Heartland

Yesterday about 18 of us temple missionaries carpooled to a huge farm complex called Heartland. When we arrived at the main building/gift shop/cafe, we were boarded onto this school bus to begin our tour which required no fee. This blog may seem a bit like an ad for this place because we were definitely impressed. It was all clean and well-organized but nobody was artificial or overly polished. Heartland was founded by a man who had gained his seed money by founding a major insurance company back in 1964. "It is a place where people can experience restoration through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Heartland is dedicated to help people with broken lives experience peace through Christ, develop a good work ethic, and live victoriously in every area of life." They have a church, a local tv broadcasting station, an academy and boarding school, and a limited Christian college which offers only a 2-year Associates degree in Biblical Studies. To me, the most thrilling part is their recovery programs. "Heartland Recovery Programs seek to introduce the concepts of Christian living and personal responsibility, helping men and women who are bound with life-controlling addictions, attitudes, and behaviors." They also have a thrift store whose proceeds all go toward efforts in places such as Thailand, Haiti, Egypt, India, Mexico, Columbia, Brazil, Moldova, Israel, Jericho, and the Philippines as well as a reservation in South Dakota. The community began in 1998.

 Their primary industry is dairy farming with related extensions like breeding, cheese-making, growing feed crops, a restaurant, and store. I loved seeing the message proudly proclaimed on this milk tank truck!

 These Mormon missionaries were all impressed and excited to see this work. In our missionary attire, we were hardly dressed appropriately for visiting a farm, but we all loved being there.

 They use a carousel for milking cows 3 times a day. The cows seem content to get on for the ride. In fact, there was one cow that went around at least 3 times before we left, reluctant to back out. She seemed to want to keep on riding!

 They also have a sizable goat herd which they are currently working at enlarging because they are experiencing a very high demand for their delicious goat cheeses.

The recovery program involves living in a dorm facility for men and a large house for women for 18 months. Some of the stories are heart-wrenching at the beginning but satisfying after their time in the program. I really appreciate those who have the patience, love, and persistence to work with people that are normally considered hopeless by the world. I don't know exactly what requirements there are or how the money all works, but it sure seems admirable to place expectations for success on people who have reached dismal failure in their lives and to love them unconditionally. They are given the opportunity to learn essential skills of hard work, dependability, trustworthiness, honesty, and high moral standards. All will enable them to some day leave the community, though some choose to stay to raise their families, and go on to be independent citizens of the world. I'm sure that, due to the nature of addiction, many relapse. But our Savior often mentioned the worth of even ONE soul. I'm glad we got to see this place and I pray they can continue.