An Amish Deception

by J. E. B. Spredemann

  Jacob nodded and took his Bible from the glove box.

  “Now, turn to the book of Romans.”

  Jacob stared at him blankly. Where on earth was Romans? “Is that in the New Testament?”

  “Yeah, open it about three quarters of the way.”

  He did as instructed, then looked up at the heading on the page. “Colossians.”

  “Okay, turn back several pages.”

  He did.

  “Okay, there. Turn to chapter ten, I think, then read it.”

  He turned to the suggested place, feeling somewhat uneasy. Would the leaders be okay with him reading the Bible with an Englischer? He’d heard warnings about Englischers leading people astray, causing some to jump the fence. That was why they discouraged studying the Bible in depth. You might misinterpret something and it would lead you away from the g’may.

  “Did you find it?”

  “Jah.” He swallowed, then looked down at the words. “Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.”

  “Okay, that’s the Apostle Paul speaking. He was Jewish, or an Israelite. He wanted so badly for his people to be saved, but for the most part, Israel as a nation rejected Jesus, their messiah.” He pointed to the Bible Jacob held. “Go ahead and read the next few verses.”

  “For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

  For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

  For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.”

  “Do you understand that?”

  “Not really.”

  “Okay, so Paul was a Jew originally named Saul. Saul was a devout Jew. He would do anything to uphold and protect the Jewish religion, even to the point of sending those who believed in Jesus to prison and to their deaths. He was the real deal.”

  “He would hurt people because of his religion?”

  Larry nodded. “I know, it sounds crazy, but yes. He felt like Jesus and His followers were a direct threat to his religion, so he persecuted them. But that was only until Jesus met him on the road to Damascus. He was en route to imprison more Christians until he was blinded by God. You see, God knew Saul’s heart. His heart was in the right place, but he was ignorant. He was fighting against God and he didn’t even know it. And that is what Paul is talking about in those verses.”

  Jacob nodded. Larry’s words made sense.

  “See, God’s way is not by our works, it is through the work that Jesus did for us on the cross. It is His work that is good enough to get us into Heaven. And that is what Paul was trying to get Israel to see. They were establishing their own righteousness—their own rules or Ordnung, if you will—but they were ignorant of what could truly help them—God’s righteousness, which could only be obtained through believing in Jesus Christ.”

  “Do you…do you think that is what my Amish church is doing?”

  “It doesn’t matter what I think, Jake. What matters is what that book says. God is not a liar. He shoots straight with us.” Larry frowned. “But if you’re being taught something different than what you just read in that book, there’s a good chance someone is steering you in the wrong direction.”

  Jacob stared at Larry. He had so many questions. “So you think that leaving the Amish church—not that I would—will not send me to hell?”

  “Hell ain’t got one whit to do with the Amish church. The only thing that sends people to hell is unbelief—or trusting in something other than Jesus for salvation. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the only one who can wash away your sins. He is the only way to Heaven. If you have trusted in something else, you have not submitted yourself to the righteousness of God. It does not matter which religion you’re from or if you have no religion at all. What do you believe about Christ? Have you received Him as your Saviour?”

  “Are you asking me?”

  “I wasn’t necessarily asking you, but the question applies to every person.”

  “I don’t really know what to do.” He shrugged. “How do I submit to the righteousness of God?”

  “Basically, you just acknowledge that Jesus is the only one who can get you into Heaven. Ask Him to forgive your sins and save you. Believe with your whole heart.”

  “And that’s it?”

  “Yep, that’s all that’s required to be saved. Look at Romans chapter ten again and now read verses nine through thirteen. You don’t have to read it out loud.”

  Jacob looked down at the page in the Bible and read the verses quietly. He looked up at Larry. “Ach, how do you know so much about this book?”

  “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. It’s in Second Timothy chapter two. I love God’s Word and He’s given me a desire to know what it says. I want to study it so I can know God’s mind in whatever situation comes my way.”

