Spring 2020 | vol 29, no 3

Challenging Times by Jerry Beasley, Executive Director

Who would have thought that since our last Reunion newsletter we would be dealing with the significant challenges facing the globe and all on it, as a result of the coronavirus outbreak? For many of us we may see this as the single most threatening event in our

lifetime. Here at Menno-Hof we have closed the facility and encouraged our volunteers to stay home. The week before we closed we had only three visitors. The decision to close was not driven by panic and fear but by thoughtful consideration of how we can minimize exposure and spread of the COVID-19 disease as well as practice good stewardship with our resources. My heart hurts for some business owners here in Shipshewana who have expressed that they may not survive the economic consequences of the overall slowdown. There is no doubt we at Menno-Hof will also be challenged to overcome the economic impact of this event. This may well be the most challenging time and obstacle in the 30+ years of operation for several reasons. First, one of our most valuable assets is our volunteers and we were already struggling to recruit adequate numbers of individuals to volunteer here. Staff will be reviewing opportunities to ensure a safe environment for visitors and volunteers when we are able to reopen. Next, the restart is likely to be slow as many individuals might be reluctant to visit facilities that may have large groups. Finally, the loss of income during the shutdown period will likely be significant. Even though our operating costs are the lowest they have been since opening, we still must raise approximately $45,000 each year in donations

to cover the cost of facility and daily operations. We are very aware that our loyal donors are also likely experiencing challenges that may include loss or strain on their resources. I assume, like myself, many of you are already experiencing numerous pleas for donations and support for many very good causes. In spite of the hurdles, I remain optimistic that we will meet these challenges and continue witnessing to

(cont. on back “Director’s Desk”)

Connections by Jim Beachy, Hinton, Va. 2020 Menno-Hof live-in host Bonnie and I have been at Menno-Hof as hosts for 10 weeks over the past 10 years. There are many reasons we keep coming back. Primarily, it is the opportunity to be involved with faith questions and discussion from the guests, which is very satisfying. Another singular highlight during our latest week at Menno-Hof was due to my own connection with the German language. One of the guests was a student who had grown up in Switzerland and was just beginning a doctoral thesis on Swiss-German Linguistics. She is researching what happens to the language when it moves from Switzerland and develops in isolation over hundreds of years in another setting. Of course, one of the ideal populations for her study is the Amish. When she arrived at Menno-Hof she had not yet met nor spoken with an Amish person. When she told me about this, I approached a young Amish man and his wife who were currently taking the tour, to see if they would be willing to introduce her to their version of Swiss-German. They were willing, had (continued on page 2)

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Thank you to the LaGrange County Foundation for the distribution of grant funds to Menno-Hof which greatly assisted in meeting various expenses during 2019 and currently.

Welcome! Dale Riegsecker, Middlebury, Ind., has agreed to serve on the Menno-Hof Board of Directors as a Mennonite representative. Board members took action at their February 24, 2020, meeting to appoint Dale to this position. Dale and his wife, Shirley,

have one son and three daughters, and 10 grandchildren. They attend First Mennonite, Middlebury, Ind. Dale currently works in sales for Alpha Building Center, Shipshewana, after retiring from 32 years at Fidler Ready Mix, a supplier of concrete. In his spare time, Dale enjoys golfing and taking care of the lawn at home. “I've always supported Menno-Hof, and have helped with a few projects there. I think they have a good program going. I’ve always wanted to do some volunteering, and when Jerry asked if I would consider it, I decided I'd say ‘yes.’”

Connections (cont. from cover) time, and the building wasn’t too busy. So, the four of us stood on the cobblestones just inside the self-guided area, and spoke Pennsylvania Dutch, Hochdeutsch (Martin Luther’s Bible translation), Swiss German, and Schwaebisch (a Southern German dialect). We kept needing to all fall back to English because of our limitations in understanding each other! So the doctoral student exchanged names and connection information with the Amish couple, and got the names of other possible connections for her study. One thing that I learned (which is apparently well known among the Amish and many others) is that the ‘Pennsylvania Dutch’ spoken by the Amish from the immigrations in the 1700s is quite different than the ‘Swiss-German’ spoken by the Amish from the immigrations of the 1850s. Menno-Hof is indeed a place where many nations meet!

Jim & Bonnie Beachy served as host and hostess at Menno-Hof March 1-15, 2020. They live in Hinton, Va., and have two daughters and four grandchildren. They attend Ridgeway Mennonite Church where they are very involved. Before retirement, Jim worked in information technology. Jim enjoys house construction related projects, hiking, reading, gardening, Koine Greek, and German. Bonnie likes gardening,

hiking, reading, and writing.

Are you looking for a way to serve while sharing your faith?

