Do you ever meet those people who have extraordinary stories…but are the last to share those stories with the world? You know who I’m talking about. The modest folks who abhor boasting about themselves. Today, Jim Cates writes of one Amish bishop whose humble demeanor masks a dedication to service which has greatly benefitted his own community and beyond. When God Calls I believe in Christianity as I…
Do Amish people go on vacation? Yes, but the meaning of “vacation” varies. For some, a vacation means a trip to relatives in another settlement or attending an out-of-state wedding. But also popular are more traditional vacation destinations of natural beauty or historical interest. Today we have a look at one Amish family’s vacation from the perspective of Rebecca Miller. I hope you enjoy Rebecca’s account…
The Slow Moving Vehicle triangle is just another part of the scenery in most Amish communities. The majority of Amish people willingly use the warning insignia and probably give it little thought. In most places they are such a standard part of the buggy’s appearance, that it is odd to see a vehicle without one. Some Amish object to the SMV sign however, on grounds including…
Rumspringa is often exaggerated in the media, to be a wilder time than it is in reality for most Amish youth. But the fact is, some adolescents test limits during this transitional period, in ways others do not. Acquiring and illicitly owning a television set may seem like a light offense from an English perspective, but for Amish families, this can be a great concern. Jim Cates…
Reader Jerry often attends Amish auctions around the Keystone State. Today he shares an account and photos of an event which took place last month, a medical benefit for an injured Amishman. The community here is a Nebraska Amish group, a small affiliation traditionally considered among the most conservative (though there are more liberal factions within the larger group). There aren’t many Nebraska Amish settlements, but this…
Serving the Amish author Jim Cates today shares the story of an Amish woman named Anne, and a special, unexpected exchange they shared during a visit at a rehabilitation facility. They Shall Speak in Unknown Tongues Both Amish and African-American sermons offer the congregant a message focused on God. Both also ask for a witness. Beyond these similarities, they don’t just drift apart. They separate at…
Last summer, Anne, mother of an Amish convert, wrote about a visit to her son Ed’s community in Minnesota. Today she shares the story of Ed’s recent visit back to his boyhood home in Virginia. What did Ed’s Amish-born wife Ruth think of her visit to “English” America? How did they make the 1400-mile journey? And what one important thing did they not think to warn Ruth about?…
Amish church member Rebecca Miller gives us an inside look today at an important program in her Holmes County, Ohio community. One of the obvious strengths of the Amish is their strong web of community support. Parents of children with special needs are among those who need a little extra help at times. And that’s what led to the program which Rebecca shares with us today. CARING HANDS Several years…
An Amish-owned barn burned yesterday, in the sizeable St Mary’s County community in southern Maryland. Fifty-eight local firefighters were aided by 50 to 70 Amish in putting out the blaze. What’s remarkable is the explosion that is caught in this video, when a fuel tank in the structure ignited. You can see the massive explosion about eight seconds in, along with footage of the men scattering away…
Jim Cates is a clinical psychologist who does counseling work with clients, both Amish and English, in northern Indiana. In today’s post he shares the story of an Amish bishop who played a special role for one of his clients–and later faced trials of his own. A Little Rain Must Fall Into each life a little rain must fall, Some days must be dark and dreary….