So you want to join the Amish

One thing that sets the Amish apart from many Mennonite groups, and for that matter most other religious bodies:  they don’t recruit.

Amish typically neither condemn nor encourage attempts to join.  They may seem a bit discouraging towards the idea.  If the subject comes up, usually you hear something like ‘if you don’t grow up Amish, it’s really hard to do it.’

Occasionally, you run into an Amish person with a name that just doesn’t ‘sound’ Amish.  That’s often a clue.

It frequently happens that non-Amish who join stick it out for a little while but leave when the novelty wears off.

I’ve only met a very few that have joined, and that’s out of literally (literally literally) thousands of families met while selling books in their communities.

I regret not having a chance to get down to the nitty-gritty about it with the joiners (What’s it like?  No, what’s it really like?  What do you miss most?).

708977_garden_plaque
One was a teacher.  Another works in a factory.  A third, fairly fresh convert raises and sells mums.  He supposedly fell for an Amish lass while on a visit to the community.

Asking another ‘native’ Amishman in his community about the newbie, I was told, almost wink-wink jokingly, that he seems to be doing alright (so far), as if the underlying idea was ‘is he gonna make it?’

But this guy, and the other people around him were supportive as far as I could tell.  In fact, the outsiders who have joined and ‘survived’ seem to garner a bit of extra respect.

Apparently, one way it works for interested parties is that you first come to live and get put to work for a certain length of time, just to see if you can hack it on that end.

Then there are the teachings and language to pick up.  Amish adolescents readying themselves for baptism normally attend prep courses led by church ministers.

One New Order Amish couple I met had adopted five non-Amish children.  They found a Pennsylvania Dutch tutor to teach the kids the native tongue.  I suppose that would come in handy for non-Dutch adult converts as well.

Some converts are from similar-minded faiths such as this Mennonite -background fellow, which may make it easier, but others come from different branches of Christianity.

The teacher-convert was apparently originally Catholic, as was well-known Amish historian David Luthy, whom I often mention in this blog.

616444_car_keys Apparently this teacher-convert said he found living without a car to be the most difficult.  That’s not surprising.  For me, I think car and electric would be the hardest.  Clothing, hairstyle, hard physical work I’m pretty sure I could swing.

But that might be looking at it the wrong way.  One Amishman has suggested that seekers approaching the Amish solely through the lifestyle angle–the buggies-and-beards rustic appeal of it–are missing the point.

The whole idea is not to live in a strange cultural world for it’s own sake.   By itself, that gets you nowhere.  Rather it’s all about living what the Amish feel is most important:  the words and teachings of Jesus Christ.

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    855 Comments

    1. Hannah

      Lance,
      ok so read the bible and really pray about it but how do i get a penpal?

      1. Lance

        My best recommendation would be to meet them face-to-face, in real life. If you very lucky and God so wills it, someone will befriend you and if you even more lucky, they will be a good correspondent with you. Nothing automatic here. Prayer may help. James 5:16

        If you cannot meet them, the only way I can think of is put a personal ad asking for a penpal in the Budget newspaper or in the Pathway publication called Young Companion. Do not get your hopes up too high this way.

        Other than that, good luck getting a Amish penpal, you are from the world, parents may fear you and your influence on their children.

    2. Blaire

      Becoming Amish

      Hi, my name is Blaire. I will be living with the Amish community i want to join as of next year, and then get baptized within a year after living with them. I have stayed with the Amish over the summer also and did EVERYTHING they do. I decided to join the Amish 4 years ago and have not changed my mind since. The journey has not been easy by any means. Its a hard life, but a good one! I just wanted to tell everyone that wants to do it, that you will need your faith to live that life. If you have faith, you can do anything. I am joining a very conservative Amish group. (no running water, still use oil lamps, no refrigerator, use woodburning stoves still for cooking etc. Thats the part I had to get used to haha! I graduate High School next year, so I will be leaving then and cannot wait to start that part of my life! 🙂

      1. Paul A. B.

        Blair, I commend you.

        Just read your comment and felt like replying. I sincerely wish you a happy journey into your new faith life as an Amish person. Personally, I have had almost no contact with the Amish community, but have a sincere interest in the Anabaptist approach to the faith. I think that many of us who were raised without any connection to the Amish life look around at our world today and see how the consumerist society is broken on so many levels: economic, spiritual and social (especially family life). We see how the Amish way has avoided many of these common pitfalls through their strongly organized society, work ethic, honesty and discipline – and some of us sincerely crave those values and structures. I have the highest respect for those values and hope to make some Amish friends with whom I could have some deep and interesting discussions. Merry Christmas and may God bless you in your new life.

        1. T.L.Murphy

          Just a thought to share......

          I am not Amish. But oh how I wish I were. I wish I had been raised in a protective Amish community. Our world today has become so liberal with an “anything goes” attitude that I can hardly stand it any longer. I have all of the luxuries of life that Amish don’t have…..electricity, TV, a car, etc. But with this wordly life comes pain and heartache. And believe me, these “luxuries” are not worth any of it. I have watched the TV show, “Breaking Amish” and I am so sad for these young people who have decided to join the other worldly, Godless people! They have no idea what they are doing. I wish I had been lucky enough to be born Amish, or Mennonite, and be raised a true child of God. I am a Christian with Christian beliefs. However, this world is so full of temptations and satan is everywhere you turn and you don’t have people surrounding you who will help you deny those temptations that keeping faith in this earthly world is very difficult. I have more years behind me than I do in front of me and I want to make the last of my earthly years worth something. I want to live a true Godly life and I just cannot do it where I am living. I plan on visiting the Amish community in Sarasota. In fact, I plan to move there, or at least close by, so that I can learn that way of life. I want to be surrounded by people who love and live for God every day of their lives. I hope and I pray that I will find a few friends in the Amish community who will be willing to help me in my journey. God bless.

    3. lissa

      Hi,
      I am 27. I have wanted to join the amish since I was 10. How can I get in touch w/ an amish family about visiting or being penpals?

      1. Missy

        Though I’m not sure of the results you’d get, you might try an ad in “The Budget” newspaper. Their mailing address is:PO Box 249, Sugarcreek, OH 44681. Nearly all Amish people read the Budget.

    4. Ray

      I know I have stressed this before, but if you all are looking for a cool lifestyle then joining the Amish is not for you. The Amish lifestyle is a grievous burden to them, and you will not endure unless it’s your sincere religious conviction that the rules of the Amish church are the will of the Almighty God.

    5. Denis

      evangelism

      I watched a television program about the Amish. They appear to be lovely people, the kind I would feel at peace with;being a believer myself. But I agree with Debra on the issue of evangelism. If we opt out of society how will people know about the Lord Jesus Christ and receive the gift of life if no one witnesses to them. Our Lord’s express commandment is “Go out therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”

      1. Paul A.B.

        My perspective may be completely different than that of most people, but I actually find the Amish and other Anabaptists do evangelize – very visibly with their lives, rather than with loud speeches and emotions. True, they tend to keep to themselves, but there is a complete lack of pushiness in their form of witness that I find incredibly refreshing and inviting inquiry in its own way. Again, this may be personal preference – but the “on fire” approach that some groups use backfires pretty badly with me. I believe that there are many ways that the Spirit can speak to a person, silent witness being one of them.

        1. Ernie Yoder

          I appreciate your post, Paul A.B. . There is a lot of different opinions of the Amish in regard to their lifestyle, their interpretation & application of scripture.

          I was Amish the first 42 years of my life… I taught in an Amish school from ’93 to ’03 which was also the year we left the Amish. They are a godly people…most of them… but… they have NO USE for members coming together for a Bible study and praying together. This was the very thing that ignited the Reformation 500 years ago.

          1. Lee Ann

            Ernie:

            What made you decide to leave the Amish? Would you be willing to correspond with me about Amish life, and what you are doing now? If not directly, then if you are married, if your wife would correspond with me. You can do it via email if you like.

            I hope you will agree to correspond with me.

            Thank you!

            1. Seymour Amish

              Hello,

              I am writing a book on my experience in living with the Amish, and as an Amish.

              1. Ada Car

                Seymour Amish

                Are you writing about or are you Amish and also a writer? I ask because,I am not Amish but came here to live as I have always wanted to, out away from city life where my heart is. But I was raised by a former Farmer outside of the city so I am no stranger to some of the lifestyle. I am in the Springfiel area and moving N. of there and found I have Amish neighbors at my new place. So I wish to be neighborly and educate myself about a people I know little about.

                If anone else out there wishes to correspond with me like a pen-pal that would be great. Thank You

              2. Ada Car

                Seymour Amish

                Seymore, MO ??? I know there are Amish there but did not know they were N. of Springfield, MO. Are you writing about or are you Amish and also a writer? I ask because,I am not Amish but came here to live as I have always wanted to, out away from city life where my heart is. But I was raised by a former Farmer outside of the city so I am no stranger to some of the lifestyle. I have also worked on a few small ranches and trained horses. I am in the Springfield, MO area and moving N. of there and found I have Amish neighbors at my new place. So I wish to be neighborly and educate myself about a people I know little about. I am a Christian who reads and applys the word of GOD.

                If anone else out there wishes to correspond with me like a pen-pal that would be great. Thank You

          2. Lee Ann

            Ernie:

            What made you decide to leave the Amish? Would you be willing to correspond with me about Amish life, and what you are doing now? If not directly, then if you are married, if your wife would correspond with me. You can do it via email if you like.

            I hope you will agree to correspond with me. I am married with 6 children.

            Thank you!

          3. Dean N. Hoff

            Looking for a Christian Family and Possibly a Wife

            I have been consindering joining the Amish, but your comments here make me think the Amish and the Mennonites aren’t really what I’m looking for. I would like friends and family that live, sing, and talk about Christ 24/7 not just for an hour or 4 a week. In 1 Corinthians 14:34 and 1 Timothy 2:12 we see that women are to remain silent in assembly. In my search for a congregation to attend, I found that the local Mennonite encourage their young women to recite scripture upstairs. I commented on this to a gentleman at one of the churches who asked “How then are women to learn”. The answer is at home as written in 1 Corinthians 14:35. His question seems to imply that the local Mennonites do not spend their nights gathered together in bible study or singing. Also I like that their women cover their heads, but how many know that the only scriptural reason for covering their heads is 1 Corinthians 11:4-8 when the women is praying or on the rarer occasion when they are prophesying. I wonder how many women cover their head all day out and and then pray with their head uncovered at home. Another arguement I have heard supporting women speaking in Church is how then can they sing? I personally believe speaking and singing aren’t the same thing, but to be technical about it, if women remain completely silent in congregation, that only leaves 6 days and 20 hours to sing hymns to the Lord accounting for a church that meets 3 hours on Sunday and 1 hour on Wednesday. If anyone is aware of a family or congregation that lives their life 24/7 for Christ and understands my comments, please feel free to email me.

            1. Dean N. Hoff

              saltwaterheart@yahoo.com

            2. You didnt leave an email address. Your desire for 24/7 Christianity does remind me of this congregation, a very zealous Anabaptist church, but obviously not Amish.
              http://www.thechurchofmonett.blogspot.com/

              1. Paula

                One comment though about the church at Monett blog. Conservative Anabaptists would not carry signs like “Christian women wear veils not jewelry” and “Bossy wives and women preachers are sin.” They might think it, but this is offensive in public. I am sure these folks are sincere, and may have Baptist or other background like the group that pickets military funerals, but it is decidedly unAnabaptist public behavior. I am plain but I would find it obnoxious and it is certainly going to turn off community people, not win them. The sweetness and gentleness of Mennonite people persuaded us. Correction is generally limited to people who have joined the church and agreed to mutual accountability.

                1. UnAnabaptist behavior

                  For better or for worse, those signs represent early Anabaptism a whole lot more than one might think. The first generations of Anabaptists in Europe would do things like march through town 100 strong preaching loudly for everyone to repent. More than once they went to other churches and got up to preach in the pulpits without being asked. They wrote rebuking letters to public officials who sinned. They publicly preached that the Catholic and Protestant churches were apostate. The Catholic and Protestant persecutors sometimes cut the tongues out when they burned Anabaptists to death so that they would not preach repentance while dying.
                  For better or for worse, that was early Anabaptism.
                  The first Anabaptists were NOT the “quiet in the land.” The shift to “quiet” evangelism, or in some cases anti-evangelism, took place after several generations and over a period of time. That one little congregation there in Monett has baptized more “raw” converts off the streets (by that I mean, not someone already in a church) in the last decade than some other whole Anabaptist denominations put together.
                  That said, I am not saying that the signs they use are the best, but they are getting folks attention to the message that being a Christian means obedience to Biblical teachings. 🙂

            3. Dean N. Hoff

              The comments I was referring to were made above by Earnie Yoder. I kind of had an image that the Amish and Mennonite communities were somehow more active Christians than your average church that only meets 1-4 times a week, but now I’m not sure that they are. Anyways I would love to have people to Bible Study with 7 days a week. Wether you are a farmer or a tech guru there is nothing more important than God, so why don’t we spend more time talking about him. There may be Amish or Mennonite who do appreciate home bible study and singing on a daily basis – if so I invite you to respond.

