Handi*Vangelism Ministries International (HVMI)

Handi*Vangelism Ministries International (HVMI) H*VMI exists to share the compassion of Christ by
walking alongside individuals facing life’s challenges
and equipping others to do the same.

Handi*Vangelism Ministries International, also known as H*VMI, provides support, programs, resources and training so the people we serve may be included as growing and serving members of the Body of Christ. Our ministries include:

DISABILITY:

* Discipleship - clubs and studies for people with disabilities of all ages living in rehab centers, residential facilities, nursing homes or the community

.

* Handi*Camp - for children, youth and adults with physical and/or intellectual disabilities.

* PIP - for parents of children with disabilities.

* Bible teaching resources and curriculum - for teaching individuals with intellectual disabilities. GRIEF:

* BASIS - for bereaved parents and their families.

* Support for people grieving over many types of losses such as the loss of a spouse, parents, siblings and other significant people; divorce; employment; health. TRAINING/EQUIPPING:

* for Individuals, the Church and the Community, locally and around the world, in areas such as disability; grief; mental health; abuse; divorce.

Tomorrow - another Day Camp OPENING DAY - VOYAGERS session (ages 12-21, mild or moderate intellectual disability with or...
06/22/2026

Tomorrow - another Day Camp OPENING DAY - VOYAGERS session (ages 12-21, mild or moderate intellectual disability with or without a physical disability). We're expecting 8 gals (veterans Kiya, Kaya, Noelle, Kyra, Pearl, Rachel, Danae; first-timer Maddie) and 6 guys (veterans, Seth, Ashton, Noah; first-timers Devon, Jacob, Toby).

Counselors are Annabelle, Tadd, Annalise, Jacqueline, Chloe, Gloria, Kim, Andrea, Kyle (for one day), Lydia. Dawn and Meghan will teach Bible. Leah, Jessie and Pat continue as our nursing team. Chris and Brian continue with activities and electives. This is Tara's final session as Chapel teacher (Meghan will teach the rest of the sessions).

Let me highlight Lauren Rickards. She started as a camp counselor in 2018 and then became an Associate Missionary in March 2024. After some years as a counselor, in recent summers she assisted Chris with activities. This year she transitioned to Camp Staff Supervisor (learning the role most recently held by Meghan Martin; Meghan is transitioning into Assistant Camp Director this year). Lauren has lots of siblings - two have been camp staffers; sister Annalise is with us again this year for the rest of the season after missing the first several sessions due to her school schedule (she just completed a cosmotology program in Lancaster). Lauren's parents, Brian and Jacqueline, signed on as Bible Club volunteers over the last year and then as camp staffers. Brian retired from his job of 37 or so years - just two days before staff orientation began. It's been great to watch all four of the Rickards family as they work in their various roles - we are so thankful to have them as part of our team.

Thank the Lord continually for the great weather we've had so far - not too much heat and hardly any rain. God is good! May it continue!

Keep those prayers coming! Especially for the first-time campers as they adjust to being at camp and as they get to experience the worship and teaching times at Chapel and Bible class. THANKS!

Our new TREKKERS camp session starts tomorrow morning at 9:30 (Ages 12+ Moderate/Severe Intellectual Disability; needin...
06/18/2026

Our new TREKKERS camp session starts tomorrow morning at 9:30 (Ages 12+ Moderate/Severe Intellectual Disability; needing one-on-one support for learning needs). Last year we had Explorer Gals and Explorer Guys sessions. This year some of the Explorers remained in the Explorer Days session and others moved into the Trekkers session. We're expecting 12 veteran campers - 5 gals (sisters Marissa and Kayla, Elaina, Lizzie, Brianna) and 7 guys (Josh, Christopher, Eric, Conor, Teddy, Joseph, David).

Counselors are Joyanna, Annabelle, Madeline, Devin, Bud, Brian, Larry, Tadd, Lynn (all have been with us a session or more so far this summer) and Mary Jo, Brandy and son Ryan, Tim, Annalise (first time with us this summer). Jacqueline and Meghan will teach Bible. Leah, Jessie and Pat will be our nursing team. Chris and Brian continue with activities and electives. Tara continues as Chapel teacher. I haven't mentioned Tim Sheetz as Camp Pastor throughout the summer season (sharing devotions one morning each session, encouraging staffers day by day, acting in the chapel stories most days and driving all the lunches from the Sheetz kitchen across the lawns to the camp tent in the golf cart each day). Executive Director Kyle Robinson is busy in many ways at camp and in the ministry as a whole. Several other staffers help with lunch distribution and greeting campers and parents each morning. It's a great team we have - HVMI staffers and Day Camp staffers. Thank the Lord for each one serving the Lord and our campers.

We are having a grand total of 33 camp days this summer. Today was day 13. So when the Trekkers session ends on Saturday, we'll be ALMOST halfway (16 out of 33). Thank the Lord for the great weather we've had so far - not too much heat and hardly any rain. God is good!

