My husband and I personally know the families of the Deary, ID Heritage Community. They are wonderful, loving, Christian families who love and care for their children and community. It is a shame some people are always attacking good people trying to do good things. We love them and support them. I encourage you to get to know them and the truth about their loving families before you criticize them.
— T. M.
Submitted on: December 22, 2012, 11:22 pm
It has been brought to my attention the recent media attacks on the Homestead Heritage Christian Community in Waco, TX. After several visits to the farm, and one stay of several days, I would say that these attacks are misguided at the least, and appear to represent an agenda that is intentionally libelous. I am a farmer and veterinarian from upstate New York, and was particularly interested in the farming operation, which I came to appreciate and admire. I was witness to the farm activities that youngsters were responsible for, and was heartened by their enthusiasm. This was not “staged” but was genuine. The willingness of the older children to teach , and the willingness of the younger to accept instruction was opposite to what I see in American culture today. The education and guidance of the young at the Homestead is an example of the best that any community could aspire to provide. In such an environment it is most likely that the fruits of the spirit, as listed in Galatians 5:23-23 will thrive.
To those who seek to tear down such a community, I say say “For shame”.
— J. S.
Submitted on: May 16, 2012, 9:46 pm
An Open Letter,
As I read and hear all of these patently false and malicious accusations that this small group of ex-members claim are going on at Homestead Heritage, the feeling that wells up inside me is: if people could only know how different the truth really is! If people only knew the depths of concern and love that the people of Homestead Heritage express to all of us who are in need. If people could only see the endless hours they spend in tears and prayer for all under their care, and especially for those of us who have strayed from the Christian path. All the meals they bring to the families who have a new born baby, or to those who might have sickness in their family, or to those who have lost a loved one. The nights and weekends they have spent helping members remodel their homes, plant their gardens, and helping out in every kind of way. If they could hear all of the phone calls and the countless hours spent trying to offer encouragement to the weary and help to the needy. Most of all, if they could only hear the sound, loving admonishment offered to those of us who have stumbled, and if they could just see the results in those who have listened!
I used to be a member. I left because I thought I knew better than everyone else. I thought I didn’t have to listen to advice. Looking back, I wish so bad that I had listened to the help offered me and not set off on the rebellious course of my youth, I could have saved myself and so many others so much heartache and pain. Even after all the terrible things I’ve done, all the ways I’ve let so many down, all the hurt I’ve caused, when I came to them in my desperate place, they threw their arms open wide to me, they poured out their hearts to me, they have spent many an evening, and countless hours letting me share my heart with them and seek their advice. They have offered me sound council, and are trying to help me to get back on the Christian path. I couldn’t imagine meeting a people who are more genuinely concerned with my wellbeing than the members of Homestead.
I know most of these ex-members who are spreading these blatantly false and malicious accusations, quite well. Without exception, I know them to be absolutely insincere and bitter. They, like myself, thought they knew better than everyone else. They didn’t want to be constrained to the givens of life. When they started to experience the fruit of their lives which they had lived in rebellion, and reckless abandoning of the Christian values that they were raised in, instead of looking at what they had done wrong and how they could mend their own ways, they lashed out in bitterness and hate; instead of facing their own failures, they chose to blame and attack the very people who tried to help them. I can attest that they are absolutely untrustworthy, and unreliable. If their life stories were to be told, no one would give them the light of day; no one would even consider them to be even remotely, a reliable source. They would never want anyone to know their gross misdeeds and failures, yet they hasten to spread absolute falsehoods and slander about the kind and gentle members of Homestead Heritage. Some of them have bragged to me often of their obscene, morally corrupt, and even criminal lives.
I respectfully ask of all who hear these accusations, please do your due diligence, go out to Homestead Heritage, witness for yourself the life they live, the care they show towards all, the genuine Christian love they show to all of those whom they come into contact with. For there you will see a sincere people who are striving daily to live their lives as into the Lord, and all the while helping their fellow man. I pray I too can learn to live as they do, to walk in all honesty and love before our Savior.
P.S. Completely of my own will and desire, do I offer this meager attempt to set the record straight. After all the help the kind people of Homestead Heritage have offered to me in my time of need, it is my great hope to be able to offer in return, what little help I might be able to give to them.
— J. W.
Submitted on: May 11, 2012, 2:06 pm