              1. Lahry Sibley

                Fellowship

                Hi,
                I’m open to fellowship. Check out my website, and check out my facebook page “Lahry Sibley”. If that interests you, get back to me.

                All HIS best,

                Lahry

            4. lisa

              Christianity 24/7

              One community that I know of that lives christianity 24/7 is Elmendorf, http://www.elmendorfbelievers.com and in Australia http://www.thecommonlife.au (Rocky cape christian community). u could also check out http://www.churchcommunities.com or churchcommunities.org i hope these help. i have conservative mennonite friend’s and i find they do live christinaity 24/7, the women cover their hed 24/7 (yes, even while sleeping).

            5. eric

              silent in church

              The idea of a women being silent in church may be different then some think. With the man being the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church we begin to see what may be going on. As the spiritual head of the family, It is the heads- husband/father job to teach the body his wife at home. The goal for them is to be of one mind and spirit. If a women speaks at church when the husband is required to be the voice for the united family (like Christ), it can be dishonoring to the head especially if she is teaching against or speaking against her husbands teaching or ideas. These ideas may be the reason these verses, about a women’s role at church to let the head be the voice, are around problems in the church process as recorded in the bible. The husband must take his role in Christ and lead the woman must follow just as we as the bride of Christ must let hem lead and we must follow as he is our only teacher. These verses are about role and responsibility and qualification for roles given by God in Christ. Not singing in church is kind of dopey and a work of man not a calling in Christ for women. Sing (ohh my sing lift your voice to our father in his son) mentor other women encourage love be faithful at church just let the man lead when it comes to preaching and teaching the MEN (for a women to teach a man is dishonoring) of the family of God (if they abdicate pray for them as it says). One other note not sure if the incorporated church in this world is a place to find true fellowship. The Amish are a people of works with very little faith in their lives. they need prayer and love and the bible. He is awesome as the father is awesome as they
              are united by the spirit forever.
              Now apply the bible to voting in elections (not that anyone should do it as our dad says it his job Romans 13} what if the wife is voting for others than the husband? eric

              1. Merrie

                Biblical

                Hi Eric,

                The requirement for women to be silent in church is simply Biblical.

                1 Corinthians 14:34-35
                34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the law.
                35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church.

                If we have questions, we can ask our husbands. If they don’t know, then they might broach the subject the following Sunday. It’s not unusual during Sunday School in my conservative Mennonite church for a man to start out a question with “My wife brought up ….”

                Merrie

          4. Lisa

            I have always wanted to be Amish

            I knew that in our small midwestern community the Amish here stay to theirselves and do not accept outsiders very well. I even know a whole family that gave away all of their belongings and went to live Amish among them. After several years they were never really accepted and had to come back.

            I am interested in finding out more of their religous beliefs and how their church services are conducted.

            Thank you for your help.

            1. Lance

              Hi Lisa,

              I tried to become Amish, but did not stay. Why I did not stay is long, complicated and I don’t intend to tell the reasons why on this forum.

              As for what they believe, here is a link to several books that try to explain that:
              https://amishamerica.com/so_you_want_to_/comment-page-6/#comment-18133

              This is a description of Amish church services:
              https://amishamerica.com/what-is-amish-church-like/

              Address of bookstore for books from the first link:
              https://amishamerica.com/amish-bookstore/

              There is a lot of info in the Online Encyclopedia which can be found at the top of this web page. As you have experienced, not all Amish welcome outsiders. It is sad, but it is the way it is.

          5. Dirk

            Bible Study

            Seems it was a letter on a church door that ignited the reformation and not a lack of bible study, which does not seem to help those that do have bible studies. They have become more worldly and less christian in spite of bible studies. Seems that bible studies just confuse people and cause them to act secular.

            1. Lance

              Hi Dirk,

              I would agree, partly. Many people who study the Bible find that grace and faith set them free from the condemnation for their sins. They miss all the verses about a true faith creating a deep, heartfelt desire to obey the God that gave them that faith by grace. So, they sin more, not less. Not all people are that way, but too many are. Some do develop a desire to obey, but they obey men, instead of God. There is a nasty surprise waiting for them. Those that have a God given, deep, heartfelt desire to obey God, may be born again and therefore saved. Others? God knows. The only way to know how to obey God is to study His word. So, read the Word carefully, believe, trust God and obey Him at all times, and compare the Word to what other say to you about God and His will to make sure you are not obeying the commandments of men.

          6. Ada Car

            To Ernie Yoder or Eric or someone who can answer

            Have there been any “persons of color” or darker skin tone that have become Amish? I know the AMish originated out of Europe but if others can become Amish then have they allowed persons of darker skin tones. As I am sure all readers know when we were able to unlock soem of the secrets of DNA we found we are only one race and it put the theory of “races” to bed for good. There is an exelant book on this by a Christian called “One Blood” (not shure if that is the full title but google it).
            Also another thought; Taking in “new persons” into Amish should have been a comsistant practice since persons being to closely related getting married and having children can cause birth defects. Which is why GOD forbid marrage to a close relative. Do the AMish take this into consideration?

            1. Lance

              Colored Amish

              There are several colored Amish, but none are converts in the classical sense. One couple adopted a baby many years ago. That girl grew up Amish, joined church and married. Her first baby was black, despite the fact that she looked completely white. The church was just about to excommunicate her for adultery, but someone looked into her background and found she was part black. That child is now a young adult. I know she taught a yr at the Amish school about 35 miles from my place, but that is all I know of her.

              There is a New Order church near the Old Order one I went to. For several years, these New Orders had access to adopting cocaine babies. Several of those babies are black and were raised Amish from infants, with Penn. Dutch their native tongue. Someone found that mostly white people were receiving these babies and threatened the people who supplied the New Orders and they voluntarily stopped the adoptions. All of the adopted babies remained Amish. I do not know the count of how many were adopted nor if any of them stayed as that church had a major shakeup several years ago. Many people left at that time.

              1. Ada Car

                Thank You Lance

                Though you were not the one I thought to ask Thank You for answering. I read this and other blogs as well as some books I have been able to check out or find used. But none even touched this subject that I found. Thank You again.

        2. Cynthia

          I was having just the same thoughts as you have expressed. Jesus said(or maybe it was Paul’s words) that living for God would be reflected in our actions not our words… in how we live… by the example we show to the outside world. “As their is a great crowd of witnesses…”
          It says alot more to live it than to preach it.

          1. Paul A.B.

            Cynthia, I would even say that living it is the most credible form of witness. When I was active in my church years ago, I can’t tell you how many times I had to make the point to certain people not to make others feel guilty for not appearing “on fire” enough or for not being enthusiastic enough on the outside (based of course on the leaders’ opinions!) As a believer, I completely trust that Christ knows the heart of every man and woman; and that He will send the Spirit in such a way that will reach every person in the right time, place, and most importantly, the right WAY. It’s done on God’s time, and in His way, not according to the ambitions of the church group, the pastor, or anyone else. This is why I so respect the Anabaptist Christians: the example they give with their lives as a community is beautifully countercultural – to me at least. To me, they really do strive to walk the talk.

      2. Paul T.

        In reply to the person who wrote about evangelism

        I believe that if you joined the Amish there will still be PLENTY of people who will be in the world evangelizing the lost. That’s a silly thing to say, as if you and your family joining the Amish will put a stop to world evangelism.

        1. Ernie Yoder

          Amish Evangelism

          Ten years ago I was an Amish father of 7 children. I never dreamed that we would ever leave the Amish.. but.. within a very short time we knew we needed to leave the Amish. It was absolutely scary!! I had never cried so much in my life. Everyone was sharing scriptures with us that validated their opinions. It was so confusing…. until we made a decision for Christ… then the confusion vanished.

          Here is one confusing example; One Sunday one of our ministers in the Amish church made a confession in church(apologised)for preaching the gospel at a non-Amish funeral…why?? the Amish were offended.

          Compare that to the last commandment that Jesus gave before ascending to heaven… Go ye therefore, preach the Gospel, and teach them to observe ALL things that I have commanded you…

          After I dealt with the bitterness in my own heart toward the Amish..I can see the Amish from a different perspective.

          Their evangelism is more OT based than the teachings of our Lord in NT. The Children of Israel were commanded to be a witness but never commanded to evangelize. The Hebrews were very poor and unlearned and had no protection except for the power of God. Their ‘walk’ through the wilderness was to be a witness of the power of God to the surrounding cities and all regions beyond. It was the secular people telling other secular people about the GOD of these people. Take Rahab as an example; She chose to trust in God rather that the walls of her fortified city.

          Many times I see the Amish applying the OT principle instead of the New Testiment.

      3. Paul T

        In reply to the person who wrote about evangelism

        I believe that if you, Denis, joined the Amish there will still be PLENTY of people who will be in the world evangelizing the lost. If 10,000 people decided tomorrow to live like the Amish, there would still be thousands upon thousans left in the secular world. Are you afraid that every Christian in the world may decide to be Amish and never evangelize the outside world? It’s amazing to see how so many people don’t think their comments through before they post them. That’s a silly thing to say, as if you and your family joining the Amish will put a stop to world evangelism.

      4. ...

        Dude show me the run of the mill Christian who lives by the book.. Modern Christianity is a conformist by-product of a sick capitalistic society. Its continually perverted and moves further and further away from the messages of God. Amish have the right to keep to themselves, and by all rights they are probably the most righteous humans on earth by nature. Now I know you probably dont mean harm, but using Bible verses is not a lightly slung subject.. I can guarantee you that when they go to heaven theres not going to be a God who wags his finger at these folks. They are hands down awesome.

    6. Jeremy Robbins

      Join Pinecraft

      I am a local floridian looking to start a new life by getting back to the basics in life and back to my heritage. Where would I start to apply/join the amish at pinecrest? Thanks!

      1. dana mcewan

        i tried joining....

        I have a lot of answers and advice, feel free to email me. I lived Amish for a while and then left

        1. Rachel Ward

          What made you want to leave?

          1. dana mcewan

            I had kids from a previous relationship. They don’t let your kids fit in. They don’t really ever truly accept outsiders. You’re always whispered about…and where I was, I was pushed away. They refused to even let me try. I tried on my own, aged an Amish man….and he couldn’t bear that they wouldn’t let me try…. He left me…to go back because he saw it never working. Yet he knew going back he’d never be happy either. Where I was, they lie… They lie like you wouldn’t believe and you’re left speechless because they seem so loving from the outside. They don’t hug, or kiss…they don’t say I love you…. It’s hard. And very hard to go from one life where you need a hug when you cry, and in some parts of their world, they won’t hug you and they tell you to suck it up, there’s work to do.

            1. Paul A. B.

              Thanks for sharing your experience Dana. Interesting… it seems like at least part of what you experienced was culture-related. Culture shock can be observed to produce similar effects, religion notwithstanding. In large multicultural cities one can see a similar pattern: people from different “worlds” may ride the bus together or live in the same neighborhood, but never really interact, because the underlying assumptions that make up their respective mentalities just don’t “speak” to one another. So, human nature favors the easier thing, which is to ignore the oddities in one’s midst. In general, North Americans are open and welcoming to strangers – but in other cultures, this is not the case: the culture may seek to protect its perceived integrity by limiting interaction with “outliers”, if you will.

              Now, on the other hand – and here is the important part – when we approach other people from a Christian perspective, in my opinion at least it is always called for to extend a welcoming and warm hand, rather than to hunker down and exclude. At least one must make the effort. Yes, it can be hard, because of human nature… but I feel it’s something that a Christian is called to do. From that perspective, exclusion or worse, backbiting – human as it may be – are the wrong reactions.

              Just my two cents from the sidelines…

            2. Ernie Yoder

              Dana,

              It grieves my heart to read your post …but I know exactly what you are saying. That is so true for some of the Amish. BUT.. They are no all like that.

              There were times I came home from school and just went out behind the barn and cried my guts out. I just cried out to God,”Its just not fair that some of these children have to grow up in such ungodly, unloving homes. Some of these children are so confused about Christianity.”

