by Sioux Dallas
None of the men yearned for the unappreciated position of Bishop. The ministers, Joshua Chupp and Jude Nissley hoped to be left in their duties. Deacon Moses Verkler hoped he would remain in his position. He felt his family and his work took up his time and it would be difficult to fit in the duties of a Bishop.
Four names were finally chosen after many weeks of deliberations. The Bible verse of Acts 1:23-26 was written on a slip of paper. Four song books were selected and the verse was placed in one of them. The books were shifted around making it impossible to know which book the slip of paper was in.
After the long Sunday service, four men were called to come to the front. Jacob Startz, Moses Yoder, Amos Snader and Joseph Lehman reluctantly walked slowly to the front. They were told to each pick up a song book. Moses Yoder had the book with the verse in it. The other men breathed a sigh of relief. A time would be set later for the ordination and a celebration dinner.
Chapter Thirteen
Charity was thankful that Adam had taught her how to work with his wood cutting tools which left her with one possibility of earning money to support herself and little Jeremiah. She refused financial assistance from Jacob or Joshua Kime. The two men got together and purchased a building for a store that was being sold not far from Charity’s home.
Jenna Mae helped clean the building and the men put in shelves. Bishop Yoder gave permission for electrical lines to be run into the store to run a freezer, a refrigerator and ceiling fans. They knew Charity would be taking the baby to work with her. She could also use heating fans. He agreed to the contact with worldly appliances because he knew Charity was a good, honest Amish woman and would not be influenced.
Neighbors donated meat for the freezer to be sold. Others made arrangements to barter eggs, butter and milk for items for sewing. Charity had work Adam had completed in addition to her own as well as honey and flowers. She could sell vegetables in season. She agreed to offer the beautiful hand made quilts for sale for a small fee. This was one way the Amish worked together. Everyone wanted her to have an income without her feeling as if she was accepting charity.
Charity was not enthused with the idea at first and was reluctant to even go look at the store, but Jacob convinced her to consider it for her baby’s sake. He reminded her that Jeremiah would need many things that they did not grow and he would be growing and need more. Jenna Mae told her how proud Adam would be of her for being independent. She finally acquiesced.
Alicia and Maeve were delighted and determined to help her when they were not in school. Belinda and Marysue Kime wanted to be included because they were Adam’s little sisters which made them Jeremiah’s aunts. Their arguments were so sound that Charity smiled at their tenacity.
Jacob and Joshua would always be available. Quinn Kime, Kyle Snader and Michael Lehman privately made a pact to be of assistance. Nadine suggested that Charity put in a stove with a good oven to sell some of her delicious pies, cakes and other items. She even begged Charity to allow her to work with her when she could.
October came roaring in with a cold wind and icy rain. Matthew and Deborah were making final plans for their wedding. Charity wanted it to be a memorable occasion for them as it was for her. She smiled to herself thinking of what a shaky start she and Adam had to their marriage and how much in love they were very soon after the wedding.
Oliver Snader informed them that he had enough of rumspringa. He was ready to be a real Amish man and be baptized. He would be eighteen in December. Bishop Yoder and Deacon Verkler talked to him impressing him with all he would need to learn and remember.
Their sessions included the original plans from 1632 and what they followed now. They warned him about dating or falling for a girl who was not of their faith and had not been baptized in the church.
2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be equally yoked with unbelievers for what do righteousness and wickedness have in common?
2 Corinthians 6:17 Therefore come away from them and be separate.
Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is.
Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have for God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
1 Peter 5:76-9 Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.
There were many more verses to help church members know why they practice the faith that they do and how they must follow God’s teachings. Oliver had no idea there would be nine sessions and teaching from the church leaders, but he willing listened and learned. He learned that Anabaptist meant re-baptized. The Amish, Mennonites and Quakers believe that a person should not be baptized until they can learn Bible teachings, know what it means in their lives and can promise to follow the teachings. He was pleased that three of his male friends and two female friends were going through with him.
Two worship services prior to the autumn communion, the young people were taken out of the service and given a chance to talk to a minister and change their minds about being baptized and thus a member of the church. They all wanted to continue.
During a special service there were hymns, Bible verses and sermons. Finally the young people were called to the front to kneel in front of the church leaders and the congregation.
The Bishop asked the congregation if they were willing to accept these young people and would promise to help them stand firm in the faith. There were loud choruses of “JA” all over the room.
The girls’ white prayer kapp was removed leaving them bareheaded. Deacon Verkler stepped forward holding a wooden bucket of water and a tin cup. The Bishop cupped his hands and held the water. Three times for each person he would say, “I baptize you in the name of the Father, (water) the Son (water) and the Holy Ghost (water),” as he sprinkled the water three times on each head.
