Middle East problems impact Iowa firm

A northwest Iowa agency’s work has been directly affected by the Middle East conflict. “Hope Haven International Ministries” of Rock Valley had planned to distribute 180 wheelchairs in Gaza later this week. Operations manager Mark Richard says Palestinian officials have told them to delay their trip.”Hope Haven Ministries” collects used wheelchairs, refurbishes them, and distributes them in third world countries to people who have no other way to get a wheelchair. Richard says “Hope Haven” does not get involved in politics.Richard says disabilities don’t discriminate, so his agency doesn’t choose sides in conflicts.Richard hopes to get the wheelchairs to the Middle East soon.”Hope Haven” has sent nearly 17-thousand wheelchairs to persons with disabilities in 72 countries.