  Jacob frowned. How different Larry’s mindset was from what he’d been taught his whole life—that studying the Bible too much would make one prideful. Yet, Larry didn’t seem prideful about his knowledge, he seemed sincere.

  “So what are you gonna do, Jake? Are you going to ask Jesus to save you?”

  He shrugged. “I guess I need to think on it for a little bit.”

  “Well, don’t think on it too long. I’d hate for us to get in a car wreck and have you die not knowing whether you’d be in Heaven or not.”

  Ach, when Larry put it that way… Jacob squeezed his eyes shut. Gott, if what Larry is saying is the truth, I want to be saved. I want to know that I am going to Heaven and that my sins are forgiven. Denki. Amen.

  SIX

  “Well, it looks like we’re here.” Larry pointed to a decent sized farmhouse as they drove up a driveway. “I’m gonna miss seeing you around, Jake. What a coincidence that I happened to be going this way the same time you needed a ride. Saved your folks some bus fare, no doubt. I’ll check in with your folks now and then to ask about you, so be sure to write or call them.”

  “Jah, I will.” Jacob took a deep breath. “Denki, Larry, for talking to me about Jesus.”

  “When the Holy Spirit nudges me, it’s hard to keep my mouth shut.” He laughed. “I’m just glad you listened.”

  He smiled. “Me too. Maybe it wasn’t a coincidence, ain’t so?” He fished into his wallet and paid Larry for his services. “Have a safe ride home.”

  “Do you need help unloading?”

  “Nah, I just have a couple of things. You could probably stay for supper.”

  “Thanks for the invite, but I’d like to get back home sooner rather than later. Hey, wait a sec. Why don’t you take my Bible?” He handed it to him.

  Ach, he felt like he’d been given a wunderbaar gut gift. “Denki.”

  “You’ll read it, won’t you?”

  “Jah, I’ll read it.” But he’d need to stuff it into his suitcase so no one would see it. He didn’t want to get on the g’may’s bad side before he even got to know anybody. Carrying a Bible around was not something one did in their community. Nee, the Bible was kept in the home, usually in a special place with other important books.

  “See ya, Jake.”

  Jacob waved goodbye to his Englisch driver. He was ready to begin a new chapter in his life. At least this chapter included a real relationship with Der Herr. What did Gott have planned for him?

  “Jacob King?” A man’s voice called as he headed toward the house.

  “Jah, it’s me.” He looked at the man, determining who he might be.

  “I’m your Onkel Peter. Well, not really your uncle. Somewhere down the line, I guess we’re related. Your Aenti Lucy was my fraa’s second cousin through marriage.”

  Ach, he had no idea how that all worked out. He did know the Aenti Lucy was Mamm’s dat, Grossdawdi Benuel’s, schweschder, though. Somehow, these folks wer
e kin. “Gut to meet you.”

  “Let’s get you inside. Fannie and the girls should have supper on soon. I hope you’re hungry.”

  “I can always eat.” Jacob followed him inside. He stood awkwardly near the back door, holding his bags, while his uncle washed up in the mudroom.

  “Kumm. I’ll introduce you to everyone.” His uncle left his boots in the mudroom and walked toward the kitchen in his socks.

  “Should I take my boots off?”

  “Nee, only if they’re dirty. I don’t reckon you’ve been workin’ much today.”

  Jacob chuckled. “Nee. Not at all.”

  “Cousin Jacob has arrived,” his uncle announced as they entered the kitchen. “Jacob, this is mei fraa, Fannie. Our dochdern, Christy Ann, Jenny Lee, Mary Lynn, and the little one is Emma SuAnn.”

  Just then, the boys came skidding into the room. His uncle continued. “And this is Junior, Nathan, Phillip, and our oldest bu is Jeriah. He’s nearest your age.”

  “Gut to meet you all, although I’m certain you’ll have to tell me your names again more than once.” He grinned and nodded to Jeriah. Hopefully the two of them could become friends.

