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Arenal Volcano - La Fortuna, Costa Rica
PLAIN VALUES
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Cultivating Anchored Community MARLIN MILLER
Publisher
KEVIN BILLE
General Manager
MATT YODER
Sales Advisor // Ohio
AARON STUTZMAN ELAM STOLTZFUS
Sales Advisor // Indiana Sales Advisor // Penn.
NIC STOLTZFUS
Editorial Director
JAN SCHLABACH
Customer Service
BETHANY TROYER
Bookkeeping
ISAAC HERSHBERGER
Graphic Artist
SETH YODER
Graphic Artist
LANDON TROYER
Photographer
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ferree Hardy
Marcus A. Yoder
Karina Altman
David and Karin Holder
Merissa A. Alink
Dr. Teresa Hoxworth
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March 8, 2021
Plain Values is published monthly by Room to Bloom. Room to Bloom is a nonprofit, tax-exempt Section 501(c)(3) organization. Please contact us with any questions regarding Plain Values.
PO Box 201/2106 Main Street, Winesburg, OH 44690 Phone: (844) 260-4578 | Fax: (330) 601-4099 www.plainvalues.com | reachout@plainvalues.com
THE FORMALITIES This publication and its contents are © 2021, Room to Bloom. Individual copyrighted items, trademarks, etc. contained within are the property of their respective copyright holders. No part of this publication may be reproduced or redistributed by any means without authorization from the publisher. Publisher is not responsible for advertisers’ offers, products, or services, and publication neither expresses or implies an endorsement.
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ISSUE 93
CONT DUTCH CROSSWORD
// 22
It's that time again! Test your knowledge of old, forgotten Dutch words with this month's crossword puzzle.
BRANCHES WORLDWIDE: A NEW WAY TO DO MISSIONS WITH PEOPLE LIKE YOU God told him, “Impact thirty individuals, in thirty different countries, over the next thirty years, with the principles of servant leadership.”
MINUTE WITH MARLIN
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ACH VEL, VELLA RIVEL SUPPE ESSA // 39 What I discovered is that I knew what I was eating! I was eating Rivel Soup.
Thoughts and ramblings from Marlin Miller, publisher of Plain Values. // page 7
FUNDS AND BENEFITS
Every month we provide a listing of opportunities to help out those in need. // page 50
ON THE COVER
Dan Owolabi, executive director of Branches Worldwide, in the Dominican Republic visiting with Dr. William Ventura 4
ENTS MANTIS SHRIMP: PINT-SIZED PRIZEFIGHTERS // 25
BETTER THAN BITTERNESS // 31
This little ocean creature possesses the strongest punch on the planet.
Naomi had a grandson to receive who restored her life. But we have a far better Son to receive.
NEVER GIVE UP
HIP PROBLEMS
// 39
The reward is not in winning but in competing. The prize was more than the elk; it was the journey to get there.
// 46
This may prevent you from producing puppies that are affected with severe orthopedic problems.
MARCH 202 1
TACO SEASONING FROM SCRATCH // 3 7 Discover how to create this household staple from scratch.
DISCIPLINE
// 51
Keep going and striving to be the best version of yourself, knowing that you might never arrive.
