by Tia Siren
The sun was setting on the quaint town of only a few thousand. It was mostly farmland with barns scattered here and there and trees and rivers and a few lakes. The houses that she could see looked very primitive and devoid of any luxuries that she was accustomed to. She fingered the earbuds in her pocket, the last vestige of her previous life. But the batteries would run out soon, and that would be the end. She was determined to only use them for special occasions.
“Well here we are,” said father, as they pulled up to one of the houses. “This is our new home. It is actually one of the nicer ones here, and the family we are staying with are very good friends with the reverend. And in a town like this, the reverend is king.”
Sarah got out of the buggy and was pleased to see that the house was not falling apart. It actually looked to be very well maintained, if not plain. But plain, she would find, is the way of life for these people.
*****
“Welcome, you must be Jacob and Sarah,” said a middle aged man. “My name is Isaiah, you are our guests. Come, we have a meal prepared for you.”
Jacob and Sarah went inside. The house could not have been less adorned, but at the same time it had a certain charm to it. Sarah couldn’t quite put her finger on on what it was.
“I have prepared my favorite dish,” said Isaiah’s wife. “It is roast duck with a hint of cherry flavoring.”
“I thought you people didn’t believe in flavoring anything,” said Sarah.
There was brief silence at the awkwardness and rudeness of the question. Her father gave her a scowl.
“Actually, we believe that life should be full of flavor. We just have different tastes than a lot of people,” she said with grace and kindness. Sarah was caught off guard that she didn’t take more offense.
“I should have introduced my wife earlier,” said Isaiah. “This is Rebekah. She is the most industrious wife a man could ever have and for that I feel very blessed.” Isaiah looked around and then yelled out the window. “Ezekiel you can finish up with your chores later, we have guests over...Ezekiel is my son,” he explained.
Ezekiel walked in just moments later. He looked to be in his late teens. Sarah thought that he was a very good looking young man. Too bad he is Amish, she thought to herself. Everyone sat at the table and Isaiah led them in prayer.
“Great father in heaven, we thank you for the gifts that you have bestowed upon us. It is not by our hands that we are so blessed, but by Yours Father. We thank you for our guests, and that they had safe travels here this evening. We pray Father that they will feel comfortable here and that we will be able to serve them to the best of our abilities. In your name, we pray.” Everyone said ‘Amen’ except for Sarah. She wasn’t going to have anything to do with this religion stuff. Not after what had happened to her mother. If there was a God that actually cared for her, why would he have let so many bad things happen to her?
“This is really good,” said her father.
“We are really blessed,” replied Rebekah, unwilling to take credit for it. Sarah had to agree, though. The meal was incredible. The duck was juicy and the cherry flavoring added to it in a way that she had never imagined food tasting before. The potatoes were also delicious. Well they eat all organic, right. It shouldn’t be a surprise their food tastes good.
After they finished supper, Isaiah showed Sarah and her father to their room. It was a single room that they would have to share. At least there were two beds. Wow we are definitely going to be spending a lot of time together.
“Thank you so much for taking us,” her father said to Jacob.
“It is our pleasure. What would life be without guests. Furthermore, your wife was quite a wonderful lady and we are honored to help her out any way that we can. She is with the Lord now, and I know this is what she would want,” replied Isaiah. He then left to go help with cleaning up the kitchen, leaving Sarah and her dad by themselves.
“Well this place isn’t so bad,” said Sarah’s father. He wanted to make Sarah feel better. He could tell that she was not enjoying herself so far.
“Dad, this place couldn’t be any worse. Well except for the food was pretty good.” She got into her bed. It was hard and stiff and not anything like she grew to expect in a bed. How could anyone get a good night’s sleep in one of these things. It was also cold, but the covers were surprisingly warm.
“Well what about Ezekiel. Did you think that he was cute,” asked her father. He knew that she would be embarrassed by the question.
“Why would you ask that. You know I don’t like talking about boys. He is just another one of these weird people and I want nothing to do with him. I am going to sleep, goodnight.” Sarah grabbed her earbuds and put them on. She figured that since she had never felt so miserable in her life, that this was a special enough of an occasion to use them. She listened to her favorite songs, the ones that her mother used to sing to her when she was little. Her favorite was a hymn. What was it called? Oh ya. “Amazing Grace.” I soothed her, and reminded of her when she was younger and still had hope for the world.
*****
When Sarah woke up the next morning, her father was already gone. At her age, there was no such thing as being a morning person. She stumbled to the bathroom, but when she got there, she noticed that there was no mirror. How am I supposed to see what I look like? When she came out, she noticed the smell of breakfast, and unsurprisingly, it was wonderful.
“How did you sleep, Sarah,” asked Rebekah.
Sarah remembered how hard the bed was and how poorly she thought she would sleep. But she stretched her arms out and realized that she didn’t feel bad at all. “You know, I feel alright.”
They enjoyed breakfast together, the five of them. Sarah still didn’t accept that this was her new reality. Ezekiel seemed so content as he ate his food and talked about the chores he was going to get done that day. He talked about it as if there was nothing in the world that he could possibly want that would make his life any better. Sarah knew he must be faking his joy. These Amish must just put up a false front of happiness.
