Issue No. 17, January 2009
Door to the World
There is an exciting development occurring at Harvest Haven. It has been on my mind for years to put up a building where we might gather comfortably to minister to one another, have facilities for health counseling, and teach the Truth to those who come. Till now, we have not needed it.
I thought of a commercial kitchen, a stone, brick, or earthen oven for baking, a small dining area, and a bit of a solarium. But we had neither the pressing need nor the manpower to build or maintain such facilities.
Until now. Our health business has been growing, our goods and services increase, and people are now coming in to experience the benefits of our self-care health devices. All of this requires more space and privacy - we began talking about a new building to meet the many needs.
On November 24th, 2007, we met to discuss this matter, and Marilyn received a Word of prophecy. She said that this building would be “a door to the world.” She also said that “the building project would be a work on us all.” We were all in agreement.
Before we knew it, we were on the way, God providing Paula Baker-Laporte and Robert Laporte, of EcoNest Design, New Mexico (www.econest.com), to design a unique, practical, aesthetically-pleasing building and to provide the construction method. The structure will be clay/straw with fir timber framing done by skilled Japanese framers.
Postscript, September 19/09: Since dealing with Robert Laporte and hiring Paula Baker-Laporte to do the architectural designing, we discovered several problems. There were undue expensive charges and several design errors, which Paula refused to acknowledge or correct. As well, she took liberties to do design work uncalled for and unapproved, for which she charged us. We had previously informed her, emphatically, that the design she ended up drafting and submitting was not feasible for our needs and environmental circumstances. She was altogether contemptuous and arrogant with us. We dropped their services.
Nevertheless, God sent them to us to be tried, they were found wanting, and since then, they have suffered grave difficulties as punishment for their crimes of greed, contempt, and abuse. Meanwhile, God has continued to bless us and replenish our losses. He is ever faithful. END OF POSTSCRIPT
This building is a matter of faith for us in many ways. Unless God does it, we are dead in the water; I can solemnly tell you so. But I cannot deny this is God’s will and the way He is leading us, so we go. It is wonderful how He has provided for the construction of the building in so many different ways, and how it has been coming together in timely fashion. God even formed the weather for us; we had an extended warm fall in which to finish the foundation.
People both skilled and unskilled are interested, helping, contributing, volunteering, and excited about what is happening. A local film maker, Blake Evernden, is documenting the process from start to finish. A timber framer from Japan, who makes no profession of faith in God, said, “I believe God wants me to do this!” We are thankful.
The work God said the building project would accomplish began with me. When I considered it, I knew that unless the Lord gave me peace and victory within, I would be greatly troubled by it. I prayed, “Lord, I have ruined the enjoyment of so many things You have given me. Grant me to trust You in this and to enjoy the entire process and project.” God has answered my prayer.
The Lord then required obedience from Trevor, who was not cooperating, but chafing at his brother, Mark, as usual in many things. I told Trevor that this would no longer be tolerated, and that if he was not cooperative, he could no longer participate with us; all were in agreement. He had a decision to make, and he made it; Trevor submitted to Mark, to whom God has given the authority for this challenging project.
The building project is working out other things for Trevor. As an engineer, he has been doing the calculations and submitting them to Mark, who cross examines him and insists on accuracy. Mark has been very frustrated, because Trevor made numerous errors that cost us all time, effort, and money, and caused us grief.
I finally confronted Trevor and asked him how it was that he could be so sure of his figures yet be proven wrong so many times. I told him to go to God in prayer and get this problem solved, once and for all. We could not afford to entertain it any longer.
The next day he told me he received an answer from God. First he heard that he was being selfishly proud and independent, which to God is abominable. It is also counterproductive and destructive. He asked God to forgive and change him.
Then the real issue was revealed to him: As an engineer several years ago, Trevor was taught by his employer to take a stand on any figures submitted at a job inspection and to allow no debate about them, lest the client should doubt his or his company's abilities. He was also taught that all design work needed to be approved by a senior engineer, but this part he cast aside, acting as if he was an independent firm unto himself at Harvest Haven, without supervision. He refused to admit to any errors and has operated all these years with that philosophy, stance, and attitude.
What tragic consequences in bridges, buildings, causeways, and so forth follow when “professionals,” out of self-preservation and pride, refuse to be questioned or corrected!
That was the answer Trevor needed to hear, and I expect it will make a great deal of difference from here on in.
The building is also working on Mark. He is learning to use his time wisely, plan ahead, be clear in his instructions, shop wisely for materials, and check and double check those he is supervising. Much more importantly, he is learning to trust the Lord rather than himself for the job to get done in spite of shortcomings and impossibilities.
God is doing things with each and every one of us in this project. I have little doubt that this building has God’s blessing because we believe it is His initiative and not ours. If ours, we are damned, and it will not happen; if His initiative, we are blessed, and it will happen, no thanks or praise to us.
