Some of you may remember Nik from Nik’s Heart of Hope (NHOH)—connected with Lost Sparrows. He’s the young man with a ginormous heart for serving and spreading God’s love who worked to collect and crush aluminum cans to exchange for money at the recycling center. That money turned into donations and grants for needy organizations. Well, he’s still at it! NHOH continues to partner with organizations like Helping Hands Healing Hearts in the Philippines whose mission is to provide care and advocate for children in crisis situations. Recently, they were awarded the first ever NHOH Hero Award. In Bo ..read more

Horace and Phyllis Leister from the Tumaini Children’s Home in Kenya, Africa, recently contacted Room to Bloom with updates on two (of their 44) children. Room to Bloom shared about their daughter, Debby, in the September issue. Debby is still awaiting her surgery in the US to address her scoliosis and the additional issues with her lungs. Phyllis shared, “Debby is doing well. She is anticipating her upcoming surgery in the US. We are waiting for the invitation letter to be processed.” Thank you for your donations towards Debby’s surgery. Please pray for Debby as she continues to go to school ..read more

“Thank You!” from the Phillips Family “Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for all you have done to support our family. Our prayers have been answered through y’all and it was a sweet glimpse of heaven. We are humbled by your generosity and forever changed by God’s goodness through your organization. Thank you for your kindness, generosity, encouragement, and prayers. May God bless each of you greatly as you have blessed us!” ~ John & Shea Phillips     An Update on Andersen Andersen was in the hospital for eight days recovering from his second open-heart surgery. He was di ..read more

    Elon – Age 7 – Eastern Europe – Arthrogryposis (delays in development)Elon walks independently. He feeds himself and cleans up after his meals. He does not talk at this time, but understands what is said to him and follows simple instructions. He responds to his name. He interacts appropriately with adults and with other children. He attends to tasks and works well 1:1 and in a small group.     Ned – Age 3 – Eastern Europe – Cerebral Palsy, Hydrocephalus (delays in development)Ned lived in an orphanage for the first 2.5 years of his life. When he entered foster care ..read more

Five-year-old Zuri was born with congenital heart disease. Her specific diagnoses are atrial septal defect (ASD), severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) and tricuspid regurgitation (TR). All this means that her heart condition is quite complex. Zuri has five siblings, one of whom passed away as an infant. As a newborn Zuri was very weak and kept in the hospital for three weeks. This was a heavy blow on the family’s small income which comes solely from the father doing migrant work. The next step in Zuri’s care is a heart catheterization procedure to determine the best course of surgical interven ..read more

  words by: Nic Stoltzfus, Plain Values Editorial Manager _______________ “I want our magazine to encourage families to consider adoption and to support those who have adopted children with special needs.”   When Marlin Miller and his wife Lisa founded Plain Values ten years ago, the magazine was built upon a foundation of three things: show Christian organizations doing good work worldwide, ascribe dignity to people with special needs, and promote the beauty of adoption. Two of those foundational stones interlocked—the Millers wanted to share stories of families who have adopted chi ..read more

  Room to Bloom’s mission is to promote the beauty of adoption and to ascribe dignity to people with Down syndrome and other special needs. In our first two years, all because of our generous donors, we’ve had the privilage of funding the adoptions of 14 children! These children, their families, and Room to Bloom can not thank you enough. Every single donation to Room to Bloom is one step closer to bringing another child home. The average adoption cost is $45,000+. Every donation helps!       Room to Bloom’s mission is to promote the beauty of adoption and to ascribe dig ..read more

    In May of 2022, Keith and Lori Troyer adopted 9-year-old Rya from an orphanage in Bulgaria. Now that they’ve been home for a few months, our very own editorial manager for Plain Values Magazine, Nic Stoltzfus, had the opportunity to pay them a visit and hear all about their incredible story. We’re so excited to share it with you in the October 2022 issue of Plain Values. You won’t want to miss it! Their story is so inspiring it’s already sparked the beginnings of another adoption from Bulgaria by a family in the Troyer’s community. We could not be more excited—praise the Lord! T ..read more

  Tickets on Sale Now _______________ October 14-15, 2022   |   Grace College Campus   |   Historic Winona Lake, IN _______________   The Lost Sparrows Trauma Conference is designed for foster/adoptive parents, teachers, or anyone who works with children. This conference will provide a weekend of encouragement, education, and connection as you get to know others seeking to learn more about the effects of trauma. Working with children with challenging behaviors can be exhausting. Foster parents, adoptive parents, educators, caregivers, social wo ..read more

    After months of waiting and prayer, Keith and Lori Troyer finalized the adoption of their newest daughter. In May, Lori and her son journeyed to Bulgaria where they met 9-year-old Rya at her orphanage. The experience of meeting Rya is one they’ll never forget. The Troyer’s are back home, joining together in helping Rya adjust to life in America and being a part of their family. Watch for their whole story, which we’re honored to share, in an issue of Plain Values later this year!     Room to Bloom’s mission is to promote the beauty of adoption and to ascribe dignity t ..read more