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NOVEMBER 2021
PLAIN VALUES
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Cultivating Anchored Community
OurStory
LEADERSHIP Marlin Miller, publisher
EDITORIAL Nic Stoltzfus, editorial manager Rebecca Greenfield, contributing writer
A LONG TIME AGO...
Merissa A. Alink, monthly columnist - Homestead + Roots
The Millers adopt the first of their four children with special needs.
Joel Salatin, monthly columnist - Confessions of a Steward Ferree Hardy, monthly columnist - The Widow's Path Elam Stoltzfus, guest columnist - Our Heritage
THEN...
W.H. "Chip" Gross, contributing writer Jim Zumbo, monthly columnist - All Things Outdoors
They start a magazine to highlight the beauty of adoption and the dignity of children with special needs.
ADVERTISING Matt Yoder, Ohio sales advisor Aaron Stutzman, Indiana + Michigan sales advisor
NOW...
OFFICE + PRODUCTION
The magazine grows and grows.
Bethany Troyer, bookkeeping Jan Schlabach, customer service
They start a nonprofit.
Isaac Hershberger, production manager Seth Yoder, graphic artist
And give the magazine to the nonprofit.
Landon Troyer, photographer
a: PO Box 201/2106 Main Street, Winesburg, Ohio 44690
The nonprofit raises money for children all over the world through the magazine.
p: (330) 601 - 6106
//
f: (330) 601 - 4099
w: www.plainvalues.com
//
DECEMBER AD CLOSE
Room to Bloom (the nonprofit) is able to support multiple families adopting children with Down syndrome with financial grants making it easier to bring these special ones home!
e: reachout@plainvalues.com
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November 8, 2021
Plain Values is published under licensed authority of Room to Bloom, a non profit, tax exempt Section 501(c)(3) organization. Room to Bloom controls the editorial content of Plain Values and authorizes Plain Target Marketing LLC to publish and circulate Plain Values. Plain Target Marketing LLC pays Room to Bloom a royalty in exchange that is applied to Room to Bloom’s mission of advocating for children with special needs, orphan care and adoption.
The magazine and nonprofit continue to grow and grow.
THE FORMALITIES This publication and its contents are published under licensed authority of 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.
Join us – by subscribing you help fund the work of the nonprofit and bring awareness to children with special needs. 3
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contents
Issue 101 // November 2021
features 10
LIFELINE CHRISTIAN MISSION Saving Lives in Haiti and Beyond words by: Rebecca Greenfield "Yet, looking out my bus window, I saw more than just that smog-ridden, stench-thickened space. I saw a sacred space. I saw that the people in the marketplace–as much as us in the bus– needed to be loved and forgiven by the God of the universe. They were not just Haitians, and we were not just Americans. God's love transcends nationalities." This month, we welcome our newest writer–Rebecca Greenfield. She shares of her personal experience traveling to Haiti with Lifeline Christian Mission, as well as the origins and reach of the organization.
simple living 25
HOMESTEAD + ROOTS Make-Ahead Breadsticks column by: Merissa A. Alink "The recipe for our frozen breadsticks we made to have on our pizza nights!"
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CONFESSIONS OF A STEWARD Carbon Economy column by: Joel Salatin "Unfortunately, the sad truth is that most human-managed systems are not as productive as wild systems. And yet, God's imperative to humans is to make wild places more productive. In fact, throughout Isaiah's prophecies, wildness indicates judgment and scarcity."
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ONE MINUTE WITH MARLIN
ON THE COVER
FUNDS AND BENEFITS
Thoughts and ramblings from Marlin Miller, publisher of Plain Values.
Two Haitian sisters on their daily journey to collect water from the nearest well.
Every month we provide a listing of opportunities to help out those in need.
support 33
THE WIDOW'S PATH Finding Sancuary column by: Ferree Hardy "The widowed, and everyone else in a season of suffering, needs a sanctuary."
history 37
OUR HERITAGE History of the Amish Parochial Schools in Pennsylvania guest columnist: Elam Stoltzfus Part three of a four part series on the history of Amish parochial schools.
nature 43
GONE MISSING IN ALASKA guest writer: W.H. "Chip" Gross "Alaskans use a figure of speech that shakes you to your core once you grasp its full meaning: 'gone missing.' "
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ALL THINGS OUTDOORS Squirrels column by: Jim Zumbo "He whispered that there was a squirrel up there, but I couldn’t see it. We had no binoculars. He aimed the open-sighted .22, squeezed the trigger, and I was amazed when a squirrel plummeted to the ground, hit squarely in the head. I was so proud of my dad!"