  “Well, supper’s about ready,” Aenti Fannie declared as she sat a steaming dish on the table. “Has everyone washed up?” She carefully eyed the two youngest buwe.

  “Junior didn’t,” the second youngest bu—was his name Phillip or was that Nathan?—volunteered.

  “Did too, Nate.”

  “Not after you picked your nose!”

  “Well, you didn’t wash yours after you brought the frog in our room.”

  The other boy pressed his lips together and squinted at his younger brother, as though he had just committed an act of treason.

  “Boys, there will be no wild animals, insects, reptiles, or amphibians in this haus. Do I make myself clear?” Aenti Fannie’s hand planted on her hip and waited for their response. “And you both hurry up and wash your hands.”

  “Uh oh.” Jacob frowned down at one of the suitcases still in his hand. “I guess I’ll have to keep my pet snake in the barn then.” He turned and winked at the boys.

  The two youngest buwe stopped in their tracks and stared at him in wide-eyed admiration.

  “Jacob King, you’d better be tellin’ a tall tale.” Aenti Fannie shook her finger.

  “I actually don’t care much for snakes, although I hear they’re gut eatin’.” He smiled.

  His aunt released a relieved sigh, but Junior and Nathan were sorely disappointed.

  “Jeriah.” Onkel Peter pointed to Jacob. “Why don’t you show Jacob upstairs to his room so he can leave his things in there. “Quickly.”

  Jeriah nodded and offered to carry one of Jacob’s bags.

  Jacob grinned his appreciation. The bags weren’t exactly heavy, but he was ready to divest himself of them.

  “That would be great.” Jacob followed his cousin up the stairs.

  “How long will you be staying here?” He pushed the door open to the first bedroom. Two twin size beds were inside. “You’ll be sharing my room with me.”

  Jacob hated to impose. “I hope you don’t mind. I know it’s an inconvenience.”

  His cousin shrugged. “Ach, it is what it is. You’ll likely be better company than Phillip.” He eyed him. “Why are you here, anyway?”

  Heat rose in Jacob’s chest. Better to give Mamm’s reason than the real one. The last thing he wanted was for the people of the g’may here to think he was greedy. Not many folks would look well to a man stealing his brother’s inheritance.

  Jacob chuckled. “My mamm’s hoping I’ll find a fraa.”

  Jeriah tossed his head back and laughed. “Jah, I think my mamm’s hoping the same thing for me to get me out of her hair.”

  “How old are you?”

  “Just twenty. You?”

  “Twenty-three.”

  “I can see why your mamm is anxious to get you married off. My mamm would not stand to have me in the haus at twenty-four either. She and Dat married when Dat was twenty-two, so she expects each of her sons to be gone by then.”

  “What about your schweschdern?”

  “It’s even worse for them. No older than twenty-one. Christy Ann is nineteen, but she’s got a beau.” He shook his head. “Mamm and Dat don’t want them to end up like one of our cousins, poor Leah Schmidt.”

  Jacob frowned. There weren’t any alt maed in his district that he could think of. Nee, every eligible maedel had been married off since there seemed to be more buwe than maed. He felt sorry for this young woman—Leah, was it?—that folks used as a measuring stick. He briefly wondered if she knew how folks gossiped about her marital status behind her back.

  “How old is she?”

  “Leah?” Jeriah frowned. “Older than you. Likely twenty-six or so. Interested?”

  Jacob held up his hands. “Hey, I just got here. I’m not quite ready to get married off just yet. I haven’t even met any of the maed yet. Will she be at the singing?”

  “Nee, she no longer attends the young folks’ gatherings.”

  “Why not? I’d think if she’s looking for an mann, she’d be present.”

  “Nee, everyone already knows her. She’s the school teacher. If she was going to get hitched, I reckon she would’ve by now.”

  Well, he guessed that made sense.

  “Kumm, Mamm’s waiting on us.”

  “Jah, I’m starving.”

