August 2020 Update

In This Issue

Honoring Norma                                               Highschool Equivalency Program 

A Searching Soul and Searching Saints 

The first time I remember meeting Norma is when she walked into our small Sunday school room where we had one desk, a phone, and some tables set up to grade, fold, and tape Bible lessons. 

Norma informed us, “I sold my restaurant and need something to do.  Do you mind if I volunteer at MAP?” 

For the next 18 years—sunshine, hail or snow—Norma served 2-3 days a week.  She was faithful and 100% dedicated.  Her crippled fingers from arthritis did not stop her from hand writing 400-500 thousand notes on Bible lessons.  During her years at MAP, she witnessed thousands of testimonies from Amish students who gave their heart to Jesus Christ and received the gift of everlasting life.  That is what kept her coming back for more.  It was her reward, her pay.

I will always remember the day she called from her hospital bed, crying, trying to explain what it sounded like when two angels from God stood at the foot end of her bed and played the most beautiful heavenly music she had ever heard.  It didn’t stop at the hospital.  The angels followed her home and continued to play their music in her ears. When she came back to MAP, the angels followed her again and continued playing music, even while we talked, graded, stickered, taped, and mailed the gospel out to thousands and thousands of Amish children and adults.  I told her once, “Norma, if anyone else would have told me your angel story, I may have wondered what they had for supper the night before.”  Not so with Norma. When she spoke, you just knew every word of it was true.

Norma’s hearing slowly deteriorated and so did her eyesight.  We all knew that one day Norma would volunteer her last day.  That happened in June of this year.  It was so hard to see her leave MAP.  She was Jesus to us and to many Amish children.

I can’t help but envision Norma one day sitting next to the crystal clear river of life, under the tree of life, right off the golden street, with thousands of Amish children and adults gathered around, thanking her for sending the gospel to them. 

Amish Awareness Conference, Dillsboro, IN, August 21 and 22: Join us by registering at AmishAwareness.com.  Learn about the Amish and how you can reach them with the gospel.  Hear testimonies. Be challenged. Bring your family and friends.  Include Noah’s Ark and the Creation Museum, near Cincinnati OH.  We are also live streaming the conf.  Contact us for details.

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During the last week of May, I received a phone call from a man who lives in an Amish community in Paoli, IN. As he started talking, I remembered him from a 2018 Amish Awareness Conference. He told me about a single, 39-year-old man from the Swartzentruber Amish sect who was searching, and asked if we would come visit him and share our story. It is so sad that in the Amish culture, many do not teach and preach that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone. This young man had no idea who Jesus was and what He did for us. He really wants to leave the culture but is afraid of the condemnation that would come from his. I, along with our mutual friend, explained the plan of salvation.  Please pray that the seeds that were planted will grow.

Polly, the children, and I took off on a weekend trip to Davies County, IN to visit friends and minister to a young couple who have been saved and were thinking of leaving the Amish. Joseph and Mary Yoder have four children and are experiencing much rejection. In the short time we had, they have grown much and gained courage. Please pray for them. God is doing a great work in their life!

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There are many ways to get an education in today’s world. Many changes have been made in recent months due to the pandemic that has allowed individuals to learn in various ways. Here at MAP we have had the opportunity to partner with the Ohio ASPIRE program for the past six years. This partnership has allowed students to take free classes at MAP as well as have their High School Equivalency (H.S.E.) exams paid for in full!

My name is Rachel Arnold and I have been working with MAP for the past six years. I have been able to help 40 formerly Amish or Mennonite individuals obtain their high school diplomas. Through the classes offered at the MAP office, students are able to earn their H.S.E. diploma (High School Equivalency) and learn about opportunities in different career fields and how to further their education.

When a student gets their H.S.E. diploma, they are able to get jobs in career fields that might have been out of their reach prior to passing the exam. Often times, when individuals come through the MAP office they are either leaving their Amish communities or are affiliated with the Mennonite church. Many of the students have only completed school through the 8^th grade. Being able to have a secure, comfortable environment for students to study and learn has been instrumental for their success.

Students who earn their diplomas have gone on to many different career options. Henry Schrock began his journey in 2015.  He started studying for his H.S.E. exam with hopes of going to college for Biology.  He worked very hard to get his diploma in a few months. After being in college for a little while, Henry decided he wanted to be an airline pilot. He has achieved his goals and has been to many places around the world!

Each student is in charge of how long it takes them to get their diploma. Some students are able to get their diplomas in a few months, while others take longer. The key to success is hard work. Students must attend classes regularly and study at home as much as possible. One of the many things that I tell each student is, “This process can only go as fast as you are willing to work.”

Besides Henry, there have been many other students who have passed through our program onto other exciting career paths. Some have become nurses, while others are in college studying for various degrees. It is important to have the H.S.E. diploma so that career paths can be open for students. This builds their confidence and allows them to believe in themselves.

As mentioned above, the pandemic has allowed for new opportunities in learning. Students are now able to attend classes online from the comfort of their homes through Google Classroom. This has been a challenge for many as we all try to adjust to new technology and ways of learning. However, it makes it possible to study for your H.S.E. exam from anywhere in the world. Currently, the state of Ohio is working towards the ability for students to take their H.S.E. exam online at home. Some students have been able to participate in this program, however, the state of Ohio has temporarily stopped allowing this. We are hoping they will have this back up and running before fall.

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