              When I saw that I really do need to leave the Amish in order to seperate from false doctrines… I was shocked!! I never dreamed I’d ever leave the Amish. At the same time we had such a peace in our hearts as we sought the Lords direction. It was an incredible journey… and still is. Oh, but God is so faithful and loving!!

              I still love my people… and am well accepted by the Amish including the bishops, ministers, and the Amish in general. There may be a few here and there that would view me as a deceiver..but the Lord will take care of that for me.

              I enjoy the fellowship with them and many times our discussion opens up to discussing the Bible… I love those divine appointments. It is such an inspiration to me to be able to share the love, grace, and power of our Lord Jesus Christ with my people.. the Amish.

              1. The other side of the coin for “bad” experiences with people trying to join the Amish is that the Amish have had their share of “bad” experiences. I am thinking, for example, of the man that joined, married an Amish lady, then ran off with the young girl they had hired to help in the produce patch. To this day he and his second wife have not repented. And there are plenty of stories of folks coming around acting interested in the Amish, but they end up being hucksters who swindle money from them, taking advantage of the compassionate hand that the Amish stretched out to them … to the tune of thousands, if not ten thousands, of dollars. So, this makes some Amish leery of “seekers.” Unfortunately, there are sour grapes in about any large group of people.

                1. Valerie

                  You are so correct PC

                  I have heard of communities too that have been deceived & hurt. They must walk circumspectly as the Bible teaches.

                  That story you mentioned-I believe is Elizabeth Edwards who was left. I had the PLEASURE of meeting her, spending time with her & hear her testimony, it is one of the most awesome testimonies I’ve heard!

                  Sadly, the spouse who left her spewed lies on national t.v. (2020)
                  about the situation, but you know what? Today Elizabeth has been on her own for 20 years since he left & is a shining example of the Lord being her husband. I would love to take van loads of divorced women to listen to her testimony to hear how you can remain single & walk with God & have a fulfilled life!

                  1. Valerie, that is not the only incident of joining, marrying in a Plain church, and then proving unfaithful. But more common is the story of those after money.
                    When I lived with the Amish in Montana, I heard story after story of folks coming into that community (being so far west, it seemed to draw more “seekers” than the average eastern Amish congregation would), acting interested in the faith, and then disappearing with money in their pocket from some Amish fellow who wanted to help a struggling seeker financially. In fact, I sort of faulted some of the Amish there for being so gullible. But if we are going to err in being too hard-hearted or too soft-hearted, it is better to be too soft-hearted. God will bless those who are compassionate, even if some gullibility is involved. Mike

              2. Ernie Yoder

                Sorry, I forgot to give my contact information.

                You can email me at freedom@ernieyoder.com

                I was very bitter toward the Amish when I left. I had written a 22 page letter to one of the ministers explaining their false teaching… BUT … I never sent him the letter. I am so glad I didn’t send it.

                I had to deal with the ‘beam’ in my own eye, so I could see clearly to help my people with the ‘speck’ in their eye.

                I love my people. Our 2 oldest daughters are married Amish and have Amish families. We have a wonderful relationship with our children… regardless are they Amish or not. Six of our grandchildren are also Amish… and yes… they love their gwampa. 🙂

                1. Paul A.B.

                  How the Amish appear to me

                  Hi Ernie, thanks for being here and for sharing your perspective.

                  I may have mentioned in various posts here since coming to the site what appeals to me about the Amish way. I was raised Catholic and still practice my faith – but I have an admiration to the way Anabaptist Christians organize their societies and faith lives.

                  My first contact with Anabaptist folks was as a young visitor to an auction over 30 years ago. The Amish and Old Order Mennonites fascinated me because they moved on an entirely different plane. Observing them, I perceived people whose minds were unpolluted by Hollywood and all that goes with that. You could see how their daily toils had molded their spirits; their spirits were in a different place, almost. They were a thrifty, capable people, insular, family- and work-focused. And there they were, right there next to me, so completely different.

                  Nowadays I have few opportunities to speak with Anabaptists, but I cherish the ones I do get. Websites like this one give me much joy. Not much has changed in thirty years: I still appreciate the values that I saw in them all those years ago, perhaps even more so today, as I look at the various failings of our own society, all the social disconnect, and even the imperfections in my own church.

                  When I look at the Anabaptists today, I see that their commitment to the faith as they know it has resulted in the retention of many good values that wider society has long since traded away.

                2. Rebecca

                  Is wanting to be... coveting

                  Before I can even remember I wished I was raised Amish- and as I read a lot of these comments, one thing that sticks out to me is the tenth commandment. Yes, I had & sometimes have such a strong desire to be part of the Amish community until a trip to Lancaster showed me just how harsh they are to outsiders. And not just the “tourists” (which I understand why they would be-with so many people making them an attraction!), but also just to a passersby. I have been exposed to many Christian beliefs, and because of my personal convictions don’t like to catagorize myself as 1 specific religion. But my question is this, to admire is of nature, to want or desire is of the flesh- so to speak and at what point is it to covet? The 10th Commandment doesn’t just say your neighbor’s house, or wife, but goes on to list all that belongs to him. Can’t that include the lifestyle, the simplicity, the quietness, the friends, the family, the closeness of the Amish culture- all these things that everyone, including myself want? Where is the line drawn? I find myself searching to get closer to the Amish area and lifestyle, but in doing so am I disobeying God>?

              3. Daniel

                Interested in joinning Amish

                Hi im Daniel from England, im 27yr old fed up of modern living and way of life, i have no real attachments (such as wife, kids, mortgage), would like to talk to someone who knows more about Amish life. I recently saw the TV doc about the Amish teens in London which is where I’m from and couldn’t believe that I felt i had more in common with them than the English kids, anyway is there anyone who wants to talk more to me? I would consider traveling over to the ‘Amish community’ from England and seeing for myself if i would like living an amish lifestyle.

                btw, my mother was brought up in the Brethren which is a similar group to the Amish in England in that they would shun alot of modern technology and so showed there faith by cutting themselves off from the world, not to the degree the Amish do, but i think that my mums views and upbringing rubbed off on me alot so I have a similar outlook to them.

                God Bless

              4. Daniel

                Interested in joinning Amish

                Hi im Daniel from England, im 27yr old fed up of modern living and way of life, i have no real attachments (such as wife, kids, mortgage), would like to talk to someone who knows more about Amish life. I recently saw the TV doc about the Amish teens in London which is where I’m from and couldn’t believe that I felt i had more in common with them than the English kids, anyway is there anyone who wants to talk more to me? I would consider traveling over to the ‘Amish community’ from England and seeing for myself if i would like living an amish lifestyle.

                btw, my mother was brought up in the Brethren which is a similar group to the Amish in England in that they would shun alot of modern technology and so showed there faith by cutting themselves off from the world, not to the degree the Amish do, but i think that my mums views and upbringing rubbed off on me alot so I have a similar outlook to them.

                God Bless

                dnspring64@gmail.com

              5. Tracy Lee

                Love hearing about youre life as amish always loved how they lived not depending on the world as of everywhere else I would say they have there own set of problems.I would like to hear more of youre life if you or youre wife would like to talk I have a facebook or by e-mail charlesberea86@hotmail.com my # is 859-248-6284.

              6. Merna Basson

                Who wouldn't want to join the Amish?

                We live in South Africa and share the same roots as the Amish in America. Our language is very similar and our church, the Dutch Reformed Church, was also based on the Dortrecht Confession. Our ways and beliefs are also very close to that of the Amish, but with less restrictions.

                But there is one big difference. We have no peace. It is more dangerous to be an Afrikaans(Dutch)farmer than an active serving police officer in the South African Police Service. More farmers than police officers are killed in South Africa in a year. And not just killed, but tortured for hours, raped and then butchered. And no one even knows…

                So, who wouldn’t want to be Amish?

            3. Valerie

              To Dana

              Hi Dana,
              I read your story above & I’m sorry for your experience. I hope that you have found a fellowship that has embraced you and your pain, & helping your family draw closer to Christ who is the one that will continually heal & love you. Just like with all branches of Christianity, you will find good churches & ones that may need help themselves, hopefully you can forgive them.
              Love & prayers,
              Valerie

            4. Paula

              Dana, I am just now reading the back posts on this long thread. The coolness, the unaffectionateness if that is a word, is probably more Germanic than specifically Amish or Mennonite; it is a cultural thing. My mother is Danish and her whole clan were like that. My father was German Swiss background and the old people are all like that, kind of Victorian. It is only my generation (I am 55 now) that has loosened up and more inclined to give you a hug or whatever and they are a holiness group not Anabaptist.
              One thing you will not see is men and women exchanging affection because of the important of maintaining good morality. At my daughter’s Bible college you will see young guys and girls hug each other after a choir program or whatever but you won’t see that in the plain church people. You only see a husband put his arm around his wife in the youngest people, and then usually at a wedding or funeral. It is more of an old European, maybe Germanic cultural thing.

              1. Valerie

                Affection-and lack of in cultures

                Paula, I just read this and it confirms what I always believed as well. I have heard Amish highly criticized for lack of physical affection but like you explained so well, it really is an ethnic, not Amish, cutural behavior. People didn’t used to go around hugging each other so freely like they do now, and as we know, Amish do not change according to what the current society does-it just makes it seem like they lack affection now that everyone else displays it so openly. When former Amish youth leave, Englishers so thoughtlessly, at times, make their parents look so cold because they lacked the hugs we all are so used to, and the Amish youth then feel they were not loved-I think it’s rubbing salt in their wounds when in reality, people in general, didn’t used to be so warm & affectionate physically, & some ethnicities especially it seems-for whatever reason. Ive heard this with German friends I had regarding their grandparents & parents too-wasn’t an “Amish flaw”.

                Thanks for what you thoughfully explained. Wish alot of former Amish youth read that so they wouldn’t feel so unloved when they come out in the English world & witness hugging so much, and conclude, at times, that they possibly weren’t loved.

        2. Patty Adams

          so you want to join the Amish

          I would be very interested in talking to you about your experiences with the Amish. I am already a plain dressed, covered Christian, but as people so kindly point out on a daily basis, I stick out like a sore thumb. I am 90% sure I am ready to join the Amish and would really like to talk you.
          Thank you.

          1. Merrie Rancourt

            Sore Thumb

            Sticking out like a sore thumb is something I do on a daily basis, Patty. There aren’t a whole lot of Amish or conservative Mennonites living in Denver, CO. 🙂

            We travel almost 2 hours to get to church when we can. I do this because I am a servant of the Lord and want to please Him.

            I’ll agree that it’s not easy! But then, what He did for us makes our struggles look like a cake walk.

          2. Rachel

            Patty adams

            I have strongly considered the plain dress and covered lifestyle, and i would very much like to talk to you about it. you can contact me @ lilydragon_10@yahoo.com thank you.

            1. Patty Adams

              Rachel, I just saw this post today. I will be e-mailing you in a few seconds. Had a talk with a bishop’s wife yesterday. I think I am ready to make the leap. I am actually sitting here trying to get up the nerve to call some people she told me about and deciding what to say to strangers!

    7. Mum C

      Summer Work Experience

      Blaire – I would just like to ask you how you got in contact with the family you were placed with for the summer. Our son is 16 and keen to experience working and living with an Amish family this coming summer. He is keen to work hard and live with a welcoming family with strong Christian values who care. Many thanks.

    8. Sherry Hughett

      Admire the Amish lifestyle

      I have been interested in the Amish lifestyle for many years. I admire the Amish for their hard work, commitment to family and their values. I have often wished I had been born 100 years earlier. I recently started reading the fiction books that are set in Amish country by Beverly Lewis. I think I could learn to get along without cars and electricity, but until I read the Lewis books I didn’t realize that salvation by faith in Jesus (being saved) was not generally accepted by most Amish communities. This really surprised me! Maybe I should be Mennonite.

      1. Ernie Yoder

        Sherry,

        The Amish believe in salvation thru the Lord Jesus Christ. They are a little hesitant in stating that they are ‘saved’ because they are still on the spiritual battlefield. Their use of the word ‘saved’ is used for people that have passed beyond the reach of sin or temptation per se. That is the completion of salvation.

        The Amish are more familiar with ‘Bund uf richte mit Gott und die Gmay’. This is translated ‘they are in covenant with God and the church.’ They have seen and heard the abuse and hypocrisy of the word ‘saved’ used falsely and I think that is why they don’t use that term. However there are Amish that will used that term openly and confidently. Some of these would be considered bold or overconfident by some of the Amish.

        They seek to endure to the end… and be saved.