Keep those prayers coming- THANKS!

Some BASIS groups are taking a summer break. But there are a few groups meeting this week still. Today at 3 pm is the ...
06/15/2026

Some BASIS groups are taking a summer break.

But there are a few groups meeting this week still. Today at 3 pm is the Grief Support Group at Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community led by Dan Steinman.

Then tomorrow evening (7 pm), volunteers Alan and Ellen will lead the virtual, online group that they host from their Rock Hill, SC home.

Then Dan and Phyllis will lead/host the Akron Daytime Support Group Thursday (10:30 am) here in our office.

Pray for each opportunity to meet with bereaved parents in groups and for informal times of sharing one-on-one in person or by phone or email - that the compassion of Christ will come through loud and clear as each parent continues on in his/her grief journey. Thanks for praying for this important part of HVMI.

Day Camp 2026 - tomorrow morning a new camp session starts - our CHALLENGERS-4 group (ages 21+ with mild/moderate intell...
06/14/2026

Day Camp 2026 - tomorrow morning a new camp session starts - our CHALLENGERS-4 group (ages 21+ with mild/moderate intellectual disability needing one-on-one support). We're expecting 5 gals (veterans Andrea, Cathy, Bethany, Amy, Grace) and 4 guys (veterans Ricky, Ken, Stephen; Paul is a first-timer).

Counselors are Joyanna, Madeline, Lydia, Andrea, Annabelle, Gloria, Kimberly (all have been with us already); Lynn, Drew, Jill and Harry (these four joining us for the first time this summer). Pat (from Nebraska) joins the nursing team for three sessions. Jacqueline has been a counselor but is starting as a Bible teacher along with Dawn for some sessions. Chris and Brian continue as our Activities team.

Keep praying for Tara as she teaches chapels in our "Ho-Ho-Ho Rodeo” theme - lessons focus on learning about HOpe, HOliness, and HOme with Jesus!

Thanks so much for your prayers as we continue serving the campers the Lord sends us each day of each session. Sorry I haven't been posting any photos - staffers are taking them but too busy to transfer them to the server where I can see them to post. Hope to include some soon - at least some more group photos. Stay tuned!

TODAY - 9:30 am to 4 pm - our first of three EXPLORER DAY THURSDAYS. We're trying something new for our Explorer camper...
06/11/2026

TODAY - 9:30 am to 4 pm - our first of three EXPLORER DAY THURSDAYS. We're trying something new for our Explorer campers this summer (ages 12+, all levels of intellectual disability; needing one-on-one support for potential behavior challenges). Sometimes in past summers, weariness from three days straight at camp led to some of these behavior challenges. SO - we're doing three separate Thursdays each two weeks apart for this camper group.

Just 7 campers - all veterans (Jahsin, Nathan, Chris, Nick, Rafael, Kylen and Sara). Counselors are Andrea, Tadd, Dan, Larry, Brian, Kaelie and Jacqueline).

We're looking forward to a good day together - hopefully staying cool in the higher temps, with no rain until camp day is over. Pray with us for a safe, fun day with good learning from God's Word in our Ho, Ho, Ho Rodeo theme. Today's chapel is HOpe with Tara teaching.

Thanks for your prayers as Day Camp 2026 continues. Our staff will have Fri/Sat/Sun off before starting again on Monday with our CHAL-4 session.

Dan Steinman's latest "My Damascus Road" prayer letter is posted on his missionary page of our website (https://www.hvmi...
06/10/2026

Dan Steinman's latest "My Damascus Road" prayer letter is posted on his missionary page of our website (https://www.hvmi.org/dan-steinman) - use the link below his photo there to open/read this - and older - letters).

Dan shares about some happenings in BASIS since his last letter back in December - especially the two new grief workbooks that have been written and are being distributed as people request them. He also mentions the BASIS Breakfast that happened in April and the message that was shared and can be heard or seen on our website.

The annual BASIS Picnic is scheduled for Saturday, August 22 at nearby Roland Park in Akron. Check out details on our events page (https://www.hvmi.org/upcoming-events).

Dan enjoys seeing Day Camp happening each day on our property - greeting campers as they arrive and helping with getting lunches and drinks distributed each day. He'll be helping as a staffer for several of the days - starting tomorrow. Please pray for ALL of us serving at camp - that campers will hear and respond to God's Word as it's taught in chapels and Bible classes. We're off to a good start already - three sessions down, eight more to go.

Drop Dan a note to let him know you enjoyed his letter and that you're praying for him and his wife Phyllis. They are preparing to move into a new unit at Landis Homes later this summer. They will have an auction of their Paradise home and some possessions on Friday, July 31. Lots of changes coming their way; one result will be a shorter commute to the office!! Thanks for praying for Dan and Phyllis and their important ministry directing BASIS and leading three support groups each month.

