Interesting Read

[Sherri]

I just came from a trip to NY and then Pennsylvania, where we visited Lancaster County - Amish country. I have read so many Christian novels about the Amish that I was really excited to visit there. Eddie drove me around and didn't really share the excitement. LOL! I bought a book there called "The Happening" which was an account of the school shooting in the Amish schoolhouse in Lancaster County in October 2006. It was told from the perspective of one of the girls who was shot but survived. To protect their privacy, it's really a fictional character, but one that was compiled from the stories that were real. It was interesting to read about the forgiveness that immediately took place in their community and how they reached out to the widow of the shooter. It was written by a Yoder guy, so I assume he must be a Mennonite in the area, judging by the name.

[coadie]

I just came from a trip to NY and then Pennsylvania, where we visited Lancaster County - Amish country. I have read so many Christian novels about the Amish that I was really excited to visit there. Eddie drove me around and didn't really share the excitement. LOL! I bought a book there called "The Happening" which was an account of the school shooting in the Amish schoolhouse in Lancaster County in October 2006. It was told from the perspective of one of the girls who was shot but survived. To protect their privacy, it's really a fictional character, but one that was compiled from the stories that were real. It was interesting to read about the forgiveness that immediately took place in their community and how they reached out to the widow of the shooter. It was written by a Yoder guy, so I assume he must be a Mennonite in the area, judging by the name.

It was well covered by the Mennonite Weekly Review. They donated money to the widow and orphans. Amish are one of 4-5 major sectors of the anabaptists. Peace and reconciliation is very important.

Fox news
LANCASTER, Pennsylvania — The wife of a gunman who killed five girls and injured five others at an Amish school released a statement thanking the Amish and others in the Lancaster County community for their "forgiveness, grace and mercy."

In the letter, released by a family spokesman and addressed to Amish friends, neighbors and the local community, Marie Roberts says she and her three young children have been overwhelmed by the community support since the Oct. 2 shootings.

"Your love for our family has helped to provide the healing we so desperately need," she wrote. "Gifts you've given have touched our hearts in a way no words can describe. ... Your compassion has reached beyond our family, beyond our community, and is changing our world, and for this we sincerely thank you."

Since the shooting, members of the Amish community have said they forgive Charles Carl Roberts IV, who killed himself as police closed in on the West Nickel Mines Amish School.