Sacred Stories, Hugs, and Hope: Ananias House Volunteer Anna Diaz Hasselbring Shares What Leads Her to Serve

How did you first get involved with Ananias House? 

In 2019, I wrote down a focused prayer request in my journal. I asked God to be part of a team that travels around the world sharing the gospel. Two weeks later, a friend, who was connected with Ananias House (AH), sent me a letter about an upcoming AH trip to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). I felt that the invitation for prayer volunteers was an answer to my prayer. God led and confirmed my place on the trip in many ways, including His provision over funds raised in a matter of 2 weeks!

Why the MENA region?

God prepared me for that region years back through a MENA friend I met at a Life Bible Study.  People in that part of the world have endured great suffering, and I feel connected to the women who suffer tragic losses. In 1986, El Salvador experienced a terrible earthquake. My mother died in that tragic event. At the time, I was living in the U.S. and received the news only after she’d been buried. The loss and experience caused grief and trauma. I didn’t realize the effects until later in life. Now, as part of my healing journey, I can offer comfort to others. I am able to share that it’s okay when something devastating happens. We may not understand why, but we can be reminded that God is still a part of our lives and will walk us through it.

What is your role within Ananias House’s ministry?

I started volunteering in 2019 as a small group leader for the Women’s Leadership Training (WLT), traveling twice a year to engage with the Middle Eastern women in discipleship, leadership, and trauma training. Around that time, the pilot for the WLT program was successful and shaping into a deeper ministry outreach and discipleship program. Dr. Barbara Neumann and many other women have developed a Christ-centered curriculum and effective cross-cultural reach. My role has now expanded as the training’s Prayer Coordinator.

Can you share more about the Women’s Leadership Training program?

This very week, the women’s ministry team is on a trip to the MENA region, leading a training focused on teaching women that what’s on their mind matters to God. Exercises will draw wisdom and instruction from Matthew 22. Leaders and volunteers facilitate the training and help equip women to become competent and confident leaders so they can directly impact their churches and communities. 2 Timothy 1:7 tells us, “For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.”

How have you seen God move within this program?

I have seen the training benefits and transformation of women, and it is amazing. Women from countries like Türkiye, Lebanon, and Egypt come together and receive encouragement through training, prayer, mentorship, and hugs.

What would you like the body of Christ in the West to know about the work AH is doing?

Wow! This ministry is impacting an area of the world that includes the land where our Lord walked and ministered. Today, the Church there is facing many challenges, but AH is offering meaningful programs that strengthen the body of Christ, and we get to be a part of it! We all come with our own sacred stories (a.k.a. baggage). But even in that, God is able to help us move past it, giving us a beautiful gift of acceptance for one another.