“After breakfast, we all have chores that we do,” said Isaiah. “Each day’s work is not too hard if one commits himself fully to work unto the Lord. Jacob, you can work with me out on the barn. We are trying to have it ready by winter. And Sarah, you can work with Ezekiel out in the fields. The berries need to be picked as soon as possible. If you guys finish there, you can milk the cows.”
Sarah wondered how her father would manage doing any work. It was not something he had done as long as she could remember. Ezekiel got up.
“Come on Sarah, follow me,” he said.
Sarah realized that she had to do work as well. Outside the sun was just cresting over the hills and beginning to shine off of the few clouds that were in the sky. Sarah breathed in deeply and appreciated how fresh the air was. Well they have good food and good air. Maybe this place has a few redeeming qualities.
“So Sarah, how are you acclimating so far?” Asked Ezekiel.
Sarah realized that she had not yet spoken to him. “Pretty well I suppose, it is very different than what I am used to.”
“That is what everyone from the outside says when they come here,” he said. His voice was cheerful and optimistic.
“Really,” Sarah was surprised. “Do people from the outside come here often. I mean I thought you guys were pretty isolated.
“Oh there is certainly a sense in which we are isolated,” explained Ezekiel. “But visitors do come here from time to time and they enjoy learning about us. We are used to it really.”
“But don’t you envy them when they tell you how great life is outside of here,” asked Sarah.
Ezekiel shook his head. “Haven’t you ever heard of rumspringa?”
“No, I never have.”
“Rumspringa is when the young Amish, usually between the ages of 14 and 16 are allowed to experience the outside world for themselves. They then have the choice of
staying or coming back and being baptized into the church.”
“Really, and so don’t most just leave and never come back,” asked Sarah, sure that he would say yes.
“Not at all, almost everyone returns. In fact, rumspringa is mainly to show us how good we have it here. I think that in time you will learn to appreciate the world we have created here.”
“I doubt it.”
“And how could you be so sure,” asked Ezekiel as he stopped. Sarah stopped too.
“Because it is not as fun here, that is why,” she thought it was so obvious, especially to anyone that had experienced both living here and living in the real world. She didn’t understand what Ezekiel saw in this place. “There is no television here, there are no videogames, or music blaring in your room. You don’t have air conditioning or cars or anything that makes life worth living.”
“Oh and that is what you think makes life worth living?” Ezekiel shook his head slowly, frowning. “Sarah, I think that soon you will come to understand my perspective. But it is not something I can explain to you right now. It is something that you must experience.”
Sarah had no idea what he could be talking about. They began walking again.
“Just over here,” said Ezekiel. “We just need to pick these berries that you see. It is really as simple as that. With the two of us it will go much faster.”
At first they picked berries without talking. Sarah found the silence to be refreshing at first but then thought it was awkward. Who is so comfortable alone in silence?
She looked around to find Ezekiel. He was behind one of the bushes. he was humming to himself. She recognized the tune as one that her mother had sang to her when she was young. It was a hymn, it was “Amazing Grace.” He looked so content to be by himself and lost in his own thoughts. And his thoughts didn’t seem to torture him or consume him, but rather to uplift him. But what does he know. He has never experienced real tragedy in his life.
She was beginning to tire of picking the berries. Ezekiel came over.
“Are you ready for a short lunch break?” He asked
“I didn’t know that you people take breaks. I thought that you gained some kind of power from working so hard,” she said sarcastically.
Ezekiel laughed, “we take plenty of breaks. It is good for the body to rest after doing work. It is God’s way. You do know that he rested on the 7th day right?”
Sarah nodded, “but what does that have to do with anything?”
“He set a precedent,” explained Ezekiel. “He was telling us that rest is ok. And what’s more he was telling us that the 7th day is sacred. That is why one day a week we rest and just enjoy fellowship and our time worshipping the Lord. But that is enough of a Bible lesson. Eat up, take a breather.”
Sarah could not believe what she had gotten herself into. Ezekiel was a good enough looking guy, but he was a total square. Where is the fun in his lifestyle. he worked, and then he rested, and it was all scheduled out. There was no spontaneity. Oh well. Sarah did enjoy the lunch though, as she expected. It was corn bread with jam. She also ate some of the berries that they had picked. They were extremely good.
After lunch they picked berries for a few more hours. They didn’t do much talking, because Ezekiel seemed focused on what he was doing and content to hum in his head some crazy worship tune. “Alright, I think that is enough for today, let’s walk back and check on the cows,” he said.
Finally, thought Sarah. They started back, but to what? More work. Sarah was already dead tired and couldn’t imagine milking cows for hours. Don’t farmers have machines to do that? She then thought that the real reason for every invention was to increase laziness. She laughed to herself. Maybe it wasn’t true, but the thought was funny.
“Do you know how to milk a cow?” Asked Ezekiel.
Sarah gave him a look that she thought couldn’t be misinterpreted in any culture. “No Ezekiel, I don’t know how to milk a cow. I know how to buy milk at the supermarket though.”