        1. Paul A.B.

          Ernie, thanks for sharing this knowledge.

          I would have to agree with the Amish view that you’ve explained. To me it shows that they leave the question of a person’s salvation, ultimately, to God – and not to the (possibly overconfident?) believer.

          Also, I do agree that life on earth is a spiritual battlefield right to the very end of this temporal/physical existence. As we move through life, we strive to be at one with Christ, aware of the fact that we will continue to slip up, and continue to need one another to lean on (thus, the community of believers). We also look to Jesus Himself for forgiveness and renewed resolve in this “battle” that we call life.

          There is so much about the Amish approach to the faith that appeals to me, even as a practicing RC… but to list it all would probably fill a book.

          Blessings.

          1. Denis

            Amish Community

            Hi Paul A. B.
            I was under the ministry of the Roman Church. Some stuff came to mind after reading “Pagan Christianity” (Frank Viola and George Barna).
            I have this nagging hunch that most of what we settle for has little biblical basis. A non biblical parable comes to mind and it goes like this:One day Satan is sent for by God. God tells him that man has been called to some thing very precious and it is called God’s family. This family is known as the church. Satan replies, no problem, I’ll help them to organize it. Read church history my friend,you’ll know what I mean. My guess is that where man is concerned nothing is perfect.
            Sincere Blessings.

        2. Shelley

          I have always been curious about the Amish, their ability to maintain their way of life, especially in this day and age is incredible. However, as Christians, we are called to share the word of God with all who have ears to hear. Yes, the Bible does tell us to “not be conformed” to the world, but…we are also told to spread the good news of Jesus. The Amish, by being separatists, seem to be unwilling to share their faith, thus excluding those people who may truly see them as a “light” a way for them to find their own way to Jesus. Until recently, I was unaware of just how harsh the Amish can be towards not only outsiders but their own families. This harshness may be a by-product of their way of living, they are in a sense “modern day pioneers” and the pioneers had it very hard. We are all sinners and we all, including the Amish, are living in a very fallen world. We must work towards obtaining a deeper understanding of each other, so that we can live side by side without animosity. God Bless

    9. Satin Adkins

      What is a girl to do..

      Hello everyone, my name is Satin. No, it is not pronounced as “Satan,” the devil, but my name is the Silk fabric like..Satin sheets or Satin dresses.
      In any case, I am a 19 year old girl & live in Ohio. Ever since I was a young girl, I was always fascinated by the Amish lifestyle. You think it would have disappeared, surprisingly, it hasn’t. To this day, I still would like to be Amish. I am a beginning college student, I live on my own with my boyfriend, and work at a restaurant. Sadly, I find my life very depressing. I know I am truly blessed; however, I just feel like simplicity is missing. Even though I am very young, I feel rushed. I just wish I could live a lifestyle that is simple & obedient to the Lord our God. I feel very pressured by my parents & boyfriend, that if I do not succeed in college, I will not have a respectful life. I totally disagree with them. I am not doing so well in my courses, because basically, the subjects are very difficult. I feel if I cannot even pass college courses, then what is the point? If I cannot pass them, I will not get the degree. Therefore, I am pushed back to my longing desire of the Amish lifestyle. I love the fact of living by the word of God & living by what the Bible says. I just find it too difficult for me to live a simple life when I am surrounded by the chaos of our society today. I cannot stand the fact that I feel pressured to wear makeup everyday & to impress people. I believe that if I lived the “Amish Way,” I would not be pressured to do all these things because I would be accepted if I followed the rules, I could be satisfied with the way that God made me. At the moment, I am struggling to make a decision. I know my boyfriend would not become Amish with me, but if this is the lifestyle I want, then leaving him would be one of the many sacrifices I would have to make. I know I would disappoint my father. To him, me going to college & getting a job where I am making a lot of money, seems to be the only thing that is important to him. Literally, our conversations are always more focused on…school & if I don’t do this or don’t do that..I will not have a fruitful life. It saddens me that this is his main concern for my life. I know he just wants the best for me, but he doesn’t really see eye to eye with me if I become interested in something or a way of being that doesn’t satisfy him. My mother, on the other hand, she is supportive of me no matter what decision I make in my life, as long as I have good intentions. What it all comes down to, is how (I) want to live my life. You would think that my father would be proud of me wanting to make this transition, to live a life more devoted to God, as seeing that he is a Christian, as well. I know I am not making hasty decisions. I really want this. I know it would be really hard giving the fact that I am a young girl trying to change my life. & I know giving up my electronic conveniences would be really hard, but I really just need to find myself & the life I want. Right now, I am trying to see if there is any Amish family willing to take me in to get some experience before I would make this decision. I want to make sure that I am truly ready to serve God’s will. If there is anyone that can help me, I would much appreciate it.

      (Sorry for rambling) Just had to get it all out.

      1. Satin, your desires sound quite normal for those seeking to escape from the pressures that culture places on our necks.
        If you really want to follow God, though, I would suggest simply starting to order your life by His Word in your present setting. You mention living with your boyfriend, for example. What does God’s Word have to say about that?
        Start by aligning your life to the teachings of Jesus in the setting you are in. It will be hard. Jesus promised that. Taking up the cross means doing those things that are absolutely contrary to human nature.
        I left my email address in a post above, if you want contact with Plain People in Ohio who would be willing to help you in your journey. But my first advice is to start today by taking up the cross and living by the teachings of Jesus. God will help you each difficult step of the way.

        1. Satin Adkins

          Thank you so much! Your advice will really help starting off & thank you for replying, I really appreciate you taking out the time to do so! I definitely am trying to better myself, & know I have sinned. I strongly agree with everything that you have said – I feel that is the definite way to begin my journey! My email is also, satin_adkins@hotmail.com If you know of Amish located in Ohio that would be interested in letting me stay with them or any other ways of finding a family willing to, you can send me anything on that email. I am generally located around the Sugarcreek/Berlin area when it comes to living near the Amish. I appreciate your kindness & thank you so much again!

        2. Chantel

          I to, want what satin wants, but I am 31 , I am planning a trip to Ohio, next week, and if u could e mail me,I too would love to see about”trying” to become Amish. I want to live there a year! After that I’ll make a decision. If u would be willing to help me, it would be every so wonderful! Thank you, Chantel

          1. for Chantel

            You will need to send me an email at atnips@gmail.com
            Also, what Ernie says below has a lot of truth to it. Joining the Amish (or any church, for that matter) will not be an automatic ticket to happiness. Before joining any Plain church, one must be convinced that the underlying teachings of (for example) simple living, modesty, head coverings, nonresistance, etc are truth, and they want with all their heart to live those truths out with a community of others who also believe those things.
            Those who are not convinced of those truths will jump out as fast as they jumped into a Plain church.

      2. Don Curtis

        My son did just what you wish for

        My son, Mark, did just what you seem to desire. He joined the Amish at the age of 50. He’s now 59 and been Amish over 9 years. I think he would say it’s been a blessing for him but as he always says, “being Amish isn’t for everybody not even for all of those born Amish.”
        You could write to him and see what he has to say. Here is his address:
        Mark Curtis
        9417 County Road 101
        Belle Center, OH 43310

        1. Katie Sarah

          A QUESTION AND SUCH FOR DON!!!

          Hello Don!
          My name is Katie Sarah. You speak a lot and highly of your son, Mark on this forum as well as When A son Joins the Amish forum. I am 18 years old and I am from Rio Rancho and currently live on my own because my parents died four months back in an accident. The only family I have right now is my brother and my grandmother and am not aware of any other existing family members. No not even aunts or uncles or anything. Oh and I am going to travel up to Ohio the last week of July for a short vacation.
          Since I was four years old I wanted to join the Amish. At first it started out that I was only fascinated and humbled by the way the Amish girls dressed and all they learned about raising a family and that they seemed to live that old fashioned way that I always was fascinated with. But at fourteen I was saved by the Grace of God and I found that their was no love like the love of God and that His way was the way. To submit to him and practice a life of humility and faith was relieving and I found that my love and faith for Him was growing stronger by the day. And for that I found that the Amish was most definitely “The Way” for me. My mind has been set on it for fourteen years now and I still have no intentions on giving up.
          I have gone to numerous churches. Catholic, United Methodist, Mormon, Jewish, Muslim, Latter-Day Saints, Our Lady of the Lake, etc. You name the church, I’ve been there and none of those churches added up the worshipful and faithful atmosphere I witnessed in an Amish church held at home when I was 16.
          Which then started my journey on wanting to join the Amish. Obviously, so far I have not been successful because of my lack of family and lack to travel as well as the fact I work long, hard hours to earn enough money just to pay rent, afford food, and continue living in general which really can be a bad thing because it never leaves me enough money and means to travel up to Ohio and join an Amish community as Id like to so that I can start the path that I believe God set knowingly in front of me. And I know that it is never easy to join the Amish because of all of the changes one must make from this modern day, hectic world but I believe that through God and in Him, all things are possible if you just keep faith in Him and walk blindly in his love. I hope to learn the Amish ways, join the church, and settle down as quickly as possible because I am so tired of putting it off and I am also very eager as well to join the church and start my life the way I believe God intended me to.
          So with that being said do you know if you or your son, Mark, could help me? I know this is a stretch what with the distance and the privacy of the Amish people but anything is a blessing these days. I have been searching for ways to help myself in my journey to become Amish but unfortunately it has not turned out so well for me because of as always my lack of being able to move around currently.
          God Bless!!!

          1. Don Curtis

            joining the Amish

            Hi Katie Sarah,
            Well, I don’t know that I can help you to become Amish. I’m not Amish nor do I wish to become Amish. My son, Mark, is the one who is Amish. I’ve posted his address on the site. You could write to him and see if he could help you. I’ll post it, again:

            Mark Curtis
            9417 County Road 101
            Belle Center, OH 43310

          2. Lance

            Miss Katie Sarah,

            Since Don has said his piece, I jump in and add what I can.

            You say you are saved. Most Old Order Amish would not accept someone into the order that says that. If you say you have come to a faith in Jesus Christ and now want to live a changed life for Him, that is okay, I believe. But declarations of assurance of salvation are not tolerated in almost all Old Orders. Many New Order Amish, New New Order Amish, Beachy Amish, and Charity Ministries churches may say those things. You need to ask them. There are websites that have information about Beachy Amish and Charity, just search on them.

            Mark Curtis’ community is New Order Amish. He should be a good first contact for you. I don’t know where Rio Rancho is, but it is in the southwest US, correct? If so, Kansas is a lot closer to you and has some rather progressive Amish that may be more to your liking. Get in touch with Mose Gingerich and ask if he can help you contact Esther M from his Amish:Out of Order series, she was from Hutchinsen, KS. Search for Mose Knows Autos. His email address is on the About Mose page.

            Good luck, becoming Amish is not easy. May God be with you on your journey and may He guide your steps to where you need to be to serve Him best.

          3. Ada Car

            Katie Sarah

            I encourage you to read the comment in this site from Rachel titled “Joining the Amish” March 27th 2012. She has given great advise on this. and the comments of Merrie Rancourt as well.
            There are a lot of good Amish communities around the country. I moved to an area north of Springfield , MO which has several new Amish communities. No doubt there are several churches that are here and in dealing with them and talking to the locals that do I have learned a little and learned which seem most conservative and which are not and which deal with the “English” here and which do not like to deal with “English”. I would suggest visiting then moving to a community you like first. I know you said you work to much to travel. But you could rent a room in a home near Amish and pick up a minimal job to cover that for a time. Also read the comment by Bob the Quaker on June 20th near the end of this site on what he said to do which is start living it now do not wait for Amish to take you in first. DO the life style and look to join.

    10. Ernie Yoder

      Satin,
      I really don’t think you will be removed from the pressures of life by joining the Amish. Actually, the pressures of life will be different when you join the Amish … but you will discover that those pressures are even stronger than those you had previously.

      I can assure you… not all is as it appears to be. I’m sure there are exceptions to this, but overall, the Amish train themselves on ‘appearance’. They put much emphasis on how they ‘look’ to others. Many pleasant facial expressions are masking pain, anger, etc.

      Don’t judge the store by the things you observe in the picture window.

    11. Satin Adkins

      A hasty decision..

