Rebuilding—The Role of Storm Aid After Hurricane Michael | September 2020

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SEPTEMBER 2020

PLAIN VALUES

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PLAIN VALUES

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Cultivating Anchored Community MARLIN MILLER KEVIN BILLE SUE WENGERD PHIL BARKMAN MATT YODER AARON STUTZMAN

PUBLISHER GENERAL MANAGER SENIOR EDITOR COPY EDITOR ACCOUNT MANAGER ACCOUNT MANAGER // INDIANA

ISAAC HERSHBERGER

GRAPHIC ARTIST

SETH YODER

GRAPHIC ARTIST

LANDON TROYER

PHOTOGRAPHER

BETHANY TROYER

CUSTOMER SERVICE

JAN SCHLABACH

CUSTOMER SERVICE

ELAM STOLTZFUS

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

FERREE HARDY

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

MERISSA A. ALINK

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

JOHN UpCHURCH

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

MARCUS A. YODER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

TORRY MARTIN & DOUG PETERSON

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

DR. TERESA HOXWORTH

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

KAREN RABER

CONTRIBUTING WRITER

OCTOBER AD SALES DEADLINE

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SEPTEMBER 4, 2020

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I S S U E 87

CONT UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS

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Providing Health Care and Education to the Amish Community Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

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REBUILDING: THE ROLE OF STORM AID AFTER HURRICANE MICHAEL // 11

GALLEY SLAVES AND MOVING // 37

On October 10, 2018, Hurricane Michael devastated the coastal city of Panama City, Florida, and the surrounding towns. Volunteers are helping to rebuild.

While not a public execution, this was, in essence, a death sentence.

PUBLISHER'S MESSAGE

Thoughts and ramblings from Marlin Miller, publisher of Plain Values. // page 9

FUNDS AND BENEFITS

Every month we provide a listing of opportunities to help out those in need. // page 58

GOOD STUFF WITH KEVIN BILLE

This month, Kevin discusses the importance of resilience. // page 59

ON THE COVER

The winds of Hurricane Michael were fierce, strong enough to flip this house upside-down.

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ENTS ACCEPTANCE

HOMEMADE MIXES

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// 31

SEPTEMBER 2020

JOURNEY HOME

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Sometimes I just have to accept that I can’t keep up with everything. It’s time to slow down...

Merissa shares two homemade pantry staples, along with recipes showcasing how to use them.

The Creator equipped numerous animals, large and small, with astonishing tools to find their way...

ON FIRE FOR GOD

PARASITES

SACRED GROUND

// 40

That’s when Rob finally looked into his side-view mirror and saw that the trailer had become a fireball.

// 45

Hopefully, this article will be a helpful reminder to everyone to keep up with cleaning...

// 49

God has placed within Griffin and Rachel a strong desire to bring kingdom relationship to those with disabilities.

This new 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. // between pages 34 and 35

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SEPTEMBER 2020

MESSAGE from the

PUBLISHER words by: MARLIN MILLER

Do you ever stop to listen to yourself? My wife, Lisa,

7,000 in a day. Of course, people and situations are all

and I have found ourselves laughing after hearing what

different, and communication is so much more than

we just said. For example, the other evening at supper,

just the words we say. But the heart of the matter is that

I asked one of our kids to please stop shoving chicken

words are powerful tools for communication, and so

down the register, and telling them that we do not,

many of those thousands of words used each day are

under any circumstances, blow smoothies through the

often said without much thought. When I think back

straws onto the windows. Those are just a few samples

over my days, I am often disappointed at my own lack of

of what may be heard in our home at times.

speaking intentionally. I hope you join me in the search

Other times we hear ourselves saying phrases our

for more thoughtful and deeper conversation.

As always, may you find joy in the simple things. //

parents and grandparents used often. Like, “Make hay while the sun shines,” or, “Don’t lollygag.” (What does this even mean?!?) Or when you lost something, and they meant to be helpful by asking, “Where did you leave it last?” The last one is comical because if you could answer that question, you wouldn’t have lost the item in the first place!

One study shows that the average woman says about 20,000 words per day while the average man says

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SEPTEMBER 2020

reBUILDING The Role of Storm Aid After Hurricane Michael WOR D S BY: E LA M STO LTZ FU S

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

WIDOW'S PATH

HOMESTEAD + ROOTS

,,

FEATURE STORY

GOD OF WONDERS

MY

OUR HERITAGE

GREAT OUTDOORS

CANINE CORNER

SACRED GROUND

house is gone, yeah, gone. Everything collapsed. I can’t believe my eyes. I… lost everything.”

— Tumi Phagan

On October 10, 2018, Hurricane Michael devastated the coastal city of Panama City, Florida, and the surrounding towns. All residents of Bay County lost electricity following the storm, and three out of every four homes in Panama City suffered damage.

Many people, like Tumi Phagan, saw their homes destroyed entirely.

The storm, with upward of 160 mph gusts, uprooted three trees that all fell onto her house. Hurricane Michael made her homeless.

After the storm, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) moved a temporary trailer onto her property until she rebuilt the house. As an older single woman without insurance, Tumi was unsure of whom to turn to for help. “I tried to get help everywhere. When someone came out here, I ran to them and said, 'Please, please help me… I need help.’ ” For months following the storm, Tumi reached out to different agencies requesting help. She filled out form after form, and waited. People promised to help her, but months went by, and nothing happened.

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~ ~ ~ ~ ~ “I've been in hurricanes ever since I've been in Panama City,” said Katie North. “This is where I have lived and never left at all. We stayed right here… it started blowing off at the top of the house, and it just was awful… The roof came off, you could see right through the attic out there. Then it blew through, it just took the whole roof and she took everything with it and it was scary… you could just hear everything just slam and bangin’. It was scary. It's just hard for me.”

– Katie North Katie North sustained injuries during the storm and was airlifted to the nearby hospital in Destin. When she returned home after her hospital stay, she looked at the wreckage: her home was completely destroyed.

Katie’s family has lived in Panama City for generations, and now her family home was gone. An older woman in her seventies, Katie wanted to rebuild a house on the property for future generations of the family, but she (above) KATIE NORTH'S HOME

did not have the money to do so.

(right)

TUMI PHAGAN'S HOME

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ In the months following the hurricane, many

Since Hurricane Michael affected such a large area,

different organizations came into the area to help

MDS placed volunteers all across the northwest Florida

with the rebuilding effort. The relief organization of

region. For Panama City and Bay County, MDS recruited

the United Methodist Church, the United Methodist

volunteers from Storm Aid to help with the rebuilding

Committee on Relief (UMCOR), played a vital role in

efforts, specifically the construction of new houses to

coordinating with other Christian relief organizations.

replace those that were destroyed.

One such organization was the Mennonite Disaster

In order to do work in Panama City, MDS/Storm Aid

Service (MDS), a volunteer network of Anabaptist

knew they needed an operations center. According to

churches that responds in Christian love to those

Dan Yoder, regional volunteer coordinator for MDS, “One

affected by disasters in Canada and the United States.

of the critical things was finding a place for MDS/Storm

Along with working to restore broken communities,

Aid to set up a base.” MDS volunteer Steve Campbell and

they also seek to restore lives by nurturing faith, hope,

Storm Aid volunteers Ivan Shirk, Eli Stoltzfus (Cherry

and wholeness.

Hill), and Nathan King checked out multiple sites, but

Storm Aid is a group of Old Order Amish and Old

nothing met the requirements they had for an ops

Order Mennonite volunteers from Lancaster County,

center. Then, someone told them they should check out

Pennsylvania, and surrounding areas. Among these

a place called Heritage House Ministries. Steve found

communities, there are many people skilled in the crafts

the location—ten miles north of downtown Panama

needed to build homes: carpenters, general contractors,

City, alongside Highway 231—and drove to the site.

roofers, drywall installers, and painters.