Menno-Hof needs individuals and couples in agreement with Anabaptist values and beliefs to serve as host and/or hostess during the Summer months of 2020. A minimum of 30 days is preferred. Responsibilities include conducting tours and some light housekeeping. Two furnished apartments are available on-site. You also get to experience living in Shipshewana—celebrated for being home to the third largest Amish community in the United States, for having the Midwest's largest flea market, and for its reputation of hand-crafted wares. You don’t have to have all the answers to be a tour guide at Menno-Hof! The tour program is written in such a way that it speaks for itself and other

volunteers can help answer questions if needed.

For more information contact: Ruth Miller, daily operations manager: 260-768-4117 or rmiller@mennohof.org

From our visitors… “Should be a required stop for every visitor coming to town. Very informative and inspirational. Friendly and welcoming guides. Learned a ton and came away with a new respect and appreciation for the Amish and Mennonite faithful. Beautiful facility,

worth the admission!” - online visitor review

“We learned so much about the Amish. Multimedia presentations and displays made the tour very inter-esting . Be sure to visit the tornado room and hold

on as floor begins to shake.” - online visitor review

In an attempt to save postage and

paper, we invite you to

consider receiving

your Reunion

newsletter via e-mail.

Send your change request to

info@mennohof.org

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Wish List

CD players for the apartments

1 bicycle (new or gently used) with low crossbars— for our live-in volunteers

Making the most of time at home Many businesses in Shipshewana have been closed due to the pandemic and Menno-Hof is no exception. The staff miss working together and interacting with our volunteers and visitors! We’re finding things to do during this pandemic to make the best of our time at home. A Menno-Hof re-opening date will be posted on our web site (www.mennohof.org ) as soon as it’s available.

Jerry Beasley, executive director, and his wife, Ruth, have enjoyed playing games in their “toy shed.” Jerry says he was no match for Ruth while playing Scrabble.

Ruth Miller, daily operations manager, has been enjoying bike rides around Middlebury, her hometown. She loves seeing all the spring flowers that have been braving the chilly weather.

Susan Miller, bookkeeper, is loving her new kitchen that her husband, Ray, installed during quarantine. One of her favorite additions is a coffee bar.

Charlotte Long, program and communication associate, has been enjoying baking with her daughter, Allison. Her husband and son have enjoyed eating the creations.

Bill Yoder (photo unavailable), facility and grounds associate, has enjoyed extra time at home but is also busy taking care of the lawn and landscaping at Menno-Hof so it will be ready when we re-open.

Reunion is published quarterly to keep

our friends informed of happenings at

Menno-Hof. Send questions or

comments to director at

info@mennohof.org

Menno-Hof Amish-Mennonite

Visitors’ Center

PO Box 701

510 S Van Buren St, SR 5

Shipshewana, IN 46565

Tele: (260) 768-4117

Fax: (260) 768-4118

E-mail: info@mennohof.org

Web site: www.mennohof.org

Menno-Hof staff: Jerry Beasley, executive director Ruth Miller, daily operations manager Susan Miller, accounting manager Charlotte Long, program and communication associate Bill Yoder, facility and grounds associate Board of Directors: Larry Chupp, president, Shipshewana, Ind. Lovina Gingerich Rutt, vice-president, Goshen, Ind. Donna Jones, Shipshewana, Ind. Orie E. Lehman, Shipshewana, Ind. Daniel B. Miller, Goshen, Ind. Steve Miller, Goshen, Ind. Jim Neff, Goshen, Ind. Dale Riegsecker, Middlebury, Ind. Wayne Schrock, Millersburg, Ind. Alvin J. Yoder, Shipshewana, Ind. Fern Yoder, Millersburg, Ind. Norman Yoder, Shipshewana, Ind.

Jerry Beasley

executive director

Challenging Times (cont. from front) the world by sharing the Anabaptist Story to all who visit. Many have already offered words of encouragement and hope and some have sent gifts of support. I pray those of us who under-stand the effectiveness of Menno-Hof’s witness to the world, will continue to seek God’s

guidance to ensure this outreach continues. I hope all Christians find great comfort in knowing that the God who has been around through all previous global tragedies is still available to hear our prayers, cries for mercy, and requests for

healing and restoration. Even though most of us would say the current threats are unsettling and we need to do what we can to responsibly minimize the growth and spread of this deadly disease, I hope we also take time to offer reassurance, encouragement and condolences to those experiencing fear, pain and loss. Thanks to all of you who have contributed to the effectiveness of Menno-Hof’s outreach to over a million individuals! We look forward to the future as we continue to seek Jesus and extend mercy and kindness to all we meet. Please include Menno-Hof—the board, staff, and volunteers—in your prayers. During this time may we all find a few moments to “Be Still and Know God.”

Hours: Monday—Saturday: 10 a.m.—5 p.m.

DIRECTOR’S DESK

NON-PROFIT ORG

US POSTAGE

PAID

SHIPSHEWANA, IN

46565

PERMIT NO 17