This section of Plain Values is devoted to showcasing local goods and services to our readers. Each reader will enjoy one of four editions, depending on where they live. Our hope is that the "Plain Pages” can be a resource in finding local businesses to assist you in your needs as well as in your wants. // pages 34
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Two little boys sat on the kitchen floor, the older one eating coconut by the handfuls right out of the bag. The younger one, seeing joy on his brother’s face, decides to get in on the action and sticks a hand in the bag. Upon swallowing the last of the coconut, he tells his mom, who’s been watching this unfold, with surprised and scared eyes, “Mom, I just ate a whole coconut!” My mom told me that story a while back. We were reminiscing about the old days, sharing stories and talking about things we remembered from when I was a kid. Things like tricky dogs–those cute little magnetic toys that every little Amish child knows well. She shared how we used to put one tricky dog on the top of a piece of paper with the
ONE MINUTE WITH MARLIN
other one underneath, and then make the visible dog slide all around the paper, giggling quietly the whole time. On page 73 of his book Lena’s Boys: Adventures on the County Line Road, my friend Frank Yoder talks of his own memories of tricky dogs. He begins his story about what it was like attending church as an Amish boy. He would sit next to his mother on the long wooden benches. He writes, “What was it like sitting there? Your feet did not reach the floor, and the benches were stone hard.” As an older boy, he was allowed to quietly play with a set of magnetic tricky dogs to pass the time. He was so fond of those toys that he still has them today. This past year, Frank and his wife have been walking a lonely and difficult road. If you have read and enjoyed any of his writings, please consider sending a letter and tell him what his work has meant to you. Feel free to send any cards and letters for Frank to our office, and we will see that he gets them. (Plain Values address on page 3) As always, may you find joy in the simple things. //
MARLIN MILLER publisher of Plain Values // always looking for more friends
Frank Yoder's tricky dogs 7
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words by: FERREE HARDY
BRANCHES WORLDWIDE
A New Way to do Missions With People Like You
I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
~ Jesus Christ (John 15:5) Are you ready to see some positive changes around the world? Some business leaders in Ohio are. With a tiny seed of an idea, a new non-profit, “Branches Worldwide” is shaping up to bring economic and spiritual growth to business leaders and their communities in countries all over the world.
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Africa
Asia
Europe
North America
Oceania
South America
Botswana
Israel
Austria
Costa Rica
Australia
Argentina
Ghana
Japan
Czech Republic
Dominican Republic
Fiji
Brazil
Nigeria
Singapore
Ireland
Jamaica
New Zealand
Chile
South Africa
Thailand
Norway
Nicaragua
Tonga
Peru
Tanzania
United Arab Emirates
Spain
Panama
Samoa
Uruguay
A BRANCH WITH A VISION: Brian Miller, Founder On
their
website,
your faith in the business world. The thought of how Christian business people could impact individuals
founder
Brian
Miller,
of
and communities all over the world gripped him.
Sugarcreek, Ohio, explains the beginnings in a video
Brian envisioned an organization that would come
entitled “Branches Worldwide - The Vision.” He had
alongside and aid young Christian business leaders
been listening to a presentation by a demographer, an
called to grow their faith along with their businesses;
expert in human population changes, who forecasted
leaders for whom their business IS their ministry.
world changes and what various countries might look
The overall plan boiled down to this: “30 Leaders.
like in the next thirty years. Brian
found
himself
30 Countries. 30 Years.” But first, another “branch” was thinking
about
the
needed.
presentation over the next several days. It was like
A BRANCH WITH A MISSION: Dan Owolabi, Executive Director
he heard God telling him, “Impact thirty individuals, in thirty different countries, over the next thirty years,
Just as one vine and many branches make up
with the principles of servant leadership.”
the disciples that Jesus spoke of in John 15, there are
These individuals could then, in turn, impact
many branches in Branches Worldwide. Dan Owolabi,
their communities. “Somebody that can provide a way
(pronounced Oh-ah-lobby) is the Executive Director.
to earn a living, giving people jobs, can open people’s
His mission is to travel the world and find the thirty
hearts to hear the gospel….” Mr. Miller explained. As a
leaders in the thirty countries.
businessman himself, he understood the power of living
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30 THIRTY LEADERS. THIRTY COUNTRIES. THIRTY YEARS.