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“WORKING IN THESE PLACES MAKES YOU GRATEFUL FOR WHAT I HAVE BACK HOME. THIS IS MY SIXTH TIME WITH MDS/STORM AID.” ~

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Sandy Hathaway, founder of Heritage House Ministries, recounts her first meeting with the volunteers: “In late summer of 2019, four strangers knocked on my door. They were representing MDS, a Mennonite group of disaster-relief workers who specialize in repairing and rebuilding homes. They were looking for a place to park some trailers so they could begin to accommodate teams coming down from all parts of the country to help the people of Bay County. Someone had told them about Heritage House

“IT’S VERY REWARDING, HELPING THESE HOMEOWNERS WITH THEIR NEEDS. WE LISTEN TO THEIR STORIES ABOUT THE STORM. I ENJOY MEETING NEW PEOPLE.”

Ministries. Within a few minutes, I knew the Holy Spirit was in the meeting, and Edwin and I decided to accommodate them… We certainly share a love of Christ and a heart to help others.”

Sandy and Edwin Hathaway permitted MDS/ Storm Aid to use their property as an operations base rent-free for nine months. They also agreed that the volunteer organizations could set up dorm trailers and a tool container and park their vehicles on-site. Now that MDS/Storm Aid knew they had an operations base established, they turned to their next challenge: logistics. Darin Bontrager, MDS Regional Operations Coordinator, commented, “How was this going to work, who was at the table, how much networking do we need to do, is this long term or short term, etc.?” There were still many questions to be answered.

UMCOR had identified thirty locations for new houses to be built. They asked Storm Aid to work out an estimate of costs per house. Storm Aid came up with an estimated cost of around $63,000 per house and submitted their budget. UMCOR then laid the groundwork in Panama City for the Storm Aid volunteers: communicating with homeowners, coordinating with FEMA, deed verification, and other pre-construction work. By the fall of 2019, UMCOR

SUSANNE BEILER

provided Storm Aid with enough funds to purchase material for ten houses, and Storm Aid got to work. The first house they built was for Katie North.

“Every time I talked with her, there were tears of joy, happiness that these people were coming to build a house for her,” said Dan Yoder. On February 21st, 2020, the new house was dedicated to the North family.

Handing over the keys to the house was a group of MDS/Storm Aid volunteers who were rejoicing with the North family.

REBUILDING KATIE NORTH'S HOME

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SEPTEMBER 2020

At the same time, Tumi Phagan heard that UMCOR

project coordinator for Storm Aid’s house-building work

was building homes for people. She reached out to

in Bay County, and he offered his reflection on his time

them, and they sent a Storm Aid team to build her a new

spent volunteering. “I first heard about MDS/Storm Aid

house. After she received the good news, Tumi called

through my youth group. When you go once, you will go

her daughter and told her, “I’m getting a house. I can’t

again and again. Through these trips, I have made many

believe this; I have waited so long.”

lifetime friends. I was in Texas for a while last year—this

From her FEMA trailer, Tumi watched the Storm

is my tenth time with MDS/Storm Aid.

Aid volunteers work and could hardly believe her eyes.

“I enjoy the orientation, teaching people to be

“These people worked so hard,” Tumi explained. “I need

sensitive to the community and homeowner’s needs. I

to feed them. I make food and buy food, bring pizza. But

especially like the sharing nights after a long day’s work.

they are so busy they don’t take time to eat much. The

This can be emotional, listening to homeowners’ stories

house is almost finished now. I keep an eye on them. The

and talk about folks we met. We serve homeowners in

volunteers are so happy as they work. I heard them sing

these communities with no insurance and low income

while working; nobody sings while working these days.

and work with the elderly. I am thankful that I can help

Right now I’m so happy, so happy. I’m very happy.”

others. One highlight of the dedication event is when

Storm Aid finished Tumi’s house in March and

the keys are handed to the owners.”

gave her the keys to her new home. At the dedication

Ben and Barb Esh served as house parents at the

ceremony on March 13, MDS and Storm Aid volunteers

MDS/Storm Aid facility at Heritage House Ministries,

were there to celebrate with her.

and their volunteering also made an impact on their

For volunteers with Storm Aid, this was a life-

lives. “These are new experiences; the work here makes

changing experience. Eli Stoltzfus (Cherry Hill) is the

us feel needed. There is so much to do here. We listen

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SEPTEMBER 2020

to the homeowners tell their tragic stories about the storm; sometimes they were taken advantage of and treated unfairly.

We are glad we can help to make a difference.”

Eli Stoltzfus, Parkesburg Storm Aid volunteer, from his daily journal: “This is Diane Kyser’s new house Storm Aid is framing. She was in bed when the storm hit. She already has been through seven hurricanes in her life. This one was the worst. She lived in a trailer she shared with her daughter and her husband. She had just got out of her bed and walked away ten feet when the biggest tree on the property came crashing down through the trailer onto the bed she just got out of.

“So she and her daughter and son-in-law got in the car and drive out of town. But they don’t get very far. A tree blows down across the road right in front of them. And so they turn around to go back to see if the house is all right. They dodge trees on the way back. They get back, and their house is destroyed by a few more trees that fell down on it. She is convinced the Lord still has a purpose for her in life. Her strong faith is encouraging.

“They have been living in two sheds with a portable shower outside and only an electric cord running the shed for power.

The only toilet is the one in a camper.

“I tell her she was very patient. She said she cannot understand this; she worked hard all her life and now lives in a shed. She was very happy to see Marlin’s crew build the new house walls. When her daughter came home from work, she cried for joy at the sight of their new house being built.”

POST COVID-19 (SPRING 2020) After a two-month complete shutdown in March and April, volunteers were able to come back and complete projects that had not been completed. To date, the partnership of UMCOR, MDS/Storm, the Hathaways, along with other supporting partners, has completed fifteen new houses and twenty-six repairs and renovations.

Storm Aid will be continuing their work in Panama City this fall. You have an opportunity to share your values with others, especially those who are homeless and in need. If you are interested in volunteering, please call. // For more information, contact: STORM AID: Enos // (717) 723 - 7768 MDS: (717) 735 - 3536

TUMI PHAGAN, WITH VOLUNTEERS, ON THE PORCH OF HER NEW HOME

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SEPTEMBER 2020

FEATURE STORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

WIDOW'S PATH

HOMESTEAD + ROOTS

GOD OF WONDERS

OUR HERITAGE

GREAT OUTDOORS

CANINE CORNER

SACRED GROUND

Providing Health Care and Education to the Amish Community Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

Over the past several months, UH Geauga physicians and nurses have provided information about Coronavirus (COVID-19) to the Amish community and are working with local leaders to ensure they receive the care and information they need.

COVID-19 is not going away any time soon and will continue to be prevalent until a vaccine is available or herd immunity occurs. Healthcare workers believe that supporting the more than 18,000 Amish in the county is two-fold: providing healthcare services and providing education.

“We have always partnered with the Amish community by providing healthcare services,” says UH Geauga Amish Nurse Navigator Vickie Muir, MSN, RN. “COVID-19 has affected some of the ways we go about outreach and the types of resources and education materials we provide.”

AMISH NURSE NAVIGATOR RESOURCES INCLUDE:

•

Liaison between the Amish community and health care

•

Home health assessments

•

Shuttle services/transportation

•

Emergency services for evaluation and testing

•

Outpatient pharmacy services

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SEPTEMBER 2020

“Calls can be made to myself directly to arrange

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU BELIEVE YOU OR A FAMILY MEMBER

a home visit, a ride to the hospital, to discuss health

MAY BE INFECTED WITH COVID-19?

care concerns, or even ask questions about coronavirus

•

in general,” explains Muir. “For example, if someone is

Get in touch with your primary care physician or with UH Geauga’s Amish Nurse Navigator to find

worried that they or a family member are experiencing

a doctor, for questions about testing, or for more

coronavirus symptoms, they can express their concerns,

information. 440-901-1040.

and I can help arrange the best next steps for them to take. We also provide printed education materials, as

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO TO AVOID

we know it is difficult for many community members to

BECOMING INFECTED BY, OR

stay up-to-date on the latest health news without access

ASYMPTOMATICALLY SPREADING,

to a TV or phone.”