As he finished he asked them to stand and said, “Upon your faith which you have confessed before God and these many witnesses, you are baptized. In the name of the Lord and the church, we extend to you the hand of fellowship. Rise and be a faithful member of the church.” Bishop would then give the Holy Kiss (a kiss on both cheeks) to each young man, but the Deacon’s wife would give the Holy Kiss to the girls.
There was much rejoicing and a big feast to follow. This was a solemn and joyous occasion as were the marriage vows.
Charity was doing well in the store. She insisted on paying rent to Jacob and Joshua even though they didn’t want it. Rosemary had married also in October and was gladly coming on some days to be with Nadine and Charity. They were thankful and pleased with friendship shown upon them by Anita Fleming, Catherine Alicea, Victoria Bolling and the Barrington family as well as auslander friends these ladies brought in.
Charity happily built birdhouses, doghouses and other wooden items that were sold as quickly as she could make them. Also her bakery products became known all over the country and people were coming from a distance to trade with her.
Her brother, Lawrence, and Kyle Snader, worked one full day to work the dirt around the building and plant beautiful, colorful flowers and flowering shrubbery. In the spring they would dig up a section of ground behind the store to grow a few vegetables and herbs.
A covered porch ran around two sides of the building which gave shelter for customers and a place for Charity and her friends to rock and talk when they found the time.
Charity would have been very happy if she could get over the way Adam was killed. She was distressed that no one had found who was driving the car that hit them. Her faith demanded that she not feel hate or any ugly feeling toward the person who had killed her beloved Adam. She struggled with this, but did pray a lot and asked God to give her the strength to for
get and to be a good mother to her precious little boy. This was the only time that she, for a short time, regretted not having pictures of Adam or mementoes to share with Jermiah when he was old enough to appreciate them. She considered having a portrait painted which was allowed.
She carried the baby in a cloth sling across her chest often. Other times she made a bed for him on quilts and pads behind the counter in the store. She wanted the baby to know he was loved and wanted.
Thanksgiving was a hollow day for Charity. She ate with her parents and friends who had been invited to join them. She smiled when they passed her baby around and cooed at him how beautiful he was. Alicia and Maeve went home with her for a few days to help her with the housework and give her some company.
Nadine, Deborah and Rosemary could be found at the store with Charity often. They were delighted to help keep the store clean and wait on customers. Rosemary was looking forward to being a mother.
December came lumbering in with snow and cold, strong winds. Charity was thankful for the heat in her store for the baby’s sake, although she continued to believe Amish about not having worldly things about them. She was not tempted to indulge in worldly helps.
The boys brought her vines, mistletoe and items to make into wreaths. Charity and the girls made many beautiful wreaths for Christmas out of berries, vines and items of nature. They sold well in the store.
Amish exchange gifts but do not celebrate Christmas except for the ministers to tell the meaning of Christmas and the birth of Jesus.
Adam’s mother had dressed in nothing but black for a year following his death. Charity wore the black dress and made some black aprons. She already had black hose, shoes and bonnets. After the first of the year she began wearing grey aprons she made while in the store.
The Amish never talked of Adam’s death, but Charity’s Englisch friends would ask if there was any news about who was driving the car. Charity would shake her head, but wouldn’t talk about it.
One day Anita Fleming was in the store when some women she knew came in and asked about the driver. “I feel that God will work on the driver and force a confession. Remember how the young people agonized over the cruel behavior over those who were harassing the nice people? They finally came forward and told what they knew. Micah put all the conversations together and found the guilty ones. I’m confident that God will allow that to happen in this case.”
The ladies were impressed and there was a lot of chit-chat about it. More talking in the neighborhood, in church and in groups. One day Lisa Kennedy was with a social group who began to discuss the criminal who ran the buggy off the road, killed the horse and almost killed the family which included three little children.
“I was so shocked when I heard of it. That must be a monstrous person who would deliberately run into them and then drive on and say nothing. We were so upset when our son died and we were angry at everyone, including the innocent Amish. I was pleased to hear later they had nothing to do with my son’s death, but my husband is still heart-broken. He knows Darren killed himself, but he still declares if the Amish had not been living here, it never would have happened.”
The talk gradually changed to plans for raising money for a new gazebo in the city park and a better playground for the children.
Later the same evening Lisa thought of the conversation she had with the ladies and decided to discuss it with her husband, Dr. Willfred Kennedy, when he returned from his lodge meeting. He came through the door throwing his coat over a chair in the living room and settling down with a grunt in his lounge chair.
“Willfred, I’ve been thinking about something.”
“Well, hooray. Did you notify the president and take an ad in the paper?”
“Goodness, what’s got you so riled? You don’t need to be so ugly with me. I don’t know --”
“That’s it. You don’t know. You don’t know about anything, but you can sure run your mouth about everything you know nothing about.”
She realized he had been drinking. “What are you talking about? I don’t know how to approach you any more. It doesn’t matter what the subject is, you blame me for your bad feelings and take all your frustrations out on me. Darren is my son, too. We should have been comforting each other, but instead you took off in a direction that I can’t understand. I can’t seem to talk to you about anything without you getting angry with me. I wish you’d tell me if something is wrong with you. Are you worried about the business? What is it?”
