Leasa Hodges
Genuine medical missionary work is the gospel practiced
In the fall of 1961, two couples from Colorado attended a supporting ministries convention at Oak Haven in Pullman, Michigan. Harold and Effie Grosboll, with Pete and Ann Borris, were deeply impressed that they should become involved in the establishment of a self-supporting institution. They went back to Colorado in search of a suitable site. Twelve miles west of Loveland, they located 600 acres of land for sale. It was in a lovely, secluded valley, in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, already known as Eden Valley.
More than 50 years later the influence of Eden Valley progressed far beyond the local community. Answering God’s call to sacrificial service, staff and students began to serve around the world. Supporting ministries were established in South and Central America, Korea, Japan, India, Africa, Mexico, Canada, Poland, and China. Today, many of these ministries still bring the gospel to a lost and dying world.
Currently, two of the main ministries at Eden Valley include a lifestyle center and a medical missionary training program. We serve hundreds of guests from around the world. Our mission is to improve the lives of guests through Bible and Spirit of Prophecy based counsel, focusing on using natural remedies. The students are equipped with practical experience as well as solid spiritual nourishment to go forth, ready to minister around the world.
The medical missionary training is for those who want a basic, hands-on, three-month course, which introduces the principles of NEWSTART. Students have included: lay members wanting to be more effective in their church health ministry outreach; missionary pilots who want to learn simple natural remedies; health professionals interested in gaining experience in natural treatments for lifestyle diseases; and others wanting to learn how to live with optimum health.
At Eden Valley we are witnesses to the reality of these words:
“…the medical missionary work shall prepare the way for the presentation of the saving truth for this time, the proclamation of the third angel’s message. If this design is met, the message will not be eclipsed nor its progress hindered.”
– Testimonies for the Church, Vol 6, p. 293
Below are a few testimonials (amongst hundreds) from people of all walks of life, who attest to the healing they received through Christ at Eden Valley. We believe that by following the example of Jesus, using His method of healing, then bidding individuals to follow Him, brings healing not only physically, but more importantly, spiritually.
Jim Rowe: In June of 2006, I was diagnosed with 4th stage pancreatic cancer. This type of cancer is almost always not diagnosed until it is developed well into later stages. By August I couldn’t work, drive, walk, or even sit up for more than 10 minutes. The doctors sent me home from the hospital to get my “affairs in order” as they could not do any more to help. I told my wife to drive me to Eden Valley. After two months there, the tumors in my colon and liver were gone and the tumors in my pancreas had shrunk to about the size of a pea. Almost 11 years later, I am doing well, still working, and thanking God and Eden Valley for a life that was given back to me.
Shawn Boonstra: When I first got the invitation to visit Eden Valley, I wasn’t sure what to think. I’d never been there, but back when Jean and I first became believers, I’d heard of such places: cardboard and twigs for lunch, unforgiving task masters waiting to catch you in the slightest of dietary transgressions – even righteousness by diet. And yet I felt compelled to go.
I will forever be glad I did; I am now convinced that the compulsion to go was heaven sent. Jean and I had been battling the worst year of our lives, and Eden Valley proved to be God’s prescription for us. The moment we drove onto the spectacular campus, long-harbored tensions started to evaporate. I think I actually took a deep breath as we left the highway and pulled onto the property. The team, anything but unforgiving task masters, made us feel immediately at home. Not in the “our house is your house” sense, but actually at home.
It’s hard to find words to describe just how good our stay at Eden Valley was. I think the closest thing I’ve been able to find was the warmth and fellowship we felt when we first were baptized nearly 20 years ago. The team at Eden Valley works hard to help people heal physically, but their approach is so Christ-like that they’re helping people heal spiritually, too. They’re Christ-like and they’re kind. I know that after months off work in a state of sheer exhaustion, I needed to find a place where it felt as if God had taken me and cradled me in His arms Himself. I found it – or, more accurately, it found me.
I watched the faces of other guests over the course of a couple of weeks, and I noticed they sensed it too. They felt as if they had come into close contact with their Creator. Not only did color return to a lot of faces, but smiles did, too. People relaxed and let go of the things that had worried them the most in recent months. Some who were hesitant to let themselves get close to others let their guards down. Everyone felt the distinct presence of Christ on that campus – and everyone started down the road to healing.
Bruce S: I came to Eden Valley taking 110 units of insulin a day, over 150 lbs overweight, on meds to go to sleep, meds to wake up, meds to keep my high blood pressure and cholesterol under control, and meds for depression. Even though I am a nurse anesthetist and should have known the right choices to keep healthy, my health and my life was out of control.
I set my mind to put 110% into the program and do everything they asked me to do. Within a week, working with the doctor and responding to a quickly dropping blood sugar level, I was able to stop the insulin injections. In another week, I was able to sleep and wake up without meds, pounds started melting off even though I was eating very well, I walked 5 miles a day, and just felt much better overall.
I left Eden Valley, feeling better than I have for over 25 years, with hope and a desire to turn back to God and find in Him strength to lead my life.
More than 50 years after those two families felt a call to start this ministry, we here at Eden Valley are still seeing the results of that call. If you think you Eden Valley has something to offer you, one of your patients, or a loved one, or if you have something that you believe you can offer us in our outreach and ministry, we’d love to hear from you.
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