COVID-19?

•

WHAT IS CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)?

are not within your household or homestead.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

•

Coronavirus is not a new virus to humans, but this strain of the virus is unique to humans. The name of the strain is SARS-Co-V 2, and we call the illness

•

Physical distance from others at least six feet.

•

Frequently clean and sanitize high-touch surfaces.

•

Wash hands with soap and water frequently, or utilize approved hand sanitizers.

COVID-19. Before COVID-19 started to circulate,

•

humans did not have any immunity to this virus.

•

homesteads may sit together.

•

start with any symptoms of the disease. This is why are spreading it. Some people spread the virus and

AS THE COMMUNITY VENTURES

never have any symptoms at all.

BACK INTO THE WORKPLACE AND

Coronavirus is highly contagious and is spread by

BUSINESSES BEGIN TO CAUTIOUSLY REOPEN, WHAT ARE SOME HELPFUL

respiratory droplets. So, when people who have the

TIPS TO FOLLOW?

virus exhale, talk, cough, or sneeze, the respiratory

•

droplets are in the air for others to breathe in and

experts for taking care of and preparing your

enclosed spaces.

workforce, facilities, and customers to safely reopen.

•

WHAT ARE COVID-19 SYMPTOMS?

People with the virus have reported symptoms

AS CHILDREN GO BACK TO SCHOOL,

difficult to distinguish from colds or flu.

WHAT ARE SOME HELPFUL TIPS TO

Symptoms may appear two to fourteen days after

FOLLOW?

exposure. They can include fever, cough, fatigue,

•

shortness of breath, and lack of smell or taste.

COVID-19 spreads when people are together, as they are in schools. By applying basic precautions,

It is important to note that you may be carrying the

schools can help reduce the risk to teachers,

virus asymptomatically (without any symptoms),

students, staff, and their families if they choose to

which is why necessary safety measures like social

reopen in-person education.

distancing should be practiced. You should also

•

isolate yourself from others if you believe you’ve

Designed with input from the education community, the UH Rainbow Healthy Restart Playbook for

been exposed or are not feeling well.

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The Amish Nurse Navigator can provide you and your community with copies of the materials.

that range from mild to severe. Mild cases may be

•

The UH Healthy Restart Playbook includes the advice of UH clinical leaders and infectious disease

then catch the virus. It is especially contagious in

•

Do not hold unnecessary group gatherings or social events.

it is easily spread without people knowing they

•

If gathering in groups for church or other services, sit outside and six feet apart. Families and

We know for certain that people spread the virus in their respiratory droplets a few days before they

•

Wear masks in public, especially around those who

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Reopening •

Schools

includes

information

•

for

the school day, monitoring for infections, evaluating

Advice is included on Planning Points: How to Talk

schedules, and frequent communication.

•

to Kids About COVID-19; the New School Day; the

• •

The Playbook encourages continual assessment of

educators, parents, and children.

UH has also broken down content based on the

ABCD’s of COVID-19; How to Properly Wear a Mask,

age of the child and provided recommendations on

and Wellness Tips.

mental health and resilience.

•

Copies of the Playbook can be obtained from the

An easy acronym to remember and follow for

Amish Nurse Navigator.

schools are the ABCDs of COVID-19:

The Playbook also provides clarity and real-life

>

A: Always Wear a Mask

examples of recommendations to help schools as

>

B: Be Aware of Illness Symptoms

they navigate their reopening plans, equipping

>

C: Clean Your Hands and Your Space

administrators and teachers with strategies as they

>

D: Distance Physically but not Socially. //

work toward a healthy restart.

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SEPTEMBER 2020

FEATURE STORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

WIDOW'S PATH

HOMESTEAD + ROOTS

GOD OF WONDERS

OUR HERITAGE

GREAT OUTDOORS

CANINE CORNER

SACRED GROUND

Acceptance

words by: FERREE HARDY

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Although it’s the start of September here in South Carolina, some of the hottest days of summer will still bear down with high humidity, little breeze, and wafting heat. Sometimes I just have to accept that I can’t keep up with everything. It’s time to slow down, fan myself, and decide what changes to make.

It’s a lot like widowhood.

In widowhood, it’s important to accept some things and make some changes. Just as a reminder, here are some suggestions I shared with widows in Apple Creek, Ohio, back in February:

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SEPTEMBER 2020

Accept God’s truth.

It usually starts with Shock or Denial—you feel numb, and you just can’t believe it. Then, they say, come the

The truth is this: God knows, and His knowledge is

Anger, Bargaining, Depression, and Acceptance stages.

always balanced with His love. He knows that something awful happened. But before it happened, He knew it

The thing is, though, that we are complicated! A

would happen. Psalm 139:16 says, “All the days ordained

person doesn’t just pass through one stage and on to

for me were written in your book before one of them

the next. Everyone grieves differently because each

came to be.” Some of us will be like strong trees that

relationship was unique. There’s also the manner in

live for one hundred years, but some of us are like day

which a person died. If it was sudden, the surviving

lilies; our time is short. Yet, God orchestrates our lives all

spouse might have a lot more “shock” to deal with than

together for the glory of His love in us.

if they were able to prepare for it. If it was criminal, there are things like forgiveness and justice to address. I

If we have questions and doubts, it’s okay to

personally believe that widows and widowers who have

wrestle with them. Always seek godly wisdom. As we do,

truly “become one” (Genesis 2:24), like I wrote about in

eventually we accept that God knows our doubts and

August, have an additional stage for rebuilding their

questions, but He still loves us. We learn more of His

daily routine and life purpose.

love and realize we can trust it.

You might not go through every stage, or it might

Accept that grief is “common.”

seem like you go through the same thing over and over.

Everyone will experience grief sooner or later.

My grief experience was more like this: shock, shock,

Everyone experiences similar emotions. Over the years,

shock! Every morning when my feet hit the floor, it jolted

people have labeled these emotions the “Stages of Grief.”

me—my husband Bruce was dead. Most likely, you will

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Accept that this is going to take a while.

"EACH PERSON’S GRIEF COMBINATION IS THEIR OWN."

If you’ve been married thirty years, it’ll take more than thirty days for life to feel “normal.” In the meantime, find ways to fill your days. Establish a routine. If you have children at home, pour your life into them. My widow friend Myra, whose husband died on Christmas Eve while their two little girls were sleeping, said, “In saving your kids, you save yourself.”

Accept that you will need to be your own best friend.

have a unique combination of the stages of grief. You

Do the things that you know are best for you and

might experience all of them, or a combination of only

your family. You might start by thinking of what you’d

two or three, or even the same one over and over. Each

do for a good friend and then you’ll know what you’d like

person’s grief combination is their own.

friends to do for you. Now is not the time to look for a boyfriend or join every support group out there. Be very

Accept that there might be physical or unusual symptoms to your grief.

selective about the people you help. It’s your turn now.