Victor Hafichuk
Update from the Building Site
by Mark Benson
The footing and stem walls for the new store and house were finished and backfilled, and the septic field for both completed, before the unusual warm fall weather that the Lord granted us came to an abrupt end. I am now busy researching and organizing the steps and materials for construction during what promises to be a hectic but exciting year. There will be some terrific workshop opportunities at our farm for specialists and laymen alike, with training from top level teachers in timber framing, clay/straw wall systems, clay plaster finishes, and Austrian wood-fired masonry heaters and bread ovens. To see pictures, read more about the building, and get more information about the seminars, see our temporary site about the new construction:
www.harvesthaven.com/newbuildings/newbuildings_index.html.
A Winter Solution
Are you stuck inside all day, and missing the sunlight? Get the benefits of sunlight indoors! Here is what Vita-Lite Full Spectrum Fluorescent Lights can do for you:
Alleviate seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and improve mood for everyone.
- Boost your immune system, balance hormones, reduce fatigue, and increase nutrient absorption (the lights stimulate Vitamin D production and begin a cascade of beneficial biological events, just as sunlight does).
- Reduce eye fatigue caused by computer screens and other visually demanding tasks.
- Create a cheerful, pleasant, and energizing environment in your home and office.
- Increase productivity, alertness, and satisfaction.
- Reduce costs – Lasts up to 28,000 hours (4 times longer than normal tubes).
What Vita-Lite can do for your children:
- Studies show fewer cavities, higher achievement scores, and better overall health and attendance in school children under full spectrum lighting (fewer cavities because of the previously mentioned stimulation of Vitamin D production in the skin, which is necessary for Calcium absorption).
And for your employees:
- Employees reported feeling more relaxed, having greater eye comfort, and perceiving the work environment as more pleasant, natural, bright, and stimulating under full spectrum lighting.
In addition, Vita Lite Full Spectrum Fluorescent Lights have greatly reduced mercury content, which means they are safer for you and the environment.
We have been using these lights in our store for several years now, and we and our plants love them. Many of our more sensitive customers have remarked that they feel good under our lighting, though they feel ill under conventional fluorescent lighting. Come in and talk to us about how you can enjoy the benefits of these lights in your home and work environment. We have both portable and regular light fixtures and bulbs available.
Water – What Is It Costing You?
Are you one of the many people who buy bottled water, perhaps because you are not confident in, or informed about, the alternatives? We have good news for you. You can easily have excellent tasting and health giving water at home for less cost and more convenience, with one of Harvest Haven’s superior filtration systems, customized to meet your needs.
Let’s compare two of our options versus bottled reverse osmosis filtered water delivered to your home.
For a family of four, ten gallons a week (a conservative amount for all drinking water, tea, coffee, soup, etc.) costs $12.00 delivered, or $624.00 per year. At this rate, over five years you would spend a total of $3,120.00 for your family’s filtered water.
Purchasing a reverse osmosis system from us (including remineralization and pH buffering cartridges) costs $681.50 for the first year (initial cost of $584.00 plus replacement filters), and you can filter almost twice as much as the ten gallons per week. After your initial investment, the average cost per year will reduce dramatically. After five years and a total cost of $1,689.00 for a family of four, the average cost is $337.80 per year. (SAVE $1,431.00 over five years.)
Besides the money you save with our custom-designed reverse osmosis system, you will have water that is much healthier than commercially-bottled water because of the remineralization and pH balancing. Additionally, you will avoid the plastic residue that contaminates bottled water. And no more empty water bottles to the landfill - an environmental nightmare.
We have another option that can save you even more - a triple-stage filter system (specially configured for Lethbridge water), available in both countertop and under-the-sink models. Not only does this system cost less than our reverse osmosis, but this method is healthier than store-bought reverse osmosis water (this has to do with the stability of the water and its effect on your body chemistry - talk to us and we will explain more and answer your questions).
This triple-stage filtration system costs $275.00 to buy and operate for the first year. Five years total cost comes to $811.00, or only $162.20 per year! (SAVE $2,309.00 over five years.) With Harvest Haven water solutions, you can save your money and your health.
Don't think you will save money if you haul your own water from the store. Even their lowest priced plans cost you more than our highest priced system, not to mention the hassles of hauling the water, its inferior quality, and smaller amount (by almost half).
Now that the water is cleansed of contaminants, don’t forget to add a revitalization device to undo the damage caused by electromagnetic fields, pumps, and water lines; this will restore the life-giving properties of water. These devices have no running or replacement costs, and they complete our recommendation for truly healthy and great tasting water. Revitalization devices start at $150 dollars and offer a dimension of health and quality not even considered with commercially-bottled water. Adding this vital option, even if it only lasted 15 years (they last much longer), the lowest cost device would only add $10.00 per year! With Harvest Haven solutions, you can have superior quality water for far less money. It is a no-brainer.