      I definitely understand what you’re saying, Ernie. For example, I know that if I would become Amish, I would have to take on the role of a typical Amish woman & generally submit to her husband. This would be an adventure for me because I have been very spoiled in not having many chores throughout my childhood, etc etc. However, I do enjoy the life of what a housewife would have. Also, I do believe that all the aspects of Amish dress are truth. I firmly believe in the head covering, dresses, and modesty. I myself, dress modest, actually. I never wear short skirts, shorts or revealing shirts. However, I fall short on the “tight” pants. I hardly even go around just wearing a t-shirt, I always feel I need long sleeves on. I don’t really understand why, but that’s how i’ve always been. So, I feel I would be content with the aspects of Amish dress. As you’ve said about the expressions, I would definitely need to improve on them. I tend to get very impatient at times when I don’t necessarily mean to, but hey, we’re all human. I also definitely agree with what you said at the end of your comment, that’s why before I would make a hasty decision into joining an Amish church, I would really like to live with an Amish family for some time to really see what my life would really be like if I made the decision to leave the outside world. Thank you so much for just opening more facts about all of this to me.

      1. Merrie

        A Hasty Decision

        Hi Satin,

        Ultimately you would only desire to become Amish in order to please the Lord. The Amish dress and live like they do because they want to please Him, not to please themselves.

        If it’s the lifestyle you want, you can have that. The Amish way is a form of worshiping our Lord. In the same way being a conservative Mennonite or a member of another conservative Anabaptist church requires devotion to the Lord, studying the Bible, and desiring only to please Him.

        Are you at that point?

        Blessings,
        Merrie

    12. Satin Adkins

      Imperfection..

      Indeed they do. It is a lifestyle I want. I have always wanted a life that was a life..guided, I guess you could say. I feel lost without living by God’s word, fully. I guess, living the Amish Way would make me feel whole. One could say I am at that point, because I do read my Bible & I do try to better myself, I attend Sunday School & Church service regularly, & I do “practice what I preach” or at I least I make it a point to do so, for I do want to please Him. Despite my carefree ways, I desire a disciplined life. However, I do believe that the Amish live the way they do because it makes themselves happy, (as well). I viewed a documentary about the Amish way of life & there was a woman who left the Amish church for 18 years & then returned because of the “security.” By this, she meant everyone being there for one another, she loved this fact of Amish life & wanted it. Her exact words. But, who am I to say. Just a thought. Of course I want to live the Amish life for all of its good reasons; but I am not perfect & of course this will take time for me to change if this is the exact life that I wish live.
      Thank you very much for your input & thoughts 🙂
      ~ Satin

      1. Merrie Rancourt

        Imperfection

        We’re all imperfect Satin! The only one who isn’t died for us over 2,000 years ago. 🙂

        I was once where you are now. Please consider joining the Amish and Mennonite group on Yahoo (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Amish_and_Mennonite/). This group really helped me find my way. The moderators also have lists of conservative Mennonite churches across the country. One might be near you. I’m in Colorado, so I have to travel 2 hours to my church but it is SO worth it!

        Conservative Mennonites lead structured lives as well. The difference (in my own opinion) is that they welcome anyone who attends a service. I’ve seen people with tats, earrings, jeans, etc., attend and feel the acceptance of the church. The services are in English. It would certainly give you a feel for how it is to live a life where everyone in the community can easily identify you as a Christian. Believe it or not, that alone can be very hard!

        I believe I’m the only Merrie Rancourt on Facebook, so feel free to connect with me that way if you’d like.

        Blessings,
        Merrie

      2. Daryl

        Becoming Plain

        My heart really goes out to all of you blessed people who desire to join the Amish or other plain church.
        Perhaps my two cents will help.

        Being Amish is not just about being religious or about being different from the world, it is a way of life that an outsider will always be running to catch up with. There are nuances that one has to be raised with to truly understand and what the Amish take for granted and obvious may be totally foreign for an outsider and can cause frustration for both sides. But having said that, it is possible to become plain with persistance. How long it will take depends on the person.

        The most important thing for outsiders to bear in mind, is that they do not have an opinion. God had an opinion and expressed it in the Bible for us to follow without question. And where God has not given a direct opinion, the elders and minister/bishop will. What you think or feel about an issue or interpretation of scripture will not be asked for or welcomed. All that is required of you as a faithful member is obedience.
        This is the hardest thing for people raised in a english culture which teaches them to speak up and express themselves, that says that they have a right to an opinion. Sorry this is not the plain way.

        First step to joining is to start on your personal life before even attempting to make contact with a plain community. If you can follow the following for six months, then we can move onto the second step.

        First Step
        Get rid of the following items in your personal surroundings. Your TV, DVD, radio, paintings on walls, displayed photos, all carvings, sculpture and statues. Next get rid of all immodest and worldly clothes, secular music, magazines and books. Cancel all worldly subscriptions. For women stop wearing make-up, dying the hair, all jewelery, cut long nails short and no nail polish. Don’t worry about a head covering yet, that will come.
        Women to wear only long dresses and keep shoulders covered, men no T-shirts or short pants, only lounge shirts and long pants. And no socializing or partying with non-plain friends at worldly places like bars or clubs, even for their birthday. No going to movies or other places of worldly entertainment like fun parks, theater, amuzement arcades, country clubs, etc.

        Second Step
        If after living plainish in your personal life for six months you still want to continue, it is time to attend weekly worship at your nearest plain church (Brethren, Mennonite, Charityite, etc.) that covers and sings hymns a cappella. By now being plain should be second nature and women can start covering full time.

        After six months of worshipping at a plain church and being exposed in a greater depth to a plain lifestyle, one will be in a position to decide if one wants to go to the next step of giving up electricity and any other modern appliances still left in ones life and move to an area where the Amish live and attend their church, or stay where one is at. The novice year is over, some of the worldly contamination and desires have been washed away.

        Satin the pre-first step for you is to move out from living with your boyfriend. Unmarried people of the opposite sex living together, even in innocence, is totally not allowed.

        God’s blessings on all who try, for without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to assist in this endevor, one will not succeed as the flesh will rebel. That is the whole purpose of plain living, to separate the goats from the sheep, to separate those who cannot control their worldly desires and lusts of the flesh from those who can, to separate those who will not submit to God’s will, to the yoke of heaven, from those who can.
        Many are called but few are chosen.

        1. Merrie Rancourt

          Daryl

          Thank you for such a well-thought out plan (for lack of a better word). It isn’t easy, but is so worth it to serve God the way in which He is leading you.

          Satin, I concur with Daryl. Living with your boyfriend is living in sin. You will need to move out and accept the gift of forgiveness. From there you lead a chaste life until marriage … and that is with no possibility of divorce. It’s pretty well spelled out in the New Testament.

        2. Paul A.B.

          Hi Daryl,

          Although I’m reading from the sidelines, I do want to thank you for this informative and accurate post. My observations of plain people (mostly Old Order Mennonites) have made it clear to me that not only is the Anabaptist way a faith (a complete dedication to Christ, based on which one’s entire life is then structured accordingly), but also a culture unto itself. This is critical for those wishing to enter both the faith, and the said culture.

          Personally, I would like to see our North American society in general adopting more plain values. There’s such a cosmetic veneer put on things, and people are disconnected from life, and from one another. Often we chase after things that are fleeting and that don’t bring out the best side of our human potential. Just look at how badly the economy has been managed, and the values that have led it to where it now is. If society as a whole “thought plain”, I doubt it would ever have happened as it did.

          It’s something that I think about rather often.

    13. Bruno

      Questions

      So I would like to join the amish too but I have a question…

      So they live modest.
      They have horese.

      Isn’t it quiet expensive to have a horse ?

    14. Daryl

      Forgot

      Sorry, forgot to mention, very important. Read the books written by the founding fathers of Anabaptism, available from amazon.com or hbbookcentre.com or scrollpublishing.com or homefirespub.com and also read Martyrs Mirror. It will be of tremendous help in understanding the Anabaptist mindset.

      What an exciting and blessed experience you will have, as you discover how not to be only hearers of God’s Word, but doers as well. How not to be like those who praise God with their lips while their hearts are far from Him, living their worldly egocentric lives and claiming to be Christians.

      Don’t waste time with trying to learn Anabaptist ways from liberal assimilated Mennonites or Brethren churches, they have forsaken the biblical narrow path of salvation for the worldly broad path of damnation. They have become friends with the world and the enemies of God. May God help them to return to the narrow path and be true to the faith as their forefathers were.

    15. Paula

      It can be done

      Greetings Satin,
      It is possible to join a conservative Anabaptist church; we have. You have received much good advice. From the faith side you need to be seeking to walk with the Lord, and from the practical side you need to be willing to lay aside many things that have cluttered up and tended to corrupt modern life. We are not Amish but we are in conservative plain church fellowship and have been since 1999. There is also an email discussion list called Mennonite Plain to which I belong. It is moderated by a conservative Mennonite minister and another older plain brother. If you are interested you can send a blank email to this address:
      mennoniteplain-subscribe@associate.com
      You will get contacted back by Brother Delmas or Richard. On this list, there are conservative Mennonites and Beachy people, those who have joined churches from another background like us, and other people who are looking at joining an Anabaptist group.
      Hope to see you there!
      Paula

      1. Merrie Rancourt

        Paula

        Hi Paula,

        Those two brothers are also on the Amish and Mennonite Yahoo group. The email for that group is Amish_and_Mennonite-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

        Blessings,
        Merrie

    16. Jezebel

      Da Omish r a kult. dey opress woman. i wunce wuz 1.

      1. Merrie Rancourt

        Oppression of Women

        It isn’t oppression to willingly obey our Lord and the headship order. For those that don’t know what that is, it is explained in 1 Corinthians 11. Simply put it is God –> Christ –> man –> woman. It is only oppression if you have not accepted His grace and mercy.

        Even in the modern, secular world there is a “pecking” order and women are usually fighting it constantly. Someone has to make a final decision in any relationship. The headship order makes life so much simpler. My husband listens to me and treats me as he would the church, but if we differ, I defer to him. There is no joy in fighting for supremacy in a relationship.

        1. Jezebel observer

          Jezebel was joking

          Merrie,
          Jezebel was joking and never Amish.
          People today don’t understand I Corinthians 11 and what it’s true application is at all, especially professing Christians alot of the time.

        2. Joy

          I agree

          Merrie,
          I have always been an independent, head strong, stubborn woma. I do agree with you though that fighting for supremecy or fighting over somthing in a relationship is not worth it. People should treat each other with respect and love each other.

          Joy

    17. Why Plain is good

      Thanks for the information Paula. I think “Plain” is good, and all of us can and should cut back. It’s liking living a “Green” life. I have had many friends ask why anyone would not want to use all the modern conveniences of today. I tell them what a wise Amish said. “We are not necessarily against modern technology. We have simply chosen not to be controlled by it.”

      1. Paula

        Why Plain is good

        I just use the term “plain” to distinguish the more traditional groups from the ones who have drifted into modern American society practice-wise. That is a good way to express it, Bob. We want to use technology, not be controlled by it. So much today is entertainment oriented. It deadens the mind and makes us into couch potatoes.

        To add to what Merrie said about “oppression”. You are going to have converted and unconverted people in many churches, kind and selfish, loving and harsh unfortunately. There is some variation between groups, and even within groups there is variation on some applications because of the personality of the people involved. New congregations seem to have less rules until somebody does something out of bounds and then suddenly there is a new rule made. But English society has rules too and a lot of the more modern rules demand tolerance of things I consider sinful, so I cannot support those.
        Plainest is not always best; it should not be the sole focus. Rather that we love and obey the Lord and seek to make a honest application of what He commands. Because of history and experiences sometimes there is variation in how a congregation applies this. So it is best to visit several places, read their ordnung (discipline) and get to know the people before committing. Many people jump in and try join a plain church without knowing the history, the general doctrine or the lifestyle changes expected and then they leave. There may be some small things we don’t agree with here and there but we go along with it because it is an honest attempt to obey the Scripture, and it is important to us to be part of the church fellowship.

    18. I did INDEED join the Amish of Adams County Indiana

      Hello, I’m truly one of the FEW people that joined the Amish. I was 14 when I knocked on an Amishman’s door in Adams County Indiana, and it just so happened to be the home of Eli Cobelentz (On of the bishops of the church) we spoke for some time and after he understood that my parents DID know where I was and what I was doing, I moved into Sammy N. Schwartz’s (And Lydiann his wife and Blind Amos Graber, her Brother) and since they could not have children, helped them work their farm as I learned more about the culture and faith. I lived there until I was 17 1/2 and decided to continue my acting career and attend college. It was a wonderful experience and I was accepted by all and even visited by the famous “David Luthy” once. One of the only others to ever join the Amish. I was NOT baptised in the church (Run by Ruben Graber Sr. at the time) So I can go back at any time. I even went on to teach in an Amish One Room School for a while. People CAN join the Amish, but most people don’t last very long. But yes, I was accepted very well. I can still harness a horse and hook up a buggy faster than anyone I know. I also still speak “High German”. (More of a Swiss German in Adams County Indiana), and my Amish friends and I keep in touch by mail.
      -Ethan Tudor W.
      Actor/Host of “The Neverhood Show” http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ethantudorw
      Also catch me on “Leverage” on TNT and “The Middle” on ABC, Wed. Night’s at 8pm

      1. Don Curtis

        My son is Amish

        Your post interested me as my son, Mark, also joined the Amish. He joined the Amish at the age of 50 after retiring from public school teaching. He has been Amish almost ten years now. He speaks fluent Pennsylvania Dutch. Did you ever learn the Dutch? Mark has his own little place and has two horses, chickens, etc. He is a part of the Belle Center, Ohio community. He has never been an actor but he does give talks on the Amish to church groups and is a guest lecturer at the Amish course and rural sociology courses at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.

