September 2019 MAP Update
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| 575 US Highway 250 | Greenwich OH 44837 | Office: (419) 962-1515 |
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From the Inside Out Tour de MAP Welcome Back! Amish Awareness Conference
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| From the Inside Out |
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It can be the same way in Amish communities and homes. Outsiders drive through the Amish communities and see hardworking, kind, loving, happy, peaceful people; but the inside might be full of abuse, sadness, sin, emptiness, legalism, despair, fear, and more. We like to tell you about Amish communities experiencing revival. We love to share reports with you about Amish turning to God. Far too often, though, those are not the stories we deal with. Far too often we are led by God past the nice exterior and into the pain and sorrow of those who are hurting, have been abused, and who live in fear and despair and sadness. Pray for them. Pray for us. Here is one example: We have recently been in contact with a young Amish woman who has not yet lived two decades, but she has been sexually abused by family members and others since the age of nine. She has been to five or six different counselors over the years, and she was sexually abused at one of the counseling centers. Understandably, she wants to get away from that life of abuse and start over. We want to help. These situations are not easy to deal with, of course. This kind of hurt and pain can take many years to begin to heal. We are grateful to have a God who understands and cares and to whom we can go for comfort, wisdom, and healing. We are grateful for you, our partners in ministry, who so willingly give and pray so that we are able to help the many young women in these difficult situations. Here is a second example: In the Amish Voice a few months ago, we printed an article by a former Amish man about how a husband should love and treasure his wife. One wife wrote to us and thanked us for that article. She wrote about how she loves her husband and would do anything to please him, but she desperately wishes that her husband would treasure her. She told us that many Amish men in the stricter groups do not believe that they need to love their wives, but simply “own and control” them. The husbands do not show appreciation for their wives or encourage them. They simply want their wives to obey. Aren’t you glad that Jesus does not treat us like that, but that He never stops loving us, and that He loves us more than we could ever love Him? Here is one more example: One young lady left the Amish and was staying at the New Beginnings Homestead. One day someone from another state contacted me and told me that this young lady was on her way to Nashville. She had met a country singer online who had invited her to a party. She and a friend were on their way to the party. Of course, this was not a real party, and the country singer was not who he claimed to be. I called this girl and let her know that as an adult, she could make her own decisions, but I warned her that the “party” and the “country singer” were likely not real, and that she was heading into trouble and perhaps danger. I was relieved to hear that she and her friend turned around and returned to the apartment, but it shows the vulnerability and desperation that many of these young women face, longing for love and acceptance and relationships. Mission to Amish People exists to help these young women and others who need help—not only to help them physically and emotionally, to help them find freedom from abuse, to help them obtain GEDs and driver’s licenses, to help them learn job skills and adjust to life outside the Amish culture—but most importantly, to show them the truth and love of Jesus Christ and lead them to a life of healing, joy, peace, and love as they look to God, abide in Jesus, and walk in the Spirit. Thank you for being part of this. Thank you for helping. Thank you for giving. Thank you for praying. Thank you for loving. Thank you for serving. Thank you |
Jesus taught us that we can look good and religious on the outside, yet be full of sin on the inside. We can look happy on the outside—and others might think we are fine—but on the inside, we might be hurting or lonely or depressed or afraid.| Welcome Back! |
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On July 23, after a long day of very smooth travels, I finally landed on Ohio soil again! My plans are to return home to the Netherlands on January 21. Right now I’m reaching out to our precious Amish and former Amish in the following ways: Living in the New Beginnings Homestead with former Amish girls (currently four of them) and reaching out to them by just being their friend. Please pray for them to adjust to their new lives and to continually grow nearer to God. Helping at the Beyond Measure Market and the MAP office. Traveling with the Keims to present MAP in various churches. Going on bike rides in Ashland Amish country to have conversations with the Amish in our very own area. Here is an example of what I mean by that last one: Last Monday I decided to get some fresh vegetables for supper at an Amish produce stand. The family wasn’t home when I got there, so I decided to knock on their neighbor’s door to ask what time they would be home. I ended up getting some of their corn for free, so I said to them I would bring them some cookies as a thank you, which gives me a good reason to go back for the next visit. Please pray for me as I try to build relationships with those Amish that the Keims and others cannot reach because of the shunning. Magda Adriana (Mīranda) |
| Tour de MAP |
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We had our first "Day in the Life of Mission to Amish People" tour on August 13. The tour was with thirteen wonderful ladies from the Grace Brethren Church in Ashland. We want to get the word out about the great things that are happening at MAP. We welcome church groups, families, home school groups, etc. to come and take a tour. Call Arlen Yoder at 419-631-7872. |
| Amish Awareness Conference |
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Register Online: AmishAwareness.com Community Baptist Church, 5501 Peck Rd, Croswell, MI Experience Two Life-Changing Days Childcare will be provided for children ages 4–11. |