It’s always hard to ask for help, but it’s not a sin

Depression, sleep problems, weight loss or gain, and

to ask! I’m sure if you had a widow friend who needed

lower immunity are physical symptoms that widows

help, you wouldn’t hesitate to find some for her. Don’t

need to be aware of. We could all probably lose a few

belittle yourself. People often want to help widows, but

pounds or go without a good night’s sleep every once-

they don’t want to pry or embarrass anyone. The widow

in-a-while, but if any of these things become chronic, it’s

might think everyone can see that she needs help,

time to see your doctor.

but the truth is, they cannot. People also forget. Ask

For unusual nightmares, panic attacks, or scary

repeatedly but be sensitive to what’s going on in their

crying jags, talk to a counselor or godly friend. These can

lives; don’t become too dependent upon just one person.

all be perfectly normal under the circumstances, but it’s

Acceptance is a process. It’s not the last stage of

good to get someone else’s opinion. Crying every day

grief; it happens over time. It involves that horrible

in the early months of grief is not necessarily a sign of

word “CHANGE” that most of us want to resist. It also

depression; it’s quite normal. But if you cannot get out

involves some wonderful words like “GROWTH” and

of bed or have thoughts of harming yourself, please seek

“TRANSFORMATION.” Each of these is a partner along

medical help immediately.

the widows’ path, but “ACCEPTANCE” comes first. It

If your brain feels like it’s turned to mush, you

starts with realizing that life is different now. Take a

forget everything, get lost easily, can’t remember

moment to slow down, fan yourself, and accept a few

names, birthdays, or when the bills are due—welcome

things—especially that God knows you and loves you. //

to “widow fog.” It will eventually lift. In the meantime, make a list every morning and reward yourself if you get one or two things done. Mark appointments on a

Until next month,

large wall calendar. Ask people for reminders. Always

ferree l

write out directions and phone numbers.

ADDRESS CHANGE! To learn more about widowhood, order a copy of Postcards from the Widows’ Path – Gleaning Hope and Purpose from the Book of Ruth. It’s a gentle, biblical guide for widows that has many saying, “This is the best I’ve ever read!” Contact your local Christian bookstore or mail a check for $14.99/copy (paperback, 248 pgs.), along with your address to: Ferree Hardy, 122 Breckenridge Dr., North Augusta, SC 49841. Allow 2 – 3 weeks for delivery. Free shipping for all Plain Values readers! www.WidowsChristianPlace.com

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FEATURE STORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

WIDOW'S PATH

HOMESTEAD + ROOTS

GOD OF WONDERS

homestead

OUR HERITAGE

+

GREAT OUTDOORS

CANINE CORNER

SACRED GROUND

roots

words by: MERISSA A. ALINK You know that boxed pasta mix that you buy at the store to go with beef, chicken, or even tuna? Yes, you know what I mean…I call it the idea box. Basically, it takes something boring (meat) and adds flavors and extras to make it one simple meal that’s easy to make and perfect for the nights when you feel uninspired to make supper. Plus, I love that it’s a “one dish” meal. Less cleanup!

We have something like that at our house too, but we don’t buy it from the store; it comes right out of my pantry.

It’s cheaper to make than the boxed version and I can put together more of it at any time. Keep a few jars of this in your own pantry for quick, easy-to-throw-together meals when you need them.

.............................................................................. hamburger help mix ..............................................................................

• 1 t. Cornstarch, Arrowroot Powder, or Flour • 2 t. Paprika • 1 t. Onion Powder • 1 t. Garlic Powder • 1 t. Salt • 1 t. Sugar • 1 1/2 cups Elbow Macaroni

...................

ingredients

Stir all the ingredients together in a bowl until the spices are blended, then pour into a jar or bag. This recipe will fit into a pint-size mason jar or a quart storage bag.

.................................................

When you are ready to make a meal, brown 1 pound of ground beef in a skillet.

Add one batch of the mix into the skillet and pour in 2 cups of milk and 1 cup of water. Simmer until pasta is cooked through. Stir in 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese just before serving.

ingredients • 2 cups Uncooked Egg Noodles • 1 T. Cornstarch or Arrowroot Powder • 2 T. Paprika • 1 t. Salt • 1/4 t. Black Pepper • 1 t. Dried Parsley (optional) • 1 t. Garlic Powder • 1 t. Minced Onion

......................

.............................................................................. beef stroganoff mix ..............................................................................

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl until the spices are blended, then pour into a bag or jar.

.................................................

When you are ready to make a meal, brown 1 pound of ground beef in a skillet.

Add 1 cup of chopped fresh mushrooms and cook until mushrooms are browned as well. Pour one batch of mix into the skillet and add 2 cups of milk or beef stock. Let the mixture simmer until the pasta is cooked through. Add 1/2 cup of sour cream just before serving.

..............................................................................

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FEATURE STORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

WIDOW'S PATH

HOMESTEAD + ROOTS

GOD OF WONDERS

OUR HERITAGE

GREAT OUTDOORS

CANINE CORNER

SACRED GROUND

words by: JOHN UpCHURCH Humans aren’t the only creatures constantly on the move.

The Creator equipped numerous animals, large and small, with astonishing tools to find their way as they migrate around the world.

Marine biologist Charles Anderson went to the Maldives intent on spending his time in the water. The 1,200 tropical islands in this chain off India’s southwest coast provide the perfect environment for dives to study fish, mollusks, and especially blue whales. But one day, Anderson’s focus abruptly shifted from beneath the ocean to the surface.

“Suddenly I noticed hundreds of dragonflies. . . . They were there for some time, and then they were gone. And I didn’t think anything more of it until the following year when it happened again.”

What’s so special about dragonflies on the Maldives? Dragonflies normally hover around freshwater, which they need to reproduce.

But these tropical islands are built on coral reefs, so they lack freshwater at the surface. The insects shouldn’t be there. They should be on the mainland, where breeding pools are abundant.

As Anderson studied this strange phenomenon, he learned that millions of this type of dragonfly come to this unfriendly environment every year—wave after wave—around October. Then, just as quickly, they leave.

The intrepid biologist began contacting other researchers in nearby areas to see if and when these insects might arrive at their locations. They came earlier in the season to Bangalore in the north, he found, and later to Malé in the south. What made the mystery more intriguing was that these dragonflies, called globe skimmers, seemed to fight against the prevailing winds to reach these islands.

So they weren’t blown there by accident; they purposely flew there.

Why would ordinary dragonflies brave the monsoons to reach an island chain with little to offer them? The more Anderson researched, the more he saw a startling picture emerge. The twoinch Indian flyers weren’t coming there to live. They were simply stopping en route to a much more ambitious destination: Africa.

Anderson found that insects smaller than your hand make a circuit each year that takes them over 10,000 miles (16,000 km). That would be like taking two round trips from New York to California.

Why? Because—like many other living things—they’re designed to move.

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SEPTEMBER 2020

when food is ripe for the picking. Bar-headed geese easily hurtle over the Himalayas during their yearly migration, soaring up to five-and-a-half miles (9 km) above sea level. The great snipe puts the “pedal to the metal” during its migration and hits speeds of up to 60 mph (100 km/hr) for long stretches.

Unable to fly? No problem for Adélie penguins.

These tuxedoed waddlers can swim 375 miles (600 km) from Antarctica to find their birthplace on remote

THERE AND BACK AGAIN

islands in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans.

Every year, millions of creatures—such as the

Even songbirds in your own backyard are more

globe skimmer—fly, hop, trot, and swim great distances

like Superman than mild-mannered Clark Kent. Back

as the seasons change. It’s a beautiful dance. Giant

in 2007, scientists fitted purple martins and wood

whooping cranes ride the winds south, wildebeests

thrushes with geolocating “backpacks,” and they

trample across Africa’s Serengeti, Christmas Island

discovered that these little birds fly up to 300 miles

red crabs scuttle along beaches and streets, humpback

(480 km) per day on trips from the eastern US to South

whales sing on a loop around the Pacific Ocean, caribou

America’s Amazon basin.

herds race across Alaska, Adélie penguins march over

How do birds know where they’re going, especially

the snow in Antarctica, and monarch butterflies swarm

with such tiny “bird brains”?

from Canada to remote trees in central Mexico.

