Horse and Buggy People

Since moving to Seymour, we have discovered an array of wonderful people. We are deep in Amish and Mennonite country and their lifestyle has always intrigued me, enough so that I chose to do a little research. I'm frequently asked, "What is the difference between the Amish and the Mennonites?", so I set out to find the answer.

One of my close friends was raised Mennonite, lives next to her mother who is still a practicing member of the church and she has many close relatives in other parts of the country who are Amish. Along with the plethora of information she has given me and my own observations, much of what I've learned comes from the book, "20 Most Asked Questions About the Amish and Mennonites" by Merle and Phyllis Good.

The Amish are generally less progressive and still do without most of the modern conveniences we take for granted, like electricity, cars, and television. They dress in very conservative clothing, all handmade and of muted, neutral colors. Amish children are the most adorable with the little girls in their sweet dresses with pinafores and black bonnets, and little suspenders and straw hats for the boys.

Mennonites in this area generally have very modern homes and modern conveniences but still wear conservative clothing. Men are very clean-cut and the women wear a certain style of dress and have a "head covering", usually a small fabric cap fitted over a bun. These head coverings are worn in, what they believe, is obedience to the bible passage in 1 Corinthians 11:2-16.

The way they look and dress is only a tiny part of this culture. Most Mennonite and Amish groups have common historical roots. They were originally nicknamed "Anabaptists" at the time of the Protestant Reformation in Europe when radical Christians were persecuted. They sought a return to the simplicity of faith and practice seen in the early Christian church. There is a strong emphasis on peaceful living and Amish, particularly, discourage worldliness (conforming to the pressures of society which takes the focus off of God).

The Amish typically live a life of hard work and most are self-employed, many as farmers or construction workers. Of note is the fact that many of the Amish in this area have automated chicken houses and produce chickens for the large poultry companies. I've been told that these chicken houses net them $12,000/year per house and many farms have multiple houses. Many of the men are fine craftsmen, building cabinets & furniture.

Women are too busy raising children, ironing clothes, growing food and making meals for their large families to be concerned about their own liberation. Family, church and community are priorities and they appear to be very satisfied and content, much unlike modern women who find balancing family and work an almost impossible task.

Most Amish and Mennonites refuse to go to war. For hundreds of years these people have believed that peaceable, humble Christians should never kill another human being, regardless of nationality or ideology. We could all learn something from their desire to express Christian love in all of life.

Many people don't understand why anyone would want to live so "backward" a lifestyle. If any of us were to list the 5 things that are most important to us in life, what would they be? A sense of meaning? A feeling of personal fulfillment? Having people who really care about us? Basic needs met? Contentment and Peace? Does the average modern American really have a more profound sense of peace and fulfillment than the "backward" Amish? Do their horses pollute the environment more than our gas-guzzling SUVs? Does the local grocery store have healthier food than that which is produced in clean soil outside your backdoor? Will our children grow up to be happier, healthier members of society because they have video games and TV and dolls that are "perfectly" proportioned and are carted off to endless activities?

Dh says that if you go into town on a Saturday around here, you feel quite strange because the horses and buggies abound. He said there are hundreds of them at the stores, the banks, and the restaurants and if you are on foot, watch out for the little gifts that so many horses leave behind! Have you ever seen a hitching post in a McDonald's parking lot? They are a necessity in this community. It is a charming vision, indeed, to see a buggy with several tiny Amish children in the back peering out from under several layers of blankets.

My favorite thing about the Amish and Mennonites are their stores. An Amish family has a General Store a few miles down the road from us. It is stocked with fabric, shoes, hats, stainless steel cookware and the best blocks of chocolate that I've ever tasted (think Little House on the Prairie-Olsen's Mercantile). The store has a wood stove in the center and old-fashioned wood floors and if you show up after the sun has set, you better bring a flashlight! The Mennonite store that I frequent at least weekly has bulk grains, beans, dried fruits, spices and wonderful candy that reminds me of my childhood. If you are looking for those sweet, liquid-filled, wax soda bottles or gummy chicken feet, it's worth a trip to Byler's Country store.

I admire the unusual approach the Amish take to human life. They have such a strong sense of community. I don't wish to romanticize or idealize their lifestyle; no doubt they have weaknesses just like any community but the evidence points to happy, healthy people who choose to stay together. I was recently given a poignant reminder when told a story by an Amish girl I met. With all of the recent tornado damage in our area, most families will be sorting through their ruins, finding temporary homes, dealing with insurance companies and spending months, if not years, getting back to "normal". There was an Amish family who was hit hard by the storm and their house was completely destroyed. The very next day, 100 men showed up to pick up debris and rebuild their home. It was finished by evening and they slept there the same night!

"What does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)