My friend Suzanne Woods Fisher invited me to share about loving our neighbor at her blog, Amish Wisdom. There are many Amish neighbors in my community! It’s easy to see our differences… but what do we have in common?
Cultivating Community – Amish Style
I struggled to eavesdrop on a conversation between two women standing in the produce section at the grocery store. Musing over my plastic carton of strawberries, I listened intently but could not make out a single word! Their strong accents hid the meaning of their chatter, but based on their friendly smiles and children swirling around their carts, they were probably discussing their family’s favorite recipes and wondering if the sale would last until next week just like the other mothers.
Their children’s clothes were plain and sturdy, little black pants and woven shirts. Bonnets topped the women’s simple dresses. This isn’t a strange sight in my community. I live in Lancaster, Ohio—not to be confused with Dutch Country in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; however, we are surrounded by many Amish farms and families. Buggies regularly clip-clop into town and park behind the local Aldi while the women shop. The northern Ohio areas of Holmes County, Millersburg, Walnut Creek, Berlin, Charm and Sugar Creek are tourist destinations for those longing to experience the pristine Amish lifestyle – but in Lancaster, they are our neighbors and often our friends.
It’s hard to know how to begin a conversation, let alone a relationship, with someone who is different from us…
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