Birds may have small brains, but even young birds

These creatures have a drive—an ingrained

can get to their winter resorts without anyone showing

compulsion to find fresh food and safe nesting grounds.

the way. The key is a comic-book-sounding ability called

And that may mean winging or trotting or swimming

magnetoreception (mag-NEAT-oh-ree-SEP-shun) and

thousands of miles each year. Why do they go? Actually,

an instinct to head south. Magnetoreception means

the Bible tells us. They go because the Creator designed

being able to sense magnetic fields. That’s quite handy

them to multiply and fill the earth.

because our earth acts like a giant magnet with a north

Many of God’s creatures have a roaming lifestyle:

and south magnetic pole.

“Even the stork in the heavens knows her times, and

Migratory birds align themselves with magnetic

the turtledove, swallow, and crane keep the time of

south—we know this because they can be tricked by

their coming” (Jeremiah 8:7). Keeping track of time

a fake south in the lab. Evidence shows that marine

and location requires the animals and insects to have

turtles, salmon, bats, rodents, red foxes, and even

a remarkable combination of designs. These creatures

planthopper insects have this magnetoreception.

can stay on course day or night, rain or shine—and some

Perhaps dragonflies do, too, but that hasn’t been

even change their bodies for differing environments.

proven. //

Let’s get a bird’s eye view on how they do this.

MAGNETIC SENSE OF DIRECTION

TO B E C O N TI N U E D. . .

Researchers are still developing devices small enough to study insects, so our best resource to examine is birds. If there were a mascot for migration, it would probably be the bird. As far as we know, at least 4,000 species migrate, which is roughly 40 percent of all birds.

These aren’t just dainty little flights. Some of these birds push the limits. Arctic terns, for instance, flip the odometer by zigzagging 50,000 miles (80,000 km) each year from the Artic to Antarctica and back. They time their flights to hit the long days at either pole, PLAIN VALUES

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SEPTEMBER 2020

FEATURE STORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

WIDOW'S PATH

HOMESTEAD + ROOTS

GOD OF WONDERS

OUR HERITAGE

GREAT OUTDOORS

CANINE CORNER

SACRED GROUND

GALLEY and SLAVES MOVING words by: MARCUS A. YODER By the middle of the 1600s, the public execution of Anabaptists had come to a complete stop, but there was still persecution. Certain areas would attempt to deal with their “Anabaptist problem” by pressures other than killing them. The goal of ridding their area of these subversive heretics would rise and ebb, depending on other concerns.

If you were found guilty of being an Anabaptist during this time, you could have your small children taken away from you and given to someone in the state church to raise. Your farms, homes, and belongings could be taken away from you through force.

A SECTION OF THE "BEHALT" CYCLORAMA PAINTING

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A punishment often used in this period was to sentence the men to be galley slaves in ships in the Mediterranean. While not a public execution, this was, in essence, a death sentence. The men would be sold as slaves and chained below the decks of the ships and forced to row long oars in unison at the command of the master. They were often fed little and whipped or beaten when they could not perform to the satisfaction of the master.

Rowing allowed ships to rely on power other than sails and enabled maneuvering in the way engine power later provided. It is unknown how many men were banished and died in this manner.

Few, if any, ever escaped the ships, and most of these men never saw their families again.

In 1671, Anabaptists from the Canton of Bern were given a choice; they had two weeks to convert and return to the state church or be expelled from Switzerland. About seven hundred Anabaptists

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were banished as the result of this order. Most left

kingdom? What would happen if we lost our homes

with only what they could carry. They straggled north

and possessions? What would happen if we were forced

across the mountain passes into the area of Germany

to move with only what we could carry? Would we be

known as the Palatinate and the eastern French lands

faithful? //

known as the Alsace-Lorraine. This area of the Rhine If you would like to learn more about this or any

Valley had been devastated after the Thirty Years War

other part of our history, please call or visit the Amish

from 1618–1648.

Here, many of the Anabaptists found homes as

& Mennonite Heritage Center. We offer guided tours

tenant farmers or estate servants. Like the Swiss areas

of "Behalt" - a 10 ft. x 265 ft. Cyclorama oil-on-canvas

from which they had come, they could not own land

painting that illustrates the heritage of the Amish and

in these areas. They were also forbidden from building

Mennonite people from their Anabaptist beginnings in

church buildings and from spreading their views to other

Zurich, Switzerland, to the present day. Behalt means “to

people. They would often meet in small groups in the

keep” or “remember.” We are open Mon–Sat 9:00–5:00 and

homes and barns of the estates where they lived. Here,

are located near Berlin; you can find us at 5798 County

they lived in an uneasy and quiet alliance with their

Road 77, Millersburg, OH 44654. Please call (330) 893-3192

neighbors and the lords that ruled over them. It is from

for more information or to schedule a day or evening

here that most of our Amish ancestors would emigrate as

group tour.

pressures increased in the early part of the 1700s.

As we look back at this kind of suffering, it should MARCUS A. YODER IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE AMISH &

cause us to wonder what we would do if our men

MENNONITE HERITAGE CENTER AND THE OHIO AMISH LIBRARY. HE IS

were taken away. Would we continue to stand firm?

ALSO THE AUTHOR OF CATHEDRALS, CASTLES, & CAVES: THE ORIGINS OF THE ANABAPTIST FAITH.

Would we do what we needed to for the sake of Christ’s 39

SEPTEMBER 2020

FEATURE STORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

WIDOW'S PATH

HOMESTEAD + ROOTS

GOD OF WONDERS

OUR HERITAGE

GREAT OUTDOORS

PT Part

One

I

ON FIRE FOR GOD

words by: TORRY MARTIN & DOUG PETERSON By now it probably seems as if Rob is the sane one and I am some kind of crazed sidekick. I’m not going to deny that characterization, but I should point out that Rob is not levelheaded 100 percent of the time. He too sometimes tastes the flavor of stupid.

To back up this claim, let me refer you to the Case of the Burning Trailer.

In Alaska, the big thaw usually doesn’t begin until April or May, when the ice breakup occurs and the snow finally melts, uncovering all the stuff in people’s yards that had been buried through the long winter. The refrain that echoes across the land is, “Oh, so that’s where that thing went to!”

The snow melt also uncovers quite a bit of trash, so the City of Anchorage sponsors a free dump day every spring. When this story opens, dump day has arrived—a beautiful afternoon with temperatures reaching a balmy 45 degrees. People everywhere were in their yards collecting trash, and we were no exception.

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CANINE CORNER

SACRED GROUND

41

SEPTEMBER 2020

We had plenty of garbage, including a couple of big

inside the shipping container, and he loaded it all in

items. We no longer needed the huge foam-lined

the back of our open trailer.

“Are you sure you should put the burn barrel in

shipping container that we had been using all winter

that?” I asked, but Rob just scoffed.

as an outdoor refrigerator. Knowing that the bears

“We haven’t used the burn barrel for three days.

were hibernating, we had stocked the four-foot-

Stop worrying.”

wide, Styrofoam-lined box with food, secure in the knowledge that it would be safe from sleeping bruins.

So Rob took off, pulling the trailer of junk, and

But it was now May—time to dispose of the foam-

I followed close behind in the Jeep. It was an idyllic

lined container in the dump. Our burn barrel was also

day, and Rob noticed that people seemed particularly

on its last legs, so we decided to get rid of it as well

friendly as he drove to the dump. As he passed by a

and obtain a new one. Rob nested the old burn barrel

subdivision, everybody seemed to be looking up from

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their yard work and waving at Rob, and he smiled and waved back. Evidently, the spring thaw had also thawed the hearts of every Alaskan he saw.

Suddenly, it dawned on Rob that not everyone was smiling as they waved. When he passed two teenage boys, their mouths were open in horror, and they were pointing at Rob’s truck.

That’s when Rob finally looked into his side-view mirror and saw that the trailer had become a fireball.

