Letter from a Concerned Sister

February 14, 2017

A letter from a non-Amish sister who has a lot of concern about her sister joining the Amish culture.

Hi Joe,

My family has been really struggling lately, and I am reaching out in hopes of finding some help for my sister. Earlier this year, she moved states away with her husband and children, so she could join an Amish community. Her husband felt the call to make this move from our culture into the Amish culture, and as a wife, she feels that it is her duty to follow him and be submissive without question. 

This move has been really hard on me as well as my parents. We have tried to talk with them and share scriptures as well as talk about God and his plan for us, but everything we say seems to fall on deaf ears. We are crying almost daily as we truly feel we have lost a family member.

It feels like to my sister, I am now just a sinner that is going to die and be banished to Hell. Lately, it has honestly been hard to connect with her or love her.

I need help and guidance as to where I should go from here. Anything you could offer or share would be much appreciated!

 

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Joe's Response:

I’m sorry to hear you are going through so many struggles with your older sister and her family.  It is in cases such as yours, that I would love to reach out and fix the problem and come up with the perfect resource.  But the reality is, most spiritual battles have to be handed over to the Lord and let go of.  I realize how difficult this can be when the person you are dealing with is someone you love dearly.

The Amish culture seems to attract many who look on from the outside, and those who begin the long process of joining the church eventually find out it’s not what they expected.  Those who then pull away from the Amish community and continue their search, often wait to do so until their children have been drug through the immense strain of losing family members, their friends and security.  In short, most families that join and later leave the Amish, end up going in different directions and belonging nowhere.  This is the part that crushes my heart the most.

I always tell people who desire to join the Amish culture, you don’t have to join the Amish to experience their values.  Instead, get rid of your stylish clothing, technology and electricity.  Spend more time with your family.  Live off the land.  Do everything you like about the Amish, and see if it works for you. 

As far as resources go, you might consider copying and printing the following articles and sending them to your sister.

1. /articles/2015/04/17/are-you-religious-or-a-christian-part-1
2. /articles/2015/04/20/are-you-religious-or-a-christian-part-2

You might also check out the following store item we have for sale:  /products/Gospel-tracts-and-booklets

I’m not sure I was much help, but I will certainly join you in prayer for your sister.  May the Lord give you wisdom and peace as you wait on the Lord to move.

Joe Keim

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