NEWS OF GOSPEL WORK AMONG THE AMISH-MENNONITE COMMUNITIES
November 2025
Reflections of God's Faithfulness
by Andy Weaver
Dear Friends,
I hope and trust that this letter will find you well and encouraged as we see all the signs of the return of Jesus intensifying. I want myself and my family to be ready— and I wish the same for you!
Here in northern Ohio, we had a very nice summer, though my favorite fall food is here—fresh apple cider, concord grapes, and sweet potatoes! The young people are excited that the snow season will be moving in soon. Those of us who have become a bit more sensitive to the cold anticipate a long, drawn out fall!
Our annual camp meeting is past, and we are grateful for beautiful weather, informative and edifying sermons and lectures, as well as good Christian fellowship. There are many good things happening here at the Mission, from a growing amount of Bible studies to baptisms. But we have chosen to focus largely on our wellness center and school in this newsletter.
Over the years, a number of Amish people have asked me about my conviction regarding Sabbath-keeping. In response, I have written a small booklet on the topic. If you have Amish friends or neighbors you might consider sharing it with them.
Thank you for supporting our ministry. “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” Philippians 1:3 KJV.
Yours truly,
Andy A. Weaver
President, West Salem Mission
Making Foresthill Feel Like Home
by Chad Kreuzer
God has been abundantly blessing our preparations to open the Foresthill Wellness Center. A few weeks ago, we held a work bee with many of our church members who generously volunteered their time and energy. It was a joy to see young men cutting down trees that needed removal, while men, women, and children worked together to clean the house, garage, and grounds. The fellowship was wonderful, and the teamwork truly inspiring.
Our young men, using strong backs and wearing bright smiles, carried in our heavy new Amish-made furniture, including beds, dressers, night stands, dining table and chairs. This beautiful, durable oak furniture, which we purchased directly from a local Amish craftsman at a favorable price, will likely serve us until Jesus returns. We’re grateful for Vernon Raber, our local Amish deacon and former furniture-mover who expertly installed mirrors on the heavy dressers. More furniture is on the way, still in the process of being crafted.
When we set out to furnish this large, lovely house, we wanted it to be simple, attractive, functional, and durable. We felt that we would be better stewards with God’s money if we had to buy only once, and that the furniture would last until Jesus comes. When the Amish get married, usually around the age of 21, the parents provide the first set of furniture. It’s made by a local Amishman and built to last. If you ever visit Andy Weaver in his home, you will see a very nice, new-looking secretary desk. It’s made of solid wood and was given to Naomi and him when they were married. It’s as good as the day it was made.
With that in mind, I put some information into AI and asked what it would estimate the cost to be to furnish this wellness center. It came back with a figure of $60,000. I shared this figure with our treasurer, Jeremy, and he felt it was probably close to accurate given the current condition of our economy.
The next day Jeremy received a call from a former Amishman who had become a Seventh-day Adventist years ago, and who now lives on the West Coast. “What sort of needs do you have right now?” he asked. Jeremy told him that our biggest need was to furnish the wellness center so that we can start receiving patients.
“How much do you think it will cost?” he inquired further. Feeling a little embarrassed of the high-dollar amount, Jeremy explained that we wanted to purchase quality, to only “buy once, cry once” as they say. The man on the phone didn’t need any convincing, “I totally agree, that’s the only way to do it.” With that in mind, Jeremy told him we expect it to cost around $60,000.
“$60,000? I’ll write a check for half that.”
What a surprise, and what a blessing! A few weeks later, a check showed up for $30,000 earmarked for the wellness center furniture. Not only are we exceedingly grateful for this brother’s generosity, we rejoice in God’s providence in all amounts of donations. It encourages us that this natural healing wellness center is indeed the will of the Lord.
God’s provision has been evident in remarkable ways. We found a sale on a $3,500 hide-a-bed for just $500 and a $3,800 mattress for approximately $400. Additionally, we secured two stainless steel hydrotherapy tubs, typically $8,000 each, for a total of less than $400. The Lord also guided us to a high-quality Russian steam bath that works wonderfully, and we hope to purchase a personal-sized one for $200 soon. Our goal is to balance quality with financial stewardship, and God is clearly making this possible. It feels as though everything is coming together right on time.
Despite these blessings, we have some pressing needs. Our well, while producing great-tasting water, is running dry. To ensure an ample water supply—essential for a wellness center, especially for hydrotherapy—we may need to drill deeper, install a cistern, or drill a new well. We are also seeking a sauna, which can reduce stress, aid detoxification, and potentially help prevent conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s while improving sleep. Additionally, we hope to acquire a hydro-massage bed and other equipment if the Lord provides.