Flames shot 30 feet high out of the trailer, and he appeared to be pulling a giant blowtorch on wheels.

Although the burn barrel hadn’t been used for a few days, it still contained some coals, and evidently they were hot enough to ignite the foam lining of the shipping container. The onrush of air as he drove downhill fed the flames with oxygen, and the fireball grew and grew.

I know, because I was driving right behind Rob, and I had seen it burst into flames. I tried leaning on the horn, but this was my discount Jeep, remember?

The horn didn’t work, but that didn’t stop me from hitting it over and over. I tried speeding up and pulling alongside Rob, but whenever I did, oncoming traffic forced me back into my lane. I was afraid the big ball of flame was going to explode, like something you see in a Terminator movie.

Rob must have made a strange sight to passersby

When Rob finally spotted the giant fireball in

in cars and trucks. This guy appeared to be emptying

his side-view mirror, he immediately pulled the truck

his gas can on a smoldering fire.

to the side of the road. Fortunately, he kept a fire

As I said, I’m not the only nutty one in our cabin.

extinguisher in the truck, so he leaped out and began

If this incident doesn’t convince you that Rob

to douse the flames. He brought it under control, but

occasionally tastes the flavor of stupid, let me also refer

the charred jumble was still smoldering, and we were

you to the Strange Case of the Booming Burn Barrel.

afraid it might burst into flame again if he got back

It seemed that burn barrels had a way of bringing out

on the road. So we decided to douse everything with

the crazy in him. //

water from a creek that ran close to the road.

One problem. The only container we had in the back of the trailer was an old gasoline can.

This plastic can was riddled with holes and hadn’t

TO B E C O N TI N U E D. . .

been used to carry gasoline for several years, so thankfully it was empty. Otherwise, the trailer might have exploded, just as I had feared. He used the leaky gas can as a water container, and he kept filling it up in the creek and then running up the hill to dump it

TAKEN FROM: OF MOOSE AND MEN. COPYRIGHT © 2016 BY TORRY MARTIN

on the smoldering trash in the back of the trailer. The

AND DOUG PETERSON. PUBLISHED BY HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS, EUGENE,

still-hot materials hissed back at us and smoked.

OREGON.

WWW.HARVESTHOUSEPUBLISHERS.COM.

USED

BY

PERMISSION.

43

SEPTEMBER 2020

44

FEATURE STORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

WIDOW'S PATH

HOMESTEAD + ROOTS

GOD OF WONDERS

OUR HERITAGE

GREAT OUTDOORS

CANINE CORNER

SACRED GROUND

THE CANINE CORNER

PARASITES words by puppy expert: DR. TERESA HOXWORTH One of the most common problems I see in puppies is diarrhea. Many things can cause loss of appetite and diarrhea in puppies, but two of the most common causes are coccidia and giardia, both protozoan parasites that affect dogs. Protozoa are microscopic, one-celled organisms and can only be seen with a microscope.

A lot of puppies are raised on solid surfaces that require extra effort to keep clean and prevent the spread of contagious diseases. When there is a high volume of animals in the kennel, you will need to increase the frequency of cleaning and pay extra attention to the pups at this time.

Make sure all pups are getting up and eating and acting playful. Pay attention to the amount and consistency of their stool. I also recommend keeping the hair under the tail trimmed on the long-haired puppies to prevent their rectum from becoming plugged with stool.

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SEPTEMBER 2020

There can be many causes of puppies being sick or doing poorly, but I am going to discuss two very common causes: coccidia and giardia.

Giardia is the most common protozoan parasite in both dogs and humans in the United States. Yes, humans can get giardia, possibly even from dogs. The giardia cyst is eaten by the animal and becomes attached to the lining of the small intestine. When this happens to adult animals, the animal may not become sick and may show no signs at all, even though the protozoan is living inside the body. If the animal becomes stressed (such as at the time of whelping), it allows more cysts to be shed in the feces. These cysts survive lots of environmental conditions and are the infective form to other animals.

The cysts can be swallowed if the puppies are in an environment contaminated with stool, or if the cysts are in the water supply.

Signs that an animal may have giardia include vomiting, lack of appetite, weight loss, and large volumes of foul, rancid-smelling diarrhea, which may also be light-colored or watery. The diarrhea may come and go.

The signs are mostly seen in young animals, but adult animals can shed the infective cysts even if they do not have diarrhea. There are tests available that determine if giardia antigen is present in the stool. If a test is positive for giardia antigen, it indicates that the

AN ARTIST'S RENDITION OF WHAT THE

dog has ingested the giardia cysts; it may actively be

GIARDIA PARASITE LOOKS LIKE

infected, and it may be shedding the cysts in the feces.

Treatment for giardia includes either an antibiotic called metronidazole or a dewormer called fenbendazole (Panacur). Treatment should be for at least three to

Coccidia are the other common type of protozoan

ten days. Up to one-third of giardia infections may

parasites that cause diarrhea in dogs and puppies.

be Metronidazole-resistant; if one medication does

Coccidia are species-specific, which means that they are

not appear to be treating the giardia infection, your

not contagious to humans or other animals. Coccidia

veterinarian may need to prescribe a different one.

organisms grow in the cells of the small intestine. As

Sometimes longer treatment times may be necessary

they grow, they cause the intestinal cell to burst, and

or, if the giardia appears difficult to resolve, you may need

then the organism can infect other intestinal cells, which

to use both fenbendazole and metronidazole at the same

causes lots of inflammation and destruction in the dog's

time. Many people choose to administer one of these

intestines. If a dog develops a severe infection with

medications to their puppies during times of stress to

coccidia and there is a lot of destruction in the intestine,

prevent pups from developing diarrhea due to giardia.

it could develop a chronic condition where nutrients are

Prevention is also accomplished by reducing exposure to

not absorbed properly through the intestine.

the infective cysts. One way of doing this is by keeping

The most common way a dog becomes infected

the environment and water supply clean and free from

with coccidia is by ingestion of feces that contain the

fecal material, which may contain infective cysts. You

infective oocysts. It is also possible that dogs could get

should consult your veterinarian if an animal you are

coccidia by eating a mouse or bird whose muscle tissue

treating for giardia is not responding to treatment.

contains infective cysts. Most adult animals carry a

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small number of coccidia but do not have signs of the

giardia, they should also be bathed daily! This can

disease. Dogs can shed more infective oocysts when

greatly decrease chances of re-infection, which can be

they are stressed, such as when they are pregnant or

a very big problem and why some puppies seem not to

have recently whelped.

respond to treatment.

Signs of coccidia occur mostly in very young and

It is very important to clean and sanitize the cage

very old dogs. These signs include vomiting, lethargy,

and remove feces at least twice daily. Also, clean and

weight loss, abdominal pain, dehydration, and soft

sanitize bedding, bowls, and any enrichment items

or fluid diarrhea, which may be mucoid or bloody.

that are in the cage with the puppies. As you can see, a

Coccidia can be diagnosed by finding the oocysts under

routine cleaning program can help prevent diseases in

a microscope when examining a stool sample. You

pups. This is especially important when your kennel is

can treat and control coccidia with sulfa antibiotics

full of pups.

according to your veterinarian's recommendations.

Hopefully, this article will be a helpful reminder

There are several types of sulfa antibiotics available,

to everyone to keep up with cleaning to prevent some

so it is best to discuss with your veterinarian which type

common causes of diarrhea in puppies. An excellent

of treatment would be best in your situation. Control

puppy-raising protocol will help minimize sick and

of coccidia is also enhanced by excellent sanitation,

stressed puppies. //

treating all animals in an outbreak situation by decreasing the number of oocysts shed in the stool, and preventing animals from eating mice or birds.

Several sources have reported that while you

DR. TERESA HOXWORTH IS A VETERINARIAN AT DANVILLE VETERINARY

are treating puppies with diarrhea from coccidia and

CLINIC IN DANVILLE, OHIO.