        1. Joy

          Don,
          Thank you for responding to my post. I haven’t had much time to check them lately, the library in my town is not open for very many hours during the week and I spend most of the time doing my work for my college classes. I know a little Dutch, not much, and I also know some German. My Grandparent’s were German with my Grandpa coming over by boat from Hamburg, I think maybe it was.

          Joy

    19. Joy Williams

      I would like to live a simpler more faith filled life

      I have seemed to search always for something better in life and have always been drawn to “older” more simpler ways. I have lived a difficult life, making many mistakes and bad decisions in life. I would really like to move to a place that I can live a happy and more faith filled life, and start a new. I was wondering how many outsiders are accepted in the Amish community? I am looking for a better way of living, not financially or anything like that. Currently I am living with no electricity or running water after losing all income after my last break-up, and I am looking for a renewed life, among people who are kind. I don’t miss the amenities of the modern world one bit. In fact I feel the most content, peaceful, and happiest that I ever remember being.I grew up a farm girl, am used to hard work and enjoy that,and I currently am a nurse. If anyone has any information about moving to an Amish community and of any possibilities for work there, I’d appreciate it. Thank you.

      1. Nice to meet you. I’m sorry to say joining the Amish, or ANY religion for that matter will not solve all your problems. Would you become a Nun or a Priest just to run away from the world? That’s one of the first questions any church would ask you. When I joined the Amish they indeed asked me that same question. I was not running away from anything, and while I understand the economy has hit you hard, as it has I, joining the Amish will not fix anything. You may want to consider your reasons for joining the Amish. Do you believe in being baptised as an Adult and NOT as a child? Do you believe in following the bible in more of a literal sense? (I.E. “Do not conform to the patterns of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind”) a passage they take literaly. The “Logistics” of being Amish are more than just not living with electricity or a car and telephone. It’s a lifestyle as much as it is a religion. You would likely find the same problems follow you into their world, which in a LOT of ways is just like ours. There is crime, drug use, abuse and poverty. Maybe not on the scale YOU are used to, but also bear in mind with less communication comes less “News” from the Amish side of things. If you REALLY want to join the Amish. Buy a farm in an Amish community and settle INTO that community and lifestyle. Drive a horse, work your farm and go to church. When they see you are sinceare, then you will find community help that the Amish are known for. But going there expecting them to solve all your problems will simply lead to MORE problems. I know it may not be what you wanted to hear, but it’s true, would anyone else here agree with me?
        -Ethan

    20. Joy Williams

      I guess I should have mentioned that I live in Iowa, and provided my contact information. I also wanted to say that I don’t necessarily have to become Amish as I know that it takes much more than just living without electrcity and modern world conveniences. But I would like to maybe at least be accepted in that type of community as a friend and neighbor (and let God guide me from there). My contact info is below:

      crazycatlady_69@hotmail.com

      Mailing address:
      p.o. box 104
      Alexander, IA
      50420

      1. Lance

        Joy,

        I don’t know of any Amish close to Alexander. There are Amish in the Riceville area, and another group near Hazelton/Independence, there two are somewhat conservative Old Order Amish (OOA). A much older, but also more progressive group is located near Kalona. This last group is old enough that there may/should be a New Order Amish, Beachy Amish-Mennonite, Conservative Mennonite, and/or Charity Ministries group(s) in that area. You mention that you have had a troublesome past in regard to relationships. The Amish do not acknowledge divorce, even if your previous church did. In the Amish world, you are still married to your first husband until he or you die, irregardless of what the law or other church says. I hope that does not upset you too much, I just thought you should know that. The more progressive plain groups above would be better able to handle your past then OOA. They also are much more accepting of seekers such as you and me and they also are much, much more willing to help you adjust to the difficulties of becoming ‘plain’.

        I wish you well with your interest in the plain people and may God’s will be done in your life.

        Lance

        1. Joy Williams

          Thank you

          Lance,
          Thank you for your response to my questions. I have been divorced and wasn’t aware of the fact you told me about their views on divorce. I had alos had 2 ex boyfriends (live in)but that is over with. The last relationship was very bad. I had actually thought that a more progressive group would be better if I chose to move around there. I did actually look up some information on this and the Kalona area was the area I was thinking of after reading on it. I like the home I have, even though it needs a lot of work and we had strted on that when we rented itBut with a little tender loving care it could be nice. I have thought I’d like to buy it on contract at some point but I also think that I should really just move from here to get away from the area. I have friends (who really have proven not to be good friends), as well as my most recent ex, who I don not want to be around, and I am tired of worrying and of having people take advantage of me and steal from me. I did see a home for sale in Kalona, but I know I could not purchase one right now. I am trying to get back on my feet after my last breakup from when my ex simply just left without even saying he was. He told me he was going somewhere else and never returned. After losing my job before that when our care center was getting rid of many of our workers (I was one), he’d told me if I didn’t want to return to work for awhile made promises he would take care of me,to always love me, would never leave me and never cheat on me… all those prosises broken. I was left with no job, income, or car, in a tiny town where there are no jobs and I have applied at the only places nearby that I could get rides to without any luck yet. So yes Once I get my student loan refund in a few months (taking my Bachelor’s degree in Nursing)I am going to get a car and job and back on my feet. Thank you for your advice and your wishes, I hope that God directs me the way too.
          Joy

          1. Lance

            Joy,

            I hope you have not drifted off, but will come back and read this. The Amish are not trying to be mean, on the contrary. They are obeying scriptures that say to not commit adultery(Exo 20:14), that remarriage after divorce is adultery(Luke 16:18), that man is not divorce(Mt 19:6), and it was never to be for man to be able to divorce for any reason(Mt 19:8).

            For some reason, most of the ‘Christian’ world ignores these verses or denies that God means them for all of time, that they were only for those of that day. I am glad the Amish, Mennonites and other plain churches have not been spotted by the world this way. I have always thought it has something to do with non-plain ministers earning their primary income from the church, so they preach what keeps that income coming in, instead of truth that may drive people away. Not paying your ministers means money will not have as much sway over what they preach, they will not compromise the gospel of Jesus Christ for money as easily. The world allows divorce as the mood swings, but the plain people do not love the world, for good reason. That is why I struggle with watching Amish drift towards the world. They don’t know what they are drifting into, sadly I do. That is part of the reason I prefer friendships with conservative Amish.

            1. Brother

              How to deal with adultary mariage

              Dear,

              Is it possible to void or null an adultary mariage. Is it trhue that can free the part which was single before this sinful mariage.
              What to do?
              My regards,

              Brother

              1. Lance

                I do not know of any scripture that allows for ‘annulment’. Indeed, there are scriptures that tell us we are not to divorce at all (Mt 19:6-10, 1Co 7:27 & 39).

                You ask what to do if there is adultery in a marriage. Forgive and/or repent, forget repented sin, reconcile, obey God and love one another only. (Mt 18:21-22, Eph 5:21-33(read this passage with extreme carefulness), 1Co 7).

                I wish God blessing on you in understanding and obeying this very difficult subject in which God’s ways and mans ways are very different. Note that the disciples said if these thing are so, it is better not to marry!(Mt 19:10). It is often not easy to obey God, and when we want own way, it gets harder.

                1. Brother

                  I agree with you.
                  So a church should never marry a divorced person.
                  Now I understand that this kind of marriage is invalid on Departure.
                  In this case, if we must see in the Bible, these are simply banned marriage and if there were broken.
                  Ezr 10:11 Now therefore make confession to the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.
                  So I guess the Amish church will just ask to leave the adultery relationship.

              2. To Brother

                Adulterous Marriage

                Brother,
                I’m trying to understand your question. What I think you mean, is,
                IF you were single, and married a divorced person, and then realized it was wrong (what is called an adulterous marriage)
                are you asking what you would do then?

                From what I’ve been told from different Anabaptists (Amish, former Amish, Mennonite, Charity churches)they would ask that you separate from each other-because the new marriage (single person marrying divorced person) is not considered a marriage but adultery.
                Therefore, to be in their churches, the new marriage would have to end (but I’m not sure if they mean by another divorce, or just physically separating from each other in separate homes w/out filing divorce)
                Is that what you meant?

                1. Brother

                  Sorry for my English.

                  If it is not considered as a marriage, the single previously single person will be considerate only deep in the sin of adultery something very bad however. That mean if they don’t considerate the mariage valid, this single person with a real repent and reform attitude will be free to married another single Christian, isn’t.

                  Thank,

                  1. To Brother

                    Remarriage

                    Brother,
                    I asked a former Amish (who had been Amish 47 years) your question-
                    his reply was that MOST Amish would not allow the person who had never been married, but married a divorced person, then realized it was adulterous marriage & repented, so leaving this illigitimate marriage, that previously single person (according to Amish) would STILL not be allowed to remarry another single person.

                    So if this person is seeking to be Amish (assuming why your questions are in this topic) then that single person would have to remain single (which I am not sure the scriptural grounds for this)
                    but perhaps someone else can shed more light. Apostle Paul says in Romans 7 that the “remarriage” is considered adultery until the former spouse dies-BUT, he didn’t give an example of people parting in this case, nor what the previously single person should do-only that they are committing adultery by being married to a formerly married person-however it seems the Amish from what I was explained, expects that previously single person to REMAIN single if they come out of the adulterous marriage. No remarriage for the previously single person either-
                    Anyone else? Good question for this topic since there are divorced people seeking to become Amish. I know a community that took in a divorced woman from the outside. She is remaining single. And now, she is an actual member of the Amish church-

                    1. Yoder

                      It could be a “gray” area, but it may be safer spiritually to remain single until the previous marriage partner or partners have passed away.

                    2. Brother

                      Hi,
                      Well as I said if the adultery is not a mariage how can we have any regards for this evil sin, the Grace just cover (my opinion).Your answer let me the feeling of a permanent stain on the this single as a permanent adultery mariage did. But unfortunately, in this case, the person previously single are already married with a single and now have 10 children and just look to be definitively clean from his old sin which was adultery. I can’t see in the scripture that this present mariage which is not an adultery could be sin enough to be broken and proscrit. I can only refer to this Statement of Position on Divorce and Remarriage from Southeastern Mennonite Conference, which they are members of the Biblical Mennonite Alliance (BMA) an organization of conservative Anabaptist/Mennonite congregations.
                      “if a person involved in an adulterous marriage relationship was previously single and desires to be legitimately married, the case is more complex. While such a marriage may not be specifically forbidden in the New Testament, we believe it would not be an expedient practice for the church to follow. Matt. 19:6-12; Mark 10:9-12; Rom. 7:1-3; 1 Cor. 6:9-12; 7-10, 11: 10:23; Gal. 6:7. http://www.bibleviews.com/divorce-remarriage-position.html

                      If we look to be pure, we will have to divorce and separate each man which have had looked on a married women and sinned in his mind, Jesus call this adultery. Sincerely, many man can confirmed have had this kind of desire but still married. If we forgive, we forgive for ever as Christ did, are we pure and clean by his blood. However, I give my deep regards for the former wich they certainly love their sheep and do their best understanding in all matter. I understand that he have to keep the church salubre and clean of controversy. They have a high responsability for the soul that God place in their hands. If the person I talk about can’t be accepted to be in the Amish Church might be receive a salutary judgement about his present condition.

                      My regards

                      Brother

                      1. Brother

                        I don’t know if this topic has an interest for the forum.
                        However, today divorce is legion and increase in the world and some person will appreciate to be informed, that can save life.
                        Here anotherr extract of text clearly an Amish Church : Beachy Amish Mennonites evangelical, fundamentalist Christian group with an Anabaptist heritage and a conservative practice.