Day Camp 2026 - session 3 already!Our CHALLENGERS-3 session campers arrived this morning and will come today, tomorrow a...
06/08/2026

Day Camp 2026 - session 3 already!

Our CHALLENGERS-3 session campers arrived this morning and will come today, tomorrow and Wednesday (adults ages 21-35 with mild or moderate intellectual disability with or without a physical disability). Just 10 campers - 7 gals (Clara, Misty, Katheryn, Emily, Sara, Joycelyn; Kylie isn't here today but hopefully Tues and Wed) and 3 guys (Dustin, Ray; Jaden is a first-timer).

Counselors are Larry, Joyanna, Madeline, Lydia, Jacqueline, Rebekah, Andrea, Annabelle, Gloria, Kimberly and Chloe (her first session with us this summer). We continue having staffers coming and going as their schedules match with our needs. Dawn and Patti are Bible teachers (although Patti is a bit under the weather today, so Meghan will sub in for her; pray Patti can join us for Tues and Wed).

Keep praying for Tara as she teaches chapels in our "Ho-Ho-Ho Rodeo” theme - lessons focus on learning about HOpe, HOliness, and HOme with Jesus!

Thanks so much for your prayers as we continue serving the campers the Lord sends us each day of each session.

Day Camp 2026 continues with CHALLENGERS-2 session today through Saturday (adults ages 21+ with mild or moderate intelle...
06/04/2026

Day Camp 2026 continues with CHALLENGERS-2 session today through Saturday (adults ages 21+ with mild or moderate intellectual disability needing additional support for mobility and/or communication).

Our 14 campers are all veterans - just 3 gals (Jennifer, Laura, Rachel) and 11 guys (Caleb, Lon, Vince, Davin, Gary, Leif, Daniel, Todd, Josh, Dwight, Rico). Half of them are wheelchair users.

Some counselors are joining us for the first time this summer (Ruth, Bud, Larry, Devin, Joyanna) and others were with us for session 1 (Madeline, Lydia, Jacqueline, Rebekah, Annabelle). We'll have staffers coming and going as their schedules match with our needs. Dawn and Patti are Bible teachers. Shannon (Thurs/Fri) joins Leah and Jessie as our nursing team.

Check out some pics of some of our Country/Wild West theme scenes (campers can actually get to sit on the saddle for a photo op!). And here's a group photo from session 1 - lots of smiling faces!

Pray for chapels in our "Ho-Ho-Ho Rodeo” theme - lessons focus on learning about HOpe, HOliness, and HOme with Jesus!

Thanks for your prayers as we continue on with today's schedule and then the next two days. Weather is getting warmer so pray for staff and campers to be safe and well-hydrated.

Tara Kelley's latest "Step by Step" Prayer Letter and Ministry Update is newly posted on her missionary page of our webs...
06/04/2026

Tara Kelley's latest "Step by Step" Prayer Letter and Ministry Update is newly posted on her missionary page of our website (https://www.hvmi.org/tara-kelley) - use the link below her photo there to open and read it.

Can you tell our Day Camp 2026 theme is the Wild West? Check out the graphics on Tara's letter. Page 1, she recaps some impactss of Bible Clubs, Support Groups and Training that happened over the past program year. Page 2 shares details about Day Camp including the schedule, fun facts and items for prayer. She closes with some post-camp events on her calendar and a note about the resumption of construction later this summer - our next building to go up!

Today was the end of our first camp session - all three days went well and we look forward to starting session two tomorrow morning. Pray for Tara as she directs camp and teaches chapels daily through the first six sessions plus the three Explorer Days. Drop her a note to let he know you're praying for her ([email protected]). And thanks for your prayers for her and for every aspect of Day Camp 2026. YEE HAW!!

Hey, friends. Check out our recent BASIS RENEW newsletter email that was sent in the last week or so to email subscribe...
06/02/2026

Hey, friends. Check out our recent BASIS RENEW newsletter email that was sent in the last week or so to email subscribers (it was also mailed to over 400 bereaved parents/couples).
https://mailchi.mp/hvmi/summer-2026-renew

We hope you find comfort in the words written in this quarterly newsletter as well as in the resources we have to share.

We started a new month of BASIS Support Group meetings last night. The Lebanon group, led/hosted by volunteers Bob and Claudette, met and will take a summer hiatus until October. Tonight is the group meeting at Garden Spot Village, led/hosted by Dan, Phyllis and Nancy (7 pm). Next Tuesday is the Paradise group at Dan and Phyllis's home. Stay tuned for anotehr post about groups the rest of ht month in various locations. Thanks for praying for bereaved parents who are part of the groups and newly bereaved parents who may consider coming for the first time - not an easy thing to do for some. Pray each parent who attends may find comfort in the sharing, caring and devotional thoughts that are part of each group meeting. THANKS!

Address

P O Box 122
Akron, PA
17501

Telephone

+17178594777

Website

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