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one minute with Marlin
RECENTLY, AT A FAMILY GATHERING, my wife found a small book about the history of our local area. We learned some fascinating stories about the first settlers to the local area in the early 1800s. I never knew our main local roads were built upon the roots of buffalo trails. Following the buffalo, the trails continued to be used by hunting parties. Eventually, the first wagons forged their way through as settlers built homes and began a community. Traveling those familiar routes, imagine what it must have looked like 250 years ago. What must life have been like for the families who lived back then? Although modern-day has given us many conveniences, there are many valuable time-honored skills preserved through the ages and widely used today. The Homesteaders of America Conference is a wonderful opportunity to connect with other families from all parts of the country who still practice the same self-sufficiency skills used by the first settlers in the area. Lisa and I were excited to have the chance to go this year and meet some of the folks whose books we have read and use as a resource for our own little farm. As always, may you find joy in the simple things. //
Marlin & Lisa Miller at the Homesteaders of America Conference with Joel Salatin.
MARLIN MILLER
publisher, always looking for more friends
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feature LIFELINE
Lifeline Christian Mission SAVING LIVES in HAITI and BEYOND words by: REBECCA GREENFIELD
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AS WE PILED INTO THE 31-PASSENGER SCHOOL BUS, drove away from the airport, and headed to Grand Goave, Haiti, our ten-day mission trip with Lifeline Christian Mission began. What started as a small conversation with some church friends around the dinner table months earlier was now a journey my husband and I were embarking upon with those very same friends. These friends had been to Grand Goave before. Now, as my husband and I sat on the bus, we were getting a front-row seat to the experience our friends said was like no other. Through Lifeline, we all would get the opportunity to be the hands and feet of Jesus to people who had very little.
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"Yet, looking out my bus window, I saw more than just that smog-ridden, stench-thickened space. I saw a sacred space. I saw that the people in the marketplace–as much as us in the bus–needed to be loved and forgiven by the God of the universe."
Sights, sounds, and smells bombarded our senses. We looked out the window of the stuffy bus in both amazement and solemness. One solitary traffic light and a small car dealership near the airport were the first and last signs of infrastructure we would see on our entire trip. Soon the mountainous backdrop of depleted forests turned into miles of tent-like homes and broken down metal huts. It was both a scene of mystery and disbelief. The stench of burning trash penetrated the thick and humid air, enveloping the bus with its scent. About halfway through our drive to Grand Goave, we entered Port-Au-Prince. Here, our school bus got stuck in traffic. Our bus was stop-and-go in a peculiar sort of traffic jam caused by a combination of civilians, motorcycles, scooters, cars, buses, and Tap-Taps (a type of truck designed to transport multiple people). Honking horns and animated yelling added to the chaos. Haitian after Haitian lined the sides of the road, aiding in this abrupt slow-down in our commute. This was their marketplace. For many, the marketplace was the only place they had a chance to make a living. Unfortunately, eight out of ten Haitians make less than two dollars a day. One out of two Haitians barely makes even a dollar a day. As we sat on the bus, breathing in the smog, cringing as we watched vehicles nearly collide with our bus, stunned at how many people could fit into a Tap-Tap, and listening to the natives barter, I began to feel the weight of the poverty of this land. Blankets full of cabbage, used old American clothes laid out like a garage sale, fruit sprawled out next to sewer wells — all bearing witness to the desperation of what it took for a day's wage to be earned. Men carrying large baskets of bagged water walked between the narrow spaces within
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The trash-strewn streets of Port-au-Prince, Haiti
About an hour after we left Port-Au-Prince, we pulled into the gated Lifeline Christian Mission campus. We settled into our rooms and prepared for a
the traffic, peering in our bus windows as they tried to
week of service. Little did we know how much more we
make a sale. Heaps of trash were piled near the streets
would be blessed by the Haitians than our small token
and in dried-up water canals. Broken and mud-splashed
of service could even begin to offer them. They didn't
vendor umbrellas, torn tarps, and random tires littered
need us, but they welcomed us. In many regards, we
the road along with the graffiti and sewage.
needed them more.