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SEPTEMBER 2020

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FEATURE STORY

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

WIDOW'S PATH

HOMESTEAD + ROOTS

GOD OF WONDERS

OUR HERITAGE

GREAT OUTDOORS

CANINE CORNER

SACRED GROUND

SACRED GROUND words by: KAREN RABER “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven…”

God’s kingdom here on earth is embodied in relationships. In this kingdom, there is first a relationship with the King Himself, and then loving relationships with others. God has placed within Griffin and Rachel Long a strong desire to bring this kingdom relationship to an exceptional population–a population with disabilities. Within this population, individuals are gifted, friendly, and joyful, but they are often overlooked and undervalued.

Griffin Long’s involvement with individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) started during his studies in college.

Because of what he was learning in school, Griffin developed a keen interest in working with this population. Through his school, he was able to travel to an orphanage in China, where students were able to serve children with disabilities. This trip so impacted Griffin that he returned to China twice, each time working in a different area.

After these enriching experiences, Griffin couldn’t imagine working in any field other than IDD. After graduating from college,

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SEPTEMBER 2020

(above) THE LONG FAMILY (right)

GRIFFIN IN CHINA

he worked at a group home for individuals with

experience came in the form of two precious boys who

disabilities. Following that, he worked with individuals

are now seven and five years old.

God first gifted Griffin and Rachel with a small

that had severe mental illnesses.

During Griffin’s travels to China, he met a sweet

son whom they named Isaiah. After several years,

and dedicated young lady named Rachel, who had many

baby number two joined the family, and they named

of the same interests and passions. After they were

him Thomas.

Thomas was born prematurely at twenty-nine

married, they moved to Canton, Ohio, and both worked

weeks as the result of a car accident. Weighing only two

as counselors.

Rachel is now a full-time mom, but volunteers

pounds and ten ounces, little Thomas was kept at the

five hours each week to counsel at Malone University.

NICU for seven long weeks, after which the Longs could

Griffin, for the last six years, has worked as a counselor

finally take him home! However, they soon noticed that

at Springhaven Counseling Center near Mt. Eaton,

he wasn’t reaching the milestones of a typical baby.

Ohio. This position enables him to work closely with

When Thomas was a year old, he was diagnosed with

the plain community and has shown him where even

cerebral palsy.

more opportunity exists to help others. Rachel and

At the same time, they learned that Isaiah, who was

Griffin dreamed of creating an organization in which

now three years old, had a sensory processing disorder.

individuals with IDD and their families could thrive and

Isaiah, a bright and intelligent child, had reached his baby

find meaning in life.

milestones, but there were tiny indicators that something

It seems that God smiled upon this energetic young

was unusual. He was more sensitive to noise, while things

couple and decided to provide them with one more

such as climbing stairs, writing, and transitioning from

ingredient to assist in their dream: experience. This

one activity to the next were difficult for him.

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"RACHEL AND GRIFFIN DREAMED OF CREATING AN ORGANIZATION IN WHICH INDIVIDUALS WITH IDD AND THEIR FAMILIES COULD THRIVE AND FIND MEANING IN LIFE."

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SEPTEMBER 2020

Through their own experiences, Griffin and Rachel have come to realize the myriad of emotions that accompany parenting children with disabilities.

They feel the beauty and blessings of the children God has gifted them, but they also experience grief. They understand how parents of children with disabilities often carry guilt. They have experienced moments of desperation in which they could only cry out to God and say, “We don’t even know what we are doing!

How are we going to care for this loved one and provide for his needs?” It can also be a lonely place, a place where others don’t understand what a family is going through.

The Longs also realize how tiring it can be to make all those appointments!

Both

boys

have

appointments

for

occupational therapy, and Thomas has additional appointments for speech and physical therapy. Griffin and Rachel’s families have done an excellent job of helping out and supporting them, as have their friends and church family.

For that, they are very grateful. But even with that support, it’s difficult to keep up with the demand.

During Thomas’s stay at the NICU, as well as in the waiting area for all his appointments, the Longs met many other families who were impacted by disabilities. Through these relationships, they came to realize that they were, like Moses, standing on sacred ground. They experienced God in very powerful ways, and their lives were changed!

WE STRIVE TO BE A FAITHBASED, NOTFOR-PROFIT PROGRAM PROVIDING SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH IDD AND THEIR FAMILIES.

The Longs’ dream of creating a place where individuals and families are understood and supported continued to grow. Then one day, Griffin met Annie Slabach, an advocate for individuals with

IDD.

During

a

conversation,

Slabach expressed her desire for a place that would provide services from which one of her family members could benefit. Surprised, Griffin replied, “Oh, that’s something I have always dreamed of doing!”

Annie replied, “Are you serious? Well, then we need to do something about it!”

Slabach involved her sister-in-law, Karen Keim, and soon Kathy Dickson, also a disability advocate, joined in the vision.

Since that time in 2017, this founding group of five has researched, planned, and explored ways to proceed with their dream. They visited other facilities, some as far away as Philadelphia and even Texas. While the group gleaned beneficial

information

from

these

institutions, they also discovered that organizations that had a written mission and were committed to it were distinctly different from those who were not.

The group decided to write out their mission statement and vision. Their mission was straightforward: Cultivating an environment of belonging and purpose for people with IDD and their families.

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when loved ones are doing well and thriving, but we also

Their vision followed suit:

want to be able to grieve and support each other when

We strive to be a faith-based, not-for-profit

challenges are taking place.”

program providing services to individuals with

They decided their program will start with an adult

IDD and their families. We strive to provide

daytime service where individuals with IDD can build

support and resources so that each person can

relationships and find a place where they belong. This

experience joy and live life well.

service will, at times, provide an educational aspect as well as faith-based encouragement. At the same time,

But how all this would look in shoe-leather was

there will be days when their families can come and

still to be determined. Of one thing they were certain:

form support groups to provide encouragement and

they wanted to work with the plain community and

support for each other.

learn what services they could provide for them

Some other services they plan to provide are

in a culturally friendly environment. After several

transportation to and from their facility as well as,

community meetings and interaction with parents and

eventually, a residential program for individuals who

caregivers, a plan began to formulate for the details of

need a place to stay. And since this mission will primarily

their program.

be for adults, Griffin hopes to, in the future, provide a

The founding group realized the importance of

space for agricultural and horticultural activities.

relationships as they were encouraged through the

The group wrote out four core values that are

connection they felt with others at these meetings.

central to and will govern each of these details. Each

They understood even more acutely how families need

one is founded on verses from the Bible. The first one

a place where that kind of support could happen. As

was obvious:

Griffin said, “There’s celebrating to be done together

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"WE BELIEVE IN THE POWER OF CONNECTION WITH GOD, FAMILY, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, AND SELF TO BRING ABOUT A TRUE SENSE OF BELONGING." PLAIN VALUES

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RELATIONSHIPS •

We believe in the power of connection with God, family, community members, and self to bring about a true sense of belonging.

•

The strongest relationships are mutual, trusting, and start with listening.

This value is based on Mark 12:29-31: the first and greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and the second commandment is to love our neighbor as ourselves. When these two commandments govern each motive, our actions become a catalyst for God to expand his kingdom!

EMPOWERMENT •

We believe God gifts each person uniquely, and when those gifts are realized and utilized, the individual can best live with meaning and purpose.

•

Each person’s gifts and creativity are celebrated, as they are vital to the health of the body.

Taken from the verses of 1 Corinthians 12, this value seeks to cultivate each individual’s gifts and talents.