We are thrilled to share that God recently blessed us with a $2,000 donation toward a deer fence for our garden and orchard. This year, deer consumed nearly 98% of our planted crops. With the fence, we hope to protect our produce next year, leaving the grass for the deer and the harvest for us! To fully enclose both the garden and orchard, we will need an additional $10,000. Then we look forward to the next work bee to install the fence.
If God places it on your heart to support us financially during this time, your contribution would be greatly appreciated and will help us continue building a center dedicated to health and healing.
More at Foresthillcenter.com
THE BOOK OF NATURE
by Chad Kreuzer
Here at West Salem Mission, school has started up again with ten students attending this year. I am so blessed to be given the opportunity to be teaching again this year! It’s been such a joy. I have three little 1st graders this year and it’s been so fun to watch them learn how school works and progress in learning their sounds.
Sometimes, when things get a little challenging, it’s easy to feel frustrated. But when I remind myself that Jesus said, “Of such is the kingdom of heaven,” it puts a desire in my heart to be the best teacher I can be to God’s children. It is an honor to be their teacher but also a solemn duty. We are told in inspiration that,
“Our ideas of education take too narrow and too low a range. There is need of a broader scope, a higher aim. True education means more than the pursual of a certain course of study. It means more than a preparation for the life that now is. It has to do with the whole being, and with the whole period of existence possible to man. It is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers. It prepares the student for the joy of service in this world and for the higher joy of wider service in the world to come.” Education, page 13.
One of my favorite classes that we have is nature. We usually go outside and look for something specific in nature. For example, we might be looking for a specific flower to figure out what kind of stem it has, or their homework assignment might be to catch a toad and bring it to school for investigation. Just little things like that that the kids enjoy. And it also gets them outside in the fresh air and gives them a chance to run around and stretch their legs.
Thank you to all of our sponsors and all of you who pray for this ministry, for being willing to partner with God to further His cause, we appreciate it!
With that in mind, I put some information into AI and asked what it would estimate the cost to be to furnish this wellness center. It came back with a figure of $60,000. I shared this figure with our treasurer, Jeremy, and he felt it was probably close to accurate given the current condition of our economy.
The next day Jeremy received a call from a former Amishman who had become a Seventh-day Adventist years ago, and who now lives on the West Coast. “What sort of needs do you have right now?” he asked. Jeremy told him that our biggest need was to furnish the wellness center so that we can start receiving patients.
“How much do you think it will cost?” he inquired further. Feeling a little embarrassed of the high-dollar amount, Jeremy explained that we wanted to purchase quality, to only “buy once, cry once” as they say. The man on the phone didn’t need any convincing, “I totally agree, that’s the only way to do it.” With that in mind, Jeremy told him we expect it to cost around $30,000.
“$60,000? I’ll write a check for half that.”
What a surprise, and what a blessing! A few weeks later, a check showed up for $30,000 earmarked for the wellness center furniture. Not only are we exceedingly grateful for this brother’s generosity, we rejoice in God’s providence in all amounts of donations. It encourages us that this natural healing wellness center is indeed the will of the Lord.
God’s provision has been evident in remarkable ways. We found a sale on a $3,500 hide-a-bed for just $500 and a $3,800 mattress for approximately $400. Additionally, we secured two stainless steel hydrotherapy tubs, typically $8,000 each, for a total of less than $400. The Lord also guided us to a high-quality Russian steam bath that works wonderfully, and we hope to purchase a personal-sized one for $200 soon. Our goal is to balance quality with financial stewardship, and God is clearly making this possible. It feels as though everything is coming together right on time.
Despite these blessings, we have some pressing needs. Our well, while producing great-tasting water, is running dry. To ensure an ample water supply—essential for a wellness center, especially for hydrotherapy—we may need to drill deeper, install a cistern, or drill a new well. We are also seeking a sauna, which can reduce stress, aid detoxification, and potentially help prevent conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s while improving sleep. Additionally, we hope to acquire a hydro-massage bed and other equipment if the Lord provides.
We are thrilled to share that God recently blessed us with a $2,000 donation toward a deer fence for our garden and orchard. This year, deer consumed nearly 98% of our planted crops. With the fence, we hope to protect our produce next year, leaving the grass for the deer and the harvest for us! To fully enclose both the garden and orchard, we will need an additional $10,000. Then we look forward to the next work bee to install the fence.
If God places it on your heart to support us financially during this time, your contribution would be greatly appreciated and will help us continue building a center dedicated to health and healing.
More at Foresthillcenter.com
Let’s Work Together
Get in touch so we can start working together.
