1. Ellen left her home in Indiana to be with her friend Mandy in Hawaii because of an emergency. Have you ever been in a situation where you had to leave all that was familiar to help someone who lived far away? How did you deal with the feelings of homesickness?
2. How difficult do you think it was for Mandy and her husband, Ken, to sell their bed-and-breakfast in Indiana and move to Kauai to help Ken’s mother? Have you ever had to make a sacrifice such as moving in order to help a relative?
3. Change was difficult for Ellen, and when the bed-and-breakfast where she worked was sold, she had to find another position that wasn’t to her liking. Have you ever lost a job you really liked and had to take something you didn’t enjoy? If so, how did you deal with the situation?
4. When Ezra took over for Ellen’s father during his hernia surgery, he became an overbearing boss. What could Ezra have done to make things more workable between him and Ellen? Have you ever had to deal with an overbearing employer? How did you handle the situation?
5. Taavi reached out to Rob/Rueben when he didn’t know him well and gave him a place to live. Have you ever helped someone you barely knew? What does the Bible say about helping strangers?
6. When Ken’s accident occurred, Mandy’s faith was put to the test. She was not only concerned for her husband’s welfare, but worried that they would not have enough money to pay the bills. Between Ellen coming to help out and others donating money, Mandy and Ken’s needs were met. Mandy accepted it with gratitude, but some people in similar circumstances are too proud to ask for or accept help. Have you or someone you know been in a comparable position? If you were on the receiving end, how did you respond? If you were on the giving end, how did it make you feel to help someone in need?
7. When Ken realized some of his injuries would hamper his ability to function in the manner he’d been accustomed to, he became depressed and withdrawn. How can we help someone whose life has been altered by sickness or an accident to rise above their circumstances and have a sense of self-worth?
8. Ezra thought he was in love with Ellen. If he had expressed those feelings and been kinder to her, what do you think the outcome would have been?
9. Rob/Rueben hid from his past and had become bitter and angry at God. He blamed himself for an accident that took someone’s life and chose to deal with it by moving away and pretending to be someone else. What should he have done in order to deal with his guilt? And should he have been honest about his situation?
10. When Ellen found out about Rob/Rueben’s deception, she felt betrayed. Have you ever been deceived by a friend? How did you respond to their deception?
11. Ken’s mother, Vickie, suffered a devastating blow when her husband died. A short time later, her oldest son, Dan, unable to cope with his father’s death, left Kauai and moved with his wife to California. This left Vickie with only Ken and Mandy’s help in running her husband’s business. She needed both sons, not only for their physical help, but for emotional support as well. How would you feel if an adult child or close family member moved away from you during a difficult time?
12. Did you learn anything new about the Amish by reading this story? If so, what was it?
13. Did you learn anything in particular about the Hawaiian culture you felt was similar to the way the Amish live?
14. Were there any verses of scripture in this story that spoke to your heart or bolstered your faith?