There are countries where it is not possible for a missionary to get a visa. There are countries where church activities are greatly restricted. There are countries where open evangelism is unlawful. As a result, some people are tempted to think that these countries are unreachable with the gospel.

While sharing the gospel in those countries can be challenging, it is not impossible. Closed to missionaries does not mean closed to the gospel. That's where the use of the phrase "creative access" comes in. Because the Good News spreads most easily through relationships, there are opportunities for evangelism in even the very difficult countries. Relationships in which the gospel can be shared can be developed through:

• Students who go to study in another country
• Internet
• Teachers 
• Christian students who go to those countries to study
• Christian businesspeople and medical workers

And yes – even wheelchairs! 

At Hawthorne we partner with a Christian hospital Al-Germaniyya in Aswan, Egypt to provide wheelchairs for children with disabilities so that they can find value by going to school and learning practical skills.  Wheelchairs allow the workers to build relationships with the child and their parents so that they can show Christ’s love to them. 

We chose Egypt because it fits into our larger mission’s vision of seeing the light of gospel shine in that closed place.. 

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