                        “B. If a person involved in an adulterous marital relationship was previously single and is now free from that adulterous union, can such a person be scripturally joined in another marital relationship?
                        We believe the Scriptures are unmistakably clear on the permanence of a first-time marriage for both individuals .. From the words of Jesus Himself, we do not always see clearly all the details for each individual case” However, we believe the safest and most expedient course for such an individual is to remain unmarried as long as the partner of the former union lives” Is it not incumbent on the body of Christ to nurture and provide for such an individual in a manner that makes celibate living not only bearable but a blessing?” http://www.beachyam.org/Marriage.pdf

                        The final is not clear to me, but English people wil catch. it seem to me very prudent position, no risk, swinging a bit.

      2. Marvin Mohler

        Amish in Washington

        Does anyone know of any Old Order or New Order Amish in the state of Washington?

        1. There are no Old Order nor New Order Amish in Washington. You will find some German Baptists in the eastern and central parts of the state. A Hutterite colony or two also. There is a newer Mennonite outreach in the northwest corner, and I would guess maybe in other parts as well. Mike

        2. alyssa

          there is a conservative mennonite church in rochester, by Olympa. there is also one somewhere on the east side of the state. there are a few hutterites colonies around the state.

    21. Thanks Ethan for sharing your story, and it gives hope to all of us seeking a simplier life. I do get very discouraged myself at times with the increase of violence in our country, the wars, and people thinking they need to arm themselves against fellow americans. We can be incouraged, however, knowing that most Amish, Mennonites, and Quakers do not prescribe to hatred and violence.

      One of our Quaker staements is as follow:

      We seek a world free of war and the threat of war.
      We seek a society with equity and justice for all.
      We seek a community where every person’s potential may be fulfilled.
      We seek an earth restored.

      I don’t know whre you live Joy, but I have a friend who lives in the Big Valley north of Harrisburg, PA. He sure loves it there, and there are mostly Amish in this area (and no Tourists).

      1. Joy

        Bob,
        I’ve been looking up things and Pennsylvania is where I have found much information about. I was in Pennsylvania only once with my ex boyfriend when I was with him & he was driving semi. I remember picking up some flyers then on the Amish areas, but I was never able to get there.

        Joy

    22. nelson

      Amish in Washington,,,,
      Several years ago I was in the now extinct Amish community, in Springdale, Washington..
      To my knowledge there are still 2 families there, Mosie Schrock, and Cristie Schrock, although they no longer endorse the Amish beliefs…
      There was at least seven families there at that time,,, and a large harness shop owned and run by Vernon Yoder.

      1. RE: Vernon Yoder

        Vernon used to live up in Ontario Canada many many years ago. There is a LARGE group of Amish all around the Kitchener, Ontario area. I have met Vernon many times and he has family in Adams County Indiana. The Amish that went to Washington State came from a “Split” in the church in Ontario in the late 50’s EARLY 60’s. He also used to have an ad running in The Budget all the time. As far as I know, most of the Amish in Washington all joind other churchs.

      2. Marvin Mohler

        Where is Springdale WA? I’m not finding it on the map.

        1. For some reason it doesnt come up on googlemaps, but Wikipedia has an article on the town. Here are the coordinates that you can drop into googlemaps. 48.057222,-117.743611 There is a conservative Mennonite or Beachy church in that general area, as just recently I heard someone talking about it.

        2. Springdale Wash.

          Are you serious? You could not find this? It took me 2 seconds in a Google search.
          http://www.city-data.com/city/Springdale-Washington.html

          1. Yeah, dead serious. 🙂 In googlemaps it took me to Springdale, AR, even though the link said Springdale, WA. Google does good work, but this time it failed me. 🙂

    23. Weird..but glad I could help.

      Hope that helped. “Machs Goot”…
      -Ethan

    24. Marvin Mohler

      Google didn’t find Springdale for me either. 🙁

    25. Amish Prayer

      Ok folks, well..if you are even CONSIDERING joining the Amish. You will need to learn THIS prayer. Spoken silently to God at every meal. I’ll post it German, if there was a place to just SCAN it and post a picture, I would. See if YOU can Fig. out just WHAT prayer it is..Here we go..

      Wir Danken Gott Fur Seine Gaben,
      Die vir von ihm empfangen haben,
      Wir bitten unsern lieben herren,
      Er voll uns alleziet mehr bescheeren!
      Und speisen mit sienen heiligan vort,
      Das vir satt verden hie und dort,
      Ach lieber herr, du vollest uns geban,
      nach dieser ziet, das ewing leban, Amen.

      Yes, I was REALLY Amish.
      -Ethan Tudor W.

    26. Amish Books

      There are TWO books that you REALLY need, the 1st one is the “Christenpflict”, (The Amish Prayer Book) and The “Ausbund”..the Amish Song Book. Pay special attention to page 770 in the “Ausbund” as you will be singing THIS a LOT! It’s sung at EVERY church service (Every two weeks, Amish do not go to “Church” every Sunday) and is sung in a low sing song manner. It takes appx. 35 Min to sing the entire song, it’s VERY long and drawn out. On the flip side. At Sunday night gatherings of the young folks, it’s ALSO required singing at SOME point, but in a faster more upbeat tempo. So, get an Ausbund, Page 770-771 and here is the very 1st part of it. In German of course.

      “O Gott bater, mir loben dich,
      Und deine gute preifen:
      Die du, oh herr, fo gnadiglich,
      An uns neu haft bewiefen,
      Und halt uns herr zufammen g’fuhrt,
      Uns zu ermahen durch dein wort,
      Gib uns genad zu diefem.
      (The last line is always repeated)
      Gib uns genad zu diefem….

      The song is four verses long.
      It can be HEARD in it’s long church form at the following YouTube link.
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8t1wrB9A7hQ

      Hope this helps.
      -Ethan Tudor W.

    27. RE: Amish Books, Christenplicht & Ausbund

      The “Christenpflicht” is 251 pages with various prayers for different things, including the “Wedding Prayer”. The “Ausbund” is 895 pages. “Das Lobe Leid” being one song that is sung at EVERY church service every two weeks. (Remember, The Amish ONLY go to church every TWO weeks) That song is located on page 770-771 “Das 131. Lied” and is 4 stanzas long. In church it’s sung in a long drawn out Gergorian Chat style and takes about 35 to 40 Min. to sing. (Amish church lasts about 4 hours!) Both were Orig. printed in Amsterdam in 1664, and reprints, (That the Amish use daily) can be got from “Mennonitifch Berlagshandlung” Scottsdale Pennsylvania. Both books are $3.90 a piece. If you are even CONSIDERING joining the Amish, you will need BOTH these books to study upon before even approaching ANY Amish church. It also would not hurt to get a copy of The Martyrs Mirror “Old Book,” a collection of testimonies and letters of 16th century Anabaptist martyrs. A STANDARD in every Amish household.
      -Ethan Tudor W.
      (Yes, I REALLY had joined the Amish 🙂

    28. Thanks Ethan. I know some German, but have been trying to learn some Pennsylvania Dutch. I use to talk English to younger Amish children, but then realized until school, they didn’t know any English. They now respond when I use German.

      I’ll get your recommended books. Also, thanks for the Utube link. That’s what I need to learn the song, so I’m going to go look now. I’m sure it can’t be the entire song 🙂

      Also, I have 25 “Quaker” calendars left over from an order. Plain with nice versus and saying. I’ll be glad to send free to anyone who would like one…..until I run out. Email = k4oce@gvtc.com

      Best regards, Bob

    29. Blaire

      Joining the Amish

      As I read all of these comments, I am fascinated by all that is said. I am actually joining the Amish as of next summer. I decided to do it four years ago and followed through. I am friends with many Amish in my state and others and have stayed with the Amish to get a feel for it. But I really want to let everyone know, its VERY hard. If you really want it, you can do it, but if you do not have the will to keep on, you might not make it. I really love the life though and am so excited about being Amish! But keep in mind that the Amish don’t just trust outsiders right away, friendship is important and I love all of my Amish friends! If you have any questions or anything, feel free to ask! 🙂

      1. Jean Junkin

        So you want to join the Amish

        My husband and I were lucky enough 2 years ago, to stay at a real Amish House where the family just rented out 2 bedrooms in another part of the house. The rooms were very simple. They did have airconditioning and electricity in that part of the house. We were also blessed with have an Amish breakfast with Amos Smucker and his family. Although my health would not allow it, I, too, would love to be Amish.

      2. Don Curtis

        God bless your path

        My son, Mark, chose the same path you are choosing about ten years ago. From what he says and from what I have observed it has been a blessing for him. But, as he always says, “Being Amish isn’t for everybody, not even for all those born Amish.” I think you are wise in joining a community where you already have friends. That’s what Mark did also and I think it was a big help to him. The Amish are a closed society to a great extent and a lot of fellowship is based on family connections. It helps to have an “in” into some of those Amish “tribes.” Maybe you and Mark will meet someday. His name is Mark Curtis and he is a part of the Belle Center, Ohio Amish community.
        His address is:
        Mark Curtis
        9417 County Road 101
        Belle Center, OH 43310-9589

        1. Blaire

          Wow thats so interesting that your son had also joined! May I ask, is he Old Order? Thats what I will be. My community is also of Swiss Amish desent. How did he get involved with the Amish? Why did he join? Is his community rigid? (for example, no indoor plumbing or running water)I hope I’m not asking just way to many questions haha! I am just always interested to know about the others who have joined or are joining 🙂

          1. Lance

            Belle Center is New Order, so they are not too ‘rigid’.

            Blaire, what made you interested in the Swiss Amish? They were not of very much interest to me because of their drift. Time has made me feel correct in going another direction. Still, I am interested to know why you like them.

            1. Blaire

              Well you see the Amish i am going to are not Swiss Amish but the community that they came from was. My community is in fact Old Order. I guess I kind of said it wrong before. When my community broke off from the one from another state in the 40s, they started there own community, which is old order now. That is what have gotten out of what my Amish friends have told me 🙂

              1. Rachel

                Joining the Amish

                Hi Blaire. I find this website very interesting on how many people out in the english world want to become Amish! When my husband and I became born again and stated our journey living for the Lord, he directed us towards the Amish somehow. We kept pushing it off, and the Lord kept pushing it on us! We started out in Arthur IL. We attened a up to date Mennonite church for almost a year. Then we had to move to Michigan. We kinda didn’t know what to do because there are no Mennonite churches around us. So we got in contact with an Amish elder that my husbands mom knew. We had a long talk about becoming Amish. But he first wanted us to try a more consertive church. So he directed us to a Beachy Amish church that is 1hr south of us. We have been attening their for about 8 months. But for some reason, we still feel the Lord pushing us towards the Amish. And it just so happens that we were over at some friends house from church, and the husband in the family still has a brother that is amish. They asked for us to come stay with them and go to church with them for a weekend, so we could talk and see what the Lord wants for us. We are contacting the family this week to make plans. I’m just so nervous, I’m sure when we go to church the Bishop and elders will be nailing us with questions. If you don’t mind me asking, how did you go about the whole thing?

                Hope to hear from you soon.

                A Friend
                Rachel

                1. Blaire

                  Hi Rachel! Well the BEST advice I can give you is to say what you mean and mean what you say! Honestly, I was not nailed with questions from the Bishop. Thats not usually his aim. The Amish just want to know you are sincere and a good person with a love for the Lord! I had friends that were Amish and I am REALLY close to them, so that helped that I had them to reassure everyone that I was sincere. Being Amish is not easy, but I’m sure you know that. I stayed with some Amish friends in a different community than what I am joining, because they asked me if I wanted to come see firsthand what it is like. I did that last summer and it was wonderful! I really hope you will do something like that, to live like they do on a day to day basis to help you truly get a feel for it :)Don’t be nervous, its an exciting thing! But I do understand what your saying about being a little nervous 🙂

                  1. Rachel

                    Thanks!

                    Thank you Blaire and Don! Blaire may I have your email so I could talk with you about some things about the Amish.

                    Don I have his address. My husband will be writing him soon. We hope he will write us. He are eger to get as much info on the process as possible 🙂

                    1. Blaire

                      Hey Rachel! My email is farmgirl5480@att.net (perfect for me haha) You may email me when ever you want and I will try to be as honest as I can 🙂

          2. Don Curtis

            Well, Mark could tell you more because he is the one that is Amish, not me. I think he is New Order. I know he has plumbing and bathrooms. But, no electricity. Horse and buggy. You could write him. I supplied his name and address. He also has a phone but I hesitate to give that out. If you write him he’ll probably supply you with that.

    30. Ed

      Blaire, have you learned the Pennsylvania Dutch language? Is that what you communicate with your Amish friends in? How difficult was it to learn?