A Taste of the Sunny South
by Marilyn Hafichuk
～Burro Burritos～
These hearty burritos can be made ahead and popped into the oven while you toss together a salad. I make extras and freeze them for later. Serve with refried beans, winter squash, and salad.
1 lb. Harvest Haven ground beef ½ to 1 tsp. salt |
1 medium green pepper, chopped 1 tsp. hot pepper sauce (or to taste) |
|---|
Brown ground beef over medium heat until no longer pink. Add onion, green pepper, garlic, and salt. Cook until tender.
Add cumin, chili powder, cilantro, ½ cup salsa, and hot pepper sauce. Cook a minute or two longer. Add sour cream and 1 cup cheese. Mix well.
Divide ground beef filling among tortillas, placing mixture down the center of each tortilla. Roll tortillas and place seam side down in a lightly greased 13”x9” baking pan. Spoon remaining salsa over burritos, then sprinkle remaining cheese in a single line down the center. Cover.
Bake in a 350°F oven for 20 minutes, or until heated through.
If making before: Prepare burritos, cover, and refrigerate. Top with salsa and cheese and bake for 45 minutes, or until heated through.
Makes 6 servings.
"We Bought the Farm"
So You Want to Go Back to the “Good Ol’ Days”?
How have you enjoyed winter so far?
I’m sure you all have your own travel stories (when I typed this, I missed the “t” and thought of how traveling this winter has been more like raveling or unraveling; the best laid plans come undone). Here is one from us.
Recently, after sharing a pleasant day with everyone at the farm, oblivious to the raging wind hurling and swirling the snow everywhere, we headed home. Having gone but a short distance, we were challenged by a menacing snowdrift. Undaunted, we plowed right into it…and no further - no going ahead and no going back. Pile out everyone, shovels in hand – you know, those things you have with you but hope you never need (even if they do come with handles).
“Jonathan, call the farm. We need help.”
As we (well, they…) finished shoveling and pushing our way through with help from would-be passersby, along came Mark, Trevor, and James from the farm. We were through, however, so off we drove, treating subsequent drifts with more respect.
This incident reminded me of the time when I was five or six, heading down a highly-drifted, bush country road on a frigid Manitoba evening with my parents and Auntie and Uncle. We were returning from a visit with farm neighbors in the ‘50’s version of the snowmobile – our motorless, covered, woodstove-heated, two-horsepowered cabin sleigh.
Those were the “good ol’ days” – debatable whether good, and maybe not. Just when it seemed the harnessed team of horses might make it all the way home as they plunged through the deep snow on this freezing cold evening, the sleigh hit a high drift at an inadvisable angle, and over we went (the horses didn’t know how to head into the waves). There I was suddenly on top of Auntie and someone else on top of me. The horses halted; we clambered out the back door, tipped the caboose upright, checked the wood stove, composed ourselves, and headed home. It was simple - no shovels, no cell phone, and no need to call anyone!
Back to the present. On our way again Marilyn said, “Doesn’t it seem kind of rough riding?”
“Yes, I think so,” I replied. “What is going on? Our van normally rides smoothly. Maybe something happened to the tires when we hit the snow drift? Paul, jump out and check the tires, will you?”
“I don’t see any problem.” (He almost said it before he went out to look.)
“Well, something’s wrong. The van is riding too roughly. Okay, Jonathan, phone the farm and tell them we are coming back. We have a problem. Ask Trevor to get out the tractor and clean a path through that snowdrift. Boy, was I foolish for trying to be a Bombardier!”
When we flipped the caboose in the snow drift on that wintry Manitoba evening, there was no one to call and no way to call anyone. We didn’t have a nice warm van to sit in while the road was ploughed out for us – but we didn’t really need those things. It was “the good ol’ days.”
Trevor cleaned the road with his 65 horsepower Kubota for our return (and was very careful not to do anything to be the subject of another funny story, so I’m writing this one). Back at the farm Mark and James were waiting at the pit stop with sticks and knowing smiles, having anticipated what the problem was – imbalanced wheels from packed snow. They cleaned out the snow, and off we went to finish the race smoothly - nothing serious.
I’ll keep the memories of the good ol’ days and consider their advantages, but give me today’s warm van that goes 100 clicks for many miles (the “good ol’ days” measure, remember?) even when it is -30 Celsius (-21 Fahrenheit), a cell phone in case I need some help, and friends close by.
When we got home, I didn’t have to unharness the van, feed and water it, bed it down, and walk from the barn to the house. We just parked and scrambled into our warm, cozy abode.
solutions@harvesthaven.com
(403) 329-9157
www.harvesthaven.com
In the U.S., contact Paul Cohen
paul@harvesthaven.com
(406) 443-3214
