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Dee ’ s News
Vol ume 4 I ssue 2
Samuel and Polly Girod Wedding Ceremony and Reception
Samuel Girod and Polly Bontrager were married on
Saturday, December 29, 2012 at Bible Baptist church
in Kahoka, MO., by pastor Glen Yoder.
Maid of Honor was Ruth Graber. Bridesmaids were
Rosemary Graber, Dorcas Graber, and Elizabeth
Yoder.
Best man was Frank Davies. Groomsmen were Victor
Girod, John Yoder, and Jerry Miller.
The flower girl was Mary Girod and the ring bearer was
Ivan Yoder.
Samuel’s parents are Daniel and Miriam Girod. Polly’s
parents are Leroy and Katie Bontrager.
Samuel and Polly were later honored at a reception for
them at Wayne and Chris Vallowe’s home in Ashland,
Ohio on Saturday, January 5, 2013.
Samuel and Polly will be moving to Canaan, Indiana in
March. Congratulations Samuel and Polly!
Samuel Girod Baptism and Testimony
Samuel’s testimony: I was born in 1982 into the Swiss Amish culture. My parents and grandparents
were born and raised in the Swiss culture also. My grandfather moved out of Adams County, Indi-
ana where there is a large Swiss settlement. I was an Amish single man, 30-years-old, who had
everything any Amish man wanted of what their culture allowed. But often I was unhappy and
depressed. I tried not to show it, because I knew it would worry my parents.
I was the oldest in my family of 13 children. I belonged to small church group of about 15 fami-
lies. We didn't have fellowship with any other church in the nation, so it made it hard for someone
to try and find a date outside the community. I tried once in another church that didn't shun as
strongly as we did, but my church wouldn't allow me to date that girl. So in order to keep my
church together I broke up with her.
On May 17, 2012, two of my younger sisters had a double wedding. Six of my siblings were now married, and I, the oldest, was still sin-
gle. So after my sisters’ wedding I would go and have dinner and hang out with some of my English friends. I watched TV with them,
an activity forbidden in the Amish faith, but I did it anyway. My English friend told me about a show on TV called Amish: Out of Or-
der. I had thought about leaving the Amish before, but was too scared and I didn’t know where to go for help. We were always told we
should not talk to former Amish because they were of the world and would lead us the wrong way. After watching the show I contacted
Mose Gingrich. He told me about a man in Ohio named Joe Keim who helps people leave the Amish life. I thought: How could this be
possible? A former Amish man reaching out to others who wanted to leave?
My first thought was what a bad person I am; however, I kept the number Mose gave me for a couple days until I had enough guts to
make the call. When I called Joe a few days later I was so scared I was shaking. But every time I talked to Joe, I sensed a calmness in him
that told me something about him. We talked on and off for four months or so. Then one night in September, I called him, and we
made arrangements for someone to pick me up. On September 22, 2012, at 9:30PM, I walked away from two houses and half-
ownership of a construction company with my father. I went to Joe Keim to live. Two days later, on September 24, Joe led me to the
Lord after explaining Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
Also, my eyes really opened up when we read Col 2:14, “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was con-
trary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.”
I praise God every day for leading me to Mission to Amish People.
