2010 March

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How are you enjoying this year’s Global Warming? People who live in our area of the country have been steadily getting their exercise by shoveling snow and fixing their mailboxes, as they get knocked off the post by the snow plow.

Which reminds me, when I was a kid, we walked a mile and a half to school. And during the snow season, it was always a treat when the snow plow came along. A group of us kids would jump in the ditch, bow our heads to the ground and holler for joy as the screeching snow plow went by and covered us with snow.

Looking back, it must have been quite a sight to watch a dozen little snow men and women break out of the snow bank and come alive.

Amazingly enough, no one ever got hurt.

Two weeks ago, Joe left the Amish again, after trying his best to make things work out with his family and the old world.

His goal is to come back to OH for a couple of weeks, go on a missions trip to Nicaragua and then travel back to NY where he can be close to his parents and friends.

Because of his decision to get a car, change from Amish clothes, own a cell phone, etc, he will not have the freedom to be around his family. However, being close by will give both sides some sense of fulfillment. Let’s pray for them.

The reason for keeping up with Joe over these past few months is because he follows a pattern that so many others follow. As always, there are feelings of broken hearts, rejection, hurts, and many unanswered questions.

In January, Eli and I were invited to a prayer meeting at Marvin and Esther's house, who live in West Farmington OH, 2 hrs East of us.

Marvin and I have on several occasions, discussed the huge need of starting a weekly prayer meeting in their area. And as you know, it is not easy to start something from scratch, particularly when it comes to a prayer meeting.

Here are a few reasons why the need for a prayer meeting in that area is so important:

1. The West Farmington area has the fourth largest Amish community in the U.S.
2. Since 2002, (817) students have been actively enrolled in the SonLight Club Bible studies, which has resulted in numerous salvations
3. Since 2007, (1,431) families have been on the Amish Voice mailing list — thanks to the ones who have faithfully sponsored these families.
4. Since 2008, we have presented the spiritual needs of the Amish community to (11) churches in that area, preparing them for the great awakening that we pray for and believe is coming.

Marvin and Esther’s relationship with MAP, came about as a result of them getting the Amish Voice, while they were still Amish.

In the fall of 2009, Marvin called me for the first time to introduce himself. He explained how he had been getting the Amish Voice for two years, and how much impact the articles had on their spiritual lives. It was from that point on that our relationship has grown stronger.

Knowing Marvin and Esther, is knowing a couple on fire for their Lord and Savior. They both have a heart for children and are very involved in foster care.

Here is part of a recent testimony from Marvin:

Dear Joe,
Thanks for the information you sent us. God wants us to love Him with all our heart, mind and soul. What AN AWSOME God! He loved us while we were yet in sin. We are Free. Praise God.
We will continue to pray and encourage one another in the Lord. So I want to encourage you once again.
It does not matter how many people want their names removed from your (Amish Voice) list.
As God’s children, who have declared to follow Jesus, no matter what opposition we will face; we will call on the name of Jesus and trust in Him.
I wanted to tell you, I was baptized Sunday. What a wonderful experience.
When you can, give me a call; I would like to share it with you.
God Bless You. Marvin & Esther

I have no doubt that Marvin, Esther and the prayer group would appreciate it a lot, if you remembered them in prayer. They, along with a group of other friends, are moving full speed ahead, crying out to God on behalf of those who still walk in darkness and bondage to a religious system.

Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

I am very thankful for our local prayer groups who meet faithfully, every week.

On March 11, I am traveling to Goshen IN where plans are to meet up with others who meet regularly to pray for the Amish and former Amish.

Luke 10:2 ...pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth labourers into His harvest.

Prayer puts God to work!

In our travels, we meet up with many people who we really connect with.

Several years ago, we presented MAP to a church in Eastern OH, where a young man named Jason and his family attend. Soon after our presentation, Jason and I became pen pals and have stayed in touch ever since. Recently, Jason wrote in his letter, “Joe, I am still praying for you each night before I go to bed.”