He jumped up to run right in her face; so close she drew back thinking he acted as if he might hit her. He just scowled at her, grabbed his coat on and ran out again.
“Willfred, don’t drive. Please don’t go out again. You’re in no condition to be driving. What if you have an accident?”
He stopped on the porch looking back with an indescribable grin on his face. “I’ve had accidents before and I’m doing fine.” he laughed manically and stumbled to his car.
Lisa wondered why he had left his car out instead of driving into the garage. She showered and prepared for bed. Drinking hot chocolate she waited for him to come home. Waking up with a sore neck and back, she realized she had gone to sleep on the couch with the lights on. It was beginning to be daylight. Had Willfred come home and gone on to bed?
No. He wasn’t in bed and no sign of him in the house. His car was still gone. Should she call the police and ask if an accident had been reported or should she check with the hospital? Heartsick and worried, she made a pot of coffee and planned a wonderful breakfast when he did come home.
Noon came and went and still no word from her husband. Even though she knew he didn’t like her and they had never been friendly, she called his brother, Orville Kennedy, in Wilkes Barre. Willfred and Orville were very close and often got together.
“Hello.” A woman’s voice answered.
“Jasmine?”
“Yes.”
“This is Lisa. Have you heard from Willfred recently?”
“Let me let you talk to Orville.”
There was a silence and a short wait. The phone clunked against something as it was picked up. “Yeah?” A man’s angry voice answered.
“Orville?”
“You called me. Whatdaya want?”
“I hate to bother you, but ___”
“Well, why do you?”
“Do I what?”
“Bother me, stupid. Why did you call me?”
“Forgive me, but I wanted to know if you had talked, or heard, from Willfred recently.”
“Yeah. What’s it to you?”
“I AM his wife and I’m concerned about him. He was drinking when he left here last night and hasn’t returned. I’m worried.”
A sarcastic laugh came over the phone. “If you hadn’t run him off, you’d know where he is.”
“I. Did. Not. Run him off. I take it he’s there and has told you something that is untrue. I want to speak to him.”
“Now you want to speak to him.” Another crazy laugh. “I’ll ask him if he wants to speak to you. I can’t make him.” The phone dropped with a bang.
“Yeah. What do you want?”
“Willfred. I’ve been so worried about you. Why did you leave as you did and why didn’t you return home?”
“We’ll talk about this when I get home.”
“When are you coming home?”
“Look for me when you see me coming.” There was a lot of loud laughter as he hung up.
Lisa collapsed in tears and began to pray wondering what she should do.
Chapter Fourteen
Charity was so thankful for her family, friends and church family. The loss of Adam would never be easy, but she was beginning to adjust. She prayed a lot and read the big family Bible aloud to Jeremiah just as Adam had looked forward to doing. He was too young to understand, but he would grow up knowing that the Bible must be read and learned and prayers said.
Jeremiah was a happy, healthy baby and smiled at everyone who looked at him. Everyone,
who came into the store, made over the baby. Her Englisch friends offered to baby sit if she needed them, but she knew her family and church friends were available. She thanked them and said nothing.
Matthew had carried the swinging cradle that Adam had made to the store. Jeremiah was gurgling happily in the cradle one day when auslander tourists came in. They exclaimed over the clean store and all that was for sale. Charity realized they didn’t mean to be rude, but they did ask questions about how she and the girls were dressed and about their faith. One of the men said he was a youth minister in a church in Wilkes Barre and was interested in knowing more about the Amish.
Rosemary shyly told him that he should talk to the church leaders and not to the women. He asked why. She stated that even though they knew about the church and their faith that it was the duty of the men to tell about them.
He didn’t understand why the women couldn’t tell him, but his wife touched his arm and said, “Be respectful of their beliefs. Maybe they’re not permitted to talk, especially to men that are not of their faith.”
Charity, Rosemary and Maeve just smiled at them. At that moment Jeremiah gave a cry of pain. Charity rushed to his side with everyone following her.
One of the women stepped in. “Forgive me, but I’m a pediatrician-- baby doctor, and I’d like to help.”
Charity was so concerned about her baby that she spoke mostly in her language. Of course the woman could not understand, but did understand that she was a distressed mother.
“Please, let me hold the little one and check him. It may be nothing, then again he may need medical help.”
Charity reluctantly held her baby over to the woman doctor and said a silent prayer. Looking toward Rosemary and Maeve she knew they were praying, too.
“My name is Bonnie Kate Mercer. This is my husband, Bernard. These are friends of ours Bill and Emily Hutchinson.
Charity paled at the name of Bonnie Kate, bit her lower lip and kept silent. Bonnie pulled the covers off Jeremiah and admired the sweet white gown with embroidery on it. She knew Charity had made it.