"My people" is a proper term for the plain people. Unzsre Lite (Our People) was simply the term used to identify.

That sounds like a noble cause. You would be more effective if you spoke the language.

Most communities have existing churches with various degrees of conservativness (is that a word?) that a wayward one will often gravitate toward.

What?? No one joining the Amish today?? LOL!!!

Berk, have done joined them?? Is that where you went?

Emma, I would like to go to a simpler time and a simpler place. ........The rats are winning the rat race for me somedays. ...Guess I'm just tired of work, work, work as my profile says. ....No hope for an early retirement for me. :sad :depressed

I ain't seen me no messican Amish before, wow! Hope this won't be a new trend amongst us. Although we do have the Big Hat thing down!! Take a sombrero Berk!

I would like to learn the language but I wonder how I could accomplish that??

And yes, since many plain just go to less conservative churches, I wonder how much of a need there would be for something like that. Particularly something run by someone English. ;)

Me too. Sometimes life is just too hard. The plain people work very hard, but I think there is a simplicity along with it....meaning a lack of having so many, many decisions that we have to in this old English life.

Berk,

I have some contact with the Amish here in Illinois, and I have made good friends with a couple that have just converted to oneness pentecostal, but the local UPCi church has set themselves against me and my relationship with said family because I am an Independent within the Apostolic movement that, though conservative from my POV, grows a beard, has church at home...etc.

They are in the "ban" with the Amish for being UPCi, I'm in the "ban" with UPCi for being more interested in truth than the company line. Though the UPCi Pastor tells me I'm always welcome, he tells them to shun me. At least I have family in that church that sticks up for me. Nevertheless, we have bonded with this wonderful couple and very much enjoy their fellowship. They aren't going to allow a pastor to pick their friends and run their lives. They say that they have had enough of that from the Amish. Amen.

Well, at least the Amish are honest when they shun you. It was very disappointing, I even called the UPCi Pastor before I wrote to the family, to discuss the matter and stated that my intentions were to encourage them to stay at his church...but I guess that means nothing. He had no problem with my writing them, and no problem with a visit to the church, but didn't think that I ought to go visit them as he stated that they were being overwhelmed already. That seemed reasonable until this family called and invited us over for dinner, which turned into over night and church in the morning. They had heard so much about us, as it turns out, that they felt they wanted to get to know us as soon as possible.

The twist in the tale is that one of my best friends, who is Old German Baptist Brethren, lives in the Amish community and visited the family to discourage them. As a result and in counter response, I was only trying to help in keeping them stable on a course for the new birth and more truth of a higher importance than my difference of opinion with the UPCi, as the man's wife had received the Holy Ghost with Baptism in Jesus Name, and he had only been baptized. It seems with some UPCi people, that no good deed goes unpunished. No matter, it is easily forgiven, for they know not what they do.

Meanwhile, their testimony reveals a dark side to the Amish. We knew that to some degree, (every faction has one), but they are mostly good people. So, just know that there is more to the Amish than meets the eye.

We've had a burden for the plain people for some time now. We know of many that have received the new birth and have come out from among the various anabaptist movements in our general area and look to meet more.

Now then, I would encourage you to broaden your scope and study the anabaptist movements in total. Being in California, you have many Old German Baptist Brethren districts in your state. If you find one you won't be sorry. They speak and preach in English, they are every bit as friendly, yet even more so engaging. I've spent many weekends among them in their homes, with mostly elders, having church, meals, fellowship, and late night discussions. My wife has made many friends also and we are welcome to visit anytime.

The elders even gave me audience at my first church meeting with them after service. They were most interested in my understanding of the Godhead and what not. Very easy to talk to, very loving. They may disagree with you, but they will do so with such genuine love and respect that it makes for wonderful conversation. Many stayed long into the afternoon wanting to hear more and inviting me to their homes for the weekends. I could go on, but in general, they are willing to discuss the Word, and honest in their approach to finding the truth in all things.

They are a very receiving people, they love visitors, and joining the church is not nearly as difficult. Some drive cars, have electricity, some are somewhat more primitive in their convictions than the Amish are in general. Even among the horse and buggy OGBB, I have found very friendly and loving people.

If I didn't know any better, I'd join them. Better Christians I have yet to find, though they yet lack but a few things.

Therefore, dear brother, you don't have to join the "Amish" to learn about them, experience them, and walk among them. There in much more to the movement than the Amish.

Pray about it, perhaps what you are feeling is a burden to help reach for them in showing them the way more perfectly. You know that the UPCi has an Amish/Mennonite outreach, right? Though I would that they find a better name that describes it with greater accuracy, it might be a way for you to focus your enthusiasms for the Kingdom.

God Bless, PM me anytime.

Written to Berk - I know... But I would like to comment a little later when I have more time.


Your post was very interesting to me.