshop with the volunteers and My Day residents
INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES
  • Expand capacity of kidchairs
  • Develop more volunteer opportunities
  • Increase community involvement

MY DAY

  • New life skill activities
  • Better access to the community 

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