When Divine Word Father Jerome Ziliak lay on his deathbed, his niece-by-marriage Mary Ellen chose to stay at his side and let his blood relatives survey the items that he would leave behind.

 

Little did she know that she would receive the greatest gift that he had to give.

 

Father Ziliak, a pioneer in sustainable development in India and subject of a 2002 documentary, passed away in 2012 at age 92.

 

While serving as a missionary in India for 50 years, he introduced modern agricultural methods and sustainable development practices nearly 40 years before a United Nations commission coined the term “sustainable development.”

 

 

“He was agitated,” she recalled. “He said, ‘My work is not done.’”

 

When she asked what he still needed to do, he replied that he had not written a book about his life’s ministries for people who would follow him.

 

She said she would see that it was done. He grabbed her hands and made her promise.

 

In Karpur, Madhya Pradesh, India, Father Ziliak revolutionized farming and staved off famine by teaching the villagers modern and environmentally friendly agricultural methods. He established a dairy farm and developed a cooling pool for water buffalo so that milk production would remain consistent year-round.

 

He designed mechanisms within the pool to carry leftover water and animal manure to fields to naturally irrigate and fertilize them, and he introduced high-yield seed varieties, which increased wheat and corn production.

 

He also led the effort to build schools and medical dispensaries for tribals, the aboriginal people of India, and dalits, who historically were least respected in the caste system.

 

 

“He set me up,” Mrs. Ziliak said with a laugh. “Who’s going to say no to a missionary on his deathbed?”

 

To fulfill her promise, Mrs. Ziliak developed the Village Stories, a children’s book series based on Father Ziliak’s life.

 

“Father Jerry wanted to reach the community,” she said. “He held the philosophy that all living things are connected. Our ripples touch other people. The general theme [of the children’s books] is family love and support of neighbor.”

 

Roger, Mrs. Ziliak’s husband, added, “He used to say, ‘You cannot talk to people about God if their stomachs are growling.’”

 

Mrs. Ziliak responded that Father Ziliak planted one tree on a stone hill—land that could not sustain crops—and within 20 years, 14,000 mature trees populated the hill—trees that could be sold to put food on the table.

 

The first Village Stories book, “Tiny Teak” (M.T. Publishing Co.: 2023), uses the story of Father Ziliak’s teak farm to remind children that they have a purpose in God’s plan.

 

“He was a farm boy who expanded agriculture in Karpur, India,” Mrs. Ziliak said. “I want to put into children’s minds at an early age that they should live with respect and honor. God has a plan for you; just open your heart to receive it.”