One of the great blessings that come out of discipleing young men, is to see them give their heart to Christ and grow into strong men of God. Below are some recent testimonies from those who attend our Saturday morning Bible study:

Levi writes: I left the Amish at age 17. I left with my friend. We stayed at a barn for the first night, and the next morning my cousin Sam, from Canada, came and picked us up and helped us get clothes and get us on the bus to go to Iowa.

When we got to Iowa, my former Amish brother was there to pick us up. I was happy to see him. I stayed at his house for two weeks then I got a job building hog barns. I worked for them until I got laid off for the winter. Finally, I ended up going to Ohio to get another job.

I moved in with my cousin and then I started going to church with them. I realized that there’s more to life than just living for myself.

My pastor, Jerry Arman’s gospel messages made it clear to me that I needed salvation. I got saved 1/30/2010 in the First Baptist Church in West Salem, Ohio. I want to thank my pastor and Bennie & Mattie Shetler for their encouragement in my spiritual journey. My goal is to live for God.

Dannie writes: I grew up in the Amish and I was joining the Amish church when I heard their church rules. I knew there was more to life than living by their rules and I didn’t want to be a part of a man made religion like that.

I didn’t want to leave my parents, but I knew I had to make a change, if I didn’t want to live that life. So on August 28, 2007, I left my family home and moved to my sister’s house who made the same decision a few years earlier.

I lived there for one and a half years. Then I moved to one of my friend’s house and started going to a different church. That was when I found the missing piece of the puzzle, that belongs to my life. In February of 2009, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Since I have given my life to Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.

Note: In January, Dannie and two other young man, followed the Lord in baptism.

It hardly fails. Most every young driver ends up in at least one and sometimes several fender benders during their first year of driving a car. This winter has been no exception; quite a few of the young people wrecked and some totaled their cars.

Tonight, about midnight the phone rang and one of the girls who stays with us said, “Joe, my car whirled around on the snowy road and hit a guard rail, as I was coming home from work. Can you come and take a look at it?”

After taking a look at it, it was obvious that the axel was bent and a good portion of the bumper was missing.

After some small talk, we both realized that a car in snow is about as uncontrollable as a wild horse next to a fast moving semi.

I will never forget how an Amish friend of mine got on a motorcycle one day and started riding across the yard at a pretty good speed. As he approached a good sized tree, he started yelling whoa there, whoa, whoa. Minutes later, he was lying flat on the ground as if it had killed him.

Willard writes:

God has given my wife and I the wonderful privilege of discipleing this fine group of young Christians. We are using “The ABC of Christian Growth”.

We come together every Tuesday evening and go through the lesson and allow for questions and discussion. Then we split up with a prayer partner and spend about 30 minutes in prayer. This whole experience has been very meaningful in our relationships to God and in friendships with each other. Some of the class are already asking – what are we going to do when we finish. I have been thinking about that! Could it be that each one in the class would be willing to take a new believer and disciple them in the ABC’s of Christian Growth?

On Saturday, March 20th, MAP is teaming up with our home church and doing a workshop on preparing God’s people in the following areas:

• Family Wills and Trusts
• Living Wills
• Retirement and Life insurance
• Debt management
• Funeral and Burial Planning
• Custody of minor children
• Testimony and funeral service
• Resume and Job Application

The public is invited. If you are not able to attend, but would like more information, please let us know and we will send you a $15 packet that you can use to get started on your own.

We appreciate those who called to let us know they added MAP in their Family Will. It is a great way of spreading the gospel, even after you go to be with Jesus.

Esther writes: It has been amazing how God has brought people to me this past year. Some want to be discipled, while others are asking for discipleship materials.

The most remarkable one was when I received a call from an Amish lady that was interested in Bible study and activity materials for preschoolers. I have been sending her lessons for about a year now. Isn’t God wonderful at answering prayers! We’ve been getting together at our house for years, praying that God would do this kind of work among the Amish communities.

I’ve always loved the opportunities to teach toddler church in our local house of worship. Over the past year, two of the young ladies I’ve been meeting with for Bible studies, are now also helping in the Sunday school classroom, once a month. They have been a real blessing and the kids just love them. What a great help they have been!

2 Timothy 2:2: And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.

It’s been a real pleasure to work with Katie and Rachel this past year. We have learned so much from each other as we went through the ABC’s for Christian Growth book. Some of the discussions and questions that are brought up during our meetings are truly awesome. God is doing a great work in all our hearts.