      1. Blaire

        Ed, The Dutch is the hardest part for me. I don’t know it well, but what my Amish friends will do is they speak in Dutch to me and if I don’t understand, I then ask what it is. I am picking it up as fast as I can!

    31. Valerie

      Making a Vow to a Amish Church-

      I’m just wondering how comfortable everyone is, that have become Born Again, in making a vow to an Amish Church-which is part of the baptism in the church to become members.

      To be sure, it is difficult to become Amish-but the threat of losing family is never there for one who comes from the outside. It seems it would be easy to have the “back of the mind” thought that “well, if it doesn’t work, I can always leave”-to one born Amish, leaving means losing family & friends. I know alot of Amish that became Born Again & for that reason, felt they had to leave the Amish to follow Christ in a more personal way, and to obey the Great Commission (Matthew 28:20).

      Having been a Christian for so long, I find it hard to imagine, making a VOW to a church-and until you do, you are not a member?
      Have those of you seeking to join thought about this part?
      Just wondering….

      1. Ernie Yoder

        That is a good question, Valerie. Before anyone joins the Amish I’d recommend reading a book written by Ira Wagler entitled ‘Growing Up Amish’. Ira has left the Amish 4 times in a valley of indecision. This book reveals some of the challenges that all ex-Amish may have faced some time or other.

        Take a look at the book…
        http://www.amazon.com/Growing-Up-Amish-A-Memoir/dp/1414339364

        1. Lisa

          I have seen Ira Wagler on the television shows with Mose Gingerich on the National Geographic channel. I can see the old order Amish leaving to join the English. I have spoken with some of our New order Amish and Mennonite and they say they could never go back to old order ways. They use big batteries and solar power and have electricity mostly in their barns and business and some in their houses. Batteries in their buggies and flashing safety lights on the buggies. Some teenagers have radios in their buggies. But, the older order in our area will not sit in a car.

    32. Nelson

      Hundreds of Amish from different areas,and from different catagories at a large play in Mt Hope , portraying Easter.

    33. Nelson

      The building holds 750 people,and mostly Amish

    34. Nelson

      Those plays are put on by Old Order Amish Ministers,who are born again,,,

    35. Joy

      How would a single woman support herself if marriage is not an option? I do so now but use technology that would not be allowed. Joana’s post brought tears to my eyes. I worry too how would my son support himself when he is legal age. I would not be able to give him farm land or money to start a business with. Does anyone know of older single women that have joined apart marriage?

    36. To Joy

      Single Amish Supporting Themselves

      Joy,
      In our area, alot of single Amish women work outside their home in stores, restaurants, nursing homes, housecleaning & hotel cleaning, childcare, etc-(probably a limit on what “types” of businesses they are allowed to work in. Some single Amish women & married for that matter, sell their homemade items (baskets, quilts, bakery). Some sew for others to earn income.

    37. nelson

      Ethan

      hello Ethan,,,
      Where are you from and which Amish group or church were you with? am just curious
      you may e-mail me at followjesusonly@gmail.com if you want or call 330-275-7477

    38. Jennifer

      want to join the Amish

      I am in search of a family that will take me in and teach me all of the Amish ways. I currently live in Minnesota but am more then willing to travel anywhere. The only thing I need accommodations for are my 2 cattle hearding dogs. I will not leave them behind. So please. If you know of any family anywhere that will take me in. I have no living family and I am a 35.year old Female.

      Thank you,
      Jennifer

      1. Lance

        Hi Jennifer,

        What you ask is not that simple. The Amish, for the most part, do not evangelize, so there is no setup way to join. You have to decide which order of Amish, and there are many, you are most in agreement with, find out who the ministers are and tell them of your intentions. You then do what they say.

        You say you won’t give up your cattle dogs. If you go Amish, I assume you would be looking for farming Amish. That would mean you should look for a smaller community in a rural area. Large community Amish are not adding farms anymore at anywhere near the rate that small communities are. Farming is mostly man’s work. Walking outside of normal gender roles happens, but is very rare, expect a difficult time if you insist on working your dogs.

        You are 35. I hope this is not your problem, but if you are divorced, that would make becoming Amish much, much more difficult. Amish do not acknowledge divorce, so it puts up a big barrier. Some Amish would not even allow you attend their church. Sorry, that is just the way things are. If you are not divorced, things will be much easier.

        I tried to join the Amish and I have commented a lot on this topic. Read through the comments as there is too much to repeat here. The single most important thing I can relay to you that Amish ministers have said to me is “If it is not of faith, it will probably fail”. The point being, if you don’t truly believe in God, His word, and the Amish rules as God truth and will, you are not going to make it. If you don’t believe and are just running away from the evils of the world, the Amish are not a good place to find refuge. It is a tough lifestyle and is very faith based, both in the Bible and in the rules.

        1. Jennifer

          so you want to join the amish

          Dear Lance

          I am not divorced never been married and i’m not running from anything and I understand.what All it intells. I have no family left and thrive on the closeness of a family and dearly believe in God. I just don’t know where tostart or who to contact.

          1. Lance

            Jennifer,

            I am glad for your marital status as it will make it much easier to talk to the Amish.

            I suggest your write Raber’s Bookstore and ask for a Raber’s Almanac, and the two books “In Meiner Jugend” and “1001 Q & A on the Christian Life”. I would put $10 in the envelope and ask for change. The books are Amish doctrine books and the almanac has a list of Amish ministers and their addresses. That would allow you to approach the right people and to find out where they live. There are many communities in MN and WI. Look at Erik’s Amish State Guide as a start. More details are in the almanac.

            I also suggest you learn about the different orders and search your heart and the Bible to find out which groups you agree with and those you do not. The Amish are very diverse. You need to know what you believe and then find a group that closely matches that, it makes it a lot easier if you agree with them from the start.

            Good luck, it is not easy to become Amish, and harder to stay.

            Rabers address
            https://amishamerica.com/amish-bookstore/

    39. Marvin Mohler

      regrets

      My wife Kathryn & I lived all our lives in IN. We were farmers & I was an auctioneer & had a very successful 30 years crying sales. In 2008 we retired & relocated to WA state, in the Yakima Valley, near Zillah, to be near a daughter. We are ask often if we have any regrets of relocating. My answer is, only one. We so badly wish there was an Amish settlement in WA. We often visited northern IN & Holmes Co OH & we really miss those visits. We loved the many stores & shops & miss the interaction with the Amish.

      1. Marvin Mohler

        regrets

        I should have said in my post, we are German Baptist. Anabaptists with the same roots as the Amish.

      2. Lance

        Mr Mohler,

        You were in the Rossville area? I went to several of your sales. Nice to see your name again.

        1. Marvin Mohler

          Yes Lance, we were in the Rossville area. I can’t recognize you by your first name. Over the years we learned to know so many people.

    40. Timothy P

      Want to join the Amish community

      Hello & Greetings,

      I have lived the secular lifestyle for my 32 years on this Earth, and I can truly say, I do not enjoy it one bit. I live for Jesus Christ and yearn for God everyday. The family I have does not share my views on this and it is a bit disheartening. I need a family that wants God and Jesus in their life just as much as I do. I don’t mind hardwork as there is always work to be had somewhere.

      If someone could point me in the direction of a Minnesota Amish community, I would be most grateful. Thank you in advance.

      teejayparker@gmail.com

    41. Lauren

      Hi everyone,

      Ok so im only just graduating from 8 th grade but since i was 8 i have wanted to be amish my friend abigal is amish but when i moved we lost contact she and i used to make lemonade together and bring it to her dad and brother who would work 24/7. I always wanted to be amish abigal used to teach me about being amish and tought me words if only i still remembered.

    42. hannah

      so i wanna become Amish and i know its the right thing to do cause iv been praying about it for a really long time now. what should i do who do i need to talk to? and if i become Amish can i merry a Amish man?

      1. Lance

        Hannah,

        Long time no see. Why do you want to be Amish? What would being Amish mean to you?

        Lance

    43. hannah

      because i love to serve my lord and i find that i cant do that in the modern world. i also kinda like one of my best friends who is Amish. and i also thank that it would be away to keep me outta trouble and i would be able to focus more on God.

    44. mallarie klooster

      wanting to be amish

      dear readers of this post,

      my name is mallarie and i am wanting to join the old order amish community. i have wanted to join since i was old enough to under stand what it truely meant and all the dedication to our lord. i am willing to do anything to serve him and i feel that to serve him in the best way possible is to become amish and join church. i am in need of a amish family to take me in for a year. i am very set on joining church, i want to serve our lord and devote my life to him. please if any one has any information on a old order amish family that will take me in please contactr me at mallarie26@yahoo.com or text me at (302)-222-5493 i will be much obliged

      1. Rachel

        To Mallarie :)

        Greetings! I see that you are wanting to join the Amish church. My husband and I are joining. We will be moving into our amish doddy house in 2 months or less. The best advice I can give you is to talk with the Amish about your needs. We started out at a Mennonite church then went to beachy amish, and now we are old order amish. Their is ALOT that you have to handle. most important, you HAVE to learn the PA dutch. We are in the process of this now.
        Do you live next to any amish?? It is hard for someone to just find an amish family for you, it’s somthing you kinda have to do on your own. but don’t give up if you feel this is the Lords will.

        God be with you
        A Friend
        Rachel

    45. hannah

      so can a non amish person date a amish person???

      1. Lance

        If a person joins the Amish church, they can only date another Amish church member because church members cannot have an unequal relationship. Otherwise, they are not under control of the church and can date who ever they wish, just like everywhere else. None the less, it often does not work out in real life like it does in a Amish fiction romance novel. Those novels are made up fiction, and work out the author wants them to. Real life is rarely like that.

    46. sarah

      how about in canada ?

      Where can I find information or communities of amish/mennonite in canada.
      Near London ontario ?

    47. kevin

      amish woman

      i from iowa and i like to meet and date a amish girl i so much like there life styles as my grand parents were amish

      1. sarah

        what’s your email

    48. If you are serious about joining the Amish, here is a way to start. Go to your main house circuit breaker, and pull the switch. Give this at least a few weeks.

      Also, keep in mind that Mennonites and Quakers have many of the views of the Amish with less constraints.

      Maybe you just need to change your life style.

      An Amish man was once asked if outsiders could join the Amish community. His reply was “you do not have to move here to adopt a lifestyle of simplicity and discipleship. You can begin wherever you are.”

      Another Amish man wrote a note in Small Farm Journal. He proposed “An Amish Challenge” as follows:

      If you admire our faith, strengthen yours
      If you admire our sense of commitment, deepen yours
      If you admire our community spirit, build your own
      If you admire our simple life, cut back
      If you admire deep character and enduring values, live them yourself

      1. Ada Car

        Comment on posting by Bob The Quaker

        I say AMEN to that. I do not understand all these who say they want to be Amish and do not start working it out themselves. How will they get along as Amish if they can not “just do-it”. Again and again I see postings from helpful people who tell them they must do it themselves. They tell them to start with how they live, then tell them to join a Similar church and become Mennonite then more conservative and on and on. Just doing steps at a time. If they do not have the initiative how will they ever get there???
        If they really want it they must commit alone to do it and stick with it and realize it will take years to get there. They need to think of it as a covered wagon ride across the country. It takes time and their effort.

    49. Charlene

      I’m 48 yrs old… Would I receive help if I desired to be apart of your community? I’m divorced & have been for almost 9 yrs now & know that no Man of God would want me & I’m ok with that. I believe God desires me to be single at this time or for the rest of my life. I don’t know if I could do it alone, but would willing try as I do it now. Yet, many keep taking advantage of me financially & somehow I believe I would feel safe within your community with the elders looking over me.

      1. Ada Car

        To Charlene

        There are caring communities in the “English” world as well and becoming Amish does not guarantee you will find one there from what I have read here there are Amish who would treat you as bad as it is now or worse. I am about 10 years your senior, alone except when my parents come out. I have to watch out for those who look for my kind to take advantage of. I do not think the Amish would think you a good candidate simply because you are older, divorced, so being would always be an outsider that would have to do the man’s work as well as the woman’s and would be a burden for them to look after. You are too young yet to live in a 55 and older. BUT you are not too young to look for one that is caring and looks after each other or a small town that does the same. Then start looking and buy a home there for later. If you can not afford now then you have some years to prepare and hunt up just the right place. I know these are getting hard to find as it is a sign of the times, “The love of many will grow cold” if you look at the original language helps he was speaking to believers not non believers. There are better options than becoming Amish which you must from what I read do yourself, without their help.