Brian Miller, Founder of Branches Worldwide
Dan Owolabi, Executive Director
Dan is uniquely qualified with vast leadership and people skills, a pastor’s heart, and many cross-cultural experiences. In his book, “Authentic Leadership,” available on Amazon.com, he tells about growing up in the small town of Dalton, Ohio—in the only black family. His parents were also both deaf. Can you imagine if the first language you “spoke” had been sign language? Dan’s was. Both his parents had emigrated from Nigeria to the United States as young adults, which is a story of courage and faith in itself. After college and graduate school, Dan served as both a public school teacher and a pastor in northeast Ohio. He also co-founded Owolabi Leadership, and has counted it a privilege to help thousands of people hone their leadership skills. Around 2018, Dan sensed a change coming in his life. In prayer he wondered, “What’s next, Lord?” The answer came in a phone call from Dan’s old friend Brian Miller. Brian and Dan had served
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together about ten years earlier at a church in Holmes County, Ohio. Back then they had enjoyed some great conversations, but this was the first time they’d talked in years. Many meaningful discussions ensued about how to actualize Brian’s idea to “impact thirty leaders in thirty countries for thirty years with the principles of servant leadership.” At this point they didn’t even have a name for the organization Brian envisioned. But that was about to change. Dan and Brian got together one afternoon to brainstorm. On a white marker board they quickly wrote down every possible name that came to their minds. Just as quickly, it seemed, they’d draw a line through it; nothing fit. Finally, they went to Scripture. Reading John 15 showed them a picture of how their organization would work: Christ Jesus was the life-giving vine and servantleader “branches” would abide in Him. Thus, the name “Branches Worldwide” went up on the white marker board and stayed. It embodied both a fitting name and a fitting mission of abiding in Christ. After all, servant leadership is what Jesus taught. Dan was appointed executive director, and they began growing their organization: assembling a board of directors, applying for non-profit status, building a website, finding necessary staff, and reaching out to a potential donor base. The idea for “Branches Worldwide” was taking root.
30 LEADERS, 30 COUNTRIES, IN 3 YEARS! Then Strengthening Branches for 30 Years So how does the organization plan to expand? With Branches Worldwide firmly set up, Dan is now determined to find the thirty global leaders in three years! Then there will be thirty prime years ahead for these young business owners to serve their communities, and for Branches Worldwide to serve them. Dan is introduced to potential business leaders through the far-reaching network of the board of directors, staff, and volunteers at Branches Worldwide. For additional outreach, there is also a contact form on their website which they use to get introduced to potential leaders, mentors, and networkers. The best qualified global leaders emerge with these five specific characteristics:
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Has a strong faith in Jesus
•
Leads a business or organization
•
Age 25-40
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Employs 5 or more people
•
Can speak English 14
THE FIRST FOUR GLOBAL LEADERS What do a Kindergarten through High School Executive Director, a business CEO, a chiropractor, and a seafood distributor have in common? They are the 2020 global Christian business leaders served by Branches Worldwide. Representing Nicaragua, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Costa Rica respectively, each is firmly committed to using their community business to serve God and their fellow man. Here are some brief facts about each from the website.
NARLLY SOLANO MENDEZ Executive Director, Dario Christian Academy Nicaragua Since 2004, with God’s help, Narlly has grown the Dario Christian Academy from 47 students to a full-scale elementary and high school with over 400 students and 40 faculty members. Narlly Mendez
AUBREY STEWART CEO, Highlights Research & Strategic Management Solutions (HRSMS) Jamaica Since 2017, HRSMS has helped start up, support, and manage many local and regional businesses at various levels. With a strong focus on God’s mission, in 2018, CEO Aubrey Stewart had the privilege of being recognized by Her Majesty the Queen of England for outstanding leadership and nation building. Aubrey Stewart
DR. WILLIAM VENTURA Chiropractic Spine Center (CSC) Dominican Republic Dr. Ventura began his practice in 2015 with no money or resources. Now, CSC is the fastest growing Chiropractic Clinic in the Dominican Republic, receiving over 2,000 visits a month in four different locations.
Dr. William Ventura
CHRISTIAN BOLAMOS (nickname “Pit”) Altamar Seafood Company Costa Rica Over the past ten years Pit grew his wholesale business until it was a certified and trusted supplier of the Costa Rican government and Presidential Palace. But last spring, within twenty-four hours, 90% of their revenues were lost when Covid-19 lockdowns were imposed without any warning. By God’s grace, they’ve reinvented the company, changing from wholesale to personalized retail, and they’ve kept all their employees and fishermen working.
Christian Bolamos
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