I’ve had the privilege to spend a few days in Amish and Mennonite country this weekend. I celebrated 36 years of wedded bliss with The Sweetheart on the 20th but we wanted to take a weekend and just relax. Thursday afternoon we headed north to Amish country. I had no idea 20,000+ Amish and Mennonite live in LaGrange and Elkhart counties! Indiana ranks third behind Pennsylvania and Ohio for total number of Amish residents with over 45,000. (This according to a 2012 study.)
We decided to drive the Heritage Trail and we are so glad we did. There is a free audio cd set that guides you along the way through the towns of Elkhart, Bristol, Middlebury, Shipshewana, Goshen, Nappanee and Wakarusa. You can start anywhere along the trail, stop at any roadside produce stand, restaurant, attraction that you please and start it up when you get back in the car. Had to share these shots I took of some gorgeous flowers at some of the Amish shops. Wow!
We saw so many beautiful homes, farms and small towns we just couldn’t take it all in. We even happened upon two weddings and I couldn’t resist this picture of the bridal party crossing the street while the bridesmaid pulls out her selfie stick for a Kodak moment.
We also stopped at a downtown farmer’s market that was mostly Amish/Mennonite. I bought a miniature pecan pie from a young Amish boy who was so eager to take my money and give good service. Just a few minutes later I walked around the back of the building to see if I could get a good picture of their buggies and there he was in his family buggy…counting his money. Some things are the same in every culture!
To a teenager, this sounds like a trip for gouging out the eyes or at least rolling them to a permanent fixed state. But to a 54 and 55 year old this drive offered some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere in the country. It takes you along back roads where you can get a real picture of Amish and Mennonite way of living. I’ve never seen so many black buggies in all of my life! And bicycles! I guess I didn’t realize how many rode bikes. How cute is this picture we happened upon?
One place we stopped was the Menno-Hof center where you can take a guided tour of the history of the Anabaptist people, their persecution in Europe and how they came to the United States. From there, you can witness their lifestyle and even see a full size replica of an Amish living room and kitchen. The tornado simulator is pretty awesome too.
During the first film we viewed, the narrator was talking about fences and boundaries that the Amish had set up so many years ago. These fences were designed to keep the influence of the world out of their lives so that they could more freely worship their creator. They did not want to be burdened or distracted by things that did not matter for eternity. Keeping life simple would mean they were less encumbered with snares and pitfalls that would hinder their Christian walk.
As the years passed, their plain way of living could easily become a snare all its own. The story was told of the Amish family leaving church after a particular service (which is held in their homes on a rotating basis). The husband/father remarked to his wife as they were loading their children in the buggy, “I believe that we were the plainest people there today!” Of this he was quite boastful. He was proud that they were following all of the rules to a T and it showed from the outside.
Now, before you misunderstand, I am most certainly NOT here to find fault with the Amish or Mennonite way of life or the choices they make to keep themselves untainted from the world. I admire their dedication and determination to stay the same in an ever-changing culture. This little story is just an example for us; we can learn many things from their devotion and commitment. The story above could apply to any sect, congregation or group. We must be careful not to be so proud of our stance that we are missing the entire point of our separation and dedication. Back in the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s most women dressed similarly to the Amish as far as long, uncut hair, longer dresses and no makeup. They made most of their own clothes and life was centered around the home.
The Amish have just stayed the same when everyone else around them has changed with The Times and technological advances. They decided to keep things simple and one way to do that was to put up fences and boundaries.
The Amish originally put up fences years ago when they split from the Mennonites. They wanted a more conservative lifestyle in the way they literally lived and dressed. They decided to not conform to the world even when the automobile, electricity, telephones and so much more came to be common place. There are many other holiness organizations and religions that try to maintain a modest approach to dress and lifestyle but few, if any, have succeeded in staying the same for centuries when everything around them moved forward with technology and custom.
What can we learn from the perseverance of such a people? I came away impressed with their work ethic, friendliness, humor and close-knit relationships. They don’t change even when it seems the rest of us are forced to in order to continue to keep up with a world that is constantly moving forward. They just keep on doing what they have always done, the way they have always done it. Always the same.
What fences do we need to put up in a figurative sense and a literal sense to remain unspotted from the world? “That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:27.
Can we balance a separation from the world yet not alienate them in the process? Can we take a stand for truth, righteousness, holiness and the Word even when it is unpopular and possibly, someday soon, against the law?
I don’t think so! People want a change and expect a change when they come to The Church. They don’t want to remain in their sin or their sinful lifestyle. The Word promises them they will be filled with the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, who will come and live inside of them and make them more like Christ. They WANT to leave their chains behind them. They realize that light and darkness do not mix and they desire to leave the darkness behind.
Let’s not disappoint them by watering down our message or thinking we have to become like the world in order to win them. We must reflect Jesus and be instant in season and out of season so we are prepared to reap the harvest that is coming. As we near the coming of the Lord, and every day there are more signs that it is imminent, we must be Salt and Light in everything we say and do so that others may come to know Him.
Have a blessed week and be sensitive to how God may want to use you. Yes, YOU!
Sharing with 
Sunday stillness, Making your home sing, Good morning Monday’s, Amaze Me Mondays, Living Proverbs 31, Modest Monday’s,