2 Timothy 2:24: And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient…

Barbara and I also had a great time learning many new things, as we went through the ABC’s for Christian Maturity. This Bible study has been a real challenge. But I have to say, Barbara has been a real trooper through it all. We’ve had our frustrating moments, but thus far haven’t given up. With Barbara’s determination, I’m sure there won’t be any chance of giving up, no matter how difficult the lessons get.

At this time, I’m discipling five young ladies. The biggest challenge for me is accepting the importance of meeting one on one, which takes more time. Sometimes it works to do two together, but because of their different levels of interest, it’s by far more profitable for all involved to do it more on an individual basis. All to the glory of God, Esther Keim

Barbara writes: I've always loved children and before I left the Amish I helped out a lot of Amish women for a few weeks at a time with their newborns, and I began to realize that children are very fragile and so very precious. and I decided to spent more of my time making them smile and happy, because a smile from a child is worth a lot more than anything money can buy.

Rachel writes: I love to be with children and when I was asked to help in the toddler room, I just felt God open this door for me to help serve Him more. And there are also more opportunities, like helping in the nursery and being a greeter and such.
I am blessed to serve an amazing and Almighty God who is the King over all the universe. Acts 20:19 says, Serving the Lord with all humility of mind…

Joe Writes

In total, there are 50 individuals making their way through the ABC studies.

Hi Joe. I'm Bailey. I'll be 18 in like 3 months. I'm planning on joining the Amish community near me, which is in Hillsboro, WI. I've been around the Amish my entire life, and read like 18 books on them, and asked excommunicated members about some of the reasons they left.

Some say it was too strict and stuff. I've talked to some of my Amish friends and they are happy for me. They say it will be tough.

I've always wanted to become Amish, as long as I can remember. I love their slow paced way of life, farm life, family life and how everyone comes together to help each other out.

I haven't talked to the bishops yet, but I plan on it soon. What are some questions you think I should ask them?

Right now, I know my family doesn't want me to join the Amish. They say they will disown me, which I am very sad about. But I really believe the Lord has called me to this!

What better way to live for the lord, with humility and following the Bible Scripture. I would like to hear your input.

Thanks. Hope to hear from you. Bailey

Below is a recent phone conversation from a young girl that would eventually move into our home. Lena is not her real name.

Lena: I recently left the Amish and have some needs that you might be able to help me with.

Joe: How did you hear about us?

Lena: An English lady gave me your web site, 3 weeks ago, and I wanted to call you right away. But because of fear, I waited until now. I am amazed at everything MAP is doing to help those who have left the Amish.

Joe: Why did you leave the Amish?

Lena: I couldn't get along with my parents and the church rules any longer. Also, I received the new birth recently, and my eyes were opened to truth I had never known before.

Joe: What kind of trouble did you and your parents experience?

Lena: I had a hard time following the rules, and since I am 20 years old, I felt like I should be able to make my own choices in life. One day, it got so bad between my dad and I, that I threatened to call the law. When he told me that I would lose with the law, I got scared and didn't know who else to turn to. Another day, it got so bad that my dad told me to leave. I accepted his offer and started walking. All I had with me, were the clothes on my back and a blanket that I grabbed on the way out. I started walking toward town, hoping that I would find a place to live by sundown.

Joe: What was your life like during the younger years?

Lena: I was born to an English family who would later put me up for adoption. It was then that my Amish parents came along and adopted me. My Amish parents have never given me any information on my biological parents and it is my hope that your ministry can help me find them.

Joe: If we help you, would you be willing to move to our area or would you rather have us find someone in your area who can help you?

Lena: I would like to move to your area, if you can help me with the things I need.

Joe: We have an apartment in our home that can hold up to three girls at a time. Right now we have two girls that are living there, which means we would be open to one more girl. If you did move here, we would take the next year and help you get your social security number, job, driver’s license, car, and eventually your own apartment. While you stay in our apartment, we would ask that you go to church and possibly attend Esther’s discipleship group.

Lena: That is exactly what I was looking for.