So much filth, so much struggle, so much need. I
Haitian after Haitian invited us into their lives. We
realized how far I was from home, but this was what
met mothers who walked miles to pick up formula for
daily life looked like for most Haitians. Yet, looking out
their children at the Lifeline clinic. We prayed with a
my bus window, I saw more than just that smog-ridden,
young man who had been recently hired by Lifeline
stench-thickened space. I saw a sacred space. I saw that
and used that money to support his whole family. As he
the people in the marketplace–as much as us in the
invited us into his home, which was nothing more than
bus–needed to be loved and forgiven by the God of the
a tent-like shed, he explained how every time it rained,
universe. They were not just Haitians, and we were not
it would flood all that he owned. Yet, he had hope in God
just Americans. God's love transcends nationalities. We,
to provide for his needs. We played with children from
all of us, are humans loved by God.
the villages who wore nothing more than tattered pieces
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of cloth and had ring-worm on their bodies caused by
with a skill. Some were welding bed frames together,
sleeping on dirt floors. Although each man, woman,
while others were teachers. In addition, there were
and child were in so much need, somehow their faces
translators, preachers, and cooks. Thanks to Lifeline,
still shined with unadulterated joy. They were rich in
many of these people who would be subjected to extreme
hope despite being poor in possessions. They showed
poverty within the city were now learning a trade and
us strength through their trust in God. Each story, each
making a wage that would provide for their families.
Haitian, each orphan child, reminded us that nothing is
The Lifeline schools were securely held on the
entitled but that all things are a gift from God.
Lifeline campus. Children would walk from city and
Our week-long stay consisted of a tour of the city,
rural locations to attend school, sometimes walking
prayer walks, giving formula and other essential supplies
several miles in 100-degree heat. Due to kidnappings,
to help growing infants, hurricane-proof home building,
human traffickers, theft, and other city violence, the
worship at church, food distribution, and visits with
gated Lifeline campus provides a haven to the children.
the children. Due to political corruption, earthquakes,
Over 1,000 children attend the Grand Goave Lifeline
hurricanes, lack of clean water and sanitary conditions,
school, while an additional 700 children attend Lifeline
high unemployment, and deforestation of their natural
schools throughout other parts of Haiti. The curriculum
agricultural resources, Haitians often remain in a cycle
consists of typical classes like math and English classes,
of poverty. Through Lifeline's churches, clinics and
but most importantly, Bible classes are the main focus of
schools, many Haitians have received jobs, food, and
their education. Midday, the children take a break from
education, empowering them to break through some of
class for lunch. This afternoon shuffle was something
the poverty barriers. As we toured the Lifeline campus,
we all looked forward to during our stay. Hundreds
we met numerous staff hired by Lifeline and trained
of little ones poured into the campus courtyard and
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swarmed us with their infectious smiles. All they wanted was love. We found ourselves in the center of giggling children, many trying to climb on us simply so they could be held and loved. Others begged us to play or jump rope with them. Soon, our arms were covered in
attendance at Grand Goave Lifeline school
little Haitian hands as innocent-eyed, toothy-smiled, ribbon-haired, green-uniformed children clung to us, all
1,000
of them seeking our love and affection. One day in the courtyard, a sweet little girl latched on to me after I picked her up. Her legs wrapped around my waist tightly as she nuzzled her head into the side of my neck. Her friends tried to pull her off me because they wanted attention, but her grasp only grew tighter. My heart filled as her tiny, thin arms hugged me with every ounce of strength she had. She would not let go. All she wanted was love, and it was my joy and honor to
attendance at other Lifeline schools
hold her securely in that love. There I was, an average human, just simply wanting to provide a safe embrace
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to this little girl. It was a reminder that our loving Heavenly Father longs even more so, to hold us securely as we cling to Him. 15
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