Jonas Yoder

December 22, 2007

My name is Jonas Yoder but I like to be called JD. I left the Amish on January 22, 2007. The reason I left the Amish church is because I did not like all the rules that the church put on me.

Amish life was also very boring and lonely at times ----- I had nothing to live for.

When I left the Amish, I moved into the basement of Joe and Esther Keim. One of their requirements was that I go to church with them on Sundays. The very first Sunday in an English church was an eye opener for me but I soon realized that these people cared for me --- they all came around me and made me feel welcome and right at home.

I also started hanging around some of the other former Amish people who had left before me and I realized that everybody was talking about being saved. Another thing that stood out to me was that they always seemed to be joyful and happy.

A couple weeks after I left the Amish, I joined a weekly Bible study and very soon I began to wonder, what would happen to me if I died and had to stand before God ---- I knew I wasn't saved. Every night I searched the Bible, trying to figure out how to be saved. And then one night (it was on March 1st); Joe came downstairs and wanted to talk to me about salvation. He did not have to convince me for long that I needed a Savior. I bowed my head and asked Jesus to forgive me and save me from hell, and He did.

Since my salvation I have been a different person. I look at life a lot different then I used to ---- Salvation has changed my life forever.
2 Corinthians 5:17 & 21
17. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
21. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Today, I want to follow the Lord's command and be baptized. I also want to thank Eric Abels and his family for all they have done for me. Without you, I would not be able to stand here and share this life changing testimony. Please pray for me as I live out the rest of my Christian life here on earth.

--Jonas Yoder

^{This letter has been published with permission from the owner.}