In the early 1990s, representatives from Hope Haven traveled to the Dominican Republic and Romania, and had an opportunity to see first hand the living conditions that persons with disabilities experience in developing countries.

Through this experience, a formal proposal regarding Hope Haven developing an international ministry was approved by Hope Haven's Board of Trustees. In 1994 Hope Haven International Ministries (HHIM) was launched.

The daily lives of people with disabilities in developing countries can be extraordinarily difficult.

In the U.S. we are accustomed to ensuring that people with disabilities have accessibility, independence and dignity.

But imagine living with a disability in a village without roads or sidewalks, without regular access to transportation, healthcare services or medical equipment.

HHIM discovered that by refurbishing and distributing appropriate wheelchairs, we could make a profound and immediate impact in people’s lives.

What we didn’t know was how many people would get involved in donating time, talent and resources – or how many people would receive wheelchairs, fitting and training – along with food, toys and other necessities.

To date, over 90,000 wheelchairs have been distributed in 106 countries.

This ministry, as with all of Hope Haven's services, is "a ministry of Christian mercy based on the conviction that God's Word speaks to and directs all of life."