Ezekiel smiled, taking no offense. “Okay, it is really simple…” He showed her the proper technique and they ended up finishing in no time at all.
“Okay that was quick, you are a really big help,” he said. “having an extra worker really makes a big difference. The next thing we are going to do is feed the chickens.”
“And I’m sure you have free range chickens,” said Sarah.
“Actually we do. I saw your chicken eggs that you eat on my rumspringa and even tasted some of them. Trust me, the ones we have here are much better. I could tell that you enjoyed them during breakfast this morning.”
“You know, for once I can’t disagree with you,” said Sarah. “Okay, show me how to feed these chickens.”
Ezekiel showed here how to spread the feed on the ground and how much to use. “It is really not much harder than that.”
“Okay now what,” asked Sarah.
“Look at you Sarah, anxious to get started on the next chore. I knew that you would come along.” Ezekiel was Amish but he still had a sense of humor. “Actually, that is it for right now. We finished early and were able to accomplish more than we needed. We can just go back now and see if mama needs any help inside the kitchen.”
“Why do you call her ‘mama,’” asked Sarah.
“Well we have a few different ways of saying things here. For the most part we talk the way that you do, and especially when you are around. We don’t want to confuse you. But, for example, we call God, Gott, sometimes. You will get used to it Sarah.” Everything he said was with a smile.
The walk back to the house was not too far, but Sarah’s feet were beginning to hurt. She didn’t understand how they could do so much every single day without breaking down. Where were the lazy Saturday morning cartoons, or the sleeping in on a snow day or just blowing off a school assignment because you can. Sarah thought that Ezekiel must take pride in everything that he does. What a loser, she thought to herself. But that was a term for someone back home that wasn’t popular. Ezekiel was handsome and well liked and industrious and nice. Sarah was beginning to realize that the world she was living in was really completely different than anything she had ever experienced before.
“So Sarah. I heard that you had a tragedy in the family, and that is why you have come here to live with us. I don’t mean to pry, but I wanted to let you know that I am here for you if you ever need to talk about it,” said Ezekiel as they were walking back.
Sarah realized that it would be nice to talk to someone other than her dad about it. “You know, I am going to be staying here for a long time probably. We will have many times to talk about it I am sure. And I do appreciate that, Ezekiel.” Sarah fought within herself not to confide all of her thoughts to him right there. “But all that I want to tell you right now is that I had a wonderful mother once. The best, most loving mother in the whole world. A lot like yours, I think. And now she is gone.” Sarah stopped in her tracks as she was full sadness, she looked into the distance. Even saying as little as she had made a profound impact on her.
Ezekiel just put his arm around her. Sarah expected some lecture on the Bible about how suffering is good for us. But she got none of that. All she got was comfort. She felt that he actually cared for her in the midst of her pain. That was more than she could say about most. Well even if this place stinks, at least there are people that seem genuine.
They got back and helped Rebekah with the chores in the kitchen. They had fruit to preserve and butter to churn. They worked on some pies and other desserts. Her father and Isaiah returned before sun down and they helped finish up the last of the chores. The men then left the kitchen and Sarah followed. “Stay here and help me make dinner,” said Rebekah. Sarah stopped.
“Okay, but everyone else left.” Sarah was puzzled. It was not that she didn’t want to help but she was curious why it had to be her.
“In this house everyone has their roles.” Explained Rebekah. “Trust me, it is better
this way. You don’t want to eat anything Isaiah makes.” Sarah laughed.
“But I don’t know much about cooking,” said Sarah.
“I will teach,” assured Rebekah. “The most important thing to remember is to have fun with any of the work that you do. Work is for our benefit. God could of had us just lay in the fields all day, but He knew that work is better. It gives us a sense of accomplishment. That is a joy that once you discover it, it is simply the best there is. Especially when you make something really delicious that makes the men cry for joy. I don’t mean that metaphorically mind you. After a hard day of work Isaiah appreciates my food more than you can imagine. Now that makes a wife happy,” explained Rebekah.
Sarah nodded in understanding. As much as she thought everything was backwards and outdated here, there was something to it. It was that charm that she felt earlier. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but she felt it again. Sarah helped with what she could and tried to learn as much as possible. It didn’t take too long, as Rebekah was a very fast cook.
“Tonight, with the help of my new assistant, I have prepared us pork and corn on the cob,” said Rebekah as she presented the food to the boys.
“Will you say the pray for us tonight,” asked Isaiah.
“Of course, papa.” Ezekiel looked grateful for the honor. “Heavenly father, again we come before you tonight in awe of your loving kindness and faithfulness towards us. It has been such a blessing have more help with our chores today. You always give so much more abundantly than we could ever ask for. In your name we pray, Amen.”
Everyone said ‘Amen,’ even Sarah this time. The food was as good as Sarah had come to expect. But good in it’s own unique way, that made it stand out from anything else she had ever had. The house was warm from the fire that had been prepared and felt particularly good because it created a delightful contrast to the cold outside. Sarah realized that she was beginning to appreciate certain aspects of her new life. She killed the thoughts as soon as they crept in, however. She didn’t want to be seen enjoying herself.
