Trust & Rest
When the Lord gave us this theme for 2020 from Isaiah 30:15 - “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength” - we obviously had no idea how needed this reminder would be through this year. But this theme was an anchor for Accessible Hope throughout a turbulent year of uncertainty, change, and weakness. We returned to this verse, and others on resting and trusting, throughout the year, rooting ourselves in the faithfulness of God and in the salvation and strength that is found in resting and trusting in a God that is greater than COVID, racial strife, loss, changed plans, chaotic politics and illness.
“I have appreciated being reminded of this theme throughout this less-than-normal year. Our staff devotional times have been a wonderful reminder that God is in control, and I can “Rest” in that knowledge and “Trust” that He is with me at all times.”
~ Karen, AHI Staff, Wisconsin, USA
The Impact of COVID
Virtual Office
While we had made plans to close our physical office at the end of this year, COVID moved those plans forward. With most of our team working remotely around the country and the world, it was no longer cost-efficient for us to maintain a physical office building. We closed the office in June, and moved all of our back-office support services to Cedarstone Holdings, LLC in Wheaton, IL. We currently have staff members in 5 states and one in Namibia, Africa. We meet each morning on Zoom for prayer and to check in with each other, and have periodic virtual meetings throughout the week. This has been an adjustment, but it has also allowed for growth in ways that maintaining our Memphis office would not have.
"Moving to a completely virtual office has been a challenge, but we are intentionally counting our blessings - less commute time and cost, ability to hire anywhere, ability to take work on the road, and daily connections to pray with the team. We continue to look for creative ways to build our team, including partners, volunteers, and donors in new ways."
~ Kim, AHI President, Tennessee, USA
Shift to Online Workshops
With international travel at a virtual standstill this year, and with COVID having a greater than average impact on people with disabilities, we knew we had to get our critical training to pastors and ministry leaders without traveling. That started us down a pathway of virtual trainings. We created a brief 3-hour Made in God’s Image (MiGI) workshop, and we are also converting our longer 2-day Theology of Disability workshop to a virtual workshop as well. We have other digital programs in the works, and we’re excited about the new growth and expansion opportunities this will provide.
“Before this workshop, when I saw disabled people, I would neglect them. I felt they were not important. But now, my eyes are opened to how Jesus treats those with disabilities. Now when I see people with disabilities, I will treat them the same way as those people without disabilities.”
~ Nsim-Okim, Workshop Participant, Nigeria
COVID Relief Efforts
During the first wave of COVID, our partners in Africa needed to address the extreme financial hardship that people with disabilities were facing. We also needed to address the lack of information and the fear that pandemics evoke. We were able to provide all of our Global Hope Partners, as well as many other ministry partners around the world, with relevant, easy-to-use teaching on preventing COVID infections and each of the women with disabilities served by our partners in Sierra Leone and Burundi were given a handwashing station, soap, and face masks. Additionally, the women in Sierra Leone were provided with a small cash relief to help with food.
“I am very grateful to Accessible Hope through ADEMA Ministries for providing me with lessons and materials to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 that threatened us. Before, I didn't know how COVID-19 infected someone, or how to protect myself against it. Back home, we used to wash our hands in the same bucket, with everyone using the same water. However, now I have installed the home tippy-tap given by Accessible Hope so we can wash our hands properly. I also taught it to my family and neighbors so that we can better protect ourselves.”
~ Violette, Program Participant, Burundi
New Structure for Greater Impact
Engage
Raising awareness about the need for discipleship among those with disabilities is high on our list of priorities. Through articles, workshops, and partnership opportunities we work with other ministries to engage people with disabilities in their ministry strategy.
"For many years I've been working with our team to forge partnerships with other ministries around the world that can complement our training of pastors in how to handle the Bible faithfully. I long to see pastors not only preach better, but equip their churches to live out the gospel in their communities. AHI's training, international network and partnership mentality holds great potential for LRI and many other ministries.”
~ Phil S., Learning Resources International, USA
Equip
We are continuing to adapt our training curricula and resources to meet the needs of pastors and ministry leaders through a variety of engagement methods. 126 leaders in India, Africa and the US have walked through our Made in God’s Image (MiGI) and/or Theology of Disability (ToD) workshops through nine virtual, in-person, or a hybrid-style training models.
“This workshop showed me how God sees those with disabilities. I realize now that my way of thinking about them was sinful and wrong. I thank God for this training. I am different now.”
~ Pastor Sara B., Workshop Participant, Sierra Leone
Empower
We have shifted our strategy with locally-led hands-on ministries to allow for broader impact to more people. Women of Hope Sierra Leone is serving over 600 women with disabilities through wholistic programming, including Transformation Training, and seeing lives dynamically changed. ADEMA Ministries in Burundi is serving over 300 women with disabilities through economic empowerment and discipleship. We are also working on a French translation of the Transformation Training curriculum so that women in Burundi can experience the same transformation as women in Sierra Leone are experiencing. We are working with another ministry in Liberia to solidify their strategy for serving people with disabilities with a wholistic strategy as well in 2021.
“I now know that I do not have a disability because I am cursed. I have accepted my disability, and I am able to help other women with disabilities who are struggling with this idea.”
~ Kadiatu S., Program Participant, Sierra Leone
A Growing Team
Our team continues to grow, to meet the growing demands of expanded ministry. We now have 4 full-time and 2 part-time staff members in 5 states and 1 foreign country. (Stay tuned for another team member - in yet another state - to be added in early 2021!)
New Ways to Engage with Us
Luke 14 Feast
In October we held our first annual Luke 14 Feast - a virtual banquet that included dinner delivery! We are excited about the possibilities for further engagement with YOU, our ministry partners, through this new banquet model. In the past, only ministry partners in the Memphis area were able to attend our banquets and participate in the evening of worship and stories and impact. Now, anyone can participate! And, those living in the United States, can participate in the dinner delivery for the banquet as well.
All my guests and I enjoyed the video. It really made for a delightful and meaningful activity with some dear friends. Blessings on your expanded ministry to meet the needs of "differently-abled" children of God.
~Marilyn I., Event Participant, Florida, USA
Crafting Hope
This is a new virtual engagement opportunity where you can attend a class, taught by women in Sierra Leone, on how to create the greeting cards that are sold in our Fair Trade shop - Rimdin Designs. Order a crafting kit, gather some friends and family, and learn from some of our amazing artisans!
“I loved that the women taught me how to make the cards. It was so much more meaningful than just looking at an instruction sheet. It reminded me that relationship goes both ways - we learn from each other and we care for each other.”
~Liz K., Event Participant, Wisconsin, USA
Desserts in the Dark
This is an immersive disability experience where you and some of your friends can learn about life with a disability, and even experience a little bit of the challenges of disability in a fun, creative way. Order a kit, make some desserts, and have a fun and educational experience with some friends, a Bible study, or a church small group.
“It was really interesting to take part in this event. It opened my eyes to what it would be like to daily live with a disability.”
~Lori W., Event Participant, Wisconsin, USA