Each individual, no matter how challenged, has a unique set of abilities with which to bless others. At times, individuals only need some encouragement to allow

The segment of the Lord’s prayer that says, “Thy

those gifts to shine. Griffin says, “I think the people

kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in

I have met with disabilities support me more than I

heaven” (Matthew 6:9-13) is what propelled this value.

support them. They bring so much joy and friendship! I

To Griffin, the ultimate justice is bringing the kingdom

have really valued these friendships and relationships. I

of God to individuals here on earth. In God’s kingdom,

think it is sad that so often people are overlooked when

there are no outcasts through prejudice or disability. All

they have such amazing gifts to share with the world,

are welcomed and loved.

and they just need a place to do that!”

THRIVING

JUSTICE • •

•

We believe God cares about people’s physical,

We believe that God is working to bring about

emotional, relational, and spiritual needs, and

the kingdom of heaven on earth.

when those needs are honored and attended to, people can experience true well-being.

Our desire is to join God in this work, being •

mindful of and compassionate towards the

We believe individuals with IDD and their

needs of each person with IDD and their

families are the best teachers in helping us

family. We will be good stewards of the

understand how to provide relevant services

resources we are given to support our work.

that enhance the capacity for all to thrive.

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Matthew 11:28-30 says this: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and you shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

This verse promises that if we are yoked together with Christ, He will lift our burden and give us the lighter part to carry. Griffin says, “We want to be like Christ in the community. We want to come alongside families to carry the load, which will result in an easier load to carry!”

Griffin and Rachel knew what they wanted to name this new organization, this long-anticipated dream.

They wanted to name it Sacred Ground because they had experienced moments in relationships impacted by disabilities as just that—sacred ground. Their lives were changed, and they wanted others to experience that as well.

As of summer 2020, Sacred Ground is working to form a board of advisors and obtain non-profit status in the state of Ohio. They are also working through the details of purchasing a prospective property. No, not all of the details are arranged and taken care of yet, but maybe that’s where you come in! If you would like to share some input of services you would find beneficial, share your story with them or complete a questionnaire at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CSQ6GWC. Tell others about Sacred Ground, and please pray for the ministry and the individuals who will be impacted by it. You may be just the person God can use in this endeavor to bring the kingdom to individuals and their families. May His kingdom come! // For more information, contact: SACRED GROUND

PO Box 321, Mt. Eaton, OH 44659 sacredgroundholmes@gmail.com // (330) 403 - 9075

Sacred Ground has partnered with Mercy Hill Church to provide the opportunity for tax-deductible giving.

Checks can be made payable to Mercy Hill Church with the memo Sacred Ground and sent to the address listed above, or contribute online at: https://mercyhillfamily. com/giving

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SEPTEMBER 2020

FUNDS an d BENEFITS //

ARLEN AND WANDA MULLET FUND

A fund has been set up for Arlen and Wanda Mullet. Arlen, 31, fell at home and fractured several vertebrae in his neck. He is currently paralyzed from his chest down. They are facing large medical and rehab expenses. They have two children, ages 2 and 7. Thank you for your prayers and support. Make checks payable to Mt. Hope Charities Inc., PO Box 19, Mt. Hope, OH 44660. Attn: Fairview West Church.

//

URIAH AND LIZZIE HOSTETLER FUND

A fund has been set up for Uriah and Lizzie Hostetler. Their 5-year-old son has acute leukemia and is going to Akron Children’s Hospital every other week for chemo, blood tests, and blood infusions, staying anywhere from one day to over a week.

This will be ongoing for 2-3 years. All contributions and prayers are greatly appreciated. God bless you. Tax-deductible donations can be made to Mt Hope Charities Inc., Po Box 19, Mt Hope, OH 44660. Attn: Hostetler NE District #134-1.

//

ADA FRY FUND

Prayers needed—Ada is caring for her four children, ages 3–12, with no income. All donations will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you and God bless you for sharing. Send donations to Farmers State Bank, 109 N. Main Street, Topeka, IN 46571, payable to Ada Fry Fund.

//

DANIEL STOLTZFUS FUND

Daniel was in and out of the hospital in Florida for three months with heart and lung problems. He has a huge hospital bill and is currently off work. He is on oxygen and has ongoing medical expenses with very little income. Coronavirus put a stop to benefit sales. Send donations to Coatesville Savings Bank, 1099 Georgetown Road, Christiana, PA 17509, payable to Daniel Stoltzfus Fund.

//

FISHER FUND

A fund has been set up for Levi and Sarah Fisher. They have been in Arizona to find help for Sarah’s Lyme disease since May 4, 2020. They will be gone for at least three months with no income. They have three boys ages 5 years, 3 years, and 5 months.

Any donations will be appreciated. Send donations to Fisher Funds, c/o The Muncy Bank & Trust Co., PO Box 1, Dewart, PA 17730, payable to Fisher Fund.

//

HAITIAN SUPPER FUNDRAISER

All are invited to attend the Haitian Supper Fundraiser on Friday evening, August 28, 2020, from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at the Maranatha Church, 941 State Route 93, Sugarcreek, Ohio 44681. A simple yet authentic Haitian meal will be served, including Haitian rice and beans, chicken, spicy cabbage relish, and a red beet salad. Take-out will be served, as well as dine-in with extra precautions taken in consideration of COVID-19, for a freewill donation. The fundraiser will benefit Restoring Lives Ministry, founded by Lenord and Trish Bonnegre, in Haiti. For more information, please contact Marion and Tena Mullet at 330-852-2059.

/

P L E AS E N O T E

/

If you are conducting a fundraiser to assist with medical or hardship expenses, please let us know and we will be happy to feature it for one month at no cost.

Funds must be payable to a bank, church, or charitable organization.

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Hey, what’s the good word!

grow, to get better because of whatever knocked you down

Resilience. What’s the first thing that comes to your

in the first place? If so, that’s fully investing in the process

mind when you hear that word? To me, it’s everything. It’s

of becoming the best version of yourself. We may never

the overriding philosophy that keeps me going, day by day.

arrive at that destination, but it doesn’t mean we don’t

It’s not a matter of whether or not you will fail—it’s

strive for that during our lifetime.

a matter of how often. It’s not a matter of whether or not

Anyone can get lucky; not everyone is resilient and

you will deal with adversity—it’s a matter of how much. It’s

can persevere. It’s impressive if you can push through

not a matter of whether or not you will be humbled—it’s a

difficulties, keep going when others quit, and make it to

matter of how consistently.

your destination through honesty and hard work. That’s

Having the ability to be resilient comes down to a

admirable because your survival was the result of being

few things. First, it’s a mindset; it’s something you attach

resilient. It’s even more impressive when you overcome not

yourself to because you know that adversity will occur in

just the outside obstacles but learned from that situation

your lifetime. Accept the reality of it. Two, it’s your response

along the way and grew to a better version of yourself.

to the situation itself. You can control your response, and

Get knocked down. Learn. Get up. Repeat. It’s a never-

resiliency is what gives you the freedom to do so. Third, see

ending process, sometimes grueling, sometimes rewarding,

failure and adversity as a form of helpful feedback, a way

but never-ending, nonetheless.

to get better and grow.

So, ask yourself, are you willing to accept and embrace

Getting through pain and disappointment without

that process, or are you unwilling to do so? The good thing

letting them become overwhelming isn’t necessarily

is, it’s your choice.

Now that’s GOOD STUFF! //

easy for anyone. But there are strategies for becoming more resilient. One suggestion is developing better and healthier habits. Getting enough sleep, eating well, having a quiet time, and exercising can reduce stress, which may,

Please feel free to reach me anytime with your thoughts at kevin@plainvalues.com or:

in turn, boost resilience. Similarly, being sure to nurture close relationships can help you find support when trouble arises.

Plain Values Attn: Good Stuff with Kevin PO Box 201 Winesburg, OH 44690

When you get knocked down, are you willing to get up? It starts there. Once you have discovered the ability to do that, take it one step further. Are you willing to learn, to

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