  “What do you say we go out back and play a game of corn hole after supper and chores?”

  “Sounds gut.” Jacob smiled. “But I bet I’ll beat you.”

  Jeriah scoffed. “We’ll see about that, cousin.”

  SEVEN

  Jacob didn’t think he’d be nervous attending the young folks’ gathering, but it turned out he was. There were so many strangers, so many unfamiliar faces. His heart ached for the familiarity of home.

  “Do you like to play baseball?” Jeriah gestured to the field where several of the youngie, both men and women played.

  “I’m not that great at it, but I do enjoy playing.”

  “Nothing wrong with playing for enjoyment. Besides, I wouldn’t take you for an expert after witnessing your demise in our corn hole competition.”

  “I didn’t do that bad. Besides, you forget whose team I was on.”

  Jeriah chuckled. “Don’t blame Nate. He did better than you did.”

  “Thanks a lot, cousin.”

  “Hey, I’m just speaking the truth.”

  Jacob shook his head. “Whatever.”

  “Let’s play, then?”

  “Sure.”

  “I’ll just make sure we’re on opposite teams.” He lightly punched his shoulder.

  Jacob clenched his heart. “You wound me.”

  By glint in Jeriah’s eye, he knew Jacob was teasing. “Grab a mitt, I’ll introduce you to everyone.”

  Jacob followed his cousin to the field.

  “Hey, everyone, this is my cousin Jacob King. Jacob, this is everyone.”

  Jacob raised a hand. “Hi, everyone.”

  “You any good at hitting?” One of the young men held out a bat to him.

  Jacob shrugged. He honestly didn’t know if he was any good or not. He’d pretty much always tried to stay out of his brother’s way. If they played together, he’d always let his brother win to avoid a temper tantrum. But now that Ephraim wasn’t here, well, he didn’t have any reason not to try. “I’ll do my best.”

  The young man chuckled. “That doesn’t sound too promising.”

  Jacob tried a few air swings with the bat.

  “You’re up!” The guy said.

  Jacob stepped up to the plate. He let the first few pitches fly by. Please help me, Lord.

  “Strike one!”

  He turned and frowned at the umpire.

  “Swing batter, batter, batter!” Someone from the opposing team called.

  He eyed the next ball. The pitch came quickly, but he swung too soon.

 
“Strike two!”

  Please, Lord. I really don’t want to look like a loser in front of my new friends.

  He took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a split second, then retightened his grip on the bat. The ball came fast again, just like the last one.

  He swung with all his might.

  The wooden bat fractured in his hands with a loud crack, and the ball went flying over the centerfielder’s outstretched glove.

  “Woo hoo!” One of his teammates called. “Run, Jacob, run!”

  He dropped the bat, shot out of home plate, and ran with all his might, easily passing first, second, and third.

  “It’s coming! Slide, Jacob!” His cousin called out from the opposite team.

  “Hey, don’t root for him!” One of Jeriah’s teammates chided.

  “He’s my cousin.”

  Jacob slid into home base the same time the ball landed in the catcher’s mitt.

  “Safe!” The umpire cried out, crossing his hands over each other in front of him then out to the sides.

  Jacob’s team cheered, along with several fans sitting along the sidelines. The other team protested.

  “Great hit, Jacob!” Jeriah hollered from his shortstop position. “I’m picking your team next time.”

  Jeriah’s teammates complained at his comment. He lifted his hands. “What? I want to be on the winning team.”

  Someone handed Jacob a bottle of water as he neared and sat in the dugout with his other team members. They each high-fived him. Ach, it felt gut to be accepted, admired. He bowed his head. Denki, Gott.

  It had been his first homerun ever. Surely Der Herr was giving him favor in this new community.

  EIGHT

  Rachel Schmidt couldn’t deny that she’d noticed the newcomer. Ach, who wouldn’t notice handsome Jacob King? He was likely the most attractive boy